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Planable is the best client-facing social media tool we’ve ever used and we’ve used a lot.
Great campaigns involve input from project managers, SEOs, graphics designers, copywriters, editors, and the list can go on and on — proper content collaboration requires you to bring loads of people on the same page. The good news is that content collaboration tools...
Jan 24, 2025
Did you know that the average person spends over 3 hours a day on social media? Yet, many businesses struggle to cut through the noise and truly connect with their audience.
What if I told you there’s a secret weapon that can amplify your social media efforts and deliver your message directly to your customers’ fingertips?
In this article, we’ll explore the powerful synergy between social media and SMS, and how this dynamic duo can unlock unprecedented levels of audience engagement.
Imagine you run an online fashion store. You want to run a flash sale with 30% off on all items for one day. You post an eye-catching Instagram story showing your social-selling items with a countdown clock to build urgency. You include a link to your website in the post, directing followers to shop now.
Your followers are encouraged to sign up for SMS alerts to get an extra 10% off during the sale. Once they opt-in, you send them a personalized SMS: “Hey [Name], thanks for signing up! Here’s your exclusive 10% off code for today’s flash sale: FLASH10. Hurry, the sale ends at midnight!”
Result: The combination of social media awareness and SMS urgency creates a seamless, engaging experience. Social media sparks interest, while SMS drives immediate action by offering an exclusive code and deadline. This results in increased traffic to the website and a higher conversion rate.
As a marketing agency, you decide to host a free webinar on “Social Media Marketing Trends for 2025.” You promote it heavily on Facebook and LinkedIn, using engaging visuals and a link to register. You encourage users to “Sign up now and get a chance to ask questions live!”
Once someone registers via social media, you send them an SMS confirming their spot in the webinar: “You’re all set for our upcoming webinar on Social Media Marketing Trends! Join us on [date] at [time]. Check your email for the link to join, and we’ll send you a reminder on the day.”
As the webinar approaches, you send a follow-up SMS reminder: “Reminder: Our webinar starts in 1 hour! Get ready to learn the latest trends. Click here to join: [link].”
Result: By combining social media for awareness and SMS for reminders, you increase attendance rates. The personal SMS reminders ensure registrants don’t forget, and they feel valued with direct communication.
You’re running a beauty brand and want to reward your loyal Instagram followers with an exclusive 15% discount. You post about the offer on Instagram, asking followers to sign up for SMS alerts to receive the discount code directly to their phone.
Once someone signs up, you send them an SMS with the code: “Thanks for following us! Enjoy 15% off your next order with code BEAUTY15. Shop our latest collection now: [link].”
Result: Social media creates buzz and encourages users to opt-in, while SMS delivers a personal, immediate offer. This drives more sales by targeting your loyal followers with an exclusive incentive.
As a fitness brand, you decide to run a contest on Facebook to win a year’s supply of workout gear. Participants can enter by liking your post, sharing it, and tagging two friends. In the post, you encourage people to sign up for SMS alerts to get bonus entries.
After someone signs up for SMS, you send them an SMS: “Congrats on entering our contest! For 5 extra entries, share this text with your friends and tell them to sign up for SMS alerts too. Bonus entries end in 24 hours!”
Result: By combining social media for contest participation and SMS for bonus entries, you increase engagement. The SMS message drives further sharing and amplifies the contest’s reach, leading to more entries and higher brand visibility.
You run a local restaurant and want to improve customer satisfaction. You post on Facebook, asking your followers to share their thoughts on your new menu items in a quick survey for a chance to win a free meal.
After customers fill out the survey, you send them a thank-you SMS: “Thank you for your feedback! As a token of our appreciation, here’s a 20% off coupon for your next meal. Show this text at checkout.”
Result: Social media drives engagement by encouraging followers to provide feedback, and SMS strengthens the connection by providing a direct reward. Customers feel valued and are more likely to return, boosting loyalty and repeat business.
You’re launching a new line of eco-friendly home products and decide to build excitement. On Instagram, you post sneak peeks of the product collection with a “Coming Soon” caption, encouraging your followers to sign up for early access.
Once users sign up for SMS alerts, you send them an SMS: “🎉 Exciting news! Our eco-friendly collection is live! As one of our early birds, enjoy 10% off your first purchase with code ECO10. Shop now: [link].”
