Promotional SMS: 27 Real Life Examples + Case Studies [& How to Do it Right]

Even if your team has a killer email copywriter, they’re still likely to craft promotional SMS wrong.

Why? Because SMS isn’t just a shorter version of email, like most people assume.

The subscriber’s mindset is different. It’s a more personal space with high attention but low patience. You don’t have time to warm up, tell a story, or build suspense. You have to hook, deliver value, and drive action fast. Every word has to earn its spot.

And if your message feels off, even slightly, it’ll get ignored, deleted, or worse, trigger an unsubscribe.

So, how do you create SMS that doesn’t go off curve and actually drive results?

This guide breaks down 27 carefully selected, real-world promotional SMS examples grouped into categories. Each one includes a clear takeaway on what makes it work. You’ll also get no-fluff tips to help you write yours.

Let’s get into the examples:

Upsell directly on the customer’s phone right after point of purchase

The moment right after a purchase is a prime time to upsell, the customer is already in a buying mindset. When your team sends the offer via SMS, you increase the chance it gets seen and acted on quickly. That matters because according to Pew Research, 76% of US adults now shop from their phones, so mobile-ready upsells are more relevant than ever.

Some upsell SMS to take a cue from:

Fiji Water nudged customers toward a 6-month plan with a 10% bonus incentive. Framing the message as a “last chance” offer (likely the final text in a timed sequence) pushed urgency. To top it up, the tone is casual and direct, like a friend saying, “Hey, don’t sleep on this deal.”

Tata Harper Skincare tapped into this strategy for its winter promo.

The brand listed specific seasonal products for easy decision making and added an upsell hook: “The more you spend, the bigger your gift.” This could motivate customers to buy more than intended.

Carter’s SMS is a straight to the point upsell. The message didn’t bury the offer, it led with it to grab attention fast.

The emojis also made it eye-catching.

Increase average order value (AOV) with bundled products using SMS

Bundled offers via SMS help lift AOV by encouraging customers to spend more in one go. It’s a smart way to move inventory faster, reduce fulfillment costs, and increase cart value without running separate campaigns.

Check out this example:

Odacité used a BOGO (buy one, get one) offer bundle to ship three products instead of one. The last chance alert added urgency. Pairing it with an image showing the featured product improves interest and pushes for quick action.

Use SMS to deliver early access and exclusivity in your omnichannel strategy

SMS is direct and personal, which makes it ideal for high-intent moments like VIP drops or limited releases. Use it as the first touchpoint, then layer in email and on-site messaging to complete the rollout. This way, you play to each channel’s strength while giving your best customers the first look.

Some examples for you:

Coyuchi gave SMS subscribers early access to their best-of-the-year sale with discount and free shipping. Even better, the coupon code includes “early” to reinforce the exclusivity. Offers like this not only drive conversions but train customers to open future texts quickly, knowing the good stuff always comes early.

M.M.LaFleur also ran an early access campaign, but with a twist. They gave SMS subscribers a one-day head start before the official launch.

No discount or add-on. Early access is the value. It even works better when the product is seasonal, fast-moving, or limited in stock. Pairing it with a beautiful product image makes it more click-worthy.

Drive seasonal sales with mobile-first campaigns

Holiday spending in the U.S. hit $994.1 billion in 2024, and it’s still growing. That’s because people are already in buying mode during Black Friday, Valentine’s, and back-to-school. Reaching them directly on their phones with an SMS removes the burden of search and decision fatigue, making it easier to convert them.

Here’s how brands are using SMS to win seasonal moments:

Watches.com’s Valentine’s Day campaign didn’t stop at giving massive discounts, it positioned the product as a perfect gift, giving people a clear reason to buy. What made the SMS even more effective is the separate links to shop men’s and women’s watches. This simplified decision-making and made the experience feel personalized.

Seattle Coffee Gear Black Friday SMS didn’t just say “huge sale.”

