7 Ways to Reach More Contacts With (Business) Mass Texting

Instant 98% visibility—here’s why mass texting beats the inbox. SMS open rates hover around 98%, with 90% of text messages read within 3 minutes of receipt (Emarsys, 2024). Compared to email, where average open rates dip below 22% and click-through rates average around 2.6%, the power of a business text is clear.

In fact, 84% of U.S. consumers are now opted in to at least one brand’s text messages, a 35% jump since 2021 (SimpleTexting, 2025). With engagement this high and cost-per-send still low, a reliable mass texting service is one of the most effective tools in your communication stack.

Here are 7 ways to use mass texting to reach thousands of contacts faster than ever before:

#1 Send personalized announcements to your entire list

Mass texting doesn’t mean generic. In fact, using a contact’s first name in a bulk SMS can increase click-through rates by up to 29% (Textellent, 2024). A good mass text message is short, personal, and clear—with a single call to action.

Example:

“Hi {{CONTACT.FIRST_NAME}}, we’re extending free trials through Friday. Want us to save you a spot? – John @ Acme Co.”

Keep your text messages under 160 characters for best delivery. Maintain clean contact data to avoid errors in merge fields and always include a clear opt-out option.

#2 Increase email conversion rates with text follow ups

Chances are you’re sending email campaigns. Email is great for longer form communication but engagement can be low. Mailchimp noted in a study that the average click rate for all industries was 2.62%. Open rates for all industries from that study were 21.33%.

When you send a mass text as a follow up to emails, you can combine the average 35% response rate of text messages with the longer messages and functionality of email to increase engagement.

How do you use bulk SMS messaging services to partner with your email campaigns?

Step 1. Send your email campaign to your email list. Include your text-enabled phone number to allow contacts to follow up in any way that is convenient for them.

Step 2. Send a brief, personalized text, referring to your email. You can do this immediately after your email is sent, but to optimize your response rates, you will want to send within a few hours.

Try following up to an email like this:

HI {{CONTACT.FIRST_NAME}}, JUST SENDING A QUICK FOLLOW-UP TO THE EMAIL I SENT OVER. ARE YOU AVAILABLE NEXT WEEK TO CONNECT FOR 5 MINS ON NEXT STEPS? – JOHN FROM ACME CO.

#3 Engage your audience by sending useful mobile content

All of your outreach to your contacts should provide value. It should give them information they need, help them move towards a solution from a challenge they’re facing, or provide the kind of thought leadership that inspires them.

A bulk text message service is small (in character length) but mighty in valuable content. Mass texting is a great way to make sure that useful content reaches as much of your audience as possible.

Try sending mobile content like this:

HEY {{CONTACT.FIRST_NAME}}, THOUGHT YOU’D BE INTERESTED IN THE 2022 STATE OF STAFFING REPORT: STAFFINGHUB.COM/2018-STATE-OF-STAFFING/. I’M HERE TO HELP IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. – JOHN WITH ACME CO.

#4 Get customer feedback from large groups

Sometimes you hit a business slump that you just can’t explain. You’ve done everything right — done your homework on your audience, followed up in a timely manner, and provided as much valuable information as possible, but your contacts just aren’t becoming customers.

This is a great time to ask them what they need. You can text them a brief survey from a bulk text messaging software to help you gain insight into where your funnel can be improved.

Try collecting feedback like this:

HEY {{CONTACT.FIRST_NAME}}, WE VALUE YOUR INPUT. PLEASE TAKE THIS BRIEF SURVEY ON HOW WE CAN DO BETTER: TEXTUS.COM/SURVEY. THE FIRST 100 RESPONDENTS WILL BE ENTERED TO WIN A $100 GIFT CARD. – JOHN WITH ACME CO.

#5 Remind all of your contacts of appointments, webinars, or other events

When you have a large event coming up such as a webinar, group demo, or trade show events, bulk SMS messaging services are a great way to remind people to attend and coordinate your event seamlessly.