As the launch date arrives, you send them a reminder: “Hurry! Our new collection is almost sold out! Don’t miss your 10% off — use code ECO10. Shop now: [link].”
Result: The build-up on social media stirs curiosity, while SMS brings the audience back to your store when the products launch, driving immediate sales and creating exclusivity for early sign-ups.
You’re a local coffee shop launching a new loyalty program. You create a post on Facebook announcing the program, encouraging followers to join and sign up for SMS alerts to receive exclusive rewards and updates.
Once a customer joins via SMS, you send a welcome message: “Thanks for joining our loyalty program! Get a free drink on your birthday and earn rewards with every purchase. Stay tuned for exclusive offers.”
A few days later, you send another SMS: “Reminder: You’ve earned a free coffee! Come in anytime this week and enjoy your reward.”
Result: Social media spreads awareness of the loyalty program, while SMS ensures members receive timely updates and reminders, increasing customer retention and driving repeat visits.
Your travel agency runs seasonal promotions for vacation packages. On Instagram, you post stunning photos of beach resorts with a limited-time offer for summer vacations. You encourage users to sign up for SMS alerts to get the best deal directly.
Once someone subscribes to SMS alerts, you send a personalized message: “Ready for a summer getaway? Enjoy 20% off our beach resorts with code SUMMER20. Book now: [link].”
A few days before the promotion ends, you send a reminder: “Last chance to book your summer vacation at 20% off! Offer ends in 24 hours! Don’t miss out!”
Result: Social media generates excitement about the seasonal offers, while SMS drives urgency and direct action, leading to higher booking rates and an increase in sales for the travel agency.
You own an online fitness store and decide to run a flash contest for a chance to win a full fitness gear package. You create an Instagram post encouraging followers to like the post, tag a friend, and sign up for SMS alerts to gain an additional entry into the contest.
After users sign up for SMS, you send them a message: “You’ve been entered into our fitness gear giveaway! Want more chances to win? Share this SMS with a friend, and you’ll get 2 bonus entries!”
On the last day of the contest, you send a final reminder: “Hurry! You’ve got just a few hours left to enter our fitness gear giveaway. Get your last bonus entries now by sharing this SMS!”
Result: Social media drives initial interest and participation, while SMS boosts engagement by encouraging sharing and providing bonus entries, leading to more contest participants and increased brand visibility.
You run a SaaS company offering project management software, and you want feedback on your latest features. You post a survey link on LinkedIn and Twitter, offering a discount on your software subscription to those who complete the survey.
Once users complete the survey, you send them an SMS: “Thank you for sharing your thoughts! As a token of appreciation, enjoy 15% off your next subscription renewal. Use code FEEDBACK15 at checkout.”
Result: Social media encourages users to engage with the survey, and SMS ensures you stay connected by rewarding them directly with a personalized offer. This approach builds customer loyalty and improves user retention.
You’re a fashion e-commerce brand looking to boost customer referrals. You post about a referral program on Instagram that offers a discount for both the referrer and the referred person when they make a purchase. You ask followers to sign up for SMS to receive their personalized referral codes.
After someone signs up, you send them an SMS with their unique referral code: “Thanks for signing up! Share this code with friends and get 20% off your next order when they make a purchase: REFERRAL20. Plus, your friend will get 10% off their first order!”
Result: Social media spreads the word about your referral program, while SMS makes it easy for customers to share their referral codes, leading to more referrals and increasing your sales.
Your jewelry brand is hosting an exclusive VIP event for loyal customers. You post a stylish invitation on Facebook and Instagram, highlighting special promotions for attendees. You ask followers to sign up for SMS alerts to receive their exclusive event invite.
Once someone signs up, you send an SMS: “You’re invited to our VIP Jewelry Event! Enjoy early access to our new collection and 20% off your next purchase. The event is on [date] at [location]. RSVP now!”
A few days before the event, you send a reminder: “Reminder: Our VIP Jewelry Event is this weekend! Don’t forget your exclusive discount. We can’t wait to see you!”
Result: Social media creates excitement for the VIP event, and SMS ensures your customers get all the details and reminders to attend, boosting event turnout and customer loyalty.
A local restaurant wants to increase reservations for its weekend dining. On Facebook and Instagram, the restaurant shares a mouth-watering video of its signature dishes, encouraging followers to reserve a table by signing up for SMS updates.
