The busiest sales week of the year is almost here, and retailers are getting ready for the excitement of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. So, how to prepare for Black Friday season sale? And Black Friday SMS marketing is one effective method you can use to engage customers directly, offer attractive deals, and increase sales throughout this period.
In this article, we offer tips to use Black Friday messages and various SMS templates that will captivate your audience. Check this out to learn:
- Why should you use Black Friday SMS?
- Best Black Friday SMS marketing strategies
- Black Friday marketing SMS templates
Let’s dive right in to boost your sales with these powerful Black Friday eCommerce strategies best practices at your fingertips!
Why Should You Use Black Friday SMS?
SMS proves to be an immensely influential marketing channel that can be used in the best selling platform throughout the year. However, when it comes to the Black Friday weekend, SMS transcends from being a valuable asset to an absolute necessity for any merchant conducting a sale.
So, Why? Here are a few reasons that Black Friday marketing strategy using SMS is an excellent choice to for this occasion besides employing Black Friday social media campaigns or email strategy:
- Speed: Black Friday text message should be delivered almost instantaneously, ensuring timely dissemination of your Black Friday promotions.
- Reach: While not everyone checks their email regularly, almost everyone checks their text messages. By utilizing SMS marketing, you can maximize your reach for Black Friday deals.
- Integration with email marketing: SMS marketing works seamlessly alongside email marketing efforts. You can send an email teaser for the upcoming sale while employing SMS to provide additional details, such as links to your Black Friday landing page or a coupon code.
Are you interested in email marketing? Check out these two articles about Black Friday email marketing strategy and Black Friday email subject lines for more helpful tips.
Best Black Friday SMS Marketing Strategies
Every successful plan needs a strategy, and Black Friday SMS marketing is no exception. If you want most of this high-impact marketing channel, we have a guide for you.
Black Friday message guide
This guide covers everything you need to know about Black Friday SMS marketing, from A to Z. Check it know to start your plan today.
#1. Build & segment your SMS subscriber list
In preparation for sending Black Friday texts to your customers, it’s crucial to establish a strong customer list specifically for the BFCM period.
One effective method of gathering phone numbers is by inviting customers to subscribe to your SMS marketing list through your website or landing page. Design an attention-grabbing form that instills a sense of urgency and prompts customers to provide their phone numbers to claim an exclusive offer.
Another approach is to utilize exit-intent pop-ups. They often appear when customers are about to leave your website to capture their information for your Black Friday weekend campaigns.
In addition, you can employ forms to collect contact details from individuals attending events or visiting physical stores.
When crafting Black Friday messages, it is crucial to customize your offers to suit the preferences and requirements of your subscribers. That’s why you should utilize segmentation to deliver the most pertinent offers to different groups of subscribers.
For instance, you can segment your subscriber list based on:
- Channels: Consider categorizing subscribers based on the platforms they engage with, such as social media, SMS, eCommerce platforms, and more.
- Shopping behavior: Analyze customer purchasing patterns and segment your list accordingly. This approach allows you to offer deals that align with their buying habits.
- Demographics and location: Take into account customer demographics, such as age, gender, or location, to tailor your offers effectively.
#2. Craft & personalize Black Friday SMS messages
To optimize your sales during the BFCM period, you should plan the content of your Black Friday SMS marketing. Ensure that the discounts or offers are prominently highlighted and presented in a way that motivates recipients to take action easily.
Use call-to-action (CTA)
A strong CTA is a vital component of any marketing campaign, and this holds true for your Black Friday SMS marketing as well. According to research, Black Friday marketing messages that included two to three CTAs achieved the highest click rates.
To maximize the likelihood of customers clicking on your CTA, make it crystal clear and specific. For example, if you are running a Black Friday sale on your website, a suitable CTA could be: “Click [Link] to explore exclusive Black Friday sales up to 50%.”
Personalize SMS
Do you strive to make your customers feel extra special? So you can add the names of your SMS subscribers to your Black Friday messages. If you have an email VIP segment, consider sending them SMS with VIP customer deals or early access to convey sincere appreciation for their ongoing support.
#3. Time your Black Friday SMS marketing campaigns
Don’t wait until Black Friday to send your first BFCM SMS message. Shoppers already have their preferences by then, and you risk losing out to competitors who engaged them earlier.
Key timings to consider
- A week before Black Friday: Sending Black Friday messages a week before the sale days allows you to generate anticipation and excitement among your customers. It gives them time to prepare and plan their purchases.
- Tuesday of Black Friday week: Surprisingly, there is an 81% increase in messages being sent on the Tuesday before Black Friday compared to a standard Tuesday. This indicates that retailers often start their sales during this week to allow time for promotion and customers to make purchasing decisions.
- Day before Black Friday: The day before Black Friday is significant for both retailers and text messaging. Similar to how consumers now look for online sales on Christmas Day instead of waiting for Boxing Day, they also start looking for deals on Black Friday a day earlier. The day before Black Friday can be a prime time for sending SMS campaigns.