They listed exactly which coffee gear was on sale. This specificity prepares the subscriber’s mind, resulting in a higher intent click.

Carter’s Black Friday SMS stood out for two reasons: a massive percent-off and a clearly stated deadline.

They added even more weight and FOMO by hinting that this deal rarely ever happens.

Plug SMS into your lifecycle flows to recover abandoned carts faster

Cart recovery SMS is a must-have in your retention strategy. It gets seen faster and feels more personal than email, which often makes it the stronger performer. But for it to work, it shouldn’t feel automated.

Here’s how a few brands keep it personal and effective:

Dermalogica pulled on emotion by starting with “Hey, what happened?” People abandon carts for all kinds of reasons, and this line shows concern, not sales pressure. Also letting the customer know they qualify for free shipping removes a potential friction point.

Qalo is also spot-on. No incentive or urgency. Just a calm, “take your time” vibe.

The message invites subscribers to reply with questions, which gives a sense of support. Bonus points for personalizing the message with the customer’s name—a great tactic often missing in most promotional SMS.

Ugly Water made me chuckle a bit. It’s personalized and leans fully into the brand voice. Lines like “sup Shari?”, “forgot you were thirsty?”, and “ice cold reminder” tie everything back to the product in a clever, on-theme way.

No discount added, no pressure. Just a fun, friendly nudge that keeps the brand top of mind.

Use SMS to move inventory fast with flash offers that don’t get buried in inboxes

Flash sales are great for clearing excess inventory, testing bundles, or driving urgency on low-revenue days. But they only work if people see the offer while it’s still live. SMS gives your that speed-to-eyeballs advantage, without waiting on email open rates.

Let’s look at how some brands get it right:

Blume combined the one day sale with a smart bundle offer. Even better, they highlighted the original total price vs. the discounted bundle. That quick value comparison makes it easy for customers to see what they’re saving and speeds up the decision.

Jambys took advantage of the rare Leap Day to run a flash discount.

They made the most of it with the line: “Hurry, this deal won’t be back for another 4 years.” The sentence showed the implication of waiting and created urgency and scarcity.

Turn product availability alerts into high-converting, low-friction customer journeys

Back-in-stock, new drop, and trending product alerts are already primed for action. If someone joins a waitlist or follows a launch, they’ve pre-qualified themselves. SMS makes the moment feel direct and personal, not salesy.

Check out these examples:

Great Jones gave premium FOMO. They informed the subscriber that the product is moving fast, and some items are already sold out and even warned that they could miss out on their desired colors and designs. This is great as a post-launch update for nudging indecisive shoppers.

Soylent pushed a new product with a BOGO offer.

Adding a list of the travel pack’s benefits and use case puts the reason to buy upfront, which could make buying faster when they click.

This music launch SMS, from Katie Gavin, was shared by Erin Simmons, a marketing expert and director at Women in Tech SEO. Here’s why she loved it:

“I particularly love it because it’s written how she talks and feels so authentic, more like getting a text from a friend. Even the all lowercase feels so casual and friendly”

Drive higher customer lifetime value (CLTV) with loyalty reward reminders sent via SMS

Loyalty programs only work if customers engage with them. But with shoppers juggling multiple brand accounts, it’s easy for yours to get forgotten. A quick SMS update about points balance or expiring rewards can bring buyers back and improve their lifetime value, with or without heavy discounts.

Here are some examples:

Maelys reminded customers that their points were about to expire along with a 10% discount to sweeten the deal. It works because most customers don’t like losing rewards and as such, they’re likely not to mind adding the extra money needed to get the product.

Andie Swim sent an update about their upgraded rewards program.

It’s a great move because an amazing system means nothing if customers don’t know it exists. Informing them gives them a reason to shop with you instead of a competitor.

Reinforce loyalty with targeted SMS exclusives

SMS gives you a direct, high-impact way to reward your most valuable customers without the noise of other channels. This deepens engagement and drives repeat purchases.

