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Mail + Text Sequence

TL;DR: Pair a physical mailer with an SMS follow-up 3 days after estimated delivery - a two-channel sequence that consistently lifts response rates.

Ready to put this play to work?

Who it's for​

Anyone using a CRM or automation platform (Zapier, HubSpot, HighLevel, GoHighLevel) who wants to layer a text message on top of a direct mail send to amplify response rates.

The play​

Send a physical mailer today. Three days before estimated delivery, send an SMS to the same recipient with a brief message referencing the card they're about to receive: "Hey %FIRST_NAME%, keep an eye out for something in your mailbox from us."

When the card arrives, they already know to look for it. When they open it, there's a QR code. When they scan, you get notified and call them.

Expected signals​

  • Mail + text sequences commonly outperform mail-only sends by 20-40% on response rate
  • The text dramatically increases the likelihood the physical piece gets opened
  • QR scan rates on mail-then-text campaigns typically run 4-10%

Step-by-step​

Send method: Send Mail (for the mailer) + Integration (Zapier, HubSpot, or HighLevel for the SMS delay).

1. Make your creative​

Go to Creatives → New creative and make a creative (4×6 postcard or Notecard). The message should feel like the follow-through on your SMS:

Hi %FIRST_NAME%,

As promised - here's what I mentioned.

Scan the QR code to learn more.

%YOUR_FULL_NAME%, %YOUR_COMPANY%
%YOUR_PHONE%

Save the creative - you'll pick it in the wizard in the next step.

2. Send your mailer with First Class postage​

  1. Click Send Mail in the sidebar. (Or click Send it on the creative's card to start the send with it already chosen.)
  2. Choose your mailer type (4×6 Postcard or Notecard).
  3. On the Creatives tab of the design step, pick the creative you just made.
  4. In the Recipients step, click Add Recipients and add your contacts (manual entry, CSV upload, or an existing mailing list).
  5. Make sure the order goes First Class: on Review & Confirm, select First Class under Postage Class before you submit (on the Free plan there is no choice to make: mail always goes First Class). First Class gives you a more predictable delivery window, which you need to time the SMS correctly. Standard postage varies too much.
  6. On Review, check the front and back preview and click Submit Order & Send Now. Note the send date; expect delivery 5-10 business days after printing by First Class (orders print within 1 business day).

3. Set up the SMS trigger​

In your CRM or automation tool, create a workflow that fires an SMS approximately 3 days after the mail order is placed:

Using Zapier:

  1. Trigger: New row added to your mailing list (or new thanks.io order placed via webhook).
  2. Action: Delay 3 days.
  3. Action: Send SMS via Twilio, SimpleTexting, or your CRM's SMS tool.

Using HubSpot or HighLevel:

  • Add the mail send as a workflow step.
  • Add a "Wait 3 days" delay.
  • Add an SMS send action.

4. Write the SMS​

Keep it brief. Reference the card:

Hi there - keep an eye out for something in your mailbox from us this week. There's a little something inside for you.

Do not make it promotional. The goal is just to prime them to open the mail.

5. Track QR scans​

Configure scan notifications so you're alerted the moment someone scans. Call within the hour.

Pitfalls​

  • Sending with Standard postage. Delivery timing is unpredictable with Standard. The SMS may arrive days before or after the mail. Use First Class.
  • SMS that sounds like spam. A "keep an eye on your mailbox" text that's obviously promotional lowers the effect. Keep it warm and personal.
  • No QR code on the mailer. If there's no trackable next step, you lose the data.

Run this play​

  1. Send via Send Mail with First Class postage
  2. Enable QR tracking on your creative's message
  3. Set up a Zapier workflow to trigger the SMS delay
  4. Configure QR scan notifications