When you want to move fast and drive real volume, SMS rewards still deliver.
They’re simple to set up, easy to redeem, and work on any phone.
No apps. No friction.
From discounts to digital vouchers, the right reward at the right time can turn one purchase into many.
In this Telerivet article, we cover:
SMS rewards are one of the most reliable ways to drive consumer action at scale.
They’re simple: a customer takes an action, sends an SMS, and instantly receives something of value like a voucher, discount, or mobile airtime directly to their phone.
Here’s how it typically works:
A brand runs a promotion tied to a product. Let’s say a soft drink company prints a code inside its bottle caps. The customer buys a bottle, texts the code to a number, and instantly receives a reward via SMS. It might be a free data top-up, a discount on their next purchase, or a digital voucher they can use in-store.
No apps, no scanning, no account signups.
Just immediate, real-world value delivered through the most universal messaging channel on the planet.
This type of interaction builds more than just short-term engagement. It creates habit, encourages repeat purchase, and unlocks first-party data all while being accessible on any mobile phone, in any market.
Absolutely.
Few channels match SMS when it comes to reach, immediacy, and response rates, especially in markets like the US where it's still the default way brands reach consumers directly.
Unlike app-based platforms that require downloads, logins, or data connections, SMS just works.
It reaches smartphones and feature phones alike, and it’s not dependent on whether the consumer has signal, Wi-Fi, or the latest version of an app. That’s a big reason why redemption rates for SMS rewards often outperform owned channels like a company app - particularly in retail-heavy, low-connectivity, or high-competition markets.
You can just reach a lot more people with much higher open rates through SMS.
That said, every geography is different. In some countries, Viber or WhatsApp might dominate. That’s why smart messaging strategies are multichannel by design.
Telerivet handles this by default. Its built-in failover system means if a message doesn’t land on SMS, it can automatically fall back to another channel or vice versa.
You don’t have to manage multiple systems or guess which platform a user prefers. If you're using Telerivet, you're already multichannel.
One leading FMCG brand used Telerivet to launch a national SMS rewards campaign. The mechanic was simple: customers who purchased a participating product could text in a unique code and instantly receive a digital reward - no apps, no friction.
The results spoke for themselves:
What made it work wasn’t just the channel but the execution.
SMS provided the reach, Telerivet delivered the infrastructure, and the reward strategy drove repeat behavior.
Campaigns were live within weeks, not months. Every interaction generated data. And every message reinforced the brand in a high-frequency category where preference is everything.
SMS rewards come in a few different flavors, each with its own role depending on the audience, channel, and incentive structure. The right format depends on what kind of behavior you're trying to drive and how your consumers interact with your brand.
At its core, an SMS reward is anything of value delivered or triggered by a text message. It could be a discount code, a free product, a bundle, or even a small incentive like airtime or data credit. What makes it powerful is its flexibility. You can tailor the reward to the audience, and the redemption flow is often as simple as replying to a message or clicking a link.
Because SMS works across virtually every phone, these types of rewards are especially useful in markets where app adoption is low or internet access is patchy.
Electronic vouchers are more structured. These are typically codes or links that give the recipient credit toward a specific product or category, whether online, in-store, or through a delivery partner. They’re not tied to SMS specifically, and can be sent through any digital channel.
Their strength is in perceived value and precision: they can be tied to specific SKUs, used to drive foot traffic, or redeemed online to measure direct ROI.
SMS discounts are a specific subset of electronic vouchers but delivered directly by text. That could be a code to present at checkout, a link to a mobile coupon, or a timed promotion with a built-in expiry.
Because they arrive by SMS, they’re seen instantly and don’t get buried in inboxes or apps. They’re easy to test, fast to deploy, and ideal for time-sensitive campaigns where you want to move inventory or boost sell-through quickly.
Telerivet makes it easy to launch SMS rewards campaigns that scale.
Whether you’re running a short-term promotion or building a long-term loyalty program, the platform gives you the tools to reach consumers directly, reward them instantly, and gather data with every interaction.
Setup is quick, with no heavy engineering required. You'll be supported by a dedicated specialist who can help you design the right flow, configure delivery logic, and optimize for performance from day one.
If you're ready to drive sales, build loyalty, and make SMS a more strategic part of your marketing stack, we’re here to help.
Contact us to get started and find pricing that works for your brand.
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