Top 5 Ways Mass Text Software Can Improve Customer Engagement

Suffering from the pains of unengaged customers?

Are you tired of them:

• Not reading your email blasts?
• Not bothering to comment on your social media posts (or even like them)?
• Not responding to any of your latest offers?

We know. It blows.

You put all that hard work into creating the perfect messages, and then nothing happens…

But don't feel bad; you're not alone because it's the 21st century, and it's a real struggle to get people's attention.

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Luckily, the situation isn't as grim as it sounds. And there is something you can do.

Something a bit different. Something that's been proven to work time after time.

Something called SMS marketing.

It's a strategy that delivers an average of 98% open rates and 19%-32% click-through rates at very reasonable costs.

Jumping out of your chair yet?

We can't blame you, but sit back down, please. 🙂

And get ready to learn how mass text software can help you create engaging sales and marketing campaigns that'll make you want to find Friedhelm Hillebrand and Bernard Ghillebaert and personally thank them for inventing SMS technology.

What is Mass Text Message Software?

In a nutshell, mass text software is a digital solution that enables you to text a large group of people.

Think of it as your all-access pass to streamlined communication. Instead of sending individual SMS messages manually, mass text messaging software lets you deliver a message to hundreds or even thousands of contacts simultaneously.

The best mass text messaging software platforms offer much more than just blasting out texts. Here's what they typically include:

• Segmentation: Easily group your audience based on behavior, interests, demographics, or purchase history.
• Automation: Run SMS drip campaigns and set up automated replies to keep conversations flowing 24/7.
• Scheduling: Send your messages exactly when your audience is most likely to read them.
• Reminders and Confirmations: Perfect for appointments, renewals, and event RSVPs.
• Cross-device Access: Manage campaigns from desktops, laptops, tablets—even your smartwatch.
• Analytics: Track delivery, open rates, click-throughs, and responses in real-time.

Mass Texting vs. Individual SMS

Here's the core difference: mass text message software is built for scale.

Whereas individual SMS is fine for one-on-one chats, mass text software is designed to reach dozens, hundreds, or thousands of recipients with one click. You're not just texting—you're running a communication strategy.

This is especially important in professional settings. Bulk SMS for business allows teams to stay organized, compliant, and on-brand, even as message volume increases.

When it comes to this type of solution, customers have the choice between two types of platforms:

1. Standalone mass text message software
2. All-in-one software, primarily in the form of CRMs (Customer Relationship Management tools)

We prefer CRMs, and we think you should, too.

Full disclaimer: we are the developers of a CRM called Ringy. You probably noticed our logo.

But this isn't the reason why we prefer CRMs.

We actually decided to build a CRM rather than a standalone software precisely because of its benefits to salespeople, marketers, and customer support agents.

Namely, CRMs eliminate the need for overcomplicated tech stacks, painful integrations that require constant maintenance, and multiple invoices that really add up.

They make business sense in almost every case — the only valid reason to stick to a standalone solution is if you're 100% satisfied with your current SMS-less CRM.

Why Mass Text Software is Valuable for Sales and Marketing Teams

For sales teams, software to send mass text messages means faster outreach, higher response rates, and fewer missed opportunities. Whether you're warming up leads or following up after a demo, SMS gets read—and it gets read fast.

For marketing teams, it's all about engagement. Text messages boast a 98% open rate, which makes them ideal for flash sales, promo codes, and event invites.

And if you're running lean? There are even free mass text messaging software options available, though they tend to have limitations in terms of contacts, deliverability, and support.

Types of Bulk SMS for Business

When it comes to mass text software, every message design is unique. Depending on your goals, alerts, engagement, support, or conversions, there are three primary formats to choose from:

1-way SMS

1-way SMS is exactly what it sounds like.

You use your mass text messaging software to send out a short, informative broadcast to a group of customers.

No replies expected, no back-and-forth—just clear and concise delivery.

Perfect for:

• Alerts
• Appointment or payment confirmations
• Purchase receipts
• Flash sale announcements
• Links to landing pages or promotions

Why it works: It's cost-effective, fast, and scalable. If your message doesn't need a response, 1-way mass text software is the way to go.

Why it might not: People are used to texting back. When you block that interaction, it can feel impersonal, or even frustrating, especially if customers have questions.

Still, for one-directional communication, it's a staple in bulk SMS for business.

2-way SMS

2-way SMS takes things a step further by enabling replies. It turns a simple notification into a basic (yet efficient) conversation.

This type of mass text notification software is ideal when you want customer feedback or need to confirm details without tying up your phone lines.

How it works: You create CTAs like:

• "Reply YES to confirm"
• "Text C to cancel"
• "Want a callback? Text CALL"

Your mass text messaging software tracks responses, routes the information to your CRM, and alerts your team if a manual follow-up is needed.

Perfect for:

• Feedback surveys
• Appointment confirmations or reschedules
• Basic customer support
• Lead qualification

Why sales and support teams love it: It's efficient and keeps customer interaction flowing without needing a human for every single reply.

