Question: How do I design for an SMS message?
Answer: Designing an SMS message is very different from designing an email. By nature - SMS is a text-only communication protocol that doesn't support rich content of any kind. This includes images, audio and video.
Unlike with HTML emails, there are no font choices, sizes or colors, to choose from with SMS - all of the text will display in the same format. In other words, the visual aspect of the message gives way to pure content. With SMS, your words are the only tool at your disposal to inform and engage your subscribers.
To make things even more challenging, SMS messages are limited to only 160 characters. Spaces and punctuation factor into character count, and exceeding 160 characters may result in a delivery failure or subscriber frustration. If you send a message that exceeds the character limit it will be broken into multiple messages. Subscribers will receive a disjointed communication (and may have to pay for more than one text message).
Each message should include QUIT and HELP options as well as make mention that "Standard rates apply" or "Other rates may apply." This information may take up approximately 60 of the available characters leaving only 100 for the branding of the program and the primary message/call-to-action.
Remember to choose your words wisely when "designing" an SMS message. With only 160 characters to work with, it makes creating an engaging and compelling message even more critical.
Tim Siukola, Senior Email Campaign Manager
Answer: Designing an SMS message is very different from designing an email. By nature - SMS is a text-only communication protocol that doesn't support rich content of any kind. This includes images, audio and video.
Unlike with HTML emails, there are no font choices, sizes or colors, to choose from with SMS - all of the text will display in the same format. In other words, the visual aspect of the message gives way to pure content. With SMS, your words are the only tool at your disposal to inform and engage your subscribers.
To make things even more challenging, SMS messages are limited to only 160 characters. Spaces and punctuation factor into character count, and exceeding 160 characters may result in a delivery failure or subscriber frustration. If you send a message that exceeds the character limit it will be broken into multiple messages. Subscribers will receive a disjointed communication (and may have to pay for more than one text message).
Each message should include QUIT and HELP options as well as make mention that "Standard rates apply" or "Other rates may apply." This information may take up approximately 60 of the available characters leaving only 100 for the branding of the program and the primary message/call-to-action.
Remember to choose your words wisely when "designing" an SMS message. With only 160 characters to work with, it makes creating an engaging and compelling message even more critical.
Tim Siukola, Senior Email Campaign Manager
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