How to Send Bulk Text Messages for Free (or at a Low Cost)

Bulk SMS is simply sending mass texting of messages to a mass volume. Businesses can make variations in the segmentation of data and choose the audience. The humbleness of SMS brings in many results because it is an easygoing platform with a simple interface.

To send bulk text messages you need to set up criteria that align with trends and your company policy.  It is an innovative and impactful communication strategy that lets you connect effectively.

The ability to deliver concise, personalized, and time-sensitive information directly to customer’s own mobile phones and devices is significant for high visibility and engagement.

Note: This method is particularly effective due to its exceptional open rates, often exceeding 90%, which surpass other marketing channels like email.

Bulk SMS messaging service is affordable with high ROI. The traditional methods, such as TV or print media, are comparatively more disorganized and costly. You can reach thousands of customers at a single click with a fraction of the cost. This is beneficial for start-ups and small enterprises.

They are easy to implement, with automation tools enabling quick scheduling and analytics for performance tracking.

What is Bulk SMS Marketing?

It is a strategy of sending large numbers of mass text messages to a group of recipients to promote products and services or share information.  CRM with text messaging automatically organizes the data in the best way, so all you have to do is select the campaign accordingly, set the tone right, watch out for trends, and hit ‘send.’’

The SMS might include special offers, reminders, critical updates, or details about product launches, making them essential to marketing campaigns and customer engagement strategies. 

It has an impressive open rate of 95-99%, that makes sure that your messages are seen and acted upon quickly.

You can personalize the messages as per individual customer preferences that are focused on engagement and building stronger relationships.

Bulk SMS platforms provide analytics tools to track metrics like open rates and conversions, enabling businesses to optimize their campaigns for better results.

A flawless platform that sets the path right. It gives a two way communication options, so customers can have a conversation with you, show you their interests or any issues they are facing and you can offer the services accordingly.

Use Cases:

In retail, it promotes products, sends personalized offers, and gives updates like delivery tracking.

Healthcare providers use SMS for:

• Appointment reminders
• Prescription refill alerts
• Test result notifications

Travel companies use it for flight delay updates and reward notifications. Banks rely on bulk SMS for fraud alerts, payment reminders, and two-factor authentication.

Fashion and skincare companies can use it to send alerts about new launches or special offers.

Free & Low-Cost Methods to Send Bulk Text Messages

Free Trials from SMS Services

Whenever you choose a bulk SMS marketing platform, make sure to get free trials. This is an excellent and required way for businesses to test before committing to the platform.

Platforms like CrmOne, SimpleTexting, and ClickSend offer these trials, allowing businesses to send a limited number of messages without any upfront costs.

You can explore bulk SMS without financial risks, this gives you an advantage. During the trails your teams can experience the full range of features offered by the platform, including message personalization, scheduling , designing, templates and more.

This hands-on experience helps businesses determine if the service meets their needs and whether it aligns with their marketing strategies.

Email-to-SMS Gateways

Using the Email to SMS Gateways, you get a cost-effective method to send bulk text messages by using the existing email systems.

It involves using specific email addresses provided by telecom and texting service providers that convert emails into SMS messages.

For example, if a recipient’s phone number is 1234567890 and their carrier is Verizon, you might send an email to 1234567890@vtext.com. It is simple, and most businesses are familiar with email, so there is very little learning curve.

Email-to-SMS gateways remain a viable option for small-scale or occasional use. They are especially useful for personal or internal communications where the need for advanced features is minimal.

Read more related topic: What is AI SMS Marketing & Advantages of SMS Marketing

Group Messaging Apps as Alternatives

Once you see how useful Group messages are, you’ll want to use them repeatedly in your campaigns. Apps like GroupMe and WhatsApp can serve as best platforms for that.

These apps let users form groups and send messages to many people at once. They aren’t suited for bulk SMS marketing. However, they work well for smaller messages or specific communities.

Lots of people have these apps on their devices. This makes it easy to make phone calls and talk to them.

Multimedia content like images and videos can build higher engagement compared to plain text messages.

Group messaging apps are great for businesses. They help with internal communication and connecting with a small audience.

