Congratulations—you’ve decided to start (or reinvest) in SMS marketing campaigns, hopefully to forge stronger connections with customers and ultimately boost revenue. Beyond choosing the right software to manage your outreach, you’ll also need to thoughtfully craft each message.
To help inspire your own creativity, we compiled real-world examples of SMS marketing campaigns and crafted additional templates you can modify to your own needs. Use the table of contents to find the specific examples that best align with your needs!
Examples of Two-Way SMS Marketing Campaigns
Automated two-way SMS marketing creates a win-win scenario for businesses and customers alike. By enabling recipients to engage directly through text, brands can deliver more personalized and targeted content that resonates with individual preferences. In turn, this interactivity fosters higher engagement rates and conversions, making two-way SMS an invaluable tool for modern marketing.
Real World Marketing Example—Crazy Dog T-Shirts
Crazy Dog T-Shirts elevates personalization by directly asking customers about their interests, ensuring every message resonates. By leveraging automated segmentation, the brand crafts campaigns perfectly aligned with individual preferences. This approach delivers highly targeted, relevant, and personal messaging that not only captures attention but also keeps customers engaged and coming back for more.
Real World Marketing Example—Hair Cuttery
Hair Cuttery leverages AI-driven automation to enhance its SMS marketing with interactive drip campaigns. For example, customers texting specific keywords might receive links to personalized content or follow-up messages tailored to their inquiries. This type of intelligent automation allows Hair Cuttery to engage subscribers with dynamic, value-driven communication, fostering stronger customer relationships.
Additional Examples of Two-Way SMS Marketing Campaigns
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Fitness Engagement
A gym or wellness brand could ask, “What’s your favorite form of exercise? Reply with 1 for yoga, 2 for weightlifting, or 3 for running!” to provide tailored workout tips or promotions.
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Beauty Preferences
A cosmetics company might ask, “Pick your favorite beauty category: 1 for skincare, 2 for makeup, 3 for hair care!” to curate content and promotions.
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Dining Choices
A restaurant franchise could inquire, “Would you prefer exclusive lunch deals or evening specials? Reply L for lunch or E for evening.” to send time-sensitive offers that suit the recipient’s schedule.
For more examples and insights into two-way SMS marketing, check out our blog: The Power of Two-Way SMS for Franchises.
Examples of Welcome Messages for Reward Members
A strong first impression is key in SMS marketing, and a well-crafted welcome message sets the tone for your relationship with new subscribers. A great welcome text should be friendly, concise, and immediately valuable. If possible, offer an instant reward, such as a discount or freebie, and clearly outline what perks they can expect as a reward member.
Real World Marketing Example—UNIQLO
UNIQLO nails its welcome message with brevity and value. This approach wins subscribers over with an immediate reward and builds excitement for future benefits.
Real World Marketing Example—Luno
While slightly longer, Luno’s welcome message stands out for its clarity and focus on benefits. We like this example from Luno because it explicitly states what the perks of being an SMS subscriber are. If you can’t offer an immediate discount, this type of message could be the next best thing.
Additional Examples of SMS Marketing Messages Welcoming New Subscribers
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Salon Promotion
A beauty salon could say, “Welcome to Bella Beauty Salon! Your first visit just got better—enjoy 10% off any service. Reply BOOK to schedule your appointment today!” to encourage immediate engagement and bookings.
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Coffee Shop Perks
A coffee shop might offer, “Thanks for joining The Java Spot! Enjoy 30% off your next order—just show this text at the register.” This approach keeps customers engaged with exclusive perks and timely updates.
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Hardware Store Rewards
A hardware store could announce, “Welcome to Handy Hub Rewards! As a member, you’ll receive exclusive discounts, early access to sales, and DIY tips.” This builds loyalty by highlighting member benefits and personalized offers.
Make the most of your welcome messages by being clear, friendly, and delivering instant value. A strong first impression can set the foundation for a long-term engagement.
Examples of Flash Sales Marketing SMS Messages
Flash sales are all about creating excitement and urgency. To craft effective flash sale marketing texts, use bold and direct language that grabs attention. Include a clickable link to make it easy for recipients to take action, and emphasize a clear time frame to instill a fear of missing out (FOMO). These elements combined can turn a simple message into a powerful driver of immediate sales.
