If you’re still treating email, SMS, and retargeting like separate marketing silos, you’re missing out on serious potential. The smartest brands don’t pick just one; they stack them to create a powerful, integrated marketing engine.
Your customers move between inboxes, apps, websites, and social platforms all day. That’s why modern marketing needs to move with them.
In this post, we’ll break down how high-growth businesses combine email, SMS, and retargeting ads to boost conversions, improve engagement, and drive scalable results.
Why Multi-Channel Marketing Matters More Than Ever
According to Forbes, businesses using three or more channels in their marketing see 250% higher engagement rates than those using just one.
Here’s why:
- Your customers don’t live in one place. They scroll, tap, swipe, and shop across devices and platforms.
- Single-channel campaigns often miss the mark or lose attention fast.
- Layered campaigns create more touchpoints, more relevance, and more results.
Brands that win in 2024 are using integrated systems to follow the customer journey across every channel.
When to Use Email: The Trust Builder
Email is the foundation of your marketing stack. It’s where you:
- Educate and nurture leads with content, newsletters, and offers.
- Share detailed messaging that builds trust and authority.
- Achieve the highest ROI of any marketing channel: around $36 for every $1 spent
Email is long-form, relationship-driven marketing, but it’s not the best tool for urgency. That’s where SMS takes over.
When to Use SMS: The Quick Conversion Trigger
SMS is your speed and action channel. It’s ideal for:
- Flash sales, limited-time offers, appointment reminders.
- Quick nudges like abandoned cart reminders and VIP alerts.
- Instant communication. Around 90% of SMS messages are opened within 3 minutes.
Use SMS in tandem with email to hit both inboxes and lock screens. It’s not a replacement; it’s an accelerator.
When to Use Retargeting: The Digital Follow-Up System
Retargeting ads are your automated follow-up engine. They:
- Serve ads to users who visited your site but didn’t convert.
- Re-engage email non-openers or cart abandoners with visual reminders.
- Keep your brand top of mind through Facebook, Instagram, Google, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Retargeting works best when it reinforces what customers have already seen via email or SMS. Think of it as your third and final nudge.
How to Stack Channels for Maximum Growth
So how do you put this all together?
Here’s a simple but powerful strategy:
- Start with Email: Deliver value, educate, and build trust.
- Add SMS: Drive urgency and short-term action.
- Layer in Retargeting: Reinforce your message with visual follow-ups.
This creates a full-funnel experience that matches how real people make buying decisions: research, reminder, repeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why not just use email marketing alone?
Email is essential, but today’s audiences are distracted. Using SMS and retargeting ensures you connect across multiple touchpoints.
Is SMS too intrusive for most audiences?
When used sparingly and with value-based messaging, SMS has some of the highest open and conversion rates of any channel.
What’s the ROI of combining all three channels?
While it varies by industry, multi-channel campaigns routinely see 2–3x better performance compared to single-channel efforts.
Do I need special software to integrate these channels?
Platforms like Klaviyo, ActiveCampaign, and Go High Level allow seamless email, SMS, and retargeting workflows.
Can retargeting be used beyond just ads?
Absolutely. Retargeting can be used through email follow-ups, dynamic landing pages, and even personalized popups.
Conclusion: Build a Smarter Funnel with Stacked Marketing
Marketing success isn’t about finding the one perfect channel—it’s about using the right tools in the right sequence to guide your customers from interest to action.
If you’re ready to build a stackable marketing strategy that works and grows with your business, book your free discovery call and let’s map it out together.
Citations
- Forbes – Why Multi-Channel Marketing Is Critical in 2024
- Business Insider – The Email Marketing ROI Breakdown
- Fast Company – The Rise of SMS in B2B and B2C Marketing Campaigns
- Entrepreneur Magazine – How Retargeting Ads Close the Sale