To get the best results from your text campaigns, it’s important to follow a few key best practices. The recommendations below will help you create messages that are more likely to reach your customers, encourage engagement, and stay out of spam folders.
Keep It Short and Simple
Shorter messages lead to higher engagement—that’s not just best practice, it’s what the data shows:
Messages under 150 characters see a 35% engagement rate
Messages between 150–299 characters drop to 20% (43% decrease)
Messages over 300 characters drop further to 17% (51% decrease)
Aim to keep your message brief and to the point. Customers are more likely to engage when they can read and understand your message at a glance. The longer the message, the less likely it is to be read.
Personalize Your Messages
Adding details like the customer’s first name or their vehicle’s year, make, and model can make your messages feel more relevant and engaging.
For example:
Hi Jenna, we haven’t seen your 2020 Toyota Camry in a while—your AutoVitals team is here when you’re ready!
Use the placeholders menu to personalize your text messages.
Avoid Spam Verbiage
Avoid including common spam triggers in your text messages.
- Excessive punctuation, "!!!!!"
- All capital letters
- Phrases like “LIMITED TIME!” or “ACT NOW!”
Messages that look overly promotional or artificial are more likely to be flagged by spam filters or ignored by recipients. Use a conversational tone and keep it simple.
Frequency: Don't Overdo It
Sending too many texts in a short period can lead to unsubscribes or messages being flagged as spam.
Limit campaigns to a reasonable frequency—typically no more than a few times per month—and avoid sending multiple campaigns back-to-back. Consistent, well-timed messages are more effective and better received.