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Recent studies show that 98% of SMS messages are opened within 3 minutes, making it one of the fastest ways to reach customers. During Black Friday 2023, businesses using SMS marketing saw a 25% higher conversion rate compared to those who didn’t.
Why SMS Marketing Matters for Black Friday:
- 77% of consumers say they’re more likely to read a text message from a business during sales events
- Mobile shopping made up 76% of all Black Friday online sales in 2023
- SMS messages have an average click rate of 19% during Black Friday promotions
- 60% of customers check their phones for deals while shopping in stores
Let’s dive into seven proven ways to make your Black Friday SMS campaign work better, with real examples that have worked for other businesses.
1. Get Your Timing Right
Numbers show that timing can make or break your SMS campaign. Here’s what works best:
Best Times to Send:
- First message: Tuesday before Black Friday (November 26, 2024)
Why? 72% of customers start planning their Black Friday shopping mid-week - Main offer: Black Friday morning at 8 AM
Studies show open rates are 3x higher between 8-10 AM - Reminder: 2 PM on Black Friday
This catches lunch break browsers and after-work shoppers - Final push: Cyber Monday at 9 AM
Perfect for those who waited to make decisions
Real Example:
A clothing retailer sent their first message on Tuesday:
‘Get ready! Our biggest Black Friday sale starts in 3 days. Reply YES for early access.’
They saw a 45% response rate and 30% more sales compared to direct Friday messages.
2. Make Messages Personal
Basic texts don’t work anymore. Here’s how to make messages your customers want to read:
How to Personalize:
- Use first names: “Hi John” works better than “Hi there”
- Mention past purchases: “Love your last purchase? Here’s 30% off similar items”
- Send relevant deals: Don’t send pet food deals to customers who only buy electronics
Real Example:
An electronics store sorted customers by what they bought before. People who bought phones got this message:
‘Hi [Name], need new accessories for your iPhone? This Friday only: 40% off all phone accessories!’
Their click rates jumped from 15% to 37%.
3. Create Mobile-Ready Landing Pages
0% of SMS clicks happen on phones. Make sure your pages are ready:
Must-Have Features:
- Fast loading (under 3 seconds)
- Big, easy-to-tap buttons
- Clear product images
- Simple checkout process
- Save payment info for quick buying
Pro Tip: Use a landing page builder and test your pages on different phones before Black Friday. A sports gear company fixed their mobile pages and saw 55% more people finishing their purchases.
Quick Checklist:
✓ Page loads fast
✓ Easy to read on phones
✓ Clear ‘Buy Now’ buttons
✓ Simple forms
✓ Works on all major phones
4. Connect All Your Marketing Channels
Smart businesses use SMS as part of a bigger omnichannel plan. Here’s how to make everything work together:
How to Do It:
- Match your SMS timing with email and social media posts
- Keep your message the same everywhere
- Use similar discount codes across channels
- Track which channels work best together
Real Example:
A beauty brand sent this sequence:
- Instagram post announcing the sale
- Email with full product list
- SMS with quick-buy link: ‘Skip the queue! Use your exclusive SMS code BF24SMS for instant checkout.’
Result: 40% higher sales than using separate campaigns.
5. Create Special SMS-Only Deals
Make your text messages worth opening:
What Works Best:
- Special codes only sent by SMS
- Early access for SMS subscribers
- Flash sales announced by text
- Extra discounts for quick replies
Real Example:
A home goods store sent:
‘VIP SMS Deal: Shop 2 hours before everyone else! Use code EARLY24 now: [link]’
They sold 40% of their Black Friday stock before the main sale started.
6. Start Conversations With Customers
Two-way texting works better than one-way messages:
Simple Ways to Do It:
- Ask questions: “Reply YES for your special code”
- Offer help: “Text HELP to chat with our team”
- Give choices: “Reply 1 for electronics, 2 for home goods”
- Quick support: “Questions? Text back anytime
Real Example:
“Text BLACKFRIDAY to 12345 for your personal discount”
“Got it! Your code is BF24-[custom code]. Want to see our top deals? Reply YES”
Real Numbers:
- Interactive SMS messages get 45% more responses
- Customers who text back are 3x more likely to buy
7. Watch and Improve Your Campaign
Keep an eye on what’s working and fix what isn’t:
Key Things to Track:
- How many people open messages
- Which links get clicked most
- Best times for responses
- What makes people buy
Smart Moves:
- Check results every hour on Black Friday
- Change messages if they’re not working
- Send extra texts to people who clicked but didn’t buy
- Learn what works for next time
Real Example:
A tech store noticed morning texts worked better than evening ones.
They switched all sends to morning and saw sales go up by 35%.
Conclusion
SMS marketing works great for Black Friday when done right. These seven tips can help you reach more customers and make more sales.
Remember: keep it simple, personal, and valuable for your customers.
Ready to boost your Black Friday sales with SMS?
Check out Waymore SMS Campaign Manager and see how easy it is to create, send, and track powerful text messages that drive sales.
FAQs
1. When is the best time to start planning my Black Friday SMS campaign?
Start planning at least 6-8 weeks before Black Friday. This gives you time to:
- Build your SMS subscriber list
- Test your messages and landing pages
- Set up your automation flows
- Clean up your contact list
Even if you’re starting later, you can still run a successful campaign by focusing on the basics: clear messages, mobile-friendly pages, and good timing for your sends.
2. How many SMS messages should I send during Black Friday without annoying customers?
The sweet spot is 3-4 messages across the Black Friday weekend:
- 1 teaser message (2-3 days before)
- 1 main offer message (Black Friday morning)
- 1 reminder (Black Friday afternoon)
- 1 final call/Cyber Monday message
Remember: Quality beats quantity. Make each message valuable with unique offers or important updates. Studies show that sending more than 4 messages can increase unsubscribe rates by 30%.
3. What's the ideal length for a Black Friday SMS message?
Keep your SMS messages under 160 characters to avoid splitting them into multiple texts. Here’s a simple formula:
- 20-30 characters for greeting
- 60-70 characters for your offer
- 20-30 characters for your call to action
- 20-30 characters for your link