Your contacts are on-the-go, and a well-timed text message is more likely to reach them right where they are compared to an email or phone call. They might not see your email until they get home from an event, but will see a text notification while there! These SMS reminders could be the difference between a well-attended event and an empty room.

Try sending event reminders like this:

HEY {{CONTACT.FIRST_NAME}}, WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU AT OUR TALK THIS AFTERNOON! HERE’S A LINK TO THE MEETING: ZOOM.US/383302203 — DON’T HESITATE TO TEXT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS – JOHN WITH ACME CO.

#6 Follow up after trade shows, events, and meetings

You want to keep momentum going after the event or meeting. Mass texting can continue conversations you started at a conference, move leads further along the funnel after a demo, or keep interest high after a first meeting.

Try following up after events like this:

HEY {{CONTACT.FIRST_NAME}}, GREAT MEETING YOU AT THE STAFFING TRADE SHOW. FOLLOWING UP ON OUR CONVERSATION ABOUT HIRING TRENDS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SCHEDULE A 10 MINUTE CALL FOR WED. OR THURS. AFTERNOON? – JOHN WITH ACME CO.

#7 Send personalized promo offers and special deals

A bulk text message service can be used thoughtfully for promotions. You can let your contacts know that you aren’t just selling to them by incorporating friendly language in your messaging, including personalized touchpoints, and sending messages when it’s convenient for them. You’re looking to make connections and provide value along the way—nurturing your contacts, not just selling.

Try sending promotional messages like this:

HEY {{CONTACT.FIRST_NAME}}, HOPE YOU’VE BEEN ENJOYING YOUR FREE TRIAL. HERE’S 20% OFF YOUR FIRST 3 MONTHS TO KEEP WORKING WITH US. HAVE A GOOD DAY! TEXTUS.COM/20OFF – JOHN

As you can see, mass texting doesn’t have to mean impersonal or spammy. Bulk texting done right can be personal and help increase engagement.

State of SMS Engagement 2024

Looking to increase engagement with your candidates, prospects, and customers in 2024? Look no further! We conducted a survey paired with usage data to figure out which communication channels are most effective for which industry and size. Discover all of the tips about business communication and download our free report today!

FAQ—How to Send Mass Text for Business

Q: Do I need consent before the first text?

Yes. Under TCPA regulations, you must obtain written consent before sending a business text. This can be collected via a keyword opt-in (e.g., texting “JOIN”) or a checkbox on a form. Always include opt-out instructions like replying “STOP” in your mass texting campaigns.

Q: How many messages per week is optimal?

Sending 2–4 bulk text messages per week strikes the right balance. This frequency keeps your brand top of mind while keeping opt-out rates below 2%. Always consider audience expectations and provide value in each message to maintain high engagement.

Q: Can mass texts be individualized?

Yes! Using merge fields like {First Name} or {Company} lets you personalize each text message while still sending through a mass texting service. These individualized touches help your bulk SMS feel like 1-to-1 outreach and improve response rates significantly.

Q: SMS vs MMS for bulk sends?

SMS is great for short, text-only communication with a 160-character limit. MMS supports multimedia messaging like images and PDFs (up to 500 KB), which can increase engagement but comes with a higher cost per send. Choose based on content type and budget.

Q: How quickly do recipients read bulk texts?

Text messages are read incredibly fast—90% are opened within three minutes of delivery, according to Tatango. This makes mass text messaging one of the most immediate and effective tools for business communication and campaign success.

Next Steps—Scale Your Mass Texting with TextUs

Want to master how to send mass text for business at scale—without losing the personal touch?

With TextUs, you can:

• Upload lists and use merge fields to personalize
• A/B-test up to three campaign variants
• Track opens, clicks, and opt-outs in real time
• Use SMS templates tailored for sales, recruiting, and support

With 517+ five-star G2 reviews and industry-leading campaign analytics, TextUs is the trusted choice for modern business text messaging. Ready to see it in action? Get a Demo Now