SMS Messaging Best Practices

💡 What This Is & Why It Matters

SMS is one of the fastest ways to connect with potential customers, but successful outreach depends on more than simply sending a message.

Following SMS best practices helps your messages feel natural and relevant, reduces the risk of carrier filtering, and improves overall engagement and deliverability.

Use this guide when creating or reviewing SMS messaging in GlassHouse.

⚙️ Write Clear, Conversational Messages

Write the way you would naturally text a customer — short, simple, and human.

• Identify your business early in the message
• Give the recipient a clear reason for your outreach
• Aim for approximately 160–280 characters when possible
• Remove unnecessary details or filler
• Keep your message focused on one offer or purpose
• Include one clear call-to-action

CTA examples:

• Reply YES to learn more
• Reply YES for a free estimate
• Schedule here

💡 Pro Tip: The first few words matter. Lead with who you are and why you're reaching out.

💬 Keep Your Outreach Natural

Sending identical or highly repetitive messages across a large audience can look overly templated and may contribute to carrier filtering.

When sending larger outreach:

• Use Template Variations to create multiple natural versions of your message
• Make meaningful changes between variations — not just one or two words
• Vary the opening, offer, CTA, sentence structure, and overall wording
• Refresh your messaging periodically instead of repeatedly using the same copy

This helps your outreach feel more like individual conversations while supporting stronger long-term deliverability.

🤖 Use Ask Jackie AI to Improve Your Message

Have the idea but need help with the wording?

Start with the basic message you want to send, then use Ask Jackie AI to improve your draft.

Ask Jackie can help:

• Make your message sound more natural
• Strengthen your call-to-action
• Improve clarity and formatting
• Help your message follow SMS compliance and messaging best practices

You can continue editing your message after using Ask Jackie before saving or sending.

✅ SMS Formatting: Do & Avoid

Do:

• Use normal capitalization
• Keep punctuation simple
• Include your company name
• Use natural, conversational language
• Use the placeholder when including a link

Avoid:

• ALL CAPS
• Excessive punctuation (!!!)
• Em dashes
• Raw or external URLs
• Third-party link shorteners such as bit.ly
• Phone numbers within the message
• Excessive emojis

GlassHouse handles your landing page link at send time to support consistent, compliant delivery.

📍 Personalize Your Message

Use available placeholders to make your outreach more relevant and personal. When appropriate, include local context such as the recipient's street, neighborhood, or service area.

Example:

Hi [First Name], it’s Mike from GlassHouse! We’re working on [Street Name] this week and offering no-obligation quotes while we’re in the area. Reply YES if you’d like one. Reply STOP to opt out.

🧾 Remember SMS Compliance

Your initial marketing message must include the required opt-out language:

Reply STOP to opt out.

Do not remove or modify the required opt-out language.

GlassHouse automatically processes STOP responses to prevent additional SMS outreach to recipients who have opted out.

👉 Learn more about SMS Quiet Hours Compliance

For additional information about registration, opt-outs, carrier requirements, and how GlassHouse helps protect your messaging program, see SMS Compliance in GlassHouse.

💡 Before sending: Preview your message and send yourself a test to confirm the formatting, personalization, and landing page look the way you expect.

🙋‍♀️ FAQs