Creative SMS Marketing Campaign Ideas and Inspiration

man holding smartphone
man holding smartphone

When it comes to engaging your customer base via text message marketing, you can use SMS messages in creative ways to capture customers’ attention, drive sales, notify your customers about flash sales, and solicit feedback and testimonials. Once your SMS subscribers have completed an opt-in, you’re welcome to send them a coupon, follow up, send them notifications about upcoming sales and events, or incentivize them to go back to their abandoned cart.

Reaching your customers by phone number is a pillar of contemporary e-commerce and digital marketing, and much of it can happen through automation once you have your outgoing business number set up as a marketing channel.

Ready for some SMS marketing messages that will help you upsell and improve conversion rates? Read on.

Table of Contents

What to Know About SMS Marketing Campaigns

How to Create an SMS Marketing Strategy

SMS Marketing Examples

SMS Marketing Efforts for Cart Abandonment

Text Message for New Product

Limited-Time SMS Text Welcome Message for New Subscribers

Early Access SMS Message

Flash Sale Text Message to Create Sense of Urgency

Holiday Discount Code

Appointment Reminder Text Message

Get Better Metrics With SMS Marketing

What to Know About SMS Marketing Campaigns

Just like email marketing and social media, there are some federal regulations from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) focused on ensuring businesses are sending text messages at appropriate times and with the right information. When a customer first signs up, your initial call-to-action (CTA) should involve allowing them to confirm their opt-in.

Once you’ve got your customer engaged, it’s time to make new customers and existing customers feel like they’re part of an exclusive club or loyalty program. Ultimately, the goal of your marketing strategy should involve enhancing customer relationships and improving the customer experience, making you a retailer easier to buy from. This can result in increased customer retention.

How to Create an SMS Marketing Strategy

While the majority of messages might be transactional (especially when you use SMS marketing), it’s important to make sure your SMS list feels like they’re more than a dollar sign to you. That’s why even your promo or special offer messages should have context. For example, if you’re reaching out to a segment of your audience that has purchased Christmas ornaments in the past, you might wish your target audience Happy Holidays before trying to get them to buy again.

Text doesn’t offer you the most room to do this, but the personal touch can help your open rates and make your customer feel like a VIP. You can also establish templates that correspond to different business goals, and experiment with which messages reveal the best click-through rates. For example, does an Independence Day text with fireworks and BBQ emojis get more opens than one without? Does it result in a higher unsubscribe rate? What if you attach a giveaway? Tracking this data and using A/B testing with your custom business phone number can help you fine-tune your SMS strategy.

SMS Marketing Examples

Businesses and marketing teams have gotten very creative since the advent of SMS marketing. Have you ever gotten a text message order confirmation with a celebratory gif? No doubt you’d find it amusing. You can create templates from your own examples. Don’t forget to promote cross-channel and use a CTA to occasionally direct subscribers to your webinars, TikTok, or whatever other channel you desire.

Below are some examples to get you started. Use as is, create templates with them, or consider them general inspiration!

SMS Marketing Efforts for Cart Abandonment

Hey! That [item name] is still waiting for you in your [Brandname] shopping cart. Checkout now to save 10% on all items with code CODE2423.

Text Message for New Product

Have you heard about our newest no-pull dog harness? Puppers everywhere are rating it five barks! Check it out now at the introductory price of $24.99: [link] [dog emoji]

Limited-Time SMS Text Welcome Message for New Subscribers

Welcome to the goodie bag! Get ready for warm wishes, discount codes, and more. You’re in the club! For a limited time, get 15% off an item of your choice with code SONEW2903.

Time-Sensitive Early Access SMS Message

You and your referral could be part of our exclusive new VIP sticker subscription club! Join the party. Text STICKERME to get a special invitation for you and the friend of your choice!

Flash Sale Text Message to Create Sense of Urgency

Today only! It’s Christmas in July! Get 25% off any winter stock clothing from 2022 with code XMASJULY at yourclothingbrand.com!

Holiday Discount Code

[Jack O’Lantern emoji] Happy Halloween, witches! Enjoy 10% off all Halloween crafts and décor, now through the end of August. Use the attached coupon at the register.

Appointment Reminder Text Message

Hi there, [name]! We’ll see you tomorrow at [time] for your dental cleaning. Need to reschedule or cancel? No problem! Give us a call at [number] as soon as you can. [tooth emoji]

Get Better Metrics With SMS Marketing

As you fine-tune your marketing strategy to include SMS marketing, you can learn about which types of SMS messages perform better with the metrics associated with your business phone number by using the software that comes with the service. You’ll likely find that the more friendly and creative you get with your text messages, the more clicks and conversions you’ll see. With these inspirations and examples, you’ll create creative campaigns that wow your customers.

Facebook: Are you interested in learning how to make engaging and creative SMS campaigns? Check out our SMS campaign guide, complete with examples and inspiration to guide you.

Meta: Get creative SMS marketing campaign ideas and inspiration through our list of action items to consider and our specific examples. Use our messages to propel your SMS campaign, or create your own based on these ideas.