Struggling with low SMS open rates? Here’s the fix:
- 97-98% of SMS messages are opened, but poor timing, uninspiring content, or sending too many texts can hurt engagement.
- 90% of texts are read within 3 minutes, making SMS a key tool for gyms to drive attendance, renewals, and sales.
- Common issues include:
- Sending texts at the wrong time (e.g., during work hours or weekends).
- Using dull message previews like “Important update.”
- Overloading members with too many messages.
- Outdated contact lists or generic, impersonal texts.
Quick fixes:
- Send texts at optimal times based on member habits.
- Personalize messages with names and preferences.
- Segment your list (e.g., new members, active members).
- Keep messages engaging and concise.
Long-term strategies:
- Maintain clean, opt-in contact lists.
- Regularly update templates to avoid message fatigue.
- Monitor metrics like click-through and opt-out rates.
- Follow SMS regulations to avoid penalties.
Pro tip: Tools like RevText automate timing, list cleaning, and personalization, making SMS campaigns easier and more effective.
Start improving your SMS strategy today – your members are already waiting to hear from you.
How to do SMS Marketing for business | Top SMS marketing hacks for beginners
Why Your Fitness Business Has Low SMS Open Rates
If your SMS campaigns aren’t hitting the mark, it’s time to dig into the reasons why. Common missteps – like poorly timed messages, uninspiring content, or overwhelming frequency – can turn eager members into disengaged ones. Let’s break down the key issues and how to address them.
Wrong Timing for SMS Messages
When it comes to SMS, timing is everything. A poorly timed message can easily get lost in the shuffle – or worse, ignored completely. Many gym owners make the mistake of sending texts during peak work hours, when members are too busy to check their phones [10, 11].
Another common issue is failing to consider time zones. A motivational 6:00 AM text might energize your East Coast members but annoy those on the West Coast who are still fast asleep. Similarly, weekend messages often result in higher unsubscribe rates, as people are less inclined to engage during their downtime.
Boring Message Previews
The preview text of your SMS is like a first impression – it needs to grab attention immediately. Generic lines such as "Important gym update" or "Don’t miss out" are easy to overlook in a crowded notification bar.
Instead, focus on opening with something that clearly communicates value. Generic greetings like "Hi there" or "Hope you’re doing well" waste valuable space and fail to entice the reader. A strong preview should hook your audience and make them curious enough to open the message.
Too Many Messages Cause Member Fatigue
Nobody likes being bombarded with texts. Overloading your members with updates about every class, promotion, or event can quickly lead to frustration. When people feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of messages, they’re more likely to tune out – even when the information is important. Striking the right balance is key to keeping members engaged without wearing them out.
Old or Invalid Contact Lists
Your contact list is the backbone of your SMS campaigns, and keeping it up-to-date is crucial. Sending messages to outdated or invalid numbers not only wastes resources but also harms your campaign’s deliverability. Carriers often filter out messages sent to inactive numbers or contacts who consistently ignore your texts, which can impact the success of future campaigns.
To avoid this, ensure your list is current and that all numbers were collected with proper opt-in procedures. Regularly maintaining your database can significantly improve your open rates.
Generic Messages Without Personal Details
A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for SMS. Members expect messages that feel relevant and tailored to them. Sending the same generic text to everyone – whether they’re a new member or a long-time regular – misses the chance to make a meaningful connection.
Personalized messages, on the other hand, perform much better. By incorporating details like member preferences or past behavior, you can create texts that resonate more deeply and encourage engagement. Simple tweaks, like addressing members by name or referencing their favorite class, can make all the difference.
Quick Fixes to Boost SMS Open Rates
Try these simple adjustments to improve engagement by addressing timing, personalization, segmentation, and message tone.
Send Messages at the Right Times
Leverage your member data to pinpoint when they’re most likely to engage. Look at patterns in class bookings or responses to past messages to identify peak activity times.
For time-sensitive updates, like last-minute class openings, aim to send texts 2–3 hours before the class starts. On weekends, experiment with different times to see what works best for your audience.
Personalize with Member Names and Details
Personalization is no longer a bonus – it’s a must. Messages that include a member’s name consistently perform better than generic ones. But don’t stop there; incorporate other details you know about them.
For example, instead of a broad message, try something like, "Hi Sarah! A new morning yoga class fits your Tuesday schedule." This kind of tailored communication shows you’re paying attention and helps build rapport.
Segment Your Contact Lists
A single message won’t resonate with everyone. Break your list into segments based on member type to deliver more targeted messages.
- New or trial members: Welcome messages, class suggestions, or facility tour invites.
- Active members: Updates on favorite classes, new equipment, or exclusive events.
