How to Build a Black Friday SMS Campaign That Converts
- Amila Udowita
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
When Black Friday arrives, inboxes explode, social feeds flood with ads, and shoppers are hit with so many deals that it’s hard to keep up.
But, while everyone else is fighting for attention through emails and ads, SMS marketing quietly wins the game. It’s fast, personal, and gets noticed instantly.
If you play it right, an SMS campaign can be your secret weapon to drive conversions while everyone else is still crafting subject lines.
So, if you’ve been wondering how to build a Black Friday SMS campaign that actually converts, let’s talk about it.
I’ll walk you through everything from planning and crafting messages to timing and automation. And yes, I’ll also show you how we at Falkon SMS can help make your campaign a success.
Table of contents
Why SMS Should Be Your Black Friday Secret Weapon
Did you know that SMS open rates are over 98%, and that’s 3.7x more than email? And most texts are opened within 3 minutes of being received. That’s instant attention that exactly what you need when every second counts on Black Friday.
SMS gives you direct, clutter-free access to your audience. No spam folders. No algorithms. Just real-time visibility when it matters most.
And most importantly, it goes directly to where your audience spends most of their time. On their mobile phones!!!
Think creating an engaging, high-converting Black Friday SMS campaign is tough? Nope, it’s not! I’ll show you exactly how to do it.
How to build a Black Friday SMS campaign
Step 1: Start with Your Goal
Before sending a single text, ask yourself, “What do I want this campaign to achieve?”
Do you want to boost traffic to your site? Clear out inventory? Or maybe get more repeat customers? Having a clear goal helps shape your entire strategy, from the kind of messages you send to how often you send them.
If your goal is sales, focus on urgency and exclusivity. If it’s brand engagement, create value-driven messages that invite interaction. And if it’s customer loyalty, send offers that reward existing subscribers for sticking with you.
When you know your “why,” every other step becomes easier.
Step 2: Segment Your Audience
Here’s where most marketers go wrong. They send the same message to everyone. But not every customer is the same, and what excites one person might not interest another.
For example:
New subscribers might love a “Welcome to the Black Friday early access” message.
Loyal customers might respond better to “We saved something special just for you.”
Inactive customers might need a “Don’t miss our biggest deal of the year” nudge.
Segmentation helps you send messages that feel personal instead of generic. And in SMS marketing, relevance equals conversion.
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Step 3: Craft Messages That Speak Like a Human
Nobody likes robotic texts, especially during Black Friday when everyone’s inbox is full of spammy offers.
Here’s a simple rule. Write like you talk to your customers.
Think about what your customer would actually want to read in the middle of a busy shopping day. Your SMS should be short, clear, and friendly. For example:
✅ Your early Black Friday deal is live! Grab 30% off before it’s gone: [link]
❌ Dear valued customer, we are offering a 30% discount on select merchandise for a limited time.
See the difference? The first feels like a quick tip from a friend. The second feels like a corporate memo.
And don’t forget your brand personality. Whether you’re playful, elegant, or bold, keep your tone consistent. That’s what makes your texts feel authentic.
Step 4: Use Urgency (But Don’t Overdo It)
Black Friday thrives on urgency. “Limited-time offer” and “ends tonight” work because they push people to act fast. But if every message screams urgency, it loses its power.
Try pacing it out like this:
Early access message: “You’re in! 24 hours of early Black Friday deals just for our SMS fam.”
Mid-sale reminder: “Still thinking about it? A few hours left before prices go up.”
Final push: “Last call! Your Black Friday deal ends in 2 hours. Don’t miss it: [link]”
The trick is to build excitement without overwhelming your subscribers.
Step 5: Personalize Your Offers
A one-size-fits-all approach rarely works. People respond to messages that feel like they were written just for them.
If you can, use their name, past purchase data, or interests. Even something simple like, “Hey Jamie, your favorite sneakers are 30% off!” makes a big difference.
SMS gives you that direct line to your customers. So, use it to make them feel seen and valued.
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Step 6: Plan Your Timing
Timing is everything. Send too early and people might forget. Send too late and your offer gets buried under a pile of other promotions.
Here’s a good timeline to follow:
1 week before Black Friday: Tease the sale and get subscribers excited.
2–3 days before: Offer early access to SMS subscribers.
Black Friday morning: Send the main offer when everyone’s ready to shop.
Later that day: Send a quick reminder to those who haven’t clicked through.