- Black Friday: Black Friday messages serve as a reminder to customers that the sale is happening and encourage them to take immediate action. Additionally, SMS messages on the sale day allows you to provide real-time updates and exclusive offers. You can share last-minute deals, limited-time promotions, or flash sales that are only available for a short period. This helps to capture the attention of customers who may have been considering a purchase but were waiting for the sale day itself.
More about timing and shopping insights
It’s important to note that these timings are based on your Black Friday trends prediction and may vary depending on your specific audience and industry.
Besides the dates when to send, it’s equally vital to think about the timing of your messages on the scheduled days. It’s best to send messages either in the morning or evening. Retailers aim to reach customers early or after they have finished work. The morning, specifically between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm, is optimal as 82% of messages are sent during this period.
The most popular hours on Black Friday are also in the morning, while only 6% of messages are sent in the evening. You can refer to the TCPA regulations, avoiding message sending between 9 pm and 8 am, known as “quiet hours.” Instead, sending messages around 10 am on Black Friday and Cyber Monday mornings and an early access message on Thanksgiving around 3 pm in the afternoon is recommended.
#4. Track the results of Black Friday messaging
You can use trackable URLs to measure click-through rates, promo code usage, opt-out rates, or even reply rates for your Black Friday SMS campaign. Consider segmenting subscribers based on their preferences if you notice a high click-through rate alongside a relatively high opt-out rate. That allows you to differentiate between those who prefer receiving multiple Black Friday texts and those who don’t.
By employing these insights, you can optimize your Black Friday SMS marketing campaigns and deliver customized messaging to different subscriber groups.
SMS marketing tips for Black Friday
#1. Make a plan for SMS marketing Black Friday in advance
When preparing for Black Friday SMS, it’s crucial to plant well in advance, perhaps three months ahead. This plan enables you to make the most of the holiday sales frenzy. As you plan, address these queries:
- Which Black Friday offers should I present?
- How can I set them apart?
- Who is my targeted audience?
- What messaging will resonate with them?
- What will the competitions do for Black Friday?
- How do I create a distinctive Black Friday text message?
Remember, Black Friday shoppers seek exceptional bargains, so ensure your messages deliver genuine value.
#2. Keep the messages short, specific, and urgent
In SMS marketing, simplicity is key. Keep messages brief to avoid overwhelming recipients. For Black Friday, ensure clarity and conciseness. Get straight to the point, add a clear call to action (CTA), and promote deals in advance.
Add a touch of urgency with phrases like:
- Offer expires at midnight
- Act before stock depletes
- Only minutes left!
- Last chance
- Prices rise in 1 hour 30 minutes
#3. Leverage MMS to increase engagement
For more appealing Black Friday text, you can opt for MMS. It stands for multimedia messaging service, enabling you to send photos, videos, and diverse media to recipients. With MMS, you can also generate dynamic content with up to 1,600 characters to specify more about your deals or promoted products!
Black Friday Marketing SMS Templates
Below are some of the typical Black Friday marketing SMS templates that will help you craft compelling messages to engage customers. Read through to get inspired for yours.
1. Black Friday SMS marketing template for warm-up
One definite trend is that Black Friday promotions begin sooner each year. To stand out, start SMS marketing Black Friday early. This way, your brand stays in shoppers’ minds for the big day. Begin with a teaser campaign, offering glimpses of your exclusive Black Friday collection. You can also kick-start discussions by reminding them about the upcoming event.
- [Company]: Hey, [First Name]! Brace yourself – Black Friday is racing towards us! Get ready to dive into a world of mind-blowing discounts and score free shipping galore at [Link].
- [Company]: Join our member’s list for a head start on Black Friday sales and an exclusive gift code for members only. Interested? Sign up now: [Link]
- [Company]: Hello, [First Name]! Being a VIP at [Company], you’re the front-row spectator to our thrilling Black Friday markdown extravaganza! Get your sneak peek here: [Link].
2. Text message templates with promo code details
The wait is over! From today until next Wednesday, it’s time to unleash a storm of sensational discounts, compelling copy, and irresistible CTAs with SMS marketing Black Friday. How to calculate the right deals that benefits both you and your buyers? Learn more with our guide on Black Friday promotion ideas.
Connect with our SMS subscribers a minimum of three times – approximately every 8 hours. At this phase, you can opt for single-item promos, while saving the bundle deals for the post-Black Friday cleanup.
- [Company]: Hold onto your hats, [First Name]! Black Friday is here! Brace for our ultimate sale – a mind-blowing up to [Discount]% off sitewide. Text [Promo code] to snag these deals now: [Link]!
- [Company]: Hi, [First Name]! Unwrap the excitement – YOU lead the Black Friday charge! Dive in with code [Promo code] for jaw-dropping discounts up to [Discount] at [Link].
- [Company]: Did Black Friday pass you by? No worries! Swing by our store for fantastic deals in our Not-So-Cyber Monday sale. Use code:[Promo code] now at: [Link].
