Every day, brands, organizations, and creators struggle to grab and hold the attention of their audience. Changes to algorithms, privacy regulations, and social media monetization practices have all led to marketers looking for a place to engage their audiences without external chaos. The Subtext team saw that struggle and created a platform to simplify how people connect with the personalities and topics that impact their lives.
We tested the idea in 2018, handing journalist Joe Eskenazi a burner phone to text information about the 2018 special election for San Francisco mayor. As questions and answers went back and forth, we saw that people appreciated the genuine connection and that it was best achieved through the simple, familiar technology that is SMS. But don’t worry, today our platform has evolved way past a burner phone 😂.
Texting connects audiences to their favorite brands, musicians, athletes, influencers, news organizations, and more in a way where they can be heard. It gives creators a place to build deeper connections with their audience, drive brand loyalty, and ultimately increase revenue. So why should marketers use Subtext? Let’s talk it through.
What Sets Subtext Apart
1. Two-Way Audience Communication At Scale
In an era dominated by algorithmic feeds and fleeting impressions, genuine engagement has become a differentiator. Subtext helps you go beyond superficial interactions by offering a space for personal dialogue that feels conversational, not transactional.
Messages sent through Subtext are received with the immediacy and intimacy of a text from a friend, allowing you to foster trust, loyalty, and emotional resonance. Instead of pushing content into crowded spaces where it's easily overlooked, Subtext brings your audience into a curated, distraction-free environment where your voice is heard clearly.
By communicating authentically, brands and organizations can deepen emotional connections, build identity, and establish themselves as part of their audience’s daily lives. Over time, this not only strengthens your brand but also builds advocacy, increases lifetime value, and sets you apart from competitors who are still shouting into the void.
2. Collect and Own Your First-Party Audience Data
Marketing belongs to those who own their audience relationships. Traditional platforms have made it easy to build followings, but at a cost: you never truly "own" the audience you cultivate on third-party apps.
Subtext changes the equation by giving you full ownership of your audience data. Every opt-in to your channel is an asset you control—phone numbers, email addresses, preferences, and engagement behavior that you can leverage on your own terms, across all marketing channels.
Owning your audience means you are no longer subject to the whims of changing algorithms, shifting platform policies, or rising pay-to-play costs. It means you can directly activate your community when it matters most—whether for launches, urgent updates, monetization efforts, or grassroots movements—without intermediaries standing in your way.
In a privacy-first digital landscape where data is increasingly restricted, owning direct, consent-based relationships is not just advantageous—it’s essential.
3. We’re Engagement Obsessed
Attention is the new currency, and Subtext delivers it at scale.
Our clients consistently achieve:
- 98% open rates, meaning almost every message you send gets seen.
- 20% average response rates, making two-way dialogue the norm, not the exception.
Compare this to email, social media, or display advertising, where open rates, impressions, and click-throughs continue to decline. Subtext doesn’t just increase visibility—it drives meaningful interactions that signal genuine interest and emotional investment from your audience.
When you combine immediacy with trust, you create a communication channel uniquely effective for everything from breaking news to community building to direct monetization. It’s not just about reaching people; it’s about sparking action, fostering loyalty, and delivering measurable impact.
You can see how we stack up in our 2025 Benchmark Report.
4. A Team of SMS Experts At Your Disposal
Technology is only as powerful as the strategy behind it. That’s why Subtext pairs every client with a dedicated team of SMS marketing experts committed to your success.
We’ve been hyper-focused on SMS since we launched in 2019, and that singular focus means we know what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to driving real results through text. From day one, you’ll receive white-glove support designed to accelerate your learning curve and maximize your outcomes. Our experts work closely with you on campaign design, tone of voice, segmentation strategies, performance optimization, and subscriber growth plans.
We help you avoid common pitfalls, uncover high-performing opportunities, and tailor your SMS channel to match your brand’s personality and goals. You’ll benefit from industry best practices, performance benchmarks, and a strategic partner who’s invested in your long-term success, not just your short-term launch.
