10 Black Friday marketing ideas to boost sales using SMS

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There’s no doubt that Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping events in the world. It’s the time of year when people from all across the globe come together and start their winter holiday gift shopping, be it for themselves, for family, for friends, or even for their co-workers. 

During Black Friday, companies use discounts, perks, and freebies to drive purchases and inspire customer loyalty—and texting is a quick and easy way to deliver them. 

If you’re looking for inspiration on creating an efficient campaign this year, we have you covered with ten Black Friday marketing ideas that will boost your sales and motivate buyers to keep coming back to your shop. Let’s get into it. 

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: Before sending bulk SMS campaigns, ensure your number is verified. In the USA, all campaigns must be registered through 10DLC or toll-free verification, and in Canada, this applies to toll-free numbers. Instant texting isn’t possible in these regions, but it is available in the UK and Australia.

Also, remember MMS limitations, including file size restrictions and varying carrier support.

1. Exclusive early bird SMS alerts

Build excitement and anticipation for your sale by offering VIP customers early access to deals through text messages. This Black Friday marketing idea rewards loyal customers and creates a sense of exclusivity that encourages higher engagement. 

By offering exclusive coupon codes or deals, you also drive sales ahead of the official rush, alleviating some of the pressure from your busiest shopping day. All in all, this Black Friday SMS marketing strategy is a great way to build excitement and encourage opt-ins for future text messaging campaigns.

Take the example below from gaming headset retailer Turtle Beach:

Want your own? We’ve created the templates below for you to use in your Black Friday marketing messages. 

2. Countdown SMS reminders

Create urgency and excitement by sending countdown reminders leading up to your Black Friday sale. SMS countdowns are a great way to build anticipation and keep your brand top of mind for customers as the big day approaches. 

These reminders usually reduce the chances of customers forgetting about your sale and missing out. You can also use the countdown to tease special deals or limited-time offers, motivating customers to be ready to shop as soon as your sale goes live.

Pimple patch brand Starface World made use of this Black Friday marketing idea by counting down to the end of their sale, rather than the beginning: 

You can personalize this strategy as you see fit for your business. If you want some inspiration, have a look at our templates below:

3. Limited-time flash sales via SMS

Boost sales by offering limited-time flash deals exclusively during your Black Friday SMS marketing campaign. These short-lived offers create buzz around your product and encourage customers to act quickly to claim their discount. 

Flash sales are a powerful tactic for moving inventory quickly, driving immediate traffic, and creating a sense of exclusivity. Since texting is a direct and fast communication channel, your customers will receive the deal in real time and be motivated to participate in the promotion.

Italian heritage watch designer Filippo Loreti made this strategy part of an extended Black Friday sale, giving away a free item with purchase for one day only: 

If you’d like to go with the classic flash sale approach, feel free to use the templates we’ve provided below:

4. Personalized SMS offers based on purchase history

Sending personalized Black Friday offers based on individual purchase history is a great way to encourage repeat business and drive targeted sales. By presenting customers with offers that are relevant to their preferences, you increase conversions and move stock at the same time.

This idea for Black Friday marketing creates a personalized shopping experience, making customers feel valued and understood. People are more likely to respond to offers that align with their past buying behavior, fostering loyalty in the long run.

Californian olive oil company Brightland shows they know their gourmand audience by recommending complementary condiments based on past orders:

Want to make your customers feel special this Black Friday season? Why not use the text messaging templates below? 

5. Abandoned cart SMS reminders

Recover lost sales by sending abandoned cart reminders during your Black Friday SMS marketing campaign. Shoppers often leave items in their carts, especially during busy shopping holidays—and there’s nothing like a timely text to prompt them to complete their purchase. 

This Black Friday marketing strategy leverages urgency by reminding customers that stock is limited during this period, which encourages them to take immediate action. Offering a small discount or free shipping as an incentive to complete their order can also drive conversions.

Beauty brand Need softly broaches the topic of abandoned carts with an elegant reminder and a discount to drive the purchasing decision: 

For your own Black Friday marketing campaign, why not give free delivery a go for abandoned carts? Here are some BF SMS templates ideas you can use: 

6. Post-purchase SMS upsell for Cyber Monday

Capitalize on the momentum generated by Black Friday promotions and send post-purchase SMS to upsell Cyber Monday deals. After customers make a purchase on Friday, send them a discount code to use on Monday to encourage repeat business.

By targeting customers who are already in a buying mindset, you can maximize your revenue across both shopping holidays.

StriVectin’s Black Friday marketing idea builds on their recent engagement with the brand, offering complementary products or upgrades at a discounted rate: 

Here are some templates to help you achieve success with your Black Friday post-purchase campaigns:

7. SMS-driven referral program

Launch an SMS-driven referral program to boost your Black Friday sales and encourage existing customers to refer friends and family to your sale in exchange for discounts or rewards. 

By using text messages, you can quickly and easily share referral links or codes that customers can pass along to others. This approach not only drives new traffic to your sale but also rewards loyal customers for spreading the word, thus creating a win-win situation.

Street and sportswear brand Volcom keeps their customers motivated during their Black Friday marketing campaigns with their Volcom Store Rewards program, which has a referral element embedded into it:

Looking to create your own referral program for your Black Friday marketing campaign? Feel free to use these templates to get started:

8. Last-minute SMS reminders on Black Friday

Capture those final Black Friday shoppers by sending last-minute text message reminders. These messages create urgency, reminding customers that time is running out and your one-of-a-kind offers will be gone soon. 

By reaching out close to the end of the sale, you can prompt indecisive customers to act before the discounts disappear. These reminders are a great way to drive a final surge of sales and clear out inventory before everyone’s favorite shopping holiday comes to an end. 

Tanning salon and light spa Seattle Sun Tan knows how to apply their Black Friday marketing ideas. Here’s the message they sent their customers: 

And here’s how you can make this approach your own this November: 

9. SMS & Email combo campaigns

Maximize the reach and effectiveness of your Black Friday marketing campaign by combining the powers of text messaging and email. Use email for detailed information, such as full product lists and longer-form content, while leveraging texting to deliver concise and time-sensitive messages.

By pairing both channels, you will increase the chances of reaching customers at the right moment. Plus, this multi-channel approach reinforces your messaging, ensuring customers are aware of your special offers across multiple touchpoints.

Dreamland Baby announced early access to their Black Friday sale by using an SMS and email combo to drive purchases:

Want to follow suit? Here are some templates you can use:

10. Exclusive SMS-only deals

Reward your SMS subscribers with exclusive SMS-only deals during Black Friday. Offering special discounts or products available on one channel only makes your subscribers feel valued and encourages more customers to opt in to receive marketing communications. 

This strategy also builds a sense of exclusivity and urgency, driving immediate sales. Text messaging is a direct, personal communication channel, so these exclusive offers feel more special, creating a stronger connection with your audience.

Here’s how power tool retailer Hart Tools integrated this approach into their yearly Black Friday sale announcement:

Or, you can do it your way and use one of our templates below: 

Conclusion

Incorporating text messages into your Black Friday marketing strategy can significantly boost engagement and drive sales. With its immediacy and personal touch, text messaging allows you to connect with customers at the right moment, offering exclusive deals, personalized offers, and timely reminders. 

By utilizing these ten Black Friday marketing ideas, you can create a sense of urgency around your offers, while rewarding loyal customers and even recovering abandoned sales at the same time. As competition increases during this busy shopping season, SMS campaigns will give you the edge your brand needs to stand out and maximize the holiday’s potential.