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Writing SMS and Voicemail Scripts

Email is the main event, but sometimes your campaign needs more than just inbox presence. Embellish also supports SMS messages and voicemail scripts, so you can create all your campaign content in one place.

SMS Messages

Creating an SMS

Inside your project, click Add Content and select SMS. A new SMS piece is created with the title "New SMS" — click in and start writing.

What you'll see

SMS content has a simpler layout than email:

  • Title — Internal name for organizing (your audience never sees this)

  • Status — The same Plan → Write → Review → Revise → Ready → Sent workflow

  • Content Brief — Collapsible context section for capturing intent

  • Message — The body editor where you write the actual SMS text

There are no subject line or preview text fields for SMS — just the message itself.

Tips for writing SMS

SMS is a different animal than email. Your reader is on their phone, probably in the middle of something, and they're giving you maybe five seconds of attention. Make it count.

  • Stay under 160 characters when possible. That's a single SMS segment. Going longer isn't wrong, but keep it under 320 characters (two segments) maximum.

  • Lead with the most important information. Don't build up to the point — start with it.

  • Include a clear call to action. A shortened link, a reply prompt, or a specific instruction.

  • Identify yourself. Include your brand name at the start or end so the reader knows who's texting.

  • Create urgency honestly. Time-sensitive offers should include clear deadlines. "Ends tonight at midnight" works. "ACT NOW!!!" doesn't.

  • Skip the fluff. No greetings, no sign-offs, no pleasantries. SMS readers expect brevity.

Example SMS

Sarah, your early-bird pricing for The Aligned Leader ends tonight at midnight. Save $200 — grab your spot: [link] — [Brand Name]

Voicemail Scripts

Creating a voicemail script

Inside your project, click Add Content and select Voicemail Script. You'll get a new piece titled "New Voicemail Script."

What you'll see

Like SMS, voicemail scripts have a simplified layout:

  • Title — Internal name

  • Status — Standard workflow

  • Content Brief — Capture the context and goal

  • Voicemail Script — The body editor for writing the script

Tips for writing voicemail scripts

A voicemail is meant to be spoken, not read — so the rules are different from written content.

  • Target 20–30 seconds. That's roughly 60–90 words. Anything longer and people stop listening.

  • Write for the ear. Read it out loud as you write. If it sounds awkward when spoken, rewrite it. Use conversational language and simple sentences.

  • Identify yourself early. Within the first few seconds, the listener should know who's calling and why.

  • State the purpose clearly. Don't bury the reason for the call. Get to it within the first 10 seconds.

  • End with clear next steps. What should they do? Call back? Click a link in a follow-up text? Visit a page? Repeat the callback number if relevant.

  • Use pauses naturally. If you want the speaker to pause for emphasis or a breath, write it into the script with an ellipsis (...) or a note.

  • Keep it warm, not salesy. A voicemail should sound like a real person reaching out — confident and friendly, not like a telemarketer reading from a card.

Example voicemail script

Hi Sarah, this is [Your Name] from [Brand]. I'm reaching out because you signed up for our leadership workshop waitlist, and I wanted to let you know... doors open this Thursday. I'd love to have you in the room. I'll send you the details by email too, but if you have any questions, feel free to call me back at [number]. Talk soon.

Using AI for SMS and voicemail

The AI copilot works for all content types, not just email. When generating SMS or voicemail content, the AI follows the content-type specific guidelines from your Brand Profile — which include rules tailored to each format's unique constraints.

For example, the AI knows to keep SMS messages concise and to write voicemail scripts that sound natural when spoken aloud. You can further customize these rules in your Brand Profile under Content-Type Guidelines.

Keeping it all together

The power of creating SMS and voicemail content inside Embellish — rather than in a separate tool or a notes app — is that everything stays connected to your campaign:

  • The Project Brief gives each piece strategic context

  • The Brand Profile ensures everything sounds like your brand

  • The content sidebar lets you see your full campaign at a glance — emails, texts, and voicemails all in one place

No more hunting through different tools to find the SMS you wrote for a launch. It's all here, in the project where it belongs.