In today’s creator economy, audience growth isn’t just a nice-to-have but the lifeline of long-term success. Whether you're a musician, writer, or entrepreneur, your ability to consistently grow and engage your audience directly impacts your brand’s reach, relevance, and revenue.
Growing an audience today isn’t just harder; it’s more unpredictable than ever. With social media algorithms limiting visibility and emails clogging inboxes, even the most engaged followers can go dark. Creators are left wondering: How can I actually cultivate my own audience?
One of the most powerful and underused tools for driving audience growth is text message marketing. Why? Because SMS offers creators a direct, personal line to their fans’ most-used device: their phone. With open rates as high as 98% and engagement metrics that make email and social media fade in comparison, the right text messaging strategy transforms passive followers into loyal, active community members.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through four proven strategies used by top creators to not only grow their audiences, but build deeper connections and keep them close.
Audience growth isn’t just about adding followers. It’s about building a loyal, responsive base of fans who trust you, engage with you, and buy from you. It’s the difference between reaching people and resonating with them.
Social platforms may give you exposure, but they don’t give you ownership. With SMS, you don’t just rent space on someone else’s platform. Instead, you build a real, direct connection and grow an audience that is all yours.
Why Text Message Marketing is Built for Audience Growth
Unlike social platforms, SMS cuts through the clutter. With open rates typically over 90%, SMS ensures your content reaches audiences where they’re already at: their phones.
Gary Vee Creator, Entrepreneur, Investor and Community Customer
A text message marketing platform like Community allows creators to:
Bypass the social media algorithm entirely
Build a high-trust, high-response audience channel
Reach target audiences in real-time with personal, timely messages
Collect valuable and actionable insights on every fan
Now, let’s talk tactics! These four SMS strategies can help you grow smarter, not louder.
Exclusivity fuels engagement. Use SMS to create a “Top Fans” or a “Close Friends” club that rewards loyalty. Offer early access to merch drops, behind-the-scenes content, exclusive Q&As or VIP-only events to activate your audience.
With Community’s clustering tool, you can even segment fans by interest, engagement, or geography, so you can send the right message at the right time, based on data your audience shares with you.
Remember, everyone wants to feel like they’re in on something. SMS gives them that VIP pass.
The magic of SMS, when done right, is that it feels one-on-one even when you’re texting thousands. Build trust by showing up regularly with messages that feel personal like:
Birthday shoutouts: Show that you care and celebrate their special day
Weekly check-ins: Let them know you’re thinking of them
Polls or Q&As: Get to know your fans but also generate more data so you can continue segmenting your audience
Tailored content recommendations: Speak to their interests and stay top of mind
Consistency builds connection so be sure to reach out regularly without overdoing it!
Growing your audience is about creating genuine connections. Be authentic and consider quality over quantity. Think of SMS as your highlight reel, not your main feed. Instead of copying and pasting content, use texts to drive traffic strategically and with intention.
Just dropped a new YouTube video? Send out the link via text. Want to guarantee event attendance? Send day-of reminders! Have a new product line? Get your most loyal fans in on the drop before anyone else! Then, ask them what they want to see next from you. These are your loyal followers and will let you know what they’re hoping for!
Whether you’re promoting a new podcast or pushing merch with a timed offer, keep your texts high-value, low-noise. Give fans a reason to click!
If you're serious about driving audience growth, keeping your current fans engaged is just as crucial as attracting new ones. The key? Ask them what they care about. And then deliver.
With the right text message marketing program in place, creators can easily collect zero-party data that fuels smarter decisions and personalized outreach. Here’s how you can gather insights that help you grow:
Quick polls: Instantly measure demand. “What city should I add to my tour?”
Preference tags: Group fans by interests, like merch lovers or BTS content fans.
Event sign-ups: Track RSVPs and send timely reminders to boost attendance.
Product feedback: Let fans vote and feel heard. “Which hoodie color next?”
Sentiment analysis: Analyze replies to understand tone, trends, and fan mood.
AI-powered tools: Auto-generate messages, segment by behavior, and optimize performance.
Every response is more than a message, it’s a data point and an opportunity. By capturing first- and zero-party data, creators can tailor campaigns that resonate, build deeper connections, and drive audience growth over time. When fans feel seen and heard, they stick around and bring others with them.
True audience growth isn’t about chasing views or followers. It’s about creating a channel that’s direct, high-trust, algorithm-free, and built to last.
Text message marketing platforms like Community help creators build the kind of audience that doesn’t just follow, but engages and sticks around.
Ready to grow your audience with deeper connections that last? Book a demo or learn how to use Community to connect smarter.