25+ Effective SMS Marketing Examples to Inspire Your Text Message Strategy

Imagine a tool that lets you connect directly with individual customers. It’s simple to use, inexpensive, and boasts sky-high engagement rates. Sounds too good to be true? It’s not! Welcome to Short Message Service (SMS) marketing, a powerful solution you can use to boost sales and reach customers.

Savvy marketers know the benefits of using multiple marketing channels. Emails, social media, commercials, and online ads can all help you connect with your client base. However, SMS stands above the rest with its 98% average open rate and cost-effectiveness. By using it, you’ll give yourself a leg up on the competition — 61% of marketers haven’t quite caught on to SMS’s benefits.

We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to get you started, including many helpful SMS marketing examples. So, let’s get to it!

What is SMS, and how does it work?

Short Message Service (SMS) refers to typed messages sent between cell phones. Brands use SMS marketing to connect directly with individual customers over their smartphones. Each SMS contains text characters like letters, numbers, and emojis.

An SMS contains up to 160 characters. While it’s technically possible to send SMS texts that exceed the character limit, they may not display as intended on the recipient’s device. Some carriers break longer messages into multiple SMS texts, while others hide part of the message, forcing recipients to click on the message to view its content.

A step up from SMS is Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). It offers 1,600 character limits and the ability to attach rich media such as images and videos. However, it’s a bit more expensive than SMS and requires recipients to have a data connection to receive messages.

Benefits of SMS marketing for businesses

What’s so special about text message marketing, and why should you consider it? Here are a few reasons.

Direct communication with customers

Unlike some other marketing channels, you can form a one-on-one connection with clients via SMS texts. You can personalize your content to fit their interests and shopping behaviors. Additionally, customers can reply directly to your texts, allowing you to communicate with them just as you would with a friend.

High open and conversion rates

With an impressive average open rate of 98%, you’ll likely get eyeballs on every text! That’s higher than email, which hovers around 37% for all industries. Even better, the average conversion rate for SMS ranges between 21% and 30% across niches.

Cost-effectiveness

Sending text messages is much cheaper than other advertising methods. Instead of spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on a single advertisement, you can reach clients for less than a few pennies per text.

Immediacy and urgency factor

The ding of an incoming SMS — and its visual notification on a phone’s screen — encourages people to immediately pick up their device and see who texted them. Over 90% of recipients view new texts within 30 minutes of delivery. 

Measurable results and analytics capabilities

Text marketing software includes extensive analytics to inform your SMS campaigns. Insights on open rates, click-throughs, read rates, and more provide the data you need to enhance marketing results.

SMS marketing best practices

Before initiating a campaign with our SMS marketing examples, consider the following best practices for this channel.

Getting the right permissions

You need a customer’s written consent to send them an SMS marketing text. Many brands use online or printed opt-in forms to obtain a customer’s approval. There are several ways you can encourage clients to sign up for your SMS texts:

• Website pop-ups, landing pages, sign-up forms, and text-to-join
• Prompts at the end of an online purchase process
• On-site encouragement at a physical storefront or office
• Email marketing messages and social media posts

Make sure your consent forms clearly describe what customers will receive from you, including message content and message frequency.

Personalization techniques for higher engagement

Customers tend to be more responsive when they receive tailored SMS texts rather than generic ones. According to Statista, consumers — especially younger demographics — prefer authentic texts catered to their interests. To boost your click-through rates and conversions, look for ways to personalize your messages beyond just adding the recipient’s name.

Similar to other marketing channels, you can segment your SMS subscribers according to demographics, behaviors, and prior purchases. You can vary your messaging to target each group.  

Aligning SMS with your overall marketing strategy

A multi-channel approach that uses email and SMS marketing together maximizes overall effectiveness and creates a cohesive strategy. Combine with other channels, like social media, blogging, and video, to increase engagement and improve the customer experience.

Timing and frequency considerations

Be attentive to customer expectations in your SMS campaigns. Send messages during daytime hours and steer clear of messaging too frequently. A once-weekly text message update isn’t likely to irritate your subscribers, but hourly SMS texts definitely will. Save SMS for your most critical messages, and use other channels for routine promotions.

Message length optimization

The standard character limit for SMS texts is 160 characters, as you’ll see in our SMS marketing examples. While most carriers allow recipients to receive longer SMS texts, it’s best to stick within the limit. 

Keep messaging clear and concise. You can encourage recipients to get more information about your text by clicking on the provided links. Use a URL shortener to avoid taking up too many characters.

Clear call-to-action strategies

What do you want customers to do after they read your text? Give them a clear call-to-action (CTA) so they know the next steps. Your CTA can be as simple as “Buy now,” “Order today,” or “Schedule an appointment.” 

