What Is Text Blasting and How Does It Work? [2025]

If you had to reach a friend quickly, you'd probably text.

The same goes for your customers. People check their phones about 96 times a day, so a short text has a much better chance of being seen within minutes.

That’s why smart businesses use text blasting to reach thousands of customers every day to boost engagement and get faster responses without the delay.

Let’s say you’ve already signed up for the best phone system for a small business solution. But are you leveraging the power of text blasts for your marketing campaigns?

In this guide, we’ll show you how to use text blasting to get faster responses and better engagement.

Let’s get started!

What is a text blast?

Text blast, also known as SMS blast, mass texting, or bulk messaging, is a speedy and effective way of sending messages in bulk to a large group of people at once.

It has limited restrictions as you can include images, links, emojis, animated GIFs, or even videos with MMS messaging.

While it’s sent in bulk, each recipient receives the message indiviually in their inbox. This is not like group messaging, where everyone is caught in a group thread.

However, you should know that text blasting is often impersonal, compared to regular SMS campaigns. It’s beneficial when the focus of the message is to announce or remind customers about an emergency event or occurrence.

For example, a business might use a text blast to notify all customers about a sudden store closure due to bad weather, a limited-time flash sale starting in an hour, or a last-minute change in event venue.

In cases like that, speed and reach matter more than personalization - which means text blasting is the ideal option.

Why send text blasts?

There are many benefits for organizations that use text blasting and mass SMS text messaging.

Better reach

Source: Dialmycell

A recent report found that nearly 60.42% of the world’s population now has a smartphone. In the US, there are over 307 million smartphone users, and 96% of Americans aged 18-29 own a smartphone.

There is simply no single communication channel that can reach as many people as an SMS text message.

The best part is that they don’t need to get connected to the internet to receive these messages.

Higher open rates

Email has long been used for marketing campaigns and is a stalwart of business communication. Most people check their email several times a day. Despite this, email open rates hover around 42%.

Mobile Squared previously reported that 90% of all SMS messages are opened within three minutes of being received, and 98-99% of text messages end up getting read.

Recently, Mobile Squared found that in today's climate, 55% of text messages are "read" (meaning, actively opened - which is still far higher than email), but up to 100% of SMS are "seen" by recipients.

Higher click-through rates (CTRs)

Getting your customers to open your message is the first step to conversion.

Unless you are sending out a general announcement, this will require the recipient to take action by clicking on a link or CTA (call to action) button.

According to SMS Comparison, SMS has a 19% CTR compared to 4% for email and 1% for Facebook messages. This means SMS text blasting is nearly 5 times more effective than any other marketing channel.

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Cost-effective marketing

Typically, SMS blasting and mass texting cost far less than other marketing channels like email, social media, or even influencer outreach.

This is because to create campaigns for email and social media properly, organizations will need to invest in APIs to streamline and automate much of the process.

You are likely already using group text messaging for business solutions. The best ones already provide a fully integrated and capable text expander for business messaging. This way, you can tap into your existing resources and reap the benefits of SMS blast texting.

How to send a text blast?

There are three main ways of sending a text blast to your contacts: either by using a text blast software or app, or an API. It all depends on your level of customization and automation needs.

Now, let’s start with using a text sms blast service (software and app).

Using text blast software for text blasting

There are different text blasting services out there that give you the full autonomy of managing your SMS efforts manually and automatically.

However, you need to consider some critical elements before choosing one.

Look out for:

1. Features needed: Make sure the service has all the features you need, because most SMS services offer all the basic features needed.
2. Pricing: Make sure the pricing fits your budget and has a good chance of yielding a positive ROI.
3. Customer support: Make sure the support is helpful and available to answer your questions and concerns. You may also consider their available channels of communication and time across different regions.
4. Usability: Make sure the service is easy to use.
5. Make sure that your messages can get successfully delivered (you’ll likely need to go through a brand registration process in order to have successful delivery).

