Craft Engaging Brand Voice in Your SMS Messages
TL;DR:
- Match your SMS tone to your brand personality, whether that's fun, professional, or quirky
- Use emojis sparingly and only when they fit your brand style
- Always sign off with your brand name to avoid looking like spam
- Keep your SMS voice consistent with your website and social media content
Your SMS messages might be short, but they still need to sound like you. When someone gets a text from your business, they should recognise your brand's personality immediately.
Make Your Brand Shine in 160 Characters
Get Your Tone Right
Your brand has a personality. Maybe you're the friendly neighbourhood cafe that cracks jokes, or the premium consultancy that keeps things polished. Whatever your style, it needs to come through in your SMS messages.
Don't suddenly go corporate in your texts if you're chatty everywhere else. People notice when brands sound different across channels, and it's confusing.
Smart Emoji Use
Emojis can work brilliantly in SMS, but only if they match your brand. A law firm probably shouldn't be sending winky faces, while a kids' party business can get away with rainbows and cake emojis.
Here's how to use them well:
- Replace words where it makes sense (📞 instead of "call")
- Add emotion that fits your brand tone
- Skip them entirely if they don't feel natural for your business
- Test them first – some emojis look different on different phones
Keep It Consistent
Your SMS voice should sound like it comes from the same company as your website copy and social media posts. If you're formal on your website, don't suddenly get super casual in texts. If you're playful on Instagram, bring that energy to your SMS too.
Before hitting send, ask yourself: "Does this sound like us?"
Sign-Offs That Build Recognition
Always Include Your Brand Name
This isn't optional. Every SMS needs your brand name at the end. Without it, your message looks like spam or gets lost in the noise.
Your sign-off can be simple:
- "Thanks, [Brand Name]"
- "Cheers, [Brand Name] Team"
- "[Brand Name] 📱"
Add Your Brand Flavour
Your sign-off is another chance to reinforce your personality. A tech startup might go with "Happy coding, DevTools Team" while a bakery could use "Sweet regards, Sarah's Cakes".
Keep it short but make it yours.
FAQs
Why does brand voice matter in SMS marketing?
Because people connect with brands that feel consistent and authentic. If your SMS messages sound completely different from your other content, it breaks that connection and weakens your brand recognition.
How many emojis should I use in one message?
Less is more. One or two emojis per message is usually plenty. Too many make your message hard to read and can look unprofessional.
What if my brand is quite formal – can I still use SMS effectively?
Absolutely. Formal doesn't mean boring. Keep your professional tone but focus on being clear and helpful. Think "concise and respectful" rather than "stuffy".
Jargon Buster
SMS – Short Message Service. The technical name for text messages sent between mobile phones.
Brand Voice – How your brand sounds when it communicates. It includes your tone, style, and personality across all your content.
Sign-off – The closing part of your message where you identify your brand, like signing a letter.
Wrap-up
Your SMS messages are mini conversations with your customers. They might be short, but they're still part of your brand story. Get your tone right, use emojis thoughtfully, and always sign off with your brand name. When you keep things consistent across all your channels, every text becomes another chance to strengthen your brand connection.
Learn about QuickSMS: https://www.quicksms.com/