If relevant, use urgency to your advantage. For instance, including a promotional end date lets customers know they only have a short window to act.

Compliance with regulations

Get clarity on the various laws and regulations concerning marketing texts before beginning an SMS campaign. It’s best to consult a knowledgeable attorney who can walk you through applicable laws and help you stay compliant.

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) prohibits organizations from sending unsolicited marketing texts. Before texting, get the client’s written permission. Include clear language in your opt-in form so customers know what they’re signing up for. 

Allow recipients to unsubscribe from your marketing texts if they wish to. Using a STOP autoreply is a universally accepted SMS unsubscription technique. Failing to adhere to regulations can result in costly fines and legal headaches. 

Promotional SMS marketing examples

Use the following promotional SMS marketing examples to advertise your products or services. 

1. Special offers and deals

Offering subscribers a one-time deal or special offer can increase sales and boost engagement.

Hi [Name],

We know how much you love [product], so we’re giving you $25 off your next order! Use [promotional code] during checkout. The sale ends [date/time], so act fast!

2. Product and service alerts

Product and service alerts inform clients of new products, services, or stock replenishment. 

Great news — [product] is back in stock! We know you’ve been waiting patiently, so don’t miss your opportunity to order today! Visit [company website] or our store at [location] to buy now.

3. Special event invitations

Do you have an upcoming webinar, conference, or other event you think your clients will enjoy? Invite them to attend via SMS!

[Name],

Join [company] for a free, members-only webinar hosted by [speaker’s name]. During this exclusive one-hour event on [date/time], you’ll learn to:

• [Item 1]
• [Item 2]
• [Item 3]

Sign up today via our website: [link]

4. Loyalty program promotions

Loyalty programs reward customers for frequent purchases. Use SMS to inform subscribers of their loyalty status, current point count, and available benefits.

Hey [Name],

You have 1,000 loyalty points available. Use them to get $10 off your next purchase. Shop today to earn double points on your order!

Transactional SMS marketing examples

Excellent customer service starts with clear communication. Use these SMS marketing examples to keep customers informed anytime they make a purchase.

5. Order confirmations

Send an SMS text confirming you received a client’s order. That way, they know it’s in process and that you have the details.

Hi [Name],

Thanks so much for your purchase of [product] from [company] on [date]! Let us know if you need to make any updates. We’ll let you know when it ships!

6. Shipping updates

Use SMS to inform customers when you ship their order. Include tracking information and expected delivery time so they can look out for the package.

Hi [Name],

We shipped your order of [product] today. It will arrive by [date/time] at [address]. You can track your shipment anytime at [link]. Thanks so much for your business!

7. Appointment confirmations and reminders

Reminding clients of upcoming appointments boosts engagement and helps reduce no-shows. Include a link to reschedule if your client can’t make the appointment.

Hi [Name],

We’re looking forward to your visit to [company name] on [date] at [time]! To confirm your booking, please reply YES to this message. If you’d like to reschedule, use our online calendar to select a better time: [link]. 

8. Payment confirmations

Send an SMS when you receive a customer’s service, subscription, or product payment. 

[Brand] received your monthly payment of [amount] for your subscription to [service]. Thanks so much for being a valued customer!

9. Security and verification codes

Show your brand’s commitment to data security through two-factor authentication. You can authenticate your client’s website visit via SMS with a verification code.

[Company name]: Your one-time code is [code number]. It expires in 5 minutes.

Seasonal SMS marketing examples

Make your text messages timely by incorporating seasonal or holiday content, like in these SMS marketing examples. 

10. Holiday promotions

Does your brand have an upcoming holiday-related sale or giveaway? Bring in more sales by sharing it with your subscribers through SMS. 

This [holiday], we’re offering 20% off our top-selling [product]. Shop now and save! 

11. Birthday and anniversary messages

Major client milestones like birthdays and anniversaries are excellent opportunities to show your clients you care. 

Happy birthday! At [company], we’re excited to celebrate with you. Stop by our store any day this month for a free [small gift]!

12. Back-to-school campaigns

Does your brand offer products or services frequently purchased during the back-to-school season? Use SMS to bring customers to your store.

We’re offering $10 off every $100 you spend at [company] during our back-to-school savings event. Plus, we’ve marked down products students love. Visit us today for the best school deals!

13. Weather-related promotions

When the weather changes, customers’ needs do, too. Capture clients looking to upgrade their seasonal wardrobe or buy outdoor gear with a weather-related promotion.

Looking for a [product] to keep you warm this winter? Check out our new line of [products] and take 10% off your purchase with the code WINTER.

Customer engagement SMS examples

Use these SMS marketing examples to build strong relationships with your subscribers. Encourage them to interact with your organization through contests, surveys, and check-ins.