3. SMS marketing template with Black Friday alerts
Sometimes, your SMS subscribers might miss out on your Black Friday SMS marketing texts. To ensure they stay informed about your Black Friday sale, send them timely sale alerts throughout the day.
- [Company]: LIMITED TIME FLASH SALE! Enjoy an extra 50% off on selected categories for the next 4 hours only. It’s your chance to snag incredible deals. Hurry up and shop now: [Link].
- [Company]: LAST CHANCE ALERT! Only a few hours left to score unbelievable savings. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Shop now: [Link].
- [Company]: Blink and they’re gone! Jump into our last-minute BFCM sale now: X items at [Discount]% off. Quick, grab them at: [Link].
4. Black Friday messaging template for abandoned cart
There may be times when customers are reluctant to complete their cart checkout, so you should send them reminders. You can also encourage customers to return to their abandoned carts by offering a discount as an incentive in Black Friday messaging. Or create a sense of urgency by setting a deadline for the extra promotion, motivating them to take immediate action.
- [Company]: Oops – looks like you left items behind. No worries, we’ve got you covered! Snag an extra [Discount] off when you check out within the next hour: [Link]. Text Stop to opt-out
- [Company]: Oops – looks like you left items behind. No worries, we’ve got you covered! Snag an extra [Discount] off when you check out within the next hour: [Link]. Text Stop to opt-out
- [Company]: Did you leave something behind? Check out now for an extra [Discount]% off. Time’s ticking, 20 mins left for this deal: [Link]. Text Stop to opt-out
5. SMS marketing template for follow-up toward Christmas
You can leverage the momentum gained from successful Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales to propel your business into the Christmas and Boxing Day season. Show appreciation to customers who made a purchase by sending them a personal Black Friday message expressing gratitude. Then, you take this opportunity to extend an invitation, encouraging them to subscribe for notifications about upcoming Christmas sales.
- [Company]: Hello, [Discount]%! We hope you’re loving your recent purchase. Bargain hunter, aren’t you? For the scoop on our Christmas deals, text PROMO for sale alerts.
- [Company]: Hi there, [Discount]%! Thank you for your purchase this Black Friday. Guess what? Our Christmas sale is next-level! Don’t miss out – sign up for merry updates: [Link]. Get ready to be amazed!
6. Marketing SMS templates for different business models
You have the choice to offer exclusive discounts for your online shop, physical store, or both. Depending on your intentions, you can craft an SMS to inform your customers where they can find the best deals on sale days.
Template for eCommerce
- [Company]: Unlock [Discount]% off all online orders. Exclusive for [Date] starting at [Time]. Don’t miss out; shop now: [Link]. Happy shopping!
Template to bring customers to your stores:
- [Company]: Cheers to Black Friday joy! Grab [Discount]% off everything in-store – simply show this code at the cashier. Offer expires on [End date].
Template for both:
- [Company]: Awesome news – Black Friday Cyber Monday deals await you up to [Discount]%, online or in-store pickup! Discover more at [Link] or visit our store.
Black Friday SMS Marketing – FAQ
- Is SMS marketing still effective?
SMS texting remains a powerful marketing tool, especially if you are seeking best Black Friday ideas for small business. This is because studies reveal that more than 75% of customers prefer receiving marketing offers through SMS. The convenience and speed of two-way communication and offers via text contribute to strengthened relationships between businesses and customers, leading to increased transactions.
- What is the best time to send a Black Friday text?
The morning, particularly between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm, is the prime time to send your SMS campaign on the day before Black Friday. On the main sale days, around 10 am is recommended time to send Black Friday texts.
- How often should you send Black Friday SMS?
The frequency of Black Friday messages should balance engagement and avoid overwhelming customers.
It is advisable to send multiple SMS spread over a few weeks leading up to and during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend. Sending just one message, especially on the day of Black Friday, may result in many of your subscribers missing out on your sale.
Throughout Black Friday, you can send one to three strategic SMS messages, including pre-announcement, reminders, limited-time offers, and a last-chance alert.
- How to measure the success of Black Friday SMS marketing?
To evaluate the effectiveness of your Black Friday SMS marketing campaign, you ought to monitor delivery reports, responses, and the utilization of promo codes. The following metrics can be assessed for Black Friday SMS campaigns:
- Promo code uptake
- Reply rates
- Opt-out rates
- URL click-through rates
These metrics provide valuable insights for gauging the success and making progress in the next campaigns.
Are You Ready for Black Friday Text Message Marketing
No matter where you are in the process, you can establish a Black Friday sms marketing strategy within a few hours. With the suggested templates and step-by-step guide and SMS marketing tips for Black Friday, we believe you will create compelling messages to engage your audience and drive sales during this crucial shopping event.
We have additional Black Friday tips and strategies available on our Retailer Blog and Facebook community. If you’re interested in this topic, you’re welcome to join us by simply clicking the link.
Moreover, if you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact us for consultation. LitCommerce is glad to assist and support you in any way we can.