3. Conversational SMS

If 2-way texting is the highway, conversational SMS is the express lane.

It enables full dialogues, either with an AI chatbot or a live agent, through your mass text software. This is where personalization at scale becomes a reality.

How it works:

• AI-powered messaging uses advanced natural language processing to handle FAQs, product inquiries, and scheduling.
• Human agents step in for more complex, emotionally sensitive, or sales-critical conversations.

Perfect for:

• Sales conversations that require context and nuance
• Customer onboarding and support
• Product or service recommendations
• Engaging abandoned leads

Why it's powerful: conversational SMS turns your mass text messaging software into a full-blown conversation hub. And when done well, it feels like a personalized experience rather than an automated blast.

How Mass Text Messaging Is Used in Business Settings

Companies across the globe use these three types of bulk SMS for businesses to send out a wide array of marketing messages and general communication.

1. Lead Nurturing (Especially in Industries Like Insurance, Real Estate, and Recruiting)

From insurance to real estate to recruiting, mass text software plays a major role in guiding leads through the funnel.

Sales reps and agents use software to send mass text messages to check in, follow up, and offer helpful resources, without the pressure of a phone call.

Common messages include:

• "Still interested in coverage? Let's chat."
• "Our open house starts in 30 minutes—drop by!"
• "We've got a role that matches your profile. Text YES to learn more."

Industries that benefit most:

• Insurance: Keep policyholders in the loop and encourage renewals.
• Real Estate: Send instant updates on listings or showings.
• Recruiting: Engage candidates quickly and reduce ghosting.

2. Appointment Reminders and Confirmations

No-shows are expensive. Whether it's a doctor's office, a hair salon, or a job interview, missed appointments waste time and money.

Mass text message software helps reduce no-show rates by automating reminders and allowing easy confirmations or reschedules. Here's how:

3. Promotions and Sales

Free mass text software (or premium platforms) let businesses push time-sensitive deals to a large audience—instantly.

And because SMS is fast and direct, it's perfect for:

• Flash sales
• Coupon codes
• Product launches
• Holiday campaigns

The best way to use mass text software in promotions and sales is to segment your list to personalize your promos. Your mass text messaging software can help tailor offers to buying behavior, location, or past engagement.

4. Internal Team Communication

Texting isn't just for customers. Many businesses also use bulk SMS for business to keep their own teams aligned.

Use cases include:

• Emergency alerts
• Shift reminders or changes
• Quick updates during events or busy seasons

Why not just use email or Slack?

Because SMS gets seen. Fast.

On average, it takes just 90 seconds for someone to respond to a text message vs. 90 minutes for an email.

5. Event Marketing and RSVPs

Mass text software is an event planner's secret weapon. Whether you're hosting a webinar, product demo, or in-person mixer, it can:

• Send invitations and save-the-date reminders
• Collect RSVPs instantly
• Share venue details or live updates
• Follow up with a post-event survey or thank-you message

Integrating your mass text messaging software with your CRM makes it easy to track attendance, engagement, and follow-up actions automatically.

How to Increase Customer Engagement with Mass Text Software

Sending a mass text is easy. Getting customers to engage? That's where strategy comes in. Whether you're using free mass text software or a fully integrated platform like Ringy CRM, these five practices will help you turn texts into clicks, replies, and conversions.

1. Segment Your Audience

When you send the same message to everyone, it feels like it was meant for no one. Segmentation changes that.

Using mass text software that supports list segmentation, you can group contacts by location, behavior, past purchases, or lifecycle stage. This lets you send targeted, relevant messages that are more likely to convert.

For example, a real estate agent can text hot leads about new listings, while past clients receive home maintenance tips or referral offers. It's about sending the right message to the right person at the right time.

2. Personalize Your Messages

Generic messages don't cut it anymore. Today's customers expect personalization, even from a mass text message software tool.

Ringy makes it simple by pulling in customer data fields (like first names, cities, or even recent product views) so each message feels like a one-on-one conversation. That's important, considering:

• Personalized SMS messages are more likely to get a response.
• The average response rate, which is already an impressive 45%, can rise when personalization is used strategically.

Even when automated, a personalized message builds trust and makes your brand more relatable.

3. Use Drip Campaigns (Automated Follow-ups)

Some leads need a little nurturing. That's where SMS drip campaigns come in.

With mass text software, especially platforms like Ringy, you can set up automated sequences that send messages based on time delays or customer actions. Drip campaigns help you stay top-of-mind without being pushy.

Here's how you might use them:

• New leads: Welcome message ➝ Product info ➝ Limited-time offer
• Inactive customers: Re-engagement ➝ Survey ➝ Incentive to return
• Appointment follow-ups: Thank you ➝ Feedback request ➝ Rebooking offer

These sequences increase touchpoints without draining your team's time. And since Ringy connects each response back to your CRM record, you always know where the customer stands in the journey.

