The holidays are important to all types of businesses due to the rise in gift shopping. Many companies use this time to introduce seasonal deals to encourage more sales. While your marketing strategy in-store and online are valuable, introducing SMS techniques can increase your sales even further. Check out some of our holiday SMS ideas for Black Friday, Cyber Monday and beyond.
Grow Your Loyalty Program and Contact List
As you gear up for the holidays, you need to build up your contact list by advertising opt-in for your texts. Be sure to start this process long before Black Friday and Cyber Monday so that you can hit the ground running when it is time to send your promotional messages.
You can advertise your text list in-store with checkout ads and reminders from staff. You can also use your marketing emails, website and social media platforms to spread the word. Here are some ways to grow your subscriber list:
- QR codes to text messages: These are great to feature on posters around your store. When customers scan the QR code, a text message will automatically appear in their default messaging app. Signing up to receive communications from your businesses is as simple as tapping the send button.
- Text-to-join keywords: With this method, you choose a keyword that new contacts can send to your business’s number to join your SMS subscriber list or loyalty program. You can advertise this word on social media, your website and your storefront.
- Online signup forms: This option makes it easy for your website’s visitors to opt in to receive your messages, as they can enter their numbers via a form.
The more subscribers you have, the greater visibility your messages will receive, and the more effective your Black Friday and Cyber Monday SMS ideas will be. To help expand your contact list, incentivize customers with a deal or discount for when they sign up.
Promote Holiday Sales
With a complete list of contacts, you’re ready to start promoting holiday sales.
For customers, these days are all about scoring the best deals, ticking items off their wish lists and shopping for gifts. Capitalize on this by keeping customers excited about your products with text-exclusive promotions and coupons. You might offer “buy one, get one” deals or a generous discount. You can even choose to promote a holiday freebie like a tree ornament with every purchase. These exciting deals reel your contacts in and encourage them to pay attention to every text they receive.
As you share text-exclusive sales, you can also promote in-store sales for Black Friday. Customers might not choose to go Black Friday shopping until they see a deal that catches their eye. Big-ticket items with massive discounts can be especially appealing. However, some shoppers will steer clear of brick-and-mortar stores at all costs. Be sure to cater to these customers with equally tempting offers on Cyber Monday. Always include a link to your website for a seamless shopping experience when promoting online sales.
Rather than waiting until the morning of, begin sending customers texts about your deals and sales at least a week before Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Some businesses start their Black Friday SMS marketing as early as two months. Regardless of when you kick things off, build momentum over time to warm up your customers and help ensure your business stays top of mind during the rush. For example, you can send messages that say:
- Our Black Friday sale starts in 1 week! Get ready for 30%.
- We have some great deals lined up for Cyber Monday! Expect up to 50% off.
If you are looking for a way to save time and reduce your workload during the busiest time of the year for most businesses, you can automate your promotional messages.
Segment SMS Messages
Your text marketing is most effective when you segment your messaging based on user preferences. This way, you can target your subscribers with promotions that are relevant to them. Targeting parents with discounts on children’s toys is more likely to encourage them to buy. You might also send texts based on previous interactions with your store. Is a user purchasing from the kitchen and bakeware section of your site? Send them your Black Friday discount on air fryers.
In addition to segmenting your SMS marketing, make a point to be personal. Use their name in text messages or reference recent activity on your site to prove that you know who they are. People love seeing their names. Pair a personalized message with a clear call-to-action or link, and you have yourself a compelling marketing text.
Here are some examples of personalized and segmented Cyber Monday and Black Friday text messages:
- Hey [recipient name], we know you’ve been cooking up a storm! Shop our air fryers in-store to get 15% off on Black Friday.
- Hi [recipient name], Christmas is around the corner! Spoil your little ones for less with 20% off all toys online. [link]
- Hi there, [recipient name]! We noticed you checking out [item], but left it in your cart. Get it on sale on Cyber Monday.
Combining segmentation and tailored offers can make your customers feel valued and cared for, boosting your business’s reputation and helping drive sales. Plus, you can avoid bombarding them with messages that they are not interested in.
Optimize Seasonal Staffing
SMS is more than a marketing tool—it’s a way to connect with your staff. As your store gets busier during the holidays, you usually have to increase staffing and get in touch with seasonal hires. For example, you could send a text that says: “Hi, [recipient]! We enjoyed working with you last year. We are looking to fill [position] again for the upcoming season. If you are interested, reply to this message.”
Use your SMS system to deliver updates to your team and keep your store prepared for the influx of customers. This channel can help you simplify seasonal staffing because:
- It is direct and instant: Whether you need to communicate with your existing staff or reach out to your talent pool, SMS allows you to do so instantly. Most people regularly check their phones, making them more likely to see your message and respond to your request.
- It has high open rates: With an open rate of 98%, SMS can help ensure your team is kept in the loop. Plus, there is a good chance that receivers will read your text, so you can also fill your seasonal positions efficiently.
- It has a wide reach: You can send a message to one person, a group of employees, or your entire staff list or talent pool.
You might use SMS to alert your team about low staffing on a busy day. You can even use it in the middle of a shift if you have more customers than you’ve prepared for. Group your staff contacts based on people most likely to pick up extra hours to keep your location staffed and ready for the holiday crowds. When all of your registers are covered, more sales transactions can be processed.
Be Festive!
While Black Friday and Cyber Monday are great opportunities to rekindle relationships with past shoppers and gain new customers, you can continue to send nurturing texts once these events are over.
As everyone gets into the holiday spirit, your brand can too. Take the time to write fun and festive marketing messages. Whether you reference the Thanksgiving Day Parade or start a message with “Ho, Ho, Ho!”, being festive in your texts can make it easier for recipients to connect with your company. That connection makes your brand more memorable in the long run, and simple, holiday-themed messages can go a long way. You can share promotions, offer sneak peeks at new products or send season greetings.
Here are some examples:
- Ho, Ho, Ho! Santa has something just for you, [recipient]. Here’s an exclusive preview of our new [product] range. [link]
- Happy Thanksgiving, [recipient]! This year, we are grateful for you. You’re a great customer, and we appreciate your loyalty.
- ‘Tis the season to be jolly, [recipient]! Here’s another reason to smile—get 10% off in-store and online. [link]
Ensure Your 10dlc Are Registered
Current regulations require anyone using a 10dlc or toll-free number to send SMS messages to register with The Campaign Registry. No matter what type or quantity of messages you send, registration must be completed to avoid blocked messages, increased costs and potential fines. CompleteSMS experts are available to help ensure you are compliant and your messages get to your customers. You don’t want anyone missing out on the deals!
Apply Black Friday and Cyber Monday Marketing Ideas With CompleteSMS
Knowing how to use SMS for Black Friday and Cyber Monday is one thing—using the right tool is another.
CompleteSMS offers plenty of beneficial features for your SMS marketing, including bulk messaging, text templates and personalization. Explore our solution, and get in touch with us today to learn more.