Having considered the elements listed above, it’s time to choose the best text blast service for your needs. Some of the popular text/SMS blast software include

1. Mobile Text Alerts
2. Twilio
3. SlickText
4. EZ Texting
5. Textedly
6. Trumpia
7. Textmagic
8. Attentive
9. Klaviyo
10. Plivo
11. Podium

For the purpose of understanding how to send a blast text message using sms marketing software, let’s use the first provider on the list, Mobile Text Alerts, as a case study.

Before we proceed, here's how it works with Mobile Text Alerts.

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Now let’s start the journey to sending your first text message blast.

1. Build or get subscribers who will receive your messages

In order to send out texts, you need to have recipients.

If you already have a list, you can import that list directly into your online texting platform via a spreadsheet or by connecting to your CRM via API or Zapier integration.

Otherwise, you can build your subscriber list by allowing people to subscribe by sending a text to a particular phone number, filling out their information on an online sign-up form, or scanning a QR code.

You can then segment your audience into groups based on their needs and your text message focus.

2. Create the content for your messages

Input the content you'd like to send using the texting Software or API. You can even personalize the messages with each individual subscriber's information. (You are able to include an image as well.)

Even when you don’t know what to type, you can use the AI text message writer functionality to write a compelling text for your use case.

You can also select a specific list of your audience you want to send the text to.

And that's it! You're now ready to send, schedule, or add the message to an automated flow.

3. Automate text blasting

There are a few different ways you can automate your text blasting process. Here are some of them:

• Scheduling for specific times: Select the exact date and time that you'd like your text blast to be sent.
• Creating a drip campaign: Create a series of time-based messages that are automatically triggered and sent according to the time intervals that you designate (technically, these messages are not "blasts" since they are sent individually to recipients).
• Automated replies: These are also not "blasts" per se, but you're able to create automatic responses that send out to recipients under certain conditions.
• Building automations via API: If you have developer bandwidth, you can build your own automations via API. In the next section, we’ll explain how to create a text blast with the API.

How to program SMS blast using API

The most convenient way to send a SMS blast is to use text blast software or an application. However, if you need more customization and automation options, your best choice is to use an SMS API to program your SMS blasts.

The only caveat is that you need to have deep technical know-how or developer resources.

Here’s how…

• Get your API key (or other authentication method). If your SMS service offers an API, it will provide it for you. In Mobile Text Alerts, you can access your API key under your account settings.
• Access the API documentation—this will usually be publicly accessible on your SMS service provider’s website.
• Determine what you want to accomplish: After reviewing the API documentation to see what options are available, determine what you’d actually like to accomplish with your SMS API.
• Follow the API documentation instructions to submit your API requests. The API documentation should have clear instructions and examples on how to use the API.

With an SMS API approach, you’ll be able to automate your SMS process and integrate with your other software.

Using a text blast app

You can get a text message blast app that’s connected to your text blasting software account.

An app will offer many of the features and benefits of a full-fledged software, but it's available conveniently on your phone or tablet.

One limitation is that it won't give you access to all of the features of a full software platform.

Text blasts for business campaigns (examples)

You might already be asking, “When should I use text blasting in my marketing strategy?”

The possibilities for SMS text blasts in existing marketing plans are nearly limitless. Here are a few of the most common use cases.

Flash sales and promotions

Text blast is a great way to promote flash sales and other time-limited offers. Customers will skim a message after it’s received and be more likely to take action–the limited-time offer will instill their urgency.

“

🚨 Flash Sale Alert! 🚨 Today only, get 30% off all items in-store and online. Hurry, offer ends at midnight! Shop now: [link]

Product upgrades and other news

SMS text blasts provide an easy option to inform your audience about new products, updates, and other brand-related news. Interested customers can follow links to their mobile web browsers for opt-ins, subscriptions, payment, and different types of conversion.

“

Big Announcement! Our highly anticipated product launch is here. Check out what's new: [link]

Event reminders and updates

Text messaging can help keep customers informed about events like concerts, expos, live product demos, webinars, and just about anything. Ideally, your event planning goes smoothly, and any updates on the time and place are as minimal as possible.