- Inactive members: Comeback offers or gentle reminders of what they’re missing.
This approach ensures your messages feel relevant and timely.
Experiment with Message Styles
Test different approaches to see what connects best with your audience. Try varying your opening lines, using emojis sparingly, or experimenting with call-to-action phrases.
For example:
- Use a friendly tone like, "We saved you a spot!" versus a more urgent one like, "Last chance!"
- Test shorter messages against longer, more detailed ones to find the right balance.
A single, well-placed emoji can add personality, but overusing them might make your message seem less professional. By tracking what gets the best response, you’ll refine your style for future campaigns.
These quick tweaks can help you boost SMS engagement while laying the groundwork for more effective strategies down the line.
sbb-itb-9f7e00b
Long-Term Fixes for Better SMS Performance
Quick fixes can offer temporary improvements, but for your fitness business to thrive with SMS marketing, you need strategies that ensure long-term success. By making deeper changes, you can keep your campaigns performing well over time.
Build Clean Contact Lists with Proper Consent
The quality of your contact list plays a huge role in your SMS campaign’s success. Clean lists that include only people who’ve given proper consent lead to better engagement, higher conversion rates, and fewer complaints. Use clear opt-in methods – like double opt-in – on your website, registration forms, and at events. Make sure to record consent details, including timestamps, IP addresses, and copies of opt-in messages, to maintain list quality.
Double opt-in is especially effective. After someone signs up, send a confirmation text asking them to reply "YES" to verify their number. This extra step filters out invalid or unengaged contacts, ensuring your messages reach real, interested members.
Keep detailed records of how and when consent was given for at least four years. This documentation can protect your business if your practices are ever questioned.
On average, SMS opt-in campaigns see 30–40% of targeted customers signing up. By 2024, 79% of consumers had opted in to receive texts from at least one business. A reliable contact list ensures your messages stay relevant and your analytics stay accurate.
Update Your Message Templates Regularly
Repetition can lead to message fatigue, where members start ignoring your texts because they feel too predictable. Even if the content changes, using the same tone and format repeatedly can lower engagement.
To keep your messages fresh, update your templates regularly. Experiment with different tones – if you’ve been formal, try a more casual approach. Change up your opening lines, vary your call-to-action phrases, and play with message lengths. Track performance across different member segments or seasons to see what works best. These small changes can keep your campaigns engaging and effective.
Monitor Your SMS Campaign Numbers
Consistent performance requires regular monitoring. While open rates are important, they don’t tell the whole story. Pay attention to click-through rates and opt-out rates as well. For instance, if your open rates are steady but click-through rates drop, it might mean your messages are losing relevance. Similarly, an increase in opt-outs could signal that you’re sending too many texts or covering topics that don’t resonate with your audience.
Keep an eye on delivery rates, click-through rates, and opt-out rates. If delivery rates drop, it might be time to clean your list and remove inactive numbers.
Follow TCPA Rules to Avoid Problems
Staying compliant with TCPA regulations isn’t just about avoiding legal trouble – it also helps maintain strong engagement and deliverability. Always include clear opt-out instructions in your messages so subscribers can easily stop receiving texts if they choose. If someone texts "STOP", remove them immediately to avoid complaints and potential legal risks.
Send promotional texts only between 8 AM and 9 PM in the recipient’s local time zone. This ensures you’re not only courteous but also compliant with promotional messaging rules.
Keep your consent records organized and easily accessible. The SMS marketing landscape is becoming more regulated, with new FCC rules introduced in late 2023 to combat illegal texts and allow carriers to block suspicious messages. State attorneys general are also stepping up enforcement of telemarketing laws related to unauthorized texts. Following these rules protects your business and helps ensure your messages make it to your audience’s phones.
These strategies take effort upfront, but they provide a solid foundation for consistently strong SMS performance. With engaged, willing customers, SMS marketing can deliver a return of $21–$41 for every $1 spent. These practices are how you build that kind of success.
How RevText Helps Gym Owners Fix SMS Problems
Managing SMS campaigns can be overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling the demands of running a gym. While manual adjustments can help, having the right platform simplifies the process and delivers better results. RevText offers tools designed specifically for the challenges gym owners face with SMS marketing, turning common problems into opportunities for growth.
Weekly Campaign Review Sessions
Gym owners often lack the time to dig into SMS performance data or troubleshoot why certain campaigns fall flat. RevText steps in with weekly campaign review sessions, where their experts analyze key metrics like open rates and click-through rates. They then provide actionable feedback to refine your approach. For instance, if your early morning class reminders aren’t getting responses, they might suggest testing different send times or rephrasing your message. These insights take the guesswork out of optimization, helping you focus on what works. Next, let’s look at how RevText simplifies messaging with pre-built templates.