Real World Marketing Example—Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus excels at using urgency to spur action. This message example is straightforward, time-sensitive, and makes it easy for recipients to shop immediately.
Additional Examples of SMS Marketing Messages Promoting Flash Sales
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Dishware Store
A dishware store might announce, “🔥 FLASH SALE ALERT! Get up to 50% off premium cookware—today only! Shop now: [link].” This creates urgency and encourages immediate purchases.
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Taco Shop
A taco shop could share, “🌮 Taco Tuesday just got better! Buy 1 taco, get 1 free—offer ends at 8 PM tonight! Order here: [link].” This drives traffic with limited-time dining deals.
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Shoe Store
A shoe store might promote, “👟 FINAL HOURS: Take 30% off all sneakers! Sale ends at midnight. Don’t wait—shop now: [link].” This motivates shoppers with a time-sensitive offer on popular products.
Flash sales thrive on immediacy. Pair your SMS with compelling visuals or countdown timers on your linked landing pages to amplify the urgency and boost conversions! To make the most of this popular type of marketing SMS, read Text Coupons & Promo Code Alerts - Maximize Strategy ROI.
Examples of “Sneak Peek” or “Exclusive Access” Marketing Texts
Not every perk of being an SMS marketing subscriber needs to revolve around discounts. Offering early access to in-demand inventory or services can create a sense of exclusivity and build excitement around your brand. These messages not only reward loyal customers but also drive sales without affecting your profit margins.
Real-World Marketing Example—Lonely Ghost
Lonely Ghost demonstrates the power of early-access messages. Their MMS campaigns give subscribers a first look at highly anticipated product drops, making them feel special and fostering a sense of community. By building hype around products without offering discounts, they engage customers and protect their bottom line.
Additional Examples of SMS Marketing Messages For Early Access
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Health Food Store
A health food store could announce, “🥑 Black Friday starts early for YOU! As a VIP subscriber, shop our exclusive health food deals 24 hours before anyone else. Click here: [link]” to reward loyalty with early access to promotions.
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Beauty Treatment Clinic
A beauty clinic might share, “Hi [Name]! We’re thrilled to announce our new Ultherapy Prime treatments—designed to refresh and redefine. As a VIP subscriber, you get exclusive priority to schedule your appointment one week before anyone else! Call or text us now to claim your spot. 💆♀️✨” to drive excitement and early bookings.
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Concert Tickets
A ticket provider could say, “🎶 Big news, [Name]! [Artist/Band Name] is coming to [Venue Name] on May 3rd! Tickets officially go on sale next week, but as a loyal subscriber, you get early access. Secure your spot before the crowd—grab your tickets now! 🎤🎸” to encourage engagement with exclusive pre-sale offers.
Early access messages don’t just sell products—they create excitement and reinforce the value of being a part of your SMS community.
Examples of SMS Marketing Messages for Holiday Promotions
Holiday-themed text messages are an excellent way to capture seasonal enthusiasm and boost sales. To make your messages impactful, be purposeful with your timing—align your texts with holiday-specific buying or decision-making patterns, such as Black Friday shopping or last-minute Christmas planning. Always include a discount or special offer; if there’s no tangible value for your subscribers, the message isn’t worth sending. Keep it festive, concise, and action-oriented!
Real-World Marketing Example—NYDJ
This text marketing example stands out because it checks all the boxes: it’s concise, deploys tactical capitalization for quick scanning, and uses impactful language designed to drive action. Adding an eye-catching graphic further ensures the message grabs attention, especially during holiday periods when people are flooded with promotional offers.
Examples of SMS Marketing Messages for Holiday Promotions
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Black Friday (Yarn Shop)
A yarn shop could promote, “🧶 Black Friday Alert! Buy 1 skein of yarn, get 1 FREE—today only! Stock up for your winter projects: [link].” This inspires crafters to take advantage of limited-time savings.
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Christmas (Restaurant)
A restaurant might announce, “🎄 Taste the holidays! Our special Christmas menu is here—book your table or order online for a festive feast: [link].” This highlights seasonal offerings and encourages early bookings.
