How SMS Marketing Can Help You Sell More Merch

Whether you're an emerging artist or an established act, merch has become a crucial revenue stream for musicians worldwide. While streaming revenue is becoming less financially reliable, physical merch like apparel, vinyl, and posters are beginning to earn more money for artists. The next challenge is figuring out how to drive attention and conversions for those purchases.

While social media, email marketing, and paid ads are common strategies, SMS marketing has emerged as a powerful tool for driving sales and boosting customer engagement. Artists often spend less money and earn more conversions for their efforts when SMS marketing is a part of their outreach strategy. To help get you started with some effective SMS marketing strategies for selling merch, we compiled this quick list of helpful tips:

1. Instant Communication for Time-Sensitive Offers

SMS marketing enables you to connect with your audience instantly. With an average open rate of 98% and most messages read within minutes, SMS is ideal for promoting:

• Limited-time discounts

• Flash sales

• Exclusive drops

By sending timely messages directly to your audience's phones, you create urgency and drive immediate action, especially for fast-selling merch releases.

2. Personalized Recommendations Drive Conversions

Text messages allow you to personalize your outreach based on customer preferences, past purchases, or browsing behavior. For example, you can:

• Recommend merch that aligns with their favorite albums or tours they've attended

• Send tailored offers that feel relevant and exclusive

• Notify loyal fans about early access to new product lines

This targeted approach makes your messages more impactful and increases the chances of conversion.

3. Build Stronger Customer Relationships

SMS isn't just for promotions. Sending thoughtful messages that align with your audience's interests can deepen engagement. Consider sharing:

• Event reminders for upcoming shows or merch booths

• Behind-the-scenes content about your latest designs

• Thank-you messages to build rapport after a purchase

By mixing promotional and engaging content, you foster stronger connections with your audience.

4. Drive Traffic to Your Online Store

Strategically placed links in SMS campaigns can direct fans to your store's latest product pages, ensuring your audience knows exactly where to go to make a purchase. Adding clear calls to action like "Shop Now," "Limited Stock," or "Get Yours Before It's Gone" encourages immediate clicks.

5. Boost Repeat Sales with Follow-Ups

After fans make a purchase, SMS can be used to nurture repeat sales. Consider sending:

• Order confirmation texts with links to related products

• Restock alerts for popular items

• Exclusive discounts for returning customers

By continuing the conversation post-purchase, you stay top-of-mind and increase the likelihood of future sales.

6. Leverage SMS for Exclusive Merch Announcements

For artists, creators, and brands with passionate fan bases, new merch releases are major events. SMS campaigns are perfect for building excitement with:

• Countdown reminders

• Exclusive early access links

• Back-in-stock alerts

This approach keeps fans engaged and ensures they never miss a release.

7. Easy Integration with Your Marketing Strategy

SMS marketing integrates seamlessly with other marketing channels. Combine SMS with:

• Email campaigns for more detailed promotions

• Social media to amplify announcements

• Live show promotions by encouraging signups via QR codes at the merch table

By using SMS as part of a multi-channel approach, you maximize your reach and drive more merch sales to round out your revenue streams.

Getting Started with SMS Marketing

If you're ready to explore SMS marketing, look for a platform that offers powerful segmentation, automated campaigns, and analytics to track performance. Tools like Sonikit make it easy to manage your SMS campaigns alongside other marketing efforts, helping you connect with fans, boost sales, and grow your merch business.

With the right strategy, SMS marketing can become a game-changer in your quest to sell more merch and build a loyal customer base.