SMS marketing continues to be one of the most effective communication channels, but with increasing competition, achieving high open rates requires more than just sending messages. As we move into 2026, smart copywriting techniques, improved personalisation, and better audience understanding play a critical role in boosting SMS performance.
In this blog, you’ll learn proven methods to increase SMS open rates using clever copywriting strategies that match the behavior of modern consumers.
Your first 20–30 characters decide whether users open or ignore your SMS. Use curiosity, urgency, or relevance to grab attention instantly.
Use names, location, and past behavior to make your SMS feel personal. Personalised messages look relevant and boost open rates naturally.
Short sentences, simple words, and clear formatting make your SMS easy to scan—and more likely to be opened and acted on.
Users respond faster when they see the benefit immediately. Start your SMS with savings, updates, or key value to drive engagement.
Write like you speak. Natural, friendly messages feel more trustworthy than robotic or overly promotional text.
Curiosity, FOMO, exclusivity, and surprise help your SMS stand out. Use them sparingly to create interest without feeling pushy.
Midday and early evening remain the best windows for high open rates. Always align timing with your audience’s routine.
Use CTAs that spark interest, such as “See your offer” or “Check your update.” Curiosity encourages more clicks.
Group customers by location, interests, and buying behavior to send highly relevant messages that get opened quickly.
A/B test your SMS copy, track open rates, and refine regularly. Small copy tweaks can create big improvements in engagement.
A compelling first line and strong personalization are the top contributors to increasing open rates.
Keeping SMS between 120–160 characters generally gives the best results because it maintains clarity and relevance.
Yes, emotional copy (curiosity, urgency, exclusivity) significantly boosts both open and click rates when used authentically.
Absolutely. Sending SMS at optimal hours like midday or early evening improves visibility and engagement.
Conversational copy performs better in most industries, as it builds trust and feels more human.
