How to Collect Fan Phone Numbers for SMS Marketing (Legally)

If you're an artist or label looking to deepen your connection with fans, SMS marketing is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal. With open rates as high as 98% and lightning-fast engagement, SMS gives you a direct line to your biggest supporters—for album announcements, exclusive merch drops, ticket sales, tour updates, and more.

But before you start blasting texts, there’s one critical thing to get right: how you collect phone numbers legally and effectively. In this post, we’ll walk you through why SMS marketing is essential, and how to grow your list the right way—with strategies that boost fan engagement while keeping you compliant with SMS marketing laws.

Why Build an SMS Marketing List?

Social media platforms come and go, and algorithms change constantly. But when you have a fan’s phone number—with their permission—you have a direct, reliable channel to reach them anytime.

Here’s what you can do with SMS:

• Promote your next release with early streaming links or pre-save reminders

• Announce exclusive merch drops (and boost conversions with limited-time offers)

• Send tour updates or VIP ticket links to fans in specific cities

• Build hype with behind-the-scenes content or surprise drops

• Drive engagement during launch weeks with polls, giveaways, and special messages

The key? Building your SMS list legally and with real, opted-in fans.

How to Collect Fan Phone Numbers

To stay compliant with laws like the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in the U.S., or similar regulations globally, you must have explicit consent from fans before texting them. This means:

• You can’t buy or scrape phone numbers

• You must clearly explain what fans are signing up for

• You must allow them to opt out at any time

Now that we’ve got the legal stuff out of the way, let’s talk about how to actually grow your list using smart, fan-friendly strategies.

1. Embed a Sign-Up Form on Your Website

Your website is your home base—make it easy for fans to join your SMS list with an embedded form. Add your form to your homepage, release pages, or the site's footer for access everywhere. The more touchpoints, the better. Make sure to use a trusted SMS marketing platform so you can be sure compliance is taken care of. That way you can safely customize your embed and share anywhere on your site to maximize conversions.

2. Add a Sign-Up Form to Your Landing Page

If your primary destination for fans is a landing page or link-in-bio site, you need to make sure your SMS sign up form is a part of that page. Every visit is a chance to convert new subscribers who you'll be able to reach out to direclty. Make sure the form is simple and positioned toward the top of the page so fans don't need to scroll to find it.  

Your sign up form should always be paired with top prioirites that you're sharing, such as:

• Spotify pre-save buttons

• Merch store links

• Tour announcements and ticket sales

If you want a quick way to put all of these tools together, try out Sonikit's landing pages to streamline your calls-to-action. 

3. Share a QR Code at Live Shows

Live shows are high-energy moments—perfect for capturing attention and building your fan list. Print a QR code linked to your SMS sign-up form and display it at your merch table, on your visuals, or even on stage screens. Fans can scan it in seconds and join your text list while the vibe is fresh. Bonus: offer a free download or exclusive content as a thank-you for signing up.

4. Add a Link to Your Bio

Your Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter bios are prime real estate. Add a link to your SMS sign-up form and include a clear call to action, like:

📲 Get exclusive texts from me → [your link]

Consider using a link-in-bio tool (like Linktree or a Sonikit landing page) so your SMS form is always one tap away.

5. Invite Fans in Social Posts, Stories & Reels

Don’t just drop the link—give fans a reason to sign up.

Use posts, Reels, and Stories to:

• Tease early access to your next release

• Offer discount codes or unreleased demos

• Give exclusive access to tickets and events

You can even use Instagram’s “Link” sticker in Stories to directly drive signups.

6. Incentivize Sign-Ups with Exclusives

Offer something fans can’t get anywhere else—just for signing up.

Some ideas:

• Early access to tickets or merch

• Private links to unreleased tracks

• Behind-the-scenes video from the studio

• Fan-only giveaways or contests

People are far more likely to share their number if they feel like VIPs in return.

Final Thoughts: Start Small, Stay Compliant, Build Big

Growing your SMS list takes time—but every sign-up is a high-intent fan who wants to hear from you. By using trusted tools (like Sonikit), staying compliant, and consistently offering value, you’ll build a powerful SMS channel that can supercharge your releases, tours, and merch sales.

Ready to start collecting numbers? You can create a sign up form in seconds with a free Sonikit trial to test it out.