With Subtext, you’re not buying a tool—you’re gaining a trusted partner.
5. Scalable and Flexible Revenue Streams
Subtext isn’t just a powerful engagement tool—it’s also a proven revenue driver. With multiple monetization paths available, marketers can tailor their SMS strategy to align with their existing goals and audience behavior. Whether you're looking to launch a paid texting channel, drive traffic to monetized content, or unlock new sponsorship opportunities, Subtext offers the flexibility and guidance to help you generate meaningful revenue through direct audience connection.
Some partners choose to create paid channels, giving subscribers exclusive access to premium content, behind-the-scenes insights, or real-time commentary. Others use SMS to boost affiliate campaigns or drive qualified traffic to platforms where monetization is already in place, like newsletters, podcasts, or merch drops. Sponsorship is another growing avenue, with brands eager to align with high-engagement messaging channels. Subtext works closely with each client to identify the right monetization model and provides the tools and strategy to implement it at scale.
This flexible approach means you’re not locked into one path—your SMS revenue strategy can evolve alongside your business goals and audience preferences. With Subtext, turning engagement into income isn’t just possible—it’s practical and proven.
6. Subtext Operates Internationally
Our platform is designed with global reach in mind, supporting international messaging so you can connect with audiences across borders seamlessly. Whether you’re expanding into new markets, managing a multinational brand, or engaging a global fan base, Subtext empowers you to deliver the same high-quality, opt-in experience anywhere in the world.
Subtext supports SMS delivery in key markets across North America, Europe, and beyond. Our platform also stays ahead of local carrier regulations, delivery standards, and international best practices, helping ensure that your messages are delivered reliably and consistently, no matter where your audience is located.
Combined with our compliance-first foundation, Subtext’s international capabilities give you the flexibility to scale your SMS strategy without unnecessary complexity or risk. Whether you're launching region-specific campaigns, growing an international fan base, or expanding your organization’s global footprint, Subtext provides the tools and infrastructure to succeed on your terms, at your pace.
When you’re ready to go global, Subtext makes it simple, secure, and scalable.
7. Worry-Free SMS Compliance Support
Trust is the foundation of any lasting relationship, and trust begins with consent.
Subtext operates on a strictly opt-in-only model, meaning every subscriber has actively chosen to hear from you. There are no cold messages, no unsolicited outreach, and no ambiguity. Your audience is there because they want to be, and that makes every interaction more meaningful and effective.
An opt-in approach creates a natural sense of exclusivity and belonging. Audiences feel part of a private community, not lost in a sea of mass communications. This consent-driven model results in higher engagement rates, stronger brand affinity, and more durable audience relationships. It also builds credibility because your audience knows they are in control of the experience.
Importantly, Subtext’s commitment to consent is not just best practice—it’s built into the platform's compliance infrastructure. Subtext fully complies with major international SMS marketing regulations, including:
- The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in the United States
- Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)
- The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union
- And other region-specific consent and privacy frameworks
This means you can confidently expand and engage your audience without worrying about regulatory missteps or fines. Subtext provides built-in tools for clear opt-ins, easy opt-outs, transparent messaging practices, and data security—all of which are critical in today's evolving legal landscape.
By choosing Subtext, you aren’t just choosing a better engagement platform—you’re choosing a future-proofed, compliance-first solution that respects your audience’s rights and protects your brand’s reputation.
Takeaways
Subtext is more than just an SMS platform—it’s a paradigm shift in audience engagement.
By giving you direct access to your audience, empowering you with data ownership, operating on a trusted opt-in model, delivering superior engagement rates, supporting your growth with expert strategy, and unlocking new monetization channels, Subtext provides everything you need to thrive in today’s increasingly competitive digital environment.
The brands, creators, and institutions that succeed tomorrow will be the ones who invest in building authentic, durable relationships today. Subtext is how you do it.
Ready to own your audience, spark real engagement, and unlock new growth? Book a demo with one of our SMS experts today.
