SMS Campaign Scheduling Made Simple
TL;DR:
- Schedule SMS campaigns to reach your audience when they're most likely to respond
- Most platforms let you pick specific dates and times for automatic sending
- Test different sending times to find what works best for your audience
- Set up reminder sequences for time-sensitive offers to boost response rates
- Always review your message before scheduling to catch any mistakes
SMS scheduling helps you send messages at the right moment without having to manually hit send. It's particularly useful for reaching people in different time zones or sending reminders for events and offers.
Why Timing Matters for SMS
Your message could be perfect, but if it arrives at the wrong time, it might get ignored or forgotten. People check their phones at different times throughout the day, and some moments are better than others for marketing messages.
Most people are more receptive to messages during lunch breaks, early evening, or weekends. Avoid very early mornings or late nights unless your audience specifically expects messages at those times.
Setting Up Your Scheduled Campaign
Here's how to schedule an SMS campaign on most platforms:
Write your message first. Keep it clear and include everything important upfront. You've got limited characters, so make them count.
Select your recipients. Choose the right segment of your database. Don't blast everyone if only a portion would find the message relevant.
Pick your send time. Look for the scheduling option in your platform. Most services let you select both date and time down to the minute.
Review everything twice. Check your message, audience, and timing. Once it's scheduled, some platforms won't let you make changes close to the send time.
Confirm the schedule. Your platform will usually show a confirmation screen with all the details. Double-check the time zone if you're targeting different regions.
The message will send automatically at your chosen time. You don't need to be online or do anything else.
Getting Your Timing Right
Start by testing different times with smaller segments of your audience. Send similar messages at different hours and track which ones get better response rates.
Consider your audience's lifestyle. If you're targeting office workers, lunch time or just after work might be ideal. For parents, early evening after dinner could work better.
Don't forget about time zones. If your audience spans multiple regions, you might need to schedule separate campaigns or choose a time that works reasonably well for everyone.
For urgent messages or time-sensitive offers, consider sending reminder sequences. Schedule an initial message, then follow up closer to your deadline. Just don't overdo it, three messages maximum for most campaigns.
Common Scheduling Mistakes
Scheduling messages during major holidays or events when people are distracted rarely works well. Check your calendar before setting send times.
Don't schedule too far in advance without reviewing closer to the send date. Your offer might change, or current events might make your message feel tone-deaf.
Many people forget to account for their own time zone versus their audience's time zone. Always double-check which time zone your platform uses for scheduling.
FAQs
Can I change a scheduled message after setting it up?
Most platforms let you edit scheduled messages until shortly before they're due to send. The exact timeframe varies by provider, but you usually have at least 15 minutes to make changes.
What happens if I schedule a message for a time that's already passed?
The platform will either send it immediately or show an error message asking you to pick a future time. This depends on your specific service.
Should I schedule different send times for different audience segments?
Yes, if you know different groups are active at different times. Office workers and shift workers, for example, might have completely different optimal times.
Jargon Buster
Send time optimization: Using data to identify when your audience is most likely to read and respond to messages.
Bulk scheduling: Setting up multiple messages to send at different times, often used for reminder sequences or ongoing campaigns.
Time zone handling: How platforms manage scheduling across different geographic regions and time zones.
Wrap-up
SMS scheduling takes the guesswork out of timing and ensures your messages reach people when they're most likely to pay attention. Start with basic scheduling, then experiment with timing to improve your results. Most importantly, always review your scheduled messages before they go live.
Learn about QuickSMS: https://www.quicksms.com/