14. Welcome messages

When clients sign up for your SMS list, welcome them to your company. You can include extra encouragement to start shopping, like a one-time discount code. 

Hi [Name],

Thanks for joining our community! Enjoy 10% off anything in our store with [promotional code] during checkout. As always, we’re available 24/7 at [company website].

15. Polls and surveys

Keep your finger on the pulse of what your customers think through SMS surveys. Their valuable feedback can inform future offerings.

Thanks for your recent order of [product]. We’re interested in your experience. Fill out our online survey at [link] and get $5 off your next purchase.

16. Contest announcements

Drum up major interest in your brand with a fun contest. Send subscribers an SMS so they know how to participate.

We’re giving away [prize] to the customer who earns the most points in our online trivia game. Sign up to compete today at [link]! 

17. Customer appreciation messages

Without customers, you wouldn’t have a successful business! Compose a thoughtful, appreciative message that shows you’re thinking of them.

Thanks so much for your recent visit to [company]. We enjoyed serving you and hope you had a wonderful experience! Until next time!

Re-engagement SMS marketing examples

Do you have a few customers whom you haven’t seen in a while? Send them some of these SMS marketing examples to draw them back to your brand.

18. Abandoned cart reminders

It’s frustrating when a customer spends time browsing your products but doesn’t finalize the order. Send them a quick abandoned cart reminder so they know what they’re missing.

Hey [Name]! We’re holding onto your shopping cart because we know you’ll be back! Finish your order so we can ship your [products] today.

19. Win-back campaign messages

Use win-back messages when customers stop visiting your store or interacting with your marketing content. 

We miss seeing you at our store! Stop by this week for an exclusive gift.

20. Renewal reminders

Many brands offer monthly or annual subscriptions for their products and services. However, subscribers may forget the renewal date and incur an unexpected charge. Get ahead of any complaints by notifying them in advance.

Hi [Name]. Your subscription to [service] renews on [date] for [amount]. Reach out if you have any questions! To cancel, visit [link].

21. Product replenishment suggestions

Do you have a client who regularly buys a specific product from your business? Let them know you’re waiting for their next order when it comes time to replenish.

Is it time to refresh your supply of [product]? We’ve got it packed and ready for you! Finalize the details now and get 5% off: [link].

Industry-specific SMS marketing examples

Send messages tailored to your industry and the products and services you offer.

22. Retail and e-commerce

Keep subscribers updated on changes to your store. Let them know when you have a new collection or a product comes back in stock. 

Hey [Name]! We know you like [product A], but have you tried [product B]? It’s currently 25% off and has 2,000 5-star reviews!

23. Restaurant and food services

Use SMS to confirm reservations and let customers know when their take-out order is ready. Inform them when you introduce a special menu or new dish.

Hi [Name]. We’re looking forward to your visit to [restaurant] on [date] at [time]. If you need to make any changes to your reservation, let us know! 

24. Service businesses

Keep in contact with clients before and after they visit. Send an SMS text for appointment confirmations, reminders, and follow-ups.

Your [vehicle] is due for an oil change. Schedule an appointment with us now and skip the wait at [link]!

25. Nonprofit organizations

Send SMS messages to your subscribers the next time you need donations or volunteers to support your cause.

Attention dog lovers! [Nonprofit] needs food, toys, and supplies to support our shelter animals. Stop by with your donations and spend some time with the pups!

Advanced SMS marketing strategies

You can try more advanced strategies as you build your SMS marketing skillset.

Implement SMS keywords and shortcodes

SMS keywords and shortcodes let customers indicate their preferences or take a specific action. For instance, you could use keywords to invite subscribers to a text group about a particular topic or to confirm an appointment.

Drip campaigns and automated sequences

A drip campaign sends automatic messages according to where your customers are in the buyer’s journey. Drip messages feel timely and authentic, which may improve engagement and sales. They’re also automation-friendly, so you can trigger them to send based on a customer’s actions.

Leverage customer data for personalization

As you build relationships with clients, you’ll learn more about them, which helps you tailor SMS texts to suit their needs. You can use existing customer data to segment your subscribers and ask about their message preferences.

Integrate SMS with CRM platforms

Some customer relationship management (CRM) platforms integrate directly with SMS marketing software, allowing you to store client data and send messages from one place. Before using a CRM system, check its compatibility with your SMS software. Integrations save time and help prevent data transfer mistakes.

Measure success with SMS analytics

Open rates, click-throughs, and conversions are essential metrics to track. As you build momentum with your SMS strategy, measure its performance over time. You can tweak and adjust as you learn how your subscribers react to your messages.

How to create your own SMS marketing campaign

An SMS marketing campaign requires some initial planning. With the proper steps, you can take SMS marketing examples as inspiration and make your first SMS campaign a big success.

