Black Friday SMS Marketing: Tips and Templates to Success in 2024

In recent years, consumer behavior has undergone a dramatic evolution, driven by the ubiquitous presence of smartphones. This digital shift has revolutionized how brands engage with their audience, with SMS marketing emerging as a dynamic channel for personalized marketing strategies.

SMS marketing stands out for its immediacy and directness, providing brands a distinct advantage in cutting through traditional advertising noise to connect directly with customers. Whether it's notifying subscribers of exclusive discounts, offering early access to popular products, or reminding them of limited-time Black Friday deals, SMS campaigns have proven highly effective in driving both online and in-store traffic during the Black Friday weekend.

Furthermore, SMS marketing plays a pivotal role in cultivating long-term customer loyalty. By consistently delivering value-driven communications, brands can forge enduring relationships with customers. This aspect of SMS marketing is particularly critical during Black Friday, when competition peaks and retaining loyal customers becomes as vital as acquiring new ones.

3 SMS Marketing Tips for Black Friday

To navigate the competitive landscape of Black Friday effectively, strategic planning and precise execution are paramount. Here are three essential tips that will not only enhance your SMS marketing efforts but also ensure you make the most of this high-stakes shopping event:

1. Start Your Black Friday SMS Campaign Before Black Friday

Timing is everything.

To capture your audience’s attention and build anticipation, initiate your Black Friday SMS campaign well in advance. Begin teasing exclusive deals and early access opportunities to create a buzz that resonates with your subscribers.

By starting early, you not only prime your audience for upcoming sales but also ensure that your brand remains top-of-mind as customers plan their holiday shopping sprees.

According to the Wisestamp research, shows that businesses that kick off their Black Friday promotions ahead of time see higher engagement and conversion rates, setting the stage for a successful sales season.

Some businesses report that as much as 20% of their annual sales come from the short 2-3 week period in November that revolves around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This makes it clear why Black Friday marketing should be one of the top priorities for business owners.

The chart below illustrates the typical sales trends for SaaS and e-commerce companies during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping periods, showing a significant spike in sales during these two weeks in November.

2. Segment Your Audience to Personalize Their Experience

Personalization is not just a buzzword in today's competitive marketplace—it’s a strategic imperative for SMS marketing success, especially during Black Friday.

By segmenting your subscriber base based on their preferences, purchase history, and engagement levels, you can tailor your messages effectively to resonate with each segment. Here are some advanced segmentation strategies to consider:

• VIP customers: Recognize and reward your most loyal customers with exclusive early access to Black Friday deals and special promotions. Personalize their experience by sending tailored messages that acknowledge their loyalty and highlight VIP-only perks.

• Previous Black Friday customers: Analyze past purchase behavior from previous Black Friday campaigns to understand their preferences. Recommend products similar to their previous purchases or upgrades to products they have previously shown interest in. Highlight the continuity of your Black Friday offers to encourage repeat purchases.

• Engaged subscribers: Identify subscribers who regularly interact with your SMS campaigns and website. Tailor your messaging to highlight limited-time offers, flash sales, or bundle deals that cater to their active interest. Use compelling language and urgency to drive engagement and conversion during the Black Friday sales period.

• New subscribers: Welcome new subscribers to your SMS list with a special introductory offer or discount code for their first Black Friday purchase. Introduce them to your brand story and highlight the benefits of shopping with you during this peak shopping season. Use clear CTAs and incentives to encourage their first purchase and begin nurturing a long-term relationship.

3. Develop a Strategic Schedule for SMS Marketing

Crafting a well-planned schedule is crucial for maximizing the impact of your Black Friday SMS campaign.

Klaviyo’s 2024 SMS benchmark report suggests that the best practice is to send SMS messages up to 7 times a month, or once or twice a week.

However, during BFCM, you can increase the frequency slightly to optimize your messaging timing and capitalize on the heightened consumer interest and urgency.

• Schedule Sample:

  • 7 days before Black Friday: Build excitement with a teaser SMS announcing upcoming deals and exclusive offers. Use compelling language to create anticipation among your subscriber base.

  • 3 days before Black Friday: Provide early access to VIP customers with exclusive previews of Black Friday deals. This not only rewards loyalty but also encourages early purchases and engagement.

  • 1 day before Black Friday: Highlight key promotions and remind subscribers of the upcoming Black Friday sales event in the Black Friday text message. Emphasize urgency and the limited-time nature of the offers to drive last-minute conversions.

  • Black Friday: Send multiple SMS messages throughout the day to keep customers informed about new offers, discounts, and real-time updates on stock availability. Maintain a consistent brand voice and messaging style to reinforce your campaign’s theme.

  • Black Friday: Create urgency with time-limited offers and flash sales delivered via SMS. Use compelling CTAs and urgency-inducing language to prompt immediate action from your audience.

  • 1 day after Black Friday: Extend the excitement and sales momentum with a follow-up SMS message. Highlight any remaining deals, extended promotions, or new products to capture lingering interest and maximize post-Black Friday sales.

By strategically planning and executing your SMS marketing schedule around these key dates and insights, you can ensure that your Black Friday campaign resonates with your audience, drives engagement, and ultimately boosts sales during this critical shopping period.

Black Friday SMS Marketing Templates

These templates are designed to fit various stages of your campaign, from early access alerts to time-sensitive offers, ensuring you can capture the interest of your audience at every critical moment.

By using these pre-crafted messages, you can quickly implement effective communication strategies that drive urgency, highlight exclusive deals, and encourage prompt action, ultimately boosting your sales and customer satisfaction during the Black Friday shopping frenzy.

1. Black Friday SMS Template for Early Access

Creating a sense of exclusivity and early access among your most loyal customers is crucial.

By offering early access to Black Friday deals, you not only reward your VIP customers but also build anticipation and excitement leading up to the main event. This strategy helps engage your audience early, driving initial sales and reducing the risk of website crashes or stock shortages on the actual Black Friday.

Early access also allows you to gather insights into customer preferences and buying behavior, which can be invaluable for refining your marketing strategy in real-time.

Blume’s Example:

• Additional Examples

2. Black Friday SMS Template for Sale Extensions

Extending your Black Friday sale can be a powerful strategy to capture additional sales from customers who may have missed the initial rush or are still considering their options, helping you maintain the momentum of your campaign, keeping your brand top-of-mind, and encouraging more purchases.

Pottery Barn’s Example:

• Additional Examples

3. Black Friday SMS Template with a FOMO

FOMO is crucial for driving urgency and prompting immediate action from customers.

During Black Friday, consumers are bombarded with countless deals and offers, making it essential to stand out and capture their attention quickly. By leveraging FOMO, you tap into a psychological trigger that compels individuals to act swiftly to avoid missing out on exclusive opportunities.

Lulus’ Example:

• Additional Examples

4. Time-Sensitive Black Friday SMS Template

By emphasizing a specific deadline or countdown, these messages create a sense of urgency that compels recipients to act quickly to avoid missing out on exclusive deals.

This strategy leverages the psychological principle of scarcity, making the offers appear more valuable and time-critical.

• Examples