Check out these examples:

IT Cosmetics does this well. Starting with “just for you” makes the offer feel extra special. Besides offering a solid discount, they also use the opportunity to upsell a better deal. Smart and subtle isn’t it?

Tata Harper Skincare offered triple rewards points for a limited period, without discounts.

It’s a great reminder that loyalty perks don’t always have to be about slashing prices. Earning extra points can be just as motivating, especially for customers who are already engaged. Nudging non-members to sign up ensures no one feels left out of the offer.

This next example from Medibank was shared by James Mcintyre, a customer experience consultant. Here’s why it stood out to him:

“It was unexpected, delivering value as well as a bonus Live Better Rewards Points. No complicated mechanic or friction in redeeming nor over engineered or designed delivery. A great example of how simple communication can create loyalty for members.”

Gather first-party data with an instant-value opt-in SMS offer

As third-party data loses relevance, SMS offers a direct way to collect first-party data. An opt-in message helps confirm consent, keeps you compliant, and sets the tone for the relationship. Pair it with instant value like a discount, and subscribers are far more likely to give permission and engage.

For example:

Fenty Beauty welcomed new subscribers with an early access offer. Calling subscribers VIPs makes them feel special. The end date and “while supplies last” line added urgency. The mystery offer revealed after clicking the link is a good way to lift engagement.

Forever 21’s opt-in confirmation asks subscribers to reply.

To encourage action, they promised a discount. Stating how many SMS messages to expect each month and how to opt out shows transparency from the start.

Spotlight top products with SMS to drive high-ROI merchandising

If you need to hit sales targets quickly, focus on products already proven to perform like bestsellers, award-winners, or customer favorites. SMS is the perfect channel to spotlight them and drive fast, high-margin results.

Check out these examples:

Starface World spotlighted a bestselling product with an award-winning ingredient. Instead of relying on discounts, the SMS clearly outlined the product’s benefits. The playful tone and visual style gave it a unique and on-brand feel.

Newton Baby promoted a live Facebook event by leading with the value of the service and offering a reward.

For a time-sensitive event, this approach is a smart way to grab attention quickly.

Nat Habit took a similar route. This example was contributed by Satabdi Mukherjee, Content Marketing Manager at Tripledart. She pointed out what stand out to her:

“This one made me pause because it started with social proof followed by a mention of the hero ingredient of the product instead of pushing me to buy right away.”

Best practices for creating effective promotional SMS campaigns

You’ve seen what great SMS looks like, now here are some best practices for your team to create your own:

Start with your company name

Most brands in our examples lead with their name and for good reason.

When you receive an SMS alert, you usually only see a preview. Without a brand name upfront, subscribers won’t know who the message is from, which can reduce engagement.

This also helps with compliance issues.

Lead with a strong hook

Treat the first few words like a subject line; they set the tone and determine if your message gets read. Use clear, powerful phrases like new arrival, best-selling, handpicked, or exclusive offer to grab attention right away. Keep sentences short and punchy to match SMS’s quick-scan nature.

Use timely language

Powerful words and short phrases work well to communicate time-sensitive events like sales or limited stock. Phrases like “this weekend,” “hurry,” “starting now,” and “today only” grab subscribers’ attention instantly.

State a clear offer

Promotional SMS exist to drive action, so be clear about what you’re offering. If it makes sense, combine offers to make the deal more attractive e.g discounts + bundles, early access + reward points, or flash sales + free delivery. Multiple incentives appeal to different customer motivations and boost engagement.

Maintain your brand voice

Your SMS should reflect the same personality your subscribers know and trust. Whether your tone is playful, professional, or friendly, staying consistent helps with brand recognition and builds a stronger connection.