Ready-Made Templates for Fitness Businesses
Writing engaging SMS messages from scratch can be time-consuming. RevText solves this with 15 customizable templates created specifically for fitness businesses. These templates include placeholders for personal details like member names, class types, and dates, making it easy to connect with your audience. Here are a couple of examples:
- "Hey [NAME], ready to sweat? [GYM NAME] invites you to [CLASS] on [DATE]. Reply YES to join!"
- "Congrats on your progress, [NAME]! Want a custom session with Coach Alex? Text TRAIN WITH ALEX to book for Friday at 6 PM."
These templates are designed to resonate with gym members while saving you time. Plus, they’re fully customizable, so you can add a personal touch that aligns with your gym’s voice.
Automatic Timing for Best Results
Timing is everything in SMS marketing, and RevText’s automation ensures your messages reach members when they’re most likely to engage. The platform adjusts delivery times based on individual engagement patterns, so a 5 AM class reminder might arrive at different times depending on the recipient. This personalized approach increases the chances of your messages being seen and acted upon.
Automatic Contact List Cleaning
Keeping your contact list up-to-date is crucial, and RevText handles this automatically. The platform removes inactive numbers, processes opt-out requests, and flags inactive contacts. It also ensures compliance with regulations like the TCPA by managing opt-outs and maintaining proper documentation.
With these features, RevText tackles the common causes of low open rates and gives gym owners the tools they need to improve member engagement. By combining automation, expert insights, and fitness-specific tools, RevText makes it easier to optimize your SMS strategy and keep your members connected.
Fix Your Low SMS Open Rates Today
Low SMS open rates don’t have to be a long-term problem. With the right steps, you can turn things around quickly.
Start by implementing simple, actionable changes. Adjust your send times to match when your audience is most likely to engage, personalize messages with names and details (like "Hi Sarah, ready for your next yoga class?"), and group your contacts by member type for more targeted messaging.
For consistent results, focus on maintaining a clean, opt-in contact list and refreshing your message templates to keep things fresh. Monitor metrics like click-through and opt-out rates to understand how your campaigns are performing. And don’t forget – SMS still outshines email when it comes to engagement and revenue impact.
Here’s why SMS is so powerful: 90% of texts are read within three minutes, response rates hit 45% compared to email’s 6%, and SMS can drive 11–20% of total revenue. With numbers like that, even small improvements can make a big difference.
Feeling stuck? RevText offers a free discovery call to help you tackle your specific challenges. Their team will review your campaigns, pinpoint your biggest opportunities, and craft a tailored plan to boost open rates and engagement.
FAQs
When is the best time to send SMS messages to gym members?
The ideal times to send SMS messages to gym members tend to be mid-morning, around 10:00 AM, or early afternoon, around 4:00 PM, during weekdays. These periods often result in better engagement since members are more likely to check their phones. On the other hand, it’s best to steer clear of sending messages too early in the morning or late at night, as these times are less convenient for most people.
Weekends can also be a good opportunity, particularly late morning, around 10:00 AM, when members may have more flexibility in their schedules. To pinpoint the best timing for your specific audience, experiment with different times and analyze your open rate data to determine what resonates most with your members.
How can I personalize SMS messages to boost engagement for my gym or fitness studio?
Personalizing SMS messages is a powerful way to capture attention and encourage interaction. A great starting point is addressing recipients by their first name, adding a personal touch that feels more genuine. You can take it a step further by segmenting your audience based on factors like membership status, class attendance, or fitness goals. This allows you to tailor messages to specific groups – like sending exclusive offers to new members or gentle reminders to those who haven’t attended recently.
Don’t overlook opportunities to celebrate milestones. A simple birthday message or a membership anniversary greeting, paired with a discount or special offer, can leave a lasting impression. You can also use data like class preferences or past purchases to create campaigns that align with members’ interests. These thoughtful details make your messages feel relevant and engaging, boosting the chances that your audience will respond.
How can I keep my SMS contact list accurate and compliant with regulations?
To maintain an accurate and regulation-compliant SMS contact list in the US, it’s essential to routinely update your list. Remove inactive or outdated numbers and confirm that every contact has provided explicit consent to receive messages. Always prioritize obtaining clear permission before sending any messages, and make it simple for recipients to opt out if they choose.
On top of that, adhere to the TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) guidelines. It’s also a good idea to register your phone numbers with a reliable messaging provider to minimize issues like carrier filtering. These practices not only keep your campaigns compliant but also boost message delivery rates and audience engagement.