SMS text blasting is also a great way to gently remind potential attendees to save the date and avoid missing out.

“

Friendly Reminder: Our '5 Killer Digital Marketing Strategies' webinar starts in 1 hour. Click here to join: [link]

Payment or agreement reminders

You can use SMS texting to set up automatic payment reminders. This helps save your accounts and support teams from having to conduct routine calls. It is a simple yet effective way to help customers avoid service disruption and/or late fees due to missed payments.

Besides linking to a payment option, you can link to a contract document or agent agreement form that is time-sensitive.

“

Hi [Name], just a friendly reminder that your monthly subscription payment is due in 2 days. Click here to make a payment and avoid interruption: [link]

Emergency response

Over the recent global pandemic, many of us became very familiar with SMS text blasting via our healthcare providers and relevant government agencies.

Mass text messaging is an effective way to let a local population know about any emergency events. SMS messaging can also help to guide recipients on safety guidelines and what to do next during an emergency.

“

URGENT: Due to severe weather conditions, residents are advised to stay indoors. Follow local news channels for updates. Stay safe!

Polls

If you’ve been very eager to conduct surveys to increase your brand awareness or understand customers’ buying intent, you can automate this process with text blasting. All you need to do is set up this poll campaign in your text blaster based on rules that are peculiar to your process. It could also be timed, monthly, weekly, or quarterly.

Here’s a template for you.

“

Hello, quick poll! What new feature would you love to see from us next? Reply with: 1 – Faster delivery; 2 – More product options; 3 – Better discounts. Thanks for your input! [Business Name]

Text blast pricing

So, how much will sending SMS blasts cost you?

Unfortunately, there’s no clear-cut answer because it depends on a lot of factors.

Using Mobile Text Alerts as an example, plans start at as little as $20 per month for 500 messages per month. But of course, the more messages you send, the more you’ll end up paying.

If you are on a high-volume plan sending multiple thousands upon thousands of messages, you can pay just fractions of a penny for each message.

Some factors you should consider would include…

• Volume of Messages: The number of texts you plan to send is typically the primary cost driver. Most providers offer tiered pricing based on volume, with per-message rates decreasing as you send more messages.
• Provider Pricing Models: Most SMS providers operate on a subscription basis, but some are pay-as-you-go.
• Message Length: Standard SMS messages are limited to 160 characters. Longer messages may be split into multiple texts, potentially increasing costs.
• Including Media: Text messages with media files (such as images) typically are charged more per message within SMS blast services. (These types of messages are known as MMS.)
• International messaging: Sending messages internationally often incurs higher fees than domestic texting.
• Additional Fees: Many providers will charge more than what is advertised for their plans, because they incur carrier fees from the mobile providers.

How to do text blast marketing (strategies from experienced text blasters)

If you’re wondering, “How can I start text blasting for my business?” This section breaks down the fundamental principles you need to know.

The best part is that experts who’ve experienced both the highs and lows of text blasting have shared actionable insights.

With their experiences in mind, you’ll be equipped to build a successful text messaging campaign that gets opened.

1. Define the goals or purpose (specific and bigger picture)

Every business plan or marketing campaign starts with well-defined objectives. It may be to gain more subscribers, gain X amount of donations, increase sales, or achieve a vast number of other business goals. But you can’t go any further with a mass text drip campaign until you complete this step.

Make sure each text blast campaign aligns with your overall marketing focus. Arham Khan of Pixated Agency shares,

“

The best-performing text blasts are tied to something specific, like flash sales, early access, or low-stock nudges. But these messages still need to work within the bigger picture: your ads, your landing pages, your email flows. Everything should feel connected and like a seamless experience.

2. Identify segments that are most likely to convert—and then segment with surgical precision

Knowing your audience is the quickest way to get your messaging right and deliver content they can relate to.

