How SMS Marketing Drives Black Friday Sales

Black Friday is one of the year's biggest shopping days, and businesses constantly look for ways to stand out. One of the most powerful outreach tools that’s been gaining traction in recent years is SMS marketing. With open rates as high as 98%, text messaging offers a direct line to your customers, making it a perfect fit for driving sales on Black Friday. Let’s explore how SMS marketing can be a game-changer for your Black Friday strategy.

As the biggest shopping day of the year and the kickoff to holiday shopping, Black Friday sales are promoted everywhere—including on mobile devices. And what better way to advertise these deals and events than with SMS? Nearly everyone has a mobile device that they keep and check constantly. With 95% of marketing messages sent via SMS and MMS being opened, it’s no wonder that many retailers have embraced SMS as a key component of their Black Friday marketing campaigns.

Businesses use SMS to deliver sales alerts to customers, as well as exclusive coupons, video clips, and much more. These help ensure customer loyalty and holiday business; businesses have a whole new database of customers who opted in to loyalty programs during the holidays. This means alerting customers to sales events and new products all year long.
Let’s explore how SMS marketing can be a game-changer for your Black Friday strategy.
 

What is Black Friday?

Black Friday SMS Marketing is all about using text messages to promote sales and discounts during the Black Friday shopping frenzy. Businesses send out targeted texts to their customers, letting them know about special deals, limited-time offers, and promotions available online and in-store. It's a powerful strategy because SMS messages reach customers directly and instantly, making it an effective way to boost sales and keep customers engaged during one of the year's biggest shopping events.
 

How can SMS Marketing Boost Black Friday Sales?

SMS Marketing can amp up Black Friday sales by sending timely promotions straight to customers' phones. With personalized messages, businesses can create urgency, prompting quick purchases and driving traffic to both online and physical stores. Offering exclusive discounts and early access to sales through SMS helps businesses tap into the increased shopper excitement during Black Friday.
 

Why is Text Message Marketing Effective on Black Friday?

Text message marketing is particularly effective on Black Friday due to its high open rates and immediate delivery. Unlike emails or social media posts that can be easily overlooked, SMS messages are typically read within minutes of receipt. This direct communication channel allows businesses to cut through the noise of competing marketing efforts, ensuring that their Black Friday promotions reach customers when they are actively looking for deals and making purchase decisions.
 

How Can Businesses Implement Black Friday Text Marketing Strategies? 

To make the most of Black Friday text marketing, businesses should start by building and organizing their SMS subscriber list. Craft clear, engaging messages that highlight your Black Friday deals. Use SMS automation to schedule messages for key times, like before store openings or during busy shopping periods. Finally, track your campaign’s performance to improve future strategies and boost your ROI.
 

EZ Texting Features to Boost Your Black Friday Sales 

• Generative AI: Leverage AI-powered tools like AI Compose to create personalized and compelling text messages that resonate with your audience, enhancing engagement and boosting sales.
   
• Targeted SMS Campaigns: Send personalized messages to specific segments of your customer list for relevant offers and promotions.
   
• Automated Scheduling: Schedule texts to be sent at optimal times, such as before store openings or during peak shopping hours.
   
• Two-Way Messaging: Engage with customers directly through real-time responses and inquiries.
   
• Coupon Codes and Links: Include exclusive discount codes and links to drive immediate sales and traffic to your website or store. 
   
• Analytics and Reporting: Track open rates, click-through rates, and conversions to measure campaign success and refine future strategies.
   
• Integrations: Connect with CRM and eCommerce platforms to streamline customer data and enhance campaign targeting.
   
• Customizable Templates: Use pre-designed templates or create your own for quick and effective message creation.
   
• Geo-Targeting: Send location-specific offers to customers based on their proximity to your physical store or regional preferences.
   

Black Friday Over The Years 

• 2012: IBM reported a rise in mobile shopping, with 24% of customers using mobile devices to visit retailer sites, up from 16% in 2011. The iPad led, followed by the iPhone and Android. Social media referrals dropped to 0.34% of online sales, a decrease of over 35% from 2011.
   
• 2013: Black Friday saw a 2.3% increase in spending over Thanksgiving, with online sales up 20% on Thanksgiving and 19% on Black Friday. Amazon’s frequent deals and Walmart’s 10 million transactions from 6 PM to 10 PM highlighted the shopping surge.
   
• 2014: With social media’s influence waning, SMS marketing grew important. Retailers used SMS for quick alerts about Black Friday deals, boosting sales and satisfaction through easy mobile purchases.
   
• 2015: Mobile sales hit 36% of online transactions, up from 29% in 2014. SMS marketing drove traffic and engagement, benefiting businesses with exclusive offers and reminders.
   
• 2016: Mobile sales made up 40% of online transactions. Effective SMS marketing offered personalized, urgent deals, leading to better returns and increased loyalty.
   
• 2017: Mobile devices accounted for 54% of retailer site visits and 36.9% of revenue. SMS marketing was crucial for timely promotions, boosting conversion rates, and store traffic.
   
• 2018: Mobile shopping reached 33.5% of online sales. SMS marketing drove flash sales and personalized offers, increasing engagement and sales.
   
• 2019: Mobile shopping made up 39% of online sales. SMS marketing improved open rates and conversions, enhancing overall revenue.
   
• 2020: The pandemic pushed mobile sales to 44.5% of online transactions. SMS marketing was key for personalized offers and driving traffic, leading to substantial online growth.
   
• 2021: Mobile sales reached 43% of online transactions. SMS marketing helped drive sales with early access deals and reminders, boosting online and in-store performance.
   
• 2022: Mobile sales hit nearly 45% of online transactions. SMS marketing facilitated targeted, timely messaging, enhancing engagement, conversions, and retention.
   
• 2023: Mobile sales approached 50% of online transactions. SMS marketing proved essential for delivering real-time offers, leading to significant gains in sales and engagement.

Looking Ahead: Leverage How SMS Marketing Drives Black Friday Sales

Black Friday presents an unparalleled opportunity for businesses to drive sales and engage customers through SMS marketing. With its exceptional open rates and direct reach, SMS lets you connect with your audience in real-time, delivering timely promotions and exclusive offers to their mobile devices.

You can maximize your impact during this high-stakes shopping period by effectively leveraging SMS marketing—through targeted messages, strategic timing, and continuous performance tracking.

This year, embrace SMS as a key component of your Black Friday strategy to stand out from the competition, enhance customer loyalty, and boost your holiday sales. 
Best of all, you can start today with our 14-day free trial. Happy texting!