4. Include Clear CTAs

Every message should drive action. That's where strong CTAs (Calls to Action) come in. Some common CTAs include:

• Reply YES to confirm
• Click here to redeem your offer
• Text HELP for support

Simple, clear instructions improve customer experience, and they deliver results. In fact, SMS campaigns with strong CTAs can improve conversion rates by up to 19%.

Using mass text messaging software, free or paid, it's critical to test different CTA formats. Ringy even allows for A/B testing of text campaigns, so you can track which phrases drive the most clicks or replies.

Tip: Always use mobile-friendly links and short, actionable language.

5. Optimize Send Times

Even the best text won't work if it's sent at the wrong time. That's why optimizing delivery windows is crucial.

• Aim for business hours, typically 10 AM to 6 PM local time.
• Avoid early mornings, weekends, and holidays unless it's industry-relevant.
• Test and learn. Some audiences prefer lunchtime, others prefer evenings.

Ringy makes timing easy by integrating with your calendar so you can schedule your SMS marketing efforts. You can also analyze historical data to pinpoint when your contacts are most responsive.

Free vs Paid Mass Text Messaging Software

Free mass text software for business—what's the catch? Good question, and one that was always bound to come up. But first, let's compare the two:

Free mass text messaging software doesn't exist anymore. Spammers abused them, and telecom companies have opted to finally block these solutions.

However, it's easy to get confused because there are still many hits for "free mass text software" or "mass text software free" on the internet.

These usually now link to:

1. Companies like TextMagic that wave monthly subscription fees
2. CRMs like Ringy include texting services as part of their overall package

Both options still charge you a small outgoing message surcharge to cover the telecommunication costs of sending an SMS.

If you find websites claiming to offer free mass text messaging software, you should tread very carefully because there's going to be a catch, and it could be that:

• The company is planning to sell your data to third parties
• They're scammers
• It's just a limited offer (i.e., the first 100 texts are free)
• You have to send each message out individually

Top 3 Software to Send Mass Text Messages

If we've done our job well, you should be just about ready to consider a couple of options for getting started with mass text software.

If that's the case, then definitely read on.

If not, we suggest you pop over to our guide on SMS text messaging for more background reading and information about this business strategy.

1. Ringy

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We're Ringy. You already know that.

But don't roll your eyes and think we're just another company tooting our own horn.

That's not the case.

We're simply giving credit where credit is due.

After all, what would be the point of working 12-hour days if we beat ourselves up and refuse to drop a few nice words about ourselves here and there?

Modesty won't convince you to try our solution out.

And to prove it's not us just saying good things about our all-in-one CRM, here are three direct links to independent review sites:

• Software Advice
• Capterra
• G2

Key features:

• Affordable pricing with pesky user surcharges
• Just $0.01 per outbound text message
• Drip campaigns for both SMS and email
• Powerful marketing automation sequences
• Includes a full-blown sales CRM and an integrated VoIP softphone
• Strong SMS analytics
• User-friendly mobile apps for texting on the fly

Monthly price: $109 a month + cost of credit packages (as of April 2025)

2. Close

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Close CRM is good. Seriously good.

And if you're serious about closing more deals, you should check it out.

Like Ringy, it's also an all-in-one sales CRM that does it all from contact management to mass text software to email automation and VoIP calling.

We love how user-friendly it is and how many integrations it has.

However, we can't overlook that it's significantly more expensive.

And yes, we know they have a plan for just $29 a month per user, but it doesn't stand up to the competition.

The reality is that you're looking at $99 or $149 a month per user to match the same functionality you can get for $109 a month for unlimited users with our solution.

Key features:

• CRM with a unified communication system
• One-click SMS capabilities
• Advanced automation
• Instant insights
• Free migration and support

Monthly price: $29 to $149 a month per user (as of April 2025)

3. TextMagic

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TextMagic is our top pick for standalone mass text software.

Why?

1. It's relatively affordable
2. It has a ton of features
3. It's easy-to-use
4. It's straightforward to integrate into your existing tools

We still think you should go for a CRM system — you know, because it's more powerful and offers better value — but TextMagic is a valid alternative if switching CRMs is off the table.

Key features:

• 1-way and 2-way SMS messaging
• Pay-as-you-go
• Simple automation
• Easy to set up and use
• More than 200 supported countries
• Fast, secure & reliable

Monthly price: From $0.049 per outgoing SMS (as of April 2025)

Concluding Thoughts on Mass Text Software

In an era of diminishing attention spans and constant distractions, mass text software is a…

Sorry about that; it turns out it was just a tiny boat.

What were we saying?

Ah yes, mass text software is one of the best ways to cut through the noise and actually communicate with your customers on a channel that still has high open rates and strong engagement.

Just don't betray their trust, respect their inboxes, and follow the six tips you learned today:

1. Get consent before you communicate
2. Offer text-based customer service
3. Send reminders and special wishes
4. Talk products
5. Listen to your customers' thoughts and feedback
6. Master your send times

You're bound to see impressive business results when you combine these with a market-leading software solution (like Ringy).

Ready to dive in?

Book a demo, and one of our friendly colleagues will show you how to get started.