Automated Text Message: Types and Tips

Carl’s Jr. sent the following automated text message to thousands of hungry customers in just a second:

“I know you’re hungry! Show XXXXX promo code to any of Carl’s Jr. restaurants and get the $6.00 burger and fries offer for only $2.99.”

This text marketing campaign alone increased their sales for that month by over 10 times in one day, and it wouldn’t have been possible without implementing automation. 

Not only was this an efficient way to reach out to a large number of people, but it significantly saved their time.

Carl’s Jr. integrated their CRM with the messaging API to send personalized messages with unique promo codes to thousands of customers.

The messages were sent at specific hours based on the customers' preferred times for lunch.

The automated system executed the campaign within seconds and provided real-time tracking of delivery, open rates, and redemptions, allowing immediate monitoring of success.

This success story is a testament to the power of automation in marketing, not only in terms of its efficiency in reaching a large audience but also in the time and resources it saved for Carl's Jr.

What is an Automatic Text Message?

Simply put, automated messages are pre-scheduled or triggered messages that can be sent to a large number of recipients at the same time.

They include various types such as auto-reply texts, drip campaigns, emergency alerts, and appointment reminders.

This technology has revolutionized the way businesses approach their text message marketing.

By using automated messaging, business can plan their promotional text well in advance, saving them valuable time and resources.

On top of that, it allows them to streamline not only their marketing efforts and focus on more important tasks, but also their customer service and wider business communication.

With automation, businesses can react faster to unforeseen changes, and adjust their campaigns accordingly.

Automated SMS messaging is not just a tool; it is a game-changer in the world of business communication.

By allowing businesses to stay organized and efficient, it gives them the competitive edge they need to stay ahead of the curve.

Types of Automated Messages

Campaign Scheduling

Campaign scheduling allows businesses to plan and send messages at optimal times, ensuring their audience receives timely updates.

This type of automation ensures that marketing efforts are strategically timed to maximize engagement and response rates.

Aditionally, it can include appointment reminders to help reduce no-shows by automatically notifying customers of upcoming appointments at the scheduled time.

Auto-Reply Texts

Auto-reply texts, such as keyword-based responses or out-of-office messages, provide immediate and relevant replies to customer inquiries.

They also handle out-of-office or non-working hours replies in case customers send texts during those times.

Drip Campaigns

Drip campaigns deliver a series of pre-written messages over a set period, nurturing leads and maintaining customer engagement.

This practice is more commonly known for emails, but text messages have adopted it to guide prospects through the sales funnel.

Emergency Alerts

Some common examples of automated emergency alerts include notifications about potential fraud in your banking account, system outages, and security breaches.

These alerts are essential for ensuring timely awareness and appropriate action in urgent situations.

Abandoned Cart Reminders

Abandoned cart reminders are one of the highest ROI SMS marketing practices that eCommerce businesses can implement.

When set up properly, the system will automatically send a message to a user who added products to their cart but did not finish the purchase.

Top Reasons Why Sending Automatic Text Messages is a Good Idea

Higher Open Rates

Everyone knows by now that SMS messages have a higher open rate than emails, and most people read text messages within minutes of receiving them. 

Real-Time Communication

As a business, you want to be available to your customers at all times.

Text messages allow for real-time communication between both ends, which is especially useful for time-sensitive alerts or reminders, where quick and timely notifications are critical.

Always Connected

Every other person has a smartphone (or two) with them at all times, but not everyone is walking around holding a laptop all day.

How Do Automated Text Messages Work?

Collect Phone Numbers 

First, you need to collect the phone numbers of the people you want to send messages to.

You can get these numbers from different sources, such as online forms, sign-ups, subscriptions, or customer databases.

Make sure that the people you are sending messages to have opted in. 

Choose a Provider

Next, you need to choose a provider that offers automation features within the web app or API.

Message scheduling is an easy task with Dexatel, and our API will help you handle all types of possible automations relevant to your business.

Create a Message

Now’s the time to create the template you want to send to your recipients automatically.

Remember to implement variables for personalizing your message by using the recipient's name, location, or other information.

Set Up Automation

After creating the message, you need to set up automation rules that will trigger the message to be sent at a specific time or based on a specific event. 

For example, if you have a text message subscription service, you can set up an automated message to be sent to new subscribers after they make a purchase.

This message could include a discount code for their next purchase or a welcome message introducing them to your brand.

Test and Send

Before sending the message, you need to test it to make sure it's working correctly.

You can send a test text to verify that everything is working correctly. 

Analyze Results 

Track metrics such as delivery rate, click-through rate (if you have included a link in your copy), and conversion rate to see how well your messages are performing.

Then, use this data to optimize your message content, delivery timing, or automation rules for better results.

How to Send Automated SMS Messages With Your Smartphone

Sending automated text messages doesn’t only apply to messaging platforms.

You can use your smartphone to send automated messages for personal communication.

Certain apps help you plan messages beforehand and send them according to a schedule.

Some phones—mostly Android—have an automatic text message sender app built into them.

Automatic texting services for smartphones typically don’t come free of charge.

However, they aren’t expensive either.

Most apps cost anywhere between $2–$6 a month.

They can provide you with various options, depending on the price and type.

Some apps will let you create a schedule and a list of recipients, and they’ll send the messages accordingly.

Other platforms are flexible enough to give you blacklisting, auto-replying, or SMS sorting.

Sometimes you can even set a short keyword in the app, which is then generated into a longer text.

For example, you can type “busy” and the automatic text apps will change it to “Sorry, I’m busy right now. I will get back to you later.”

Sending Automated Text Messages on iOS

iPhones don’t come with a built-in message automation app.

But, there are a couple of useful applications for sending automated SMS messages on an iPhone.

Two apps that stand out for their flexibility are Scheduled and SMS Scheduler.

Scheduled allows you to integrate your calendar—the app detects birthdays or other important occasions and suggests templates to send.

Scheduled also has a feature to send birthday wishes automatically.

You can also integrate Scheduled with other apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, iMessage, X, and more.

The app can serve as a reminder for other events like office meetings or school parent-teacher meetings.

SMS Scheduler is also a great tool for setting reminders.

You can set the app to continuously send messages on a certain day of the week or month.

The app has ready-to-go templates for different events.

Based on your appointment reminders, it can detect and suggest what automated text messages to send.

Sending Automated Text Messages on Android

Unlike iOS, Android phones have a wider choice of automated text message apps.

Both SMS Scheduler and Scheduled are available on Google Play as well.

There are messaging apps exclusive to Android devices.

The top two options are Auto-Reply and Tasker.

Auto-Reply offers a large range of options like setting templates for certain contacts.

The app sends recipients automatic replies without you having to pick up your phone.

The same applies to calls.

You can set certain numbers for the app to reject and send automatic messages.

Another app that Android phones can use is Tasker.

The app allows you to schedule messages and sets a time to send them.