After auditing hundreds of brands, here are the 10 SMS mistakes we keep seeing
Send It! · with Jimmy Kim & Chase Dimond · June 23, 2026 · 37 min
Summary
This episode dives deep into the top 10 mistakes brands make with SMS marketing, based on extensive audits. It provides actionable strategies to optimize SMS campaigns for higher engagement and revenue, moving beyond basic sends to a truly effective retention engine.
Key takeaways
Avoid generic SMS blasts; personalize messages based on customer behavior and purchase history to increase relevance and conversion rates.
Segment your audience meticulously to deliver targeted content, ensuring that each SMS resonates with the recipient's specific interests and stage in the customer journey.
Implement clear and compelling calls to action within SMS messages, guiding customers directly to their next desired interaction, such as a product page or an exclusive offer.
Optimize SMS send times based on recipient engagement analytics to maximize open rates and minimize opt-outs. Test different times to find what works best for your audience.
Integrate SMS with email and other marketing channels for a cohesive omnichannel retention strategy, reinforcing your brand's message and improving overall customer experience.
After years of auditing retention programs, we're still seeing the same SMS mistakes.In this episode of Send It, Jimmy Kim and Chase Dimond share 10 SMS hot takes based on years of working with ecommerce brands and auditing retention programs. From discount-driven opt-ins and over-sending to MMS strategy, segmentation, compliance, and deliverability, they break down what's actually working in SMS right now; and what brands should stop doing immediately.EP 86: After auditing hundreds of brands, here are the 10 SMS mistakes we keep seeingHere's what we're diving into:- Why discount-driven SMS opt-ins often create low-quality subscribers- When MMS is worth the extra cost (and why most brands underuse it)- How often brands should actually be sending SMS campaigns- Why SMS segmentation should look different from email segmentation- The biggest compliance and deliverability risks brands overlookThank you our friends at Omnisend, Superscale and eCom Email Certified for sponsoring the podcast!Omnisend is an all in one eCommerce email and SMS marketing automation platform that enables marketers to engage customers and drive sales through personalized experiences. https://www.omnisend.com/sendit/Superscale is the first AI agent built for social marketing. It connects to your Meta, TikTok, and Google ad accounts, researches your competitors, and turns a single prompt into hundreds of high-converting creatives built on real performance data. Trusted by Taxfix, SumUp, and backed by Creandum. https://superscale.ai/?utm_source=SenditeCom Email Certified is a hands-on, results-driven program with a step-by-step guide to mastering retention marketing and driving serious results. Access over 25 hours of learnings and become a certified email & SMS marketer. Use code: SENDIT! for $300 OFF https://
Avoid generic SMS blasts; personalize messages based on customer behavior and purchase history to increase relevance and conversion rates.
What does this episode say about customer retention?
Segment your audience meticulously to deliver targeted content, ensuring that each SMS resonates with the recipient's specific interests and stage in the customer journey.
What does this episode say about conversion & cro?
Implement clear and compelling calls to action within SMS messages, guiding customers directly to their next desired interaction, such as a product page or an exclusive offer.
What does this episode say about email & sms?
Optimize SMS send times based on recipient engagement analytics to maximize open rates and minimize opt-outs. Test different times to find what works best for your audience.
What does this episode say about email & sms?
Integrate SMS with email and other marketing channels for a cohesive omnichannel retention strategy, reinforcing your brand's message and improving overall customer experience.