Speak to their sense of exclusivity

People love feeling special and valued. Use phrases like “Just for our VIPs,” “You’re first in line,” “Loyalty members only”, “For SMS subscribers only” or “Early access for our members only”. They make subscribers feel like part of a select group, getting something others don’t. That feeling can drive quicker responses, higher engagement

Use MMS...?

MMS are visuals like Images, emojis, GIFs, or videos. They break up text and catch the eye especially on crowded phones. Use square or portrait-oriented images for the best display.

However, here’s a twist: ecommerce email and SMS expert, Kasey Luck, shared this… “the test we ran across different brands shows messages without MMS performing better than those with it.”

But before you rule out MMS, perform an A/B test and see what works for your audience.

A discount is not always necessary

Sometimes exclusivity, convenience, or added benefits feel more appealing than a discount. For example, early access to a new product or extra loyalty points can drive action without lowering your margins. Also constant discounts can cheapen your brand.

A/B your call to action (CTA)

Segment your list and experiment with different CTAs like “Shop now” or “Claim your deal.” Also test where you place the CTA, at the top or bottom of the message, especially if your text is longer. Small changes can make a big difference in engagement.

Include an opt-out option

Respect your subscribers’ choices by making unsubscribing simple. This not only keeps you compliant with laws like TCPA but also builds trust by showing you value their preferences.

Keep it short

JB Kellogg, co-founder of Marketing 360, advises keeping SMS under 140 characters for better readability and engagement. Use URL shorteners to save space without losing tracking. Remember, emojis take up extra characters, so use them sparingly.

Proof before you push

Ever sent a message before you spot a typo? It happens often. To avoid it, always proofread carefully and send the message to yourself first. Read it as if you were the subscriber. Is it clear, error-free, engaging and worthwhile? If it doesn’t feel valuable to you, it likely won’t to your audience either.

Send it at the right time

As a general rule, send your SMS during the day. People are more likely to have notifications turned on and will see your message. Plus, in many countries, it’s illegal to send marketing texts outside certain hours, so always stay within the legal time window for your region.

Even during the day, timing matters. For example, if you're promoting a flash sale, consider sending your message during common break times when people are more likely to check their phones. To ensure you don’t miss the timing, schedule it with an SMS workflow builder.

How to create and automate you promotional SMS with a workflow builder

Writing a solid promotional SMS is one part of the job. To send it to the right people, at the right time, in a compliant and scalable way, you need tools like Mobile Text Alerts.

It’s built for marketers, business owners, and teams who want to launch high-performing SMS campaigns without a complicated setup. Watch this video to learn how to set it up and sign up here to start creating your campaign:

How Mobile Text Alerts improved user engagement for a travel company

Papy S., CEO in the leisure, travel, and tourism industry, struggled to reach users effectively through email. Many of his messages went unread or ended up in spam folders, limiting engagement.

Switching to Mobile Text Alerts transformed his communication strategy. He found that SMS allowed him to connect with users much faster and more reliably. Unlike email, his messages were not only delivered but actually read by the recipients.

The result? Increased user retention and peace of mind knowing his audience was receiving and engaging with his messages.

With mobile alerts I can reach them where they are and have a piece of mind that the message was not only received but read. And my retention has increased as well - Papy

Ready to create promotional SMS that drive engagement and sales? Start your Mobile Text Alerts 14-days free trial today.

FAQ

What is promotional SMS?

Promotional SMS are marketing messages sent via text to promote a product, service, or offer. These messages are aimed at generating sales, increasing engagement, or driving traffic like announcing flash sales, holiday deals, new arrivals or event sign up

What’s the difference between promotional and transactional SMS?

Promotional SMS is used for marketing purposes. Transactional SMS, on the other hand, is sent to deliver essential information related to an order or service, such as shipping updates, OTPs, or appointment reminders. Both require different consent.

How often should I send promotional SMS?

It depends on your audience and offer. A good range is 2–4 messages per month. Too few, and you may be forgotten. Too many, and you risk unsubscribing.