Set clear goals

What do you want to achieve from your SMS campaign? Narrow down your goals so you can tailor your content to meet them. Example objectives include:

• Generating more sales
• Boosting website traffic
• Improving customer service

Set key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success. For instance, assume you want to generate $500 in sales through SMS texts. Track the sales from SMS through your analytics dashboard to see whether you hit that number. 

Build your subscriber list

Attracting subscribers is easy when you have the right tools. Give customers plenty of ways to sign up for your SMS texts. Create website opt-in lead forms that appear anytime someone visits your online storefront.

If you have a physical storefront, place signs strategically so customers know you have an SMS list. You can also incorporate QR codes into customer receipts, so people can quickly scan the code to join your SMS list.

Structure your SMS campaign

Think about the types of content you want to include in your SMS messages. It helps to plan it out visually with a flowchart or outline. For instance, you could categorize SMS texts based on your objectives and steps in the customer journey map.

Automate SMS texts

Set some messages to send automatically based on a customer’s actions. For instance, you could automatically send welcome texts, order confirmations, and shipping details.

Strategically segment your subscriber list to align with your marketing goals. For instance, if your business serves customers throughout the U.S., you could group them by different regions to provide location-specific content.

Craft compelling messages

By nature, SMS texts are short, sweet, and to the point. Keep them under 160 characters to avoid display problems on your subscribers’ phones. If your message warrants more detail, include a link so interested subscribers can learn more.

Try to personalize SMS texts where you can. Including the subscriber’s name makes a message feel more personal, but you can go further with relevant recommendations and content. Always include a short CTA telling the customer what you want them to do.

Test and optimize

Test out different send times to find the ones that drive the most engagement with your SMS messages. Some businesses may discover mid-morning works well, while others might do well with afternoon texts.

You can experiment with A/B testing as your list grows. Change small aspects of your SMS, like the CTA, and send varied messages to a test population. Use the SMS text that performs best with the remaining portion of your subscriber list.

SMS marketing tools and platforms

Sending SMS marketing texts requires special tools. You’ll want a platform to manage subscribers, plan content, and automate texts. 

Key features to look for

When shopping for SMS platforms, look for tools that include these features.

• Automation: Look for platforms that let you trigger automatic SMS messages based on a subscriber’s actions, such as joining your list or placing an order.
• Integrations: Consider the tools you use for other marketing activities. Find a platform that integrates with the existing tools you use, like your CRM platform.
• Analytics and reporting: Make sure the platform you choose includes thorough reporting capabilities relevant to your needs.
• List management: Find a platform with effective list management features. 

Budget considerations

Most SMS platforms price their services based on volume. You’ll pay a flat fee for each message you send up to a certain limit. Once you reach the cap, the per-message rate may slightly decrease. Some plans also charge a flat fee to use the platform, regardless of how many messages you send.

Popular software options

Constant Contact’s marketing platform combines email, social media, and SMS marketing activities in one place. It’s catered to small and mid-sized business owners seeking to engage with customers. You’ll find plenty of informative resources to get started, plus pricing options for any budget.

Common SMS marketing mistakes to avoid

SMS marketing offers lots of benefits, but it’s important to avoid missteps that hamper its effectiveness.

Legal and compliance issues

Always get a customer’s written permission before sending them SMS marketing messages. Make it easy for subscribers to remove themself from your list via “STOP” responses or an unsubscribe link. Also, stick to sending messages during approved times — texts sent before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. go against TCPA regulations.

Customer experience problems

Subscribers trust your brand not to overload them with too many SMS messages. Send texts when you have a relevant or timely message to share, and rely on other marketing channels when there isn’t an urgency factor. 

Technical pitfalls

If you include any links within your SMS texts, verify that your messaging platform tracks clicks. Monitoring SMS analytics is an integral part of marketing and can inform your future plans.

Sometimes, texts may fail to deliver properly. Your SMS platform should notify you of undelivered messages and specify the cause. Take the appropriate action based on the reason for non-delivery. For instance, if the subscriber’s phone number is permanently deactivated, you’d remove them from your list.

Unlock your business potential with strategic SMS marketing

SMS marketing provides a unique opportunity to interact with customers. A carefully crafted strategy can lead to higher sales and stronger client relationships. Use these SMS marketing examples as inspiration for your next engagement campaign or sale promotion. From welcoming new customers to showcasing new products, there’s no shortage of ways to incorporate SMS marketing into your comprehensive strategy. 

Constant Contact’s SMS marketing software is perfect for small businesses looking for ways to engage customers. It includes everything you need to make SMS marketing successful: built-in analytics, AI-content suggestions, and an editor so you can preview texts before sending. Sign up today to get started!