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Father’s Day (Shaving Kits)
A shaving kit retailer could share, “👔 Celebrate Dad! Get 20% off our PREMIUM shaving kits—perfect for Father’s Day. Shop NOW to SAVE BIG: [link].” This drives purchases with a compelling discount and timely gift suggestion.
To master holiday-themed SMS marketing, check out more tips and examples in these Voxie articles:
Examples of Personalized Marketing SMS Messages
Personalization is a cornerstone of successful SMS marketing, as it makes recipients feel valued and understood. Adding a personal touch—such as using the recipient’s name, referencing their birthday, past purchases, or even tailoring messages to their location—can significantly boost engagement and conversions. These small but meaningful details turn generic marketing into a genuine customer experience.
With Voxie, automating such personalizations is effortless. The platform’s advanced AI and robust segmentation tools enable businesses to easily customize messages at scale, ensuring every customer interaction feels uniquely tailored without requiring manual effort. From personalized greetings to location-specific offers, Voxie empowers you to deliver impactful messages that resonate with your audience.
Real-World Marketing Example—Salt Strong
Salt Strong, an online fishing community, partnered with Voxie to implement highly segmented and automated SMS campaigns, enabling them to deliver hyper-relevant messages to their members. This personalized approach led to a 25% increase in message reply rates and a 35% growth in revenue. Overall, Salt Strong achieved a remarkable 42x return on investment, solidifying their leadership in the fishing community.
Get the full Salt Strong case study here.
Real-World Marketing Example—National Sub Franchise
A national sub franchise collaborated with Voxie to re-engage 745,000 loyalty members who hadn’t made a purchase in over 90 days. Instead of the usual double points offer, they provided a $3 discount on the next purchase, delivering immediate value to these inactive customers. This personalized strategy led to a 2,200% return on investment and a 164% increase in attributed revenue.
Additional Examples of Personalized Marketing SMS Messages
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Brunch Restaurant
A brunch restaurant could say, “Happy Birthday, [Name]! 🎉 Celebrate your special day with us—enjoy a free mimosa with your brunch. Reserve your table today: [link].” This personal touch encourages celebratory visits and shows that customers’ are appreciated and remembered.
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Beauty Salon
A beauty salon might share, “Hi [Name], it’s time for a refresh! It’s been a while since your last [service, e.g., haircut or facial]. Book now and treat yourself to some self-care: [link].” This gentle reminder catered to the reader’s schedule drives repeat bookings.
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Cafe
A cafe could announce, “Hi [Name]! Winter is here in [City]—the perfect excuse to cozy up with our new Peppermint Hot Cocoa. Stop by today and indulge! ☕❄️” This highlights a seasonal offering specific to their city and creates a cozy, inviting vibe.
Personalized texts like these strengthen the connection between your brand and your customers, making them feel valued and understood. This approach works especially well for multi-location businesses, such as franchises. As shown in the SMS examples above, automated text personalization creates the sense of a localized familiarity despite being deployed on a national scale.
Examples of SMS Campaigns That Feature Visuals (MMS)
Adding visuals to your SMS campaigns by sending MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) messages can make your marketing efforts even more compelling. Images, GIFs, or videos provide a dynamic way to engage subscribers, giving them a vivid look at your products or services.
While most industries can benefit from the occasional visual, MMS is particularly impactful for restaurants, fashion brands, and stores where purchasing decisions are often influenced by appearance.
Real-World Marketing Example—Hue
HUE leverages captivating images of their clothing alongside messaging that encourages readers to imagine themselves wearing the styles, creating an aspirational connection. This combination of visual appeal and relatable storytelling drives high engagement rates.
Real-World Marketing Example—PrimoHoagies
PrimoHoagies used MMS to effectively promote their Labor Day catering LTO by showcasing visuals of their catering trays, making it easy for subscribers to see portion sizes and what’s included in the deal.
Real-World Marketing Example—NYDJ
NYDJ leveraged eye-catching images in their text message marketing to instantly showcase their 30% off Black Friday deal, drawing attention to the savings upfront. By visually emphasizing the discount, they captured immediate engagement and encouraged readers to take action quickly.
