When planning your Black Friday strategy, it’s crucial to remember that it’s no longer just about one day of super sales. Customer behavior has evolved, with retailers now extending their promotions across an entire week, commonly referred to as Cyber Week. This period generates over $45 billion in revenue, with 76% of shoppers using their mobile devices for some part of their holiday shopping.

A well-planned SMS marketing strategy for Black Friday and Cyber Monday can significantly help you cut through the noise and engage your audience effectively.

Think Texting

SMS is one of the most effective ways to capture attention and build excitement, boasting an open rate of 98%, with most messages read within 3 minutes of receipt. This immediacy makes it a powerful tool for driving engagement during peak shopping periods like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

To maximize the impact of your Black Friday SMS marketing efforts, start by expanding your contact list early. This can be achieved through cross-channel promotions, including social media, email, in-store sign-ups, and pop-ups on your website.

Create a strategic calendar that outlines when to send SMS messages to build anticipation. Industry experts recommend starting with a low frequency and gradually increasing as the event approaches. Overloading your audience early on could lead to high unsubscribe rates, but following best practices will make customers eager to hear from your brand.

SMS Marketing Message Inspirations

When planning your SMS marketing messages for Black Friday, consider the following opportunities to communicate and grow your lists and your ROI:

1. Enrollment

Not all your customers will want to receive every type of communication. To reduce opt-outs, create a separate opt-in list specifically for “holiday promos” instead of general promotions. This allows customers to choose the types of messages they receive, increasing the likelihood of engagement. Segmenting SMS lists can boost conversion rates by up to 300%.

2. Teaser

Once your Black Friday/Cyber Week sales strategy is in place, share a teaser message to build anticipation. Think of this as a ‘save the date’ text. Provide a sneak peek of the deals or exclusive discounts available to your SMS subscribers. According to recent data, 77% of consumers prefer receiving marketing messages that offer discounts or special promotions.

3. Countdown

Integrate a countdown clock widget on your website or send regular SMS updates counting down to the start of your sale. This can create a sense of urgency and help customers prepare. Scarcity and urgency tactics in SMS marketing can increase click-through rates by up to 15%.

4. Early Access

Leverage the exclusivity of your SMS list by offering early access to sales or products. Whether it’s opening your online store hours before the official sale or providing special links accessible only via SMS, this strategy rewards loyal customers. 60% of consumers say they are more likely to buy from a brand that provides exclusive offers.

 

5. Sale Launch

Your sale launch SMS should be the ultimate call to action. It’s the moment your customers have been waiting for, so make it impactful. A strong, attention-grabbing message with a direct link to your site can significantly boost your conversion rates. SMS marketing messages with clear CTAs have a 45% higher conversion rate.

6. Abandoned Cart

Cart abandonment is a common issue during sales events, but SMS can help recover lost sales. By sending timely reminders to customers who left items in their carts, you can recapture interest. Incorporating a sense of urgency, such as “Don’t miss out—our Black Friday deal ends soon!” can be effective. SMS cart abandonment reminders have a recovery rate of up to 20%.

7. Thank You

A heartfelt thank you message post-purchase can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. Include order confirmation details, shipping information, and possibly a coupon for future purchases. Personalized thank-you messages can increase customer retention by up to 15%.

8. Follow-Up

Following up after the sale is a great way to keep your brand top-of-mind. Encourage customers to review their purchases, take a satisfaction survey, or offer an exclusive promotion for their next buy. Post-purchase SMS messages have an average engagement rate of 23%.

Creating successful, customized SMS marketing messages for Black Friday/Cyber Monday doesn’t have to be complex. Leveraging the power of SMS with these best practices can lead to a highly effective holiday marketing campaign.

For expert assistance in building the perfect lifecycle marketing strategy this holiday season, consider partnering with Hawke Media.