Open-Source SMS Software

Open-source SMS software like FrontlineSMS and PlaySMS provides businesses with a free and flexible way to run bulk SMS campaigns.

You can download these platforms and host them on your own servers. This gives you full control over your data and infrastructure.

These platforms offer many features, like message scheduling and contact management. This makes them great for complex campaigns. Using open-source SMS software can be tricky. It needs technical know-how for setup and maintenance. Ensure you have the right infrastructure and IT support to run these systems well.

API Integration

When using bulk text messaging services or SMS services, it’s important to integrate APIs. Use platforms like Twilio to build custom SMS solutions yourself.

Automate SMS workflows and integrate with other marketing tools. With APIs you can create hyper personal and dynamic messaging.

You can set up triggers that send automated messages based on customer actions, like making a purchase or abandoning a cart. This automates customer engagement and workflows.

API integration requires some technical know-how but gives you full control.

Note: The average CTR for SMS marketing ranges between 19-35%, depending on the campaign type.

How to Send Bulk SMS: Step By Step (Free or Low Cost)

Step 1: Choose a Free or Affordable Bulk SMS Platform

Always plan out first! Do not rush on selecting the platforms. Because your business depends on it. Select the one that fits your budget and needs.

Many platforms, such as CrmOne, SimpleTexting, EZTexting, and Textla, offer free trials or low-cost plans, allowing businesses to test their features without significant upfront investment (as mentioned above).

You can use essential tools like Automation, scheduling, and more to align your SMS campaigns. Select a text message template compatible with your business theme.

When comparing bulk SMS platforms, consider the following:

• A user-friendly interface
• Reliable customer support
• Cost
• Scalability
• Customization
• Two-way messaging (very important)
• SMS templates
• API integrations

Compare platforms by pricing, features, and scalability. This way, you’ll find the best solution for your bulk messaging needs.

 Step 2: Build and Upload Your Contact List

Be organized with everything, and start with the Contact List! Gather phone numbers from customers using different methods. You can use website signup forms, checkout processes, or pop-up forms on landing pages.

Get clear consent from recipients before adding them to your list. This helps you follow legal rules and reduces spam complaints.  

You can group contacts based on criteria such as demographics, purchase history, or engagement levels.

You could split your audience into new customers and loyal ones. This way, you can send messages that connect well with each group.

Once your list is ready, upload it to your chosen platform using simple tools like CSV file imports.

Many platforms let you manage contacts from Excel sheets. You can also integrate with CRM systems for easy data handling.

Step 3: Create a Clear and Concise Message

Do not overdo it! Be clear and concise with your messages. Create a short code with an engaging message that communicates the intended information within the limit of 160 characters.

When you confuse the customers with too much content, they won’t buy anything from you. This isn’t email or social media where you have to put a lot of information, instead avoid that.

Focus on clarity and relevance by including only the most important details, such as promotional offers, event reminders, or urgent updates.

Address recipients by name or include tailored content based on their preferences or purchase history.

Don’t forget to include opt-out instructions in your message to comply with legal requirements in many regions.

For example:

• 1.’ Reply STOP to unsubscribe.’ This builds trust with your audience while ensuring compliance with anti-spam laws.
• 2.” Hi Alex! 🎉 Enjoy 20% OFF your next purchase with code ALEX20. Valid until March 20th. Shop here: [link] Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”
• 3.” Still thinking about your cart? 🛒 Complete your purchase today and get FREE shipping! Shop now: [link] Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”

Step 4: Schedule/Send

After crafting your message, upload it to the platform’s dashboard along with your contact list.

Most platforms provide scheduling options that let you choose the timing of delivery based on when your audience is most likely to engage.

Sending promotional texts during business hours often yields better results than late-night messages.

If you prefer immediate delivery, many platforms allow you to send messages instantly with just a click. You can also use pre-designed templates for faster execution if you’re running recurring campaigns like appointment reminders or weekly offers.

Before sending out the campaign, review all details carefully like message content, recipient list segments, and delivery timing, to ensure accuracy.

Step 5: Align trend with strategy

This is prominent especially for this generation customers. The thing is we are all active on social media and the trends affect us.

