Sending Audio Files Via Text Message

TL;DR: To send audio files via text, use SMS for links to larger files (over 1 MB)—recipients get a clickable link. For smaller files (1 MB or less), use MMS to send the audio directly in your message. SMS is best for quick sharing; MMS provides a richer experience with audio embedded right in the text. Both options are available within your SimpleTexting dashboard.

The way people listen to information has changed. AM radio to streaming the most popular podcasts through Bluetooth and AirPods, audio remains a reliable way to reach a diverse audience. Technology has evolved, but audio is still effective for connecting with many people.

Interestingly enough, one of the fastest-growing spaces for streaming audio, according to Nielsen’s latest behavioral studies, is mobile devices.

Audio Messages Can Give Your Brand a Voice 

Whether your marketing strategy has adopted video or audio content, you want to be sure to send your media using a channel that your customers will be receptive to. In other words, you should optimize your content for consumption where your customers want to be listening.

As the number of smartphone users continues to rise into the billions, mobile is certainly a hot space for audio.

Ways to Send Audio Files in Text Messages

Getting right down to the nitty-gritty, we’ll begin by telling you that there are two main ways you can send an audio file via SMS text message to a contact. On first mention, SMS stands fro Short Message Service (SMS).

Understanding the difference between the two methods comes down to understanding the difference between SMS text message and MMS text message.

If you didn’t click on the awesome hyperlink above full of illuminating details, we’ll give you the highlights:

• SMS, or short messaging service, sends text messages of 160 characters or less.
• MMS or multimedia messaging service sends text messages up to 1,600 characters as well as rich media like photos, videos, and audio files.
• While it’s technically possible to send an audio file through both SMS and MMS, it will appear as a link within an SMS message, and appear directly in the body of an MMS message.

It’s a bit easier to understand the difference when you see the two in action, so let’s go through it step-by-step.

How to Send Audio Files Via SMS 

If you want to send your contacts an audio file larger than 1 MB, you will have to do this via a link. You can send that link via an SMS message.

1. Begin by logging in to your SimpleTexting dashboard and starting a new campaign. Make sure you select SMS as the type.
2. In your message box, paste a link to your audio file.
3. Utilize the URL shortener by clicking the “Shorten URLs” button above your text. By shortening your URL you not only save space and characters, but you can also collect data! Track who did and did not click on your link for each campaign.
4. Your audio file will appear as a link in the message box. The URL is automatically shortened, and it will appear in the preview box on the right just as it will appear to your recipient.
5. Type out your message as you normally would, and schedule/send your campaign!

The result is a message that looks like this to recipients. When they click the link, they will be redirected to view your video.

How to Send Audio Files Via MMS

If you want to send an audio file directly in a text message, the file must be 1 MB or less. If your file size is larger than that, you can attempt to compress it. There are a few different ways to do this.

If you have the software, the easiest way to do this is through Adobe Premiere or Audition. Here, you can directly set your compression to a major amount (aka 1 MB). There are other free tools out there that take a few extra steps, like HandBrake.

From there you’re ready to text your audio file!

1. Begin by logging in to your SimpleTexting dashboard and starting a new campaign. Make sure you select MMS as the type.
2. In your message box, select the paperclip icon.
3. Select upload, and proceed to select and upload your desired 1 MB audio file. You can also upload it by pasting in a URL. Once your audio file is uploaded, select it and press the blue include button.
4. Your audio file will appear directly in your message for recipients to click and view right in the text.

#TuneTriviaTuesday: Listen to this clip and reply back with the song name and artist. Correct answers will be entered to win a raffle!

Key Takeaways

• Audio remains a reliable channel to reach a diverse audience, even as technology evolves. 
• According to Nielsen, mobile devices are one of the fastest-growing spaces for streaming audio. 
• 68% of smartphone users stream music and podcasts daily, highlighting the prominence of audio on mobile. 
• Text messages have a 98% open rate and can reach six billion people globally, regardless of internet connection. 
• Combining texting and audio can increase engagement and put your brand directly in your audience’s ears. 

Why Should You Send Audio Files Via Text Message?

Why send audio files by text message? Here are key reasons to consider audio clips.

Ask two questions: Why texting? Why audio? Let’s start with texting.

Hafsa from the Guatemalan Maya Center explains how she uses SimpleTexting to build community through audio files sent by text message.

We’ve made the benefits of texting pretty clear in previous pieces.

Now, with 81% of all cell phones being smartphones, people can do much more with their devices than just text and call each other.

Source: Pew Research Center

The streaming of music and podcasts dominates mobile usage with over 68% of smartphone users streaming music and podcasts daily. This brings us to the bridge between mobile and audio.

If a majority of mobile activity consists of texting and listening, why not bring the two together to make the ultimate dynamic duo?