Subtext

Big news! Subtext has been named to Fast Company's list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2025, ranking #4 in the Media & News category! In an era where AI is reshaping communication and social algorithms are making it harder for media companies to connect with their audiences, we’re proud to be leading the way in building direct, human connections through text. “Our mission has never been more important,” said Subtext CEO & Cofounder, Mike Donoghue. “It is now a business imperative that media companies build trust and equity in the communities they foster… By empowering our clients to own their audience relationships, Subtext is helping to ensure that trusted, meaningful connections remain strong and resilient in the face of rapid change.” We’re honored to be recognized by Fast Company and excited for what’s ahead! Congrats to all the incredible companies on this year’s list! Read more: https://lnkd.in/gAvw5kqA

Texting Tip Friday: Looking to grow your SMS list effortlessly? One of the most effective (and often overlooked) strategies is using embed codes for your sign-up form. ? For publishers: Embed the form directly into relevant articles where readers are already engaged. ? For content creators and thought leaders: Your homepage is prime real estate. Make it easy for your audience to subscribe while your content is top of mind. The simpler the path, the higher the sign-ups.

"Email has largely been considered in publishing to be a safe harbor,” says Subtext CEO Mike Donoghue. “But publishers are coming to realize that there is still a gulf between them and their readers, and that gulf is policed by Google and Apple.” With potential disruptions ahead, media companies are rethinking their email strategies and many are turning to SMS. Subtext has seen its subscriber numbers triple in the last 90 days, hitting 20 million, as publishers look for more direct ways to connect. More on this shift from Mark Stenberg in ADWEEK: https://hubs.li/Q03dvNbV0

Really enjoyed speaking with Mark Stenberg from ADWEEK for his piece on the AI-driven disintermediation coming to email inboxes and what publishers are doing to ensure they actually own their audience as opposed renting it from big tech intermediaries. We talk about this with media co's, brands and creators every day but the notion that having someone subscribed to an email newsletter is the atomic unit of audience ownership / engagement / community building is simply not true any more but there is hope. https://lnkd.in/e7UJ9dQc

If you’re seeing an average 2.5% CTR on your email campaigns, you’re not alone. But what if you could boost that to 6.1% or even higher? That’s exactly what SMS marketing can deliver — over 2x higher CTRs. Why SMS works: ? Immediate Visibility: Most texts are read within 3 minutes. ? Direct Connection: Skip the crowded inbox and reach your audience instantly. ? Real Engagement: People respond faster and more often via text. Still relying on emails that get lost in the shuffle? It’s time to rethink your strategy. See why SMS is the smarter choice: https://hubs.ly/Q03dlT_20

Great piece by Christiana Sciaudone via A Media Operator this morning. Pretty stark performance comparison between SMS and email. Big congrats to MarketBeat who is killing it. From the piece: "MarketBeat, a financial news media company, surpassed 5.3 million newsletter subscribers this year. That’s pretty good, but what’s really exciting the company’s founder is good old fashioned texting. It’s far more lucrative than the crowded inbox market, and five years after MarketBeat first started sending SMS alerts for stocks, it began a new alert, Early Bird, on January 1. The opt-in system delivers to 26,000 phone numbers already. Founder Matt Paulson said he gets about 1,000 new numbers every day. MarketBeat currently has a total of more than 200,000 total SMS subscribers. “The thing to know about SMS subscribers is that they are worth like, 20 times what an email subscriber is, it’s shocking,” Paulson told AMO. “I sent an SMS on Saturday to 24,000 people, made $8,500 from it.” That’s twice what an email to the same number of folks would have returned, he said." Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/erup-ATf

Meet Our Co-Founder & CEO: Mike Donoghue! For 6+ years, Mike has been at the helm of Subtext, helping to scale the company alongside our incredible team and clients. His leadership has shaped the way we connect people through meaningful conversations. ?? Favorite Subtext Channel: While it’s impossible to choose just one, Mike loves channels that create unique, participatory experiences for subscribers, the kind that makes people feel truly connected. ?? Hobby: When he’s not leading Subtext, you can catch Mike on the pickleball court, perfecting his game. ?? Random Fact: Believe it or not, Mike was once a competitive skateboarder! From the halfpipe to the boardroom, he’s always embraced a challenge. We’re proud to have Mike leading the way!

Thinking of making the switch to a better SMS platform? If you're already using another platform but feeling like it's not quite hitting the mark, it might be time to try Subtext. We make the transition easy, seamless, and stress-free. From hands-on support to ensuring your audience stay connected, we’ve got you covered every step of the way. Here’s what you’ll get with Subtext: ??A dedicated team to guide your migration ??No disruptions for your audience ??Powerful features to engage your audience Ready to experience SMS that works for you? Switching has never been simpler. https://hubs.li/Q03cKD-90

Exciting News! Subtext has been named one of Fast Company's?Most Innovative Companies of 2025, and we couldn’t be more honored. The media industry is experiencing one of the most profound transformations in history. AI-driven communication is making interactions feel less human, while shifting social algorithms are making it harder than ever for publishers to reach and engage their audiences. In this new reality, media companies can no longer rely on third-party platforms to build sustainable relationships—they need direct, authentic connections with their communities that they can own and we’re here to help. At Subtext, we believe trust and engagement are the foundation of great businesses. Our platform enables media companies, creators, and brands to cut through the noise, own their audience relationships, and deliver meaningful experiences that can’t be replicated elsewhere. By leveraging the simplicity and immediacy of text messaging, we help our clients foster stronger connections, build deeper loyalty, and drive real impact. This recognition is a testament to the incredible work of our team, the forward-thinking vision of our clients, and the power of human interaction. As the industry evolves, we remain committed to helping all of our clients adapt, innovate, and thrive—ensuring that trusted, meaningful relationships remain strong and resilient in the face of change. Congratulations to all of the honorees and a huge thank you to our amazing team, incredible clients, and everyone who has supported our mission. Much more to come.???

Your audience won’t subscribe if they don’t know your text updates exist! Consistently promoting your Subtext number on social media helps build awareness and trust. Try mixing it up with different types of posts—behind-the-scenes insights, subscriber testimonials, or exclusive sneak peeks of what they’ll get by signing up. The key? Show, don’t just tell! If you want to learn more or launch your own SMS channel, schedule time with one of our SMS experts: https://hubs.li/Q03bVQgx0