Examples of Abandoned Cart Text Messages
Abandoned cart messages are one of the most effective tools for boosting sales, offering a gentle nudge to customers who may have been distracted or hesitant about completing their purchase. SMS is particularly powerful for these reminders compared to email, as texts are more likely to be seen and acted upon immediately—boasting a 99% open rate versus the cluttered inboxes of email.
Important Note: Double Opt-In Required
To send abandoned cart reminders via SMS, it’s crucial that subscribers provide explicit consent, known as a double opt-in. This means that after subscribing, customers confirm their intent to receive marketing messages—ensuring compliance with regulations and building trust with your audience.
Examples of SMS Abandoned Cart Messages
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Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR)
A fast-food brand could encourage customers to complete their purchase by saying, “Hungry? Your hoagies are waiting! Complete your order now and get them hot and fresh: [link].” This creates urgency for immediate action.
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Candle Store
A candle retailer might share, “✨ Don’t let your favorite scents slip away! Finish your order now and enjoy 10% off—use code SAVE10: [link].” This incentivizes customers to complete their purchase with a discount.
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Ghost Tour
A ghost tour company could say, “👻 Spooky alert! Limited spots left for your ghost tour. Reserve now before they vanish: [link].” This uses urgency and a fun theme to drive prospective customers to complete their purchase.
By sending timely and relevant reminders, abandoned cart SMS campaigns can turn missed opportunities into completed sales, all while providing a seamless customer experience.
Examples of Marketing Text Messages to Gain Customer Referrals
With 92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family over any other form of advertising, referrals are a marketing goldmine. SMS offers a perfect opportunity to motivate your current customers to share your brand with their networks. By providing clear incentives through concise, action-oriented texts, you can drive meaningful engagement and expand your customer base.
Real-World Marketing Example—CookUnity
CookUnity, a meal delivery service, sets a high bar for referral marketing via SMS. Their text is simple, to the point, and includes a clickable link leading directly to their “refer a friend” page.
For a bonus tip, note the strategic timing of their message: a Tuesday evening, when many customers may be enjoying their CookUnity meals and are primed to share the experience with others.
Additional Examples of SMS Messages Promoting Referral Programs
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Medspa
A medspa might say, “Glow and save! Refer a friend to Serenity Medspa and you’ll both get $50 off your next treatment. Start sharing today: [link].” This promotes referrals with a mutually beneficial reward.
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Pet-Sitting Service
A pet-sitting service could share, “🐾 Share the care! Refer a friend to Happy Tails Pet Sitting and get $20 off your next booking. Click here to refer: [link].” This highlights the ease of referrals and a simple discount incentive.
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Fitness Center
A fitness center might announce, “💪 Bring your squad! Refer a friend to FitZone Gym and you’ll both get 20% off your next month’s membership. Share the link: [link].” This drives referrals while fostering a sense of community.
A well-timed, compelling referral message not only rewards loyal customers but also helps turn them into enthusiastic advocates for your brand, creating a win-win scenario for everyone involved.
Examples of Marketing Text Messages to Promote Your Content
Your value to customers extends beyond your products and services—your content has the power to inspire and educate. Since you invest time and effort into creating media like articles, podcasts, and videos, why not leverage SMS to amplify its reach and engagement? Not only can it help raise the asset’s visibility, but it can also help diversify the subscribing experience.
Real-World Marketing Example—REI
Direct and upbeat, this text message from REI is a fantastic example of how to spark curiosity and drive engagement, all the while underscoring the brand’s distinct personality. In this case, they’re using SMS to promote a musical playlist!
Additional Examples of SMS Messages Promoting Content Assets
- Recipe Promotion
A food brand could share, “Spice up your kitchen with recipes starring [Brand] Olive Oil! 🍳 From zesty dressings to savory mains, discover how to turn simple ingredients into unforgettable meals. Tap to explore: [link].” This encourages culinary creativity with product integration. - How-to Guide and Tricks
A fitness brand might say, “💪 Check out our guide to lifting weights the healthy way—perfect form, smart techniques, and tips to avoid injury. Start building strength the right way: [link].” This provides valuable content to support healthy exercise habits. - Inspirational Social Content
A cosmetics company could announce, “🔥 We joined forces with [Celebrity] to bring you the ultimate eyeshadow blend! Bold, flawless, and totally swoon-worthy. See the magic unfold: [Instagram link].” This builds excitement around new products with celebrity influence.