According to Arham Khan, segmenting is one of the steps to avoid high opt-out rates. He says,

“

Instead of blasting our entire contact list, we zeroed in on segments that are more likely to convert, whether that’s dormant customers, recent site visitors, or those who dropped off at checkout. The message needs to meet them at the stage that they are, and the timing is just as important.

At first, Andrew Cussens wasn’t armed with this knowledge, and he learned the hard way. He shared his experience, saying;

“

We quickly learned that text blasts should be used with surgical precision: our first broad campaign to 5,000 contacts had a 9% opt-out rate because we didn’t segment properly. Today we only text 3 types of customers: 1) Recent inquiry clients get booking incentives 2) Past commercial clients receive seasonal offer reminders, 3) Wedding couples get pre-event check-ins.”

3. Use the right SMS tools

Make sure you use the right SMS campaign tools for the job. For example, you may need a solution that lets you process payments and donations, but not automatic replies. Identify which features are necessary for your campaign to ensure your chosen software is fit for your purpose.

4. Craft your copy and CTA

Get your team together and write the copy of your SMS. Remember to keep it clear and concise. Of course, try to stay on-brand (despite character limitations). And always include a CTA that causes users to feel a sense of urgency. For example, CTAs like “Get 15% off last-minute studio bookings.”

5. Remember that timing is a form of personalization

Plan your SMS messaging schedule. This is especially important if you’re conducting SMS text blasts as part of a drip campaign. Text messaging solutions let you schedule SMS texts for automatic delivery.

But most importantly, understand what works for your business. As Fineas of Viva advised,

“

Be mindful of time zones across your audience and don’t pick a blanket send time. Timing is a form of personalization that will get you better responses and show respect for the people you’re trying to reach.

He further shared a strategy that helped him and his team achieve a personalized timing for multi-location audiences during text blasting campaigns. He shared,

“

We work internationally, so an SMS blast for 9 am EST would lead to our West Coast clients getting their phones pinged at 6 am. That’s unacceptable to us on a lot of different levels. That’s why we segment every campaign by time zone and schedule sends to arrive in a safe window, usually between 10 am and 2 pm in their local time. Not only are our response rates a lot better now, but our unsubscribe rate has dropped by over 70% after SMS blasts.

6. Use your texting solution to track your SMS campaign performance

Once your SMS blast campaign gets going, you will want to track the results.

Use your business texting solution to monitor sent messages, replies, open rates, CTRs, and other metrics in real-time.

Alongside A/B testing, customer analytics will provide actionable insights to improve and tailor your campaign for better results. And all of these depend on your specific goal for the campaign. It could be to send readers to a landing page for sign-ups, or just the open rate that shows audiences enjoy your content.

Also, watch out for opt-out rates, as this could be a sign that your text marketing strategy needs a tweak.

SMS text blast best practices

Businesses like yours will want to follow the best practices when implementing group text messaging for business.

Get opt-in

Make sure you understand the SMS opt-in laws and compliance requirements in your audience’s location. Once you're clear on the rules, you can use different methods to grow your contact list, such as during account creation or subscription via an app or website form.

You can also look at options like interactive voice response menus or letting callers dial a specific number to opt in to SMS texting.

Avoid repurposing email directly to SMS

It’s called a short message service for a reason. Each SMS text is limited to 160 characters. Longer messages can be sent using multiple texts, but try to keep communication concise and easy to read.

Your customers will appreciate the brevity and respect for their time–you will also avoid coming across as overbearing, verbose, and annoying (a good way to drive up customer churn).

If you need help writing a succinct SMS that drives results, you may consider a text blasting service with SmartSMS Suggest and Shortener features.

Try Mobile Text Alerts’ SmartSMS Suggest to send the right SMS.

Provide an easy opt-out

For all US-based communication, you will need to follow guidelines set forth by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and CTIA. This means that in addition to grabbing customer opt-ins, you'll also have to provide quick and easy methods for users to opt out of SMS texting.

The most common tactic is instructing users to send a keyword such as “STOP” or “UNSUBSCRIBE” to terminate any SMS communication.