Cyber Monday: Follow up with a special bonus or extended sale.
Spacing your messages this way keeps people engaged without feeling spammed.
Step 7: Make It Easy to Take Action
The easier you make it for someone to buy, the better your results will be.
Keep your message short, your link visible, and your call-to-action crystal clear. Instead of saying “Check out our website for details,” say “Tap here to shop the deal now.”
One tap should take your customer exactly where they need to go.
Step 8: Test, Track, and Optimize
No campaign is perfect on the first try. The best marketers test everything such as timing, wording, audience segments, and even emojis.
Run small A/B tests to see what gets more clicks or conversions. Then adjust your next round of messages based on what works.
Pay attention to metrics like open rate, click-through rate, and unsubscribe rate. Those numbers tell you what your audience actually responds to.
Step 9: Don’t Forget the Follow-Up
A successful SMS campaign doesn’t end when the sale ends. Follow up with thank-you messages, post-purchase offers, or even exclusive Cyber Monday deals.
This not only boosts customer loyalty but also keeps your brand top-of-mind for the next sale.
For example: “Thanks for shopping with us! Here’s 10% off your next order.”
Simple gestures like this go a long way.
Top Black Friday SMS Marketing Templates
Alright, let’s make things easy. I know writing SMS messages can sometimes feel tricky. You only get around 160 characters, and every word has to count.
So, I’ve put together a few plug-and-play SMS marketing templates you can use (or tweak) for your own Black Friday SMS campaign.
These are short, human, and designed to convert.
1. Early Access / VIP Offer
You’re in! Your early Black Friday access starts now. 30% off everything — today only. Shop here: [link]
2. Flash Sale Alert
4 hours only! Get 40% off sitewide before midnight. Don’t miss out: [link]
3. Cart Reminder
Hey, looks like you left something behind! Complete your Black Friday order before it’s gone: [link]
4. Last Chance Offer
Final call! Black Friday deals end in 2 hrs. Grab your favorites now before prices reset: [link]
5. Post-Purchase Thank You
Thanks for shopping with us this Black Friday! 💛 Here’s 10% off your next order — our little thank you: [link]
6. Cyber Monday Follow-Up
Couldn’t decide on Friday? Good news — Cyber Monday is here! 25% off everything until midnight: [link]
Pro tip
Keep your tone consistent with your brand voice. If your audience is fun and casual, feel free to use emojis. If your tone is more premium, keep it clean and elegant. Either way, the key is to sound like a person, not a promo bot.
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Best SMS Abbreviations to Insert in Black Friday Text Messages
Now, let’s talk about something that can save you space and make your messages feel natural.
Since SMS limits how much you can say, smart use of texting abbreviations keeps your message short, snappy, and readable. But don’t overdo it. You want clarity, not confusion.
Here are some abbreviations that work perfectly in Black Friday texts:
Abbreviation | Meaning | When to Use |
B4 | Before | “Order B4 midnight to save 40%!” |
24/7 | All day, every day | “Black Friday deals live 24/7!” |
BOGO | Buy One Get One | “BOGO alert! Buy 1, get 1 free — today only.” |
%OFF | Percentage off | “Up to 50%OFF on your favorites!” |
TXT | Text | “TXT BLACKFRIDAY to get early access!” |
LTD | Limited | “LTD offer: 30% off everything until 6 PM.” |
FRI-YAY | Friday excitement slang | “It’s FRI-YAY! Let’s celebrate with 25% off: [link]” |
Thx | Thanks | “Thx for shopping with us! Enjoy 10% off next time.” |
ICYMI | In case you missed it | “ICYMI: Our Black Friday deal ends tonight!” |
OMG | Surprise/excitement | “OMG! Your favorite item is 40% off right now.” |
Quick tip: Use abbreviations only if they fit your brand tone. If your business has a younger, trendier audience, these add personality. But if you’re a luxury or professional brand, go easy, clean, and concise might fit you better.
Final Thoughts: Turn Your Messages into Conversions
Building a Black Friday SMS campaign that converts isn’t about sending more messages. It’s about sending the right ones.
Start with clear goals, segment your audience, write like a real person, and build excitement at the right pace.
When you combine these steps with smart timing and personalization, you’re not just running a campaign, you’re creating a conversation that drives results.
And that’s where we at Falkon SMS can help. We make it easy to build, automate, and optimize campaigns that actually connect with your audience. From segmentation to real-time analytics, our tools are designed to help you send smarter, not louder.
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