After users sign up, they receive an SMS: “Thanks for reserving at [Restaurant Name]! Show this SMS during your visit to enjoy a free dessert with your meal. See you this weekend!”
A day before the reservation, they receive another SMS reminder: “Your table is ready this weekend! Don’t forget about your free dessert. Reply YES to confirm your reservation.”
Result: Social media captures attention with enticing visuals, while SMS adds a personal touch by offering perks and providing reminders, reducing no-shows and enhancing customer satisfaction.
A music festival uses Instagram Stories and TikTok videos featuring performers to build excitement. They include a “Swipe Up” link to sign up for SMS alerts to be the first to grab discounted early bird tickets.
Once users sign up, they receive an SMS: “Early bird tickets are live now! Get yours before they sell out: [link]. Use code EARLY20 for 20% off. ”
When tickets are nearly sold out, they send a follow-up SMS: “Don’t miss out! Only a few early bird tickets left. Secure yours today: [link].”
Result: Social media generates initial excitement, while SMS drives urgency and direct action, ensuring a fast sellout of tickets.
A fitness center creates a Facebook ad offering a free one-week trial for new members. The ad directs users to sign up for SMS updates to claim the offer.
After signing up, users receive an SMS: “Welcome! Your free one-week trial at [Fitness Center Name] starts now. Visit us anytime! Reply BOOK to schedule your first class.”
Once a class is booked, another SMS reminds them: “Don’t forget! Your class at [Fitness Center Name] is tomorrow at 6 PM. Bring a friend for free! ”
Result: Social media expands the reach of the free trial offer, and SMS ensures new members take action and show up for their first class, increasing conversions to full memberships.
A fashion brand posts on Instagram, teasing an upcoming flash sale with exclusive discounts. They encourage followers to sign up for SMS alerts to access the sale an hour early.
When the sale starts, early access users receive an SMS: “The sale is live! Enjoy 50% off select items before anyone else: [link]. Act fast — deals are limited!”
An hour later, they send another SMS: “Sale is now open to everyone! Hurry and grab your favorites before they’re gone.”
Result: Social media generates buzz and anticipation, while SMS provides an exclusive experience for early access users, increasing loyalty and driving fast sales.
A tech company creates a LinkedIn post announcing an upcoming webinar on AI trends, encouraging professionals to register by signing up for SMS updates.
After signing up, attendees receive an SMS: “You’re registered for ‘AI Trends in 2024’ on [date]. Save the date! Access details will be sent closer to the event.”
A day before the event, they send another SMS: “Reminder: Join our AI Trends webinar tomorrow at 3 PM EST. Here’s your link to attend: [link].”
Result: Social media broadens the reach of the webinar announcement, while SMS ensures attendees remember the event, leading to higher participation rates.
A non-profit organization posts on Facebook about their back-to-school supplies drive, asking followers to contribute by signing up for SMS donation reminders.
After signing up, supporters receive an SMS: “Thanks for supporting our School Supplies Drive! Donate here to help kids in need: [link]. Every dollar counts! ”
A week later, they send an update: “We’re halfway to our goal! Help us cross the finish line: [link].”
Result: Social media creates awareness and engagement, while SMS provides a convenient way for supporters to donate and stay updated, boosting overall contributions.
A pet store posts a video on Instagram of cute pets enjoying their products, encouraging followers to join their loyalty program via SMS to get exclusive rewards.
After signing up, customers receive an SMS: “Welcome to the [Pet Store Name] Loyalty Program! Earn points with every purchase and get $5 off after 50 points. Stay tuned for exclusive offers!”
Before a holiday weekend, they send: “Stock up for your furry friend! Earn double points on all purchases this weekend only.”
Result: Social media attracts new loyalty program members, while SMS keeps them engaged and informed, driving repeat purchases and long-term customer loyalty.
Combining SMS with social media isn’t just a strategy—it’s the future of marketing. SMS delivers instant, personalized messages that grab attention, while social media amplifies your reach and builds lasting connections. Together, they create a marketing powerhouse that drives engagement and skyrockets conversions.
Don’t wait to see the impact, start blending SMS and social media in your next marketing campaign and watch the results unfold.
Philip Portman is the Founder and CEO of Textdrip, a business texting platform; He has successfully launched several startups including landlineremover.com and argosautomation.com. With expertise in SMS marketing and digital automation, Philip is also an esteemed member of the Forbes Technology Council.
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