With the holidays approaching, it’s essential to have an effective SMS strategy to capture your audience’s attention. Here are some tips for running a successful holiday campaign.

1. Build a Targeted Subscriber List
A successful SMS campaign starts with a high-quality subscriber list that matches your target market. Segment your audience based on demographics and interests to send only relevant messages. Always use contacts who have opted in to receive SMS to avoid high unsubscribe rates and possible blocking.
2.Create Holiday-Specific Content
Holiday messaging needs to stand out to compete with the seasonal buzz. Incorporate limited-time offers, exclusive deals, and messages that capture the holiday spirit while encouraging action. You can use AI tools to inspire compelling content, making holiday marketing a way to foster long-term brand loyalty.
3.Optimize Your Send Times
Timing is everything. Analyzing audience behavior patterns helps determine the best times to send messages, balancing engagement with avoiding message fatigue. Schedule thoughtfully, as too many messages can lead to unsubscribes.
4.Personalize Your Messages
Personalization can make a big difference. Use customer data such as names, locations, or purchase history to create customized content. Personalized SMS shows higher engagement and conversion rates, so consider segmenting by criteria like:
•Name-based greetings
•Product recommendations
•Location-based offers
•Optimized timing
5.Use Visuals for Impact
Since SMS space is limited, consider including images or GIFs to enhance your message’s impact. Visuals showcasing sale items, new products, or holiday discounts can make your messages more engaging.
6.Incorporate Branded Messaging
If available, enable branded SMS features to send messages with your company name and logo. This makes messages recognizable and reduces the risk of being marked as spam or ignored.
7.Include a Strong Call-to-Action (CTA)
A clear CTA guides customers on the next step. Make sure your promotional texts include a specific CTA and a direct link to maximize conversions.
8.Track Campaign Performance
Measuring open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates is essential for understanding your campaign’s impact. Use these insights to adjust and improve your strategy. A/B testing is also helpful to fine-tune content and optimize for the best results.
9.Choose a Reliable SMS Provider
A trustworthy SMS provider ensures messages are delivered without delays. Look for a provider like Netmill, which offers scalable solutions, security, and industry compliance to help your holiday campaigns succeed.

Holiday SMS Message Templates

Below are a few holiday SMS templates to consider for reaching your customers this season.

  • Out-of-Office Message
    Let customers know when your team will be back if you’re closed for the holidays. This sets clear expectations and keeps customers informed.
    Thank you for reaching out! Our office is closed for the holiday, and we’ll be back on (insert date). Happy holidays!

  • Holiday Hours
    Set up a keyword (e.g., HOURS) that customers can text to find out your holiday hours. This can be shared via email, social media, or in-store signage.
    Happy holidays! Our holiday hours are as follows:
    12/23 – (time)
    12/24 – (time)
    12/25 – Closed

  • Black Friday Promotions
    Build excitement for Black Friday with exclusive promo codes or discounts.
    Welcome! Thanks for signing up for (your business name)’s alerts. Use code (insert promo code) for (discount) off your Black Friday purchase!

Build Your Holiday SMS Campaign with Netmill

Holiday SMS marketing provides the engagement and personalization needed to strengthen customer loyalty. Ready to create a successful campaign? Netmill has the tools and support to help you connect with customers at scale.

SMS Marketing Tips. Send SMS

YOUR RELIABLE SMS PARTNER