Bonus Tips for Crafting the Right Marketing SMS
Gathering text campaign examples is just the starting point for success. To truly maximize the impact of your SMS marketing, you need to tailor your messages to resonate with your unique audience. Here’s how to take your campaigns to the next level.
1. Tailor Your Texts Toward Your Audiences
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Do Market Research and Segment Your Audience
Break down your customer base into sub-segments based on factors such as demographics, buying behavior, or preferences. Then, send targeted messages to each group, personalizing offers and language to align with their interests. For instance, as discussed in this article, millennials’ texting preferences differ from those of Gen-X, so adjust your tone, urgency, and calls-to-action accordingly.
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Adapt to Changing Preferences
Understand that audience priorities shift over time. Regularly analyze customer behavior and trends, and refine your SMS campaigns to stay aligned with evolving preferences. Flexibility is key to staying relevant.
2. Collect and Analyze Data Consistently
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Track Essential Metrics
Gather data on metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, opt-out rates, and response times. These insights provide a detailed picture of what’s working and what isn’t.
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Leverage Insights for Improvement
Use this data to test and tweak your campaigns. For example, if one offer sees a higher click-through rate than another, replicate its structure or language. Continuously iterate to optimize performance and meet customer needs more effectively.
3. Stay Abreast of the Competition
- Subscribe to your competitors’ SMS campaigns—it’s probably free and can provide valuable insights into their strategies. Observing their tone, offers, and timing can inspire fresh ideas or highlight gaps in your own approach.
4. Build Sophisticated Drip Campaigns
- Avoid crafting standalone texts, outside of one-day LTOs. Instead, map out multi-step SMS drip campaigns that guide your audience through a seamless journey. From a warm welcome to nurturing interest, retargeting, and driving conversions, a drip campaign allows for deeper engagement and a more personalized experience.
By combining data, audience insights, competitive analysis, and advanced campaign planning, you can craft SMS marketing messages that deliver both immediate results and long-term brand loyalty.
Voxie’s AI Technology Can Take Your SMS to the Next Level
At Voxie, we specialize in helping businesses unlock the full potential of SMS marketing. Our AI-powered platform is designed to create smarter, more effective campaigns tailored to your audience, ensuring every message drives results.
Why Choose Voxie?
Here are the features that set Voxie apart:
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Targeted Campaigns + Post-Purchase Follow-Up
Craft highly specific campaigns that cater to different audience segments, and seamlessly follow up with customers after a purchase to nurture loyalty and encourage repeat business.
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Custom Built Integrations
Leverage your data, whether from your CRM or other software systems, to create highly-targeted campaigns with integrations built uniquely to your needs.
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AI Tools to Help You Brainstorm the Perfect Text Message
Not sure how to word your message? Voxie’s AI-powered tools provide suggestions, crafting texts that resonate with your audience and drive engagement.
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Data Visualization for Easier Campaign Analysis
Simplify your campaign performance tracking with user-friendly dashboards that turn metrics into actionable insights. Easily identify what works and optimize for success.
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Multiple Levels of Admin Access
Collaborate more efficiently by assigning appropriate access levels to team members. From viewing analytics to managing campaigns, you stay in full control of your SMS strategy.
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Built for the Franchise Model
Execute nationally deployed corporate text message marketing campaigns while empowering franchisees to engage their local audience through their own customized Voxie instance, seamlessly managed within the framework of the corporate account guidelines.
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Hands-On Integration Support from the Voxie Team
Our dedicated team ensures that integrating Voxie into your existing systems is smooth and hassle-free, so you can start seeing results quickly.
Ready to Elevate Your SMS Marketing?
Discover how Voxie’s cutting-edge platform can revolutionize your SMS campaigns. Schedule a Demo today and see why we’re the only SMS built for franchises.