SMS Campaign Generator
Generate 3 compliant SMS message variations for post-storm alerts, inspection follow-ups, seasonal offers, and referral asks — under 160 characters each.
Built by Tim Nussbeck — 20 years in home improvement sales, 1,000+ reps trained, founder of GhostRep
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Built by Tim Nussbeck
Founder of GhostRep · 20+ years in home improvement sales · Trained 1,000+ reps
Every tool on this page is based on real field experience, not AI-generated templates.
What Is a SMS Campaign Generator?
SMS has a 98% open rate vs. 20% for email — but one compliance mistake can shut down your entire campaign and cost you thousands in fines. That gap between massive potential and serious risk is where most contractors get stuck. They either avoid texting entirely and leave the highest-open-rate channel unused, or they blast messages without understanding the rules and end up with TCPA complaints at $500-$1,500 per text.
The contractors who use SMS effectively understand two things: the message itself must be under 160 characters to avoid splitting into awkward two-segment deliveries, and the compliance framework — particularly FCC texting regulations — requires documented opt-in before sending marketing messages. Within those guardrails, SMS is the fastest path from campaign to phone call for any home improvement company, whether you are a roofer, solar installer, HVAC contractor, or pool builder.
This generator writes three ready-to-send message variations for post-storm alerts, inspection follow-ups, seasonal campaigns, referral asks, and appointment reminders — each under 160 characters, each with a different hook angle. It includes character counts for verification and adds opt-out language as a separate line when needed for regulatory compliance.
How to Use This Tool
Select the campaign type that matches your situation
Each campaign type produces different copy strategy. A post-storm alert opens with the storm event and creates urgency around inspection timing. A follow-up to a prospect who hasn't responded is softer and benefit-focused. A referral ask to a past customer assumes satisfaction and focuses on the reward. Getting the campaign type right means the message reads as appropriate for the moment — not pushy when it should be helpful, not passive when urgency is warranted.
State your offer or hook as specifically as possible
"Hail hit your zip code" is a specific hook that connects immediately. "Free inspection" is a clear offer. "We have a cancellation slot Thursday" creates urgency. The offer or hook field becomes the first words of the message — the more specific it is, the better the message performs. Vague inputs produce vague messages.
Stay under 160 characters per segment
A text message over 160 characters splits into two segments on many carriers. The second segment often arrives separately and without context, and your carrier may charge for two messages. The generator counts characters for you — check the count before sending. If you need to add personalization tokens (first name, address), add them and recount before deploying through your SMS platform.
Decide on opt-out language based on your list type
TCPA compliance requires opt-out language for marketing texts sent to people who haven't explicitly opted in to receive marketing messages from you. If you're texting a list of customers who signed a contract that included text messaging consent, you may have opt-out coverage. When in doubt, include it. The generator places it as a separate line below the message — most SMS platforms send it as a second message or append it automatically.
Pick the variation that matches your brand voice
The three variations — urgency, benefit, and question-hook — perform differently by list type. Urgency performs best on post-storm cold lists. Benefit performs best on warm prospect follow-ups. Question-hook performs best on past customers being re-engaged. Test all three if your SMS platform supports A/B testing; otherwise, choose the one that feels most authentic to how your company communicates.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| What Most Reps Do | What Works Better |
|---|---|
| Texting without documented opt-in | Always get written opt-in before sending marketing texts. Add a consent checkbox to your contracts and estimate forms. One TCPA complaint can cost $500-$1,500 per message sent — per recipient. The compliance risk is not theoretical. |
| Opening with "Hi [Name], this is..." | The hook must be in the first words. SMS previews show 30-40 characters — "Hail hit your zip code last night" earns the tap. "Hi Sarah, this is Mike from Apex" wastes the preview on information that does not motivate opening the message. |
| Going over 160 characters | Messages over 160 characters split into two segments that arrive separately, look broken, and cost double to send. Treat 160 as a hard limit, not a guideline. |
| Including multiple CTAs | One action per message. "Call us, reply here, or visit our website" creates paralysis. "Call 555-1234" converts. Pick one action and make it obvious. |
Pro Tip
TCPA compliance is non-negotiable — always get written opt-in before texting. Add a marketing text consent checkbox to every contract and estimate form you use. One complaint can cost $500-$1,500 per text sent, and class actions multiply that across your entire list. The companies doing SMS well have opt-in baked into their intake process so every new customer is automatically eligible for future campaigns. For the full follow-up framework including SMS timing, see our sales follow-up cadence guide and email marketing templates.
Frequently Asked Questions
can contractors send text messages to customers
Yes, but with important compliance requirements. You can text existing customers with transactional messages (appointment confirmations, job status updates) without prior written consent under TCPA guidelines. For marketing messages — promotions, seasonal offers, referral asks — you need documented opt-in consent. Most contractor contracts can include a text marketing consent clause. This applies equally to roofers, solar companies, HVAC businesses, and pool contractors. For outreach to people who haven't opted in, consult a compliance attorney before deploying — TCPA violations cost $500-$1,500 per message.
what is the best sms marketing platform for contractors
The most commonly used platforms are Podium, ServiceTitan's built-in messaging, Twilio (for custom integrations), SimpleTexting, and EZTexting. Podium is popular for review-request automation alongside marketing messages. ServiceTitan integrates with job management across roofing, HVAC, and other trades. SimpleTexting and EZTexting are straightforward list broadcast tools without the CRM complexity. Choose based on whether you need CRM integration (ServiceTitan, Podium) or just broadcast capability (SimpleTexting, EZTexting).
how do i get homeowners to opt in to text messages
The easiest methods: add a text marketing consent checkbox to your estimate and contract forms, collect opt-ins on your website with a lead magnet ("text your address for a free assessment"), ask at job completion when customer satisfaction is highest, and include it in your review request flow. Make sure opt-in language is explicit — "By checking this box, you consent to receive marketing text messages from [Company] at the number provided" — vague language doesn't satisfy TCPA requirements. This process is the same whether you are a roofer, solar company, HVAC contractor, or pool builder.
how often should a contractor send text messages
Marketing texts should be sent no more than 2-4 times per month to any given contact, and only when you have a specific reason — not just to stay visible. Event-driven outreach (post-storm for roofers, heat wave for HVAC, high-electric-bill months for solar) is the exception: send it immediately, even if you recently sent a different campaign. Appointment reminders and job updates can be sent as frequently as needed since they're transactional. Event-driven triggers outperform calendar-based broadcast schedules every time.
what should i put in a contractor text message
A marketing text should: lead with the hook or offer in the first words (not your name or a greeting), include the company name somewhere in the message, state exactly one call to action, and be under 160 characters. For event-driven texts: reference the event and the urgency. For follow-ups: reference the previous contact and make a specific ask. For referral asks: name the reward and the process in as few words as possible. This structure works across every vertical — roofing, solar, HVAC, windows, pools. Never include links unless you know they'll render correctly on your recipients' devices.
Your SMS Gets Replies — Echo Coaches the Follow-Up
<a href="/products/echo">Echo</a> captures what happened on the appointment so your follow-up texts reference the real conversation — not a generic template.
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