When customers receive messages that are trendy and fit their needs, their chances of buying become higher.

Ask your team to be active on social media, watch out for trends, find the methods that can be utilized to align your products/services with that.

You strategy should be not be totally based on trends, in fact it should have it as a sub-set.

Step 6: Learn by tracking performance

To send bulk messages is an easy task, but do all the mass messages get response. The response rate of SMS is 45%.

Now this calls for tracking your campaigns. You need to know what strategies work and what don’t. Try to solve the problem internally first.

Delivery rates, open rates, click through rates and unsubscribe rates give you valuable insights into how well your campaign performed.

If click rates are low, consider revising the call-to-action (CTA) in future messages or experimenting with different timings for delivery.

Optimization is an ongoing process. Use the insights gained from each campaign to refine your strategy over time.

Legal & Compliance Considerations for Bulk SMS

1. Consent and Opt-Out Options

Obtain explicit consent from recipients before sending marketing messages. This is a key principle in compliance. You can see it in the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in the U.S. and in similar rules worldwide.

Include simple opt-out instructions in every message. This helps recipients easily unsubscribe from future communications.

2. Regional Regulations

Different regions of world have different regulations. You need to make sure that the bulk SMS provider aligns with everyone of it.

Hence, Automation plays a very important role. It even does the changes that have been updated in the compliance sector of that particular region.

3. Content Compliance

Do not send mass text messages with content that promotes hate speech or includes alcohol, firearms, tobacco, or other restricted topics. This follows the guidelines from the CTIA and cellular carriers.

Always state your business in messages. Also, make sure marketing communications are clearly labeled.

4. Record Keeping

Keep precise records of consent, communication history, and opt-out requests. This helps avoid legal disputes and ensures compliance.

5. Staying Informed

The regulatory landscape for SMS marketing is dynamic. Stay updated on changes in laws and guidelines to ensure ongoing compliance and avoid penalties.

Best Practices for Successful Bulk Messaging

1. Secure Your Audience’s Seal of Approval

Before you unleash a flurry of bulk SMS, ensure you have the green light from your recipients. This isn’t just about checking boxes. It’s a legal requirement in many areas, like GDPR and TCPA. Plus, it helps build trust with your audience.

2. Master the Art of Timing

When it comes to bulk SMS campaigns, timing is the name of the game. Sending messages late at night or early in the morning can annoy people and cause them to unsubscribe. Delve into your audience’s daily rhythms and schedule messages. Connect when they’re most likely to engage—during busy hours or lunch breaks.

3. Be Concise and Goal-Focused

Start with the key information. Ensure your message has a clear aim. This could be promoting a sale, confirming an appointment, or directing traffic to a website.

4. Personalize Your Message

Personalization significantly improves engagement rates. Use customer data to tailor messages with names, purchase history, or preferences.

For example, instead of sending a generic “Shop our sale!” message,

Try “Hi [Name], enjoy 20% off on your favorite [Product Category] this weekend!”

5. Don’t Overwhelm Your Audience

Don’t send too many messages quickly. This can seem spammy and might make people unsubscribe. Every message must add value. It can share a special offer, an important update, or a helpful reminder. Also, avoid repeating content from before.

6. Create Two-Way Communication

Encourage interaction by enabling two-way messaging when possible. Allow customers to respond with questions, feedback, or actions like confirming an appointment.

Conclusion:

To Send bulk text messages, you should have organized data, and that can be done with the help of CRM software for SMS marketing. Deploy Automation because the majority of the competitors are using it.

The current gen AI are so powerful that they can be trained to talk on behalf of representative in a tone you want them to. They can send messages, have a conversation with the customers, take notes and remind you of all the details. That is something very resourceful and time saving.

The Best SMS marketing platforms are equipped with all the tools required to the tasks you want. They are designed to carter the needs of small to large businesses. SMS marketing is truly amazing and its simplicity is the main derivative. Every individual uses phone,  and mass text messaging service. message is a basic in-built app in every phone, hence you have your eyes on wide customer outreach.

Get started for Free

Start for free today. Boost your sales by clicking the Get Started button. With CrmOne, you can manage leads, sales, and customer service all in one place.

Try it free