A business texting solution saves your team the arduous task of SMS contact list management by automating the immediate addition or removal of contacts.

Automate replies and workflows

With SMS text blasts, every message is sent as a private message to each individual. In many cases, this will result in a high volume of replies to your initial message (including any opt-outs).

Replying to every single message could result in a delayed and lengthy process. Of course, you can save your team valuable time through automation.

This is exactly what Andrew Cussens did to save his admin operations an extra 3 hours weekly. He says, "When a prospect texts 'RATES', they receive our pricing PDF automatically, saving us 3+ hours a week in admin."

An automated reply message also makes your customers happy because they receive an instant response. This helps to avoid frustration and any confusion as to whether their text has been received or not.

You can create all kinds of segmented and elaborate SMS automation workflows, or you can create flows as simple as “Respond X if customer sends text message Y.”

A/B test a small segment (for example, 10%) before sending a full campaign

Before sending your SMS campaign to your entire audience, start by testing it on a small segment. Fineas shared that cleaning their email list and running A/B tests improved the success rate of their text blasts. In his words,

“

Early on, we focused on list size, and our deliverability suffered for it. With a clean list before any major send, we've improved our deliverability rate to over 98%, and we're only messaging people who genuinely want to hear from us. A smaller, highly engaged list is infinitely more valuable. Once we build out the campaign, we never send it to our full list all at once. We run an A/B test on a small, 10% segment of the list to compare two different CTAs and opening hooks. We wait 3-4 hours, look at the CTR and reply rate, and then send the winning version to the remaining 90%.

Text blasting FAQ

Is text blasting legal in my country?

Text blasting isn’t legal across all countries because different countries have varying regulations to protect against spamming in SMS. In the US, sending SMS or text blasts requires adherence to certain regulations by the TCPA. Non-compliance with this regulation can result in fines from $500 to $1,500 for each unsolicited message.

It’s also important to note that some states have stricter rules for SMS campaigns than the general federal laws. Hence, we strongly advise following the SMS text blasting best practices religiously.

What’s the best time to send a text blast?

There’s no definite answer to this because the best time to send a text blast depends on your business, audience, and the message context. However, it’s recommended to consider standard business hours between 9 AM and 6 PM of your audience's local time during weekdays.

For optimal performance, you may consider the earliest hours and evenings of the business day. Weekend afternoons can also be good for high engagement.

How to text blast for free?

Most text blast services will require a fee to send a text blast. However, you can get a free trial account to test out the platform for free and see if it would be a good fit for you.

What are text blast services and systems?

SMS blast services/systems offer an online platform and/or an SMS API that allows you to set up and send out SMS blasts.

Some of the best text blast services include Mobile Text Alerts, Twilio, and SlickText.

How do I access an SMS blast website?

SMS blast websites are accessible at the URL provided by the SMS service provider of your choice.

For example, the Mobile Text Alerts SMS blast website can be found at https://mobile-text-alerts.com/

Can I do unlimited SMS blasts?

Generally speaking, you aren’t able to send unlimited SMS blasts.

Most SMS platform subscription plans will have a limit based on the plan that you choose.

How can I start text blasting for my business?

In order to start using text blasts for your business, you need to...

• Select a text blast service to try, and either use their text blast software or application
• Load your contacts into your selected platform, or start offering subscribers a way to opt in
• Send or set up your messages from the platform or through API (if you have developer bandwidth)

How to send blast text messages on iPhone or Android?

If you want to send a text blast from a phone, you'll need to find a blast software that either offers a mobile app or has an easy-to-use online platform that's accessible from a phone.

Get your text blasting right with Mobile Text Alerts

SMS provides better access to your customers than any other communication channel. They say great things come in small packages. Effective use of short message service texting will elevate any marketing campaign with higher open rates and higher conversion.

You are likely looking to invest in enterprise application integration solutions, but if you’re not already using SMS text blasts as part of your marketing strategy, it’s not too late. Get started with a business texting solution today to try it out for yourself!