Promotional SMS: Examples, Templates & Best Practices

Senior Writer: Jainy Patel

Reading Time: 5 Minutes

Published : March 26, 2025

Businesses today need quick and direct ways to reach customers. One of the most effective methods is Promotional SMS. It allows companies to send short, clear messages straight to a customer’s phone. Whether it’s a discount offer, a new product launch, or a limited-time deal, SMS helps businesses connect instantly.

90% of SMS messages are read within 3 minutes of delivery. Unlike emails that often go unread or ads that can be ignored, SMS is opened almost immediately. It gives businesses a chance to engage customers without long wait times. But sending messages randomly won’t work. To make the most of promotional SMS, companies need to use the right strategy.

In this blog, we will explain how to use SMS for promotions, share real examples, and discuss best practices to help businesses get the best results.

What is Promotional SMS?

Promotional SMS is a way for businesses to send short and direct messages to customers’ phones to promote products, services, discounts, or special deals. These messages are mainly used for marketing purposes and help businesses inform customers about offers, sales, or events. Since most people check their phones frequently, SMS is one of the fastest ways to reach them.

Unlike transactional messages, which provide important updates like order confirmations or OTPs, Promotional text messages are purely for advertising. 

These messages can be sent in bulk to a large audience at once, making them cost-effective. However, businesses must follow certain rules, like sending them only during specific hours and ensuring they don’t spam customers. When used correctly, Promotional SMS can help businesses boost sales, increase engagement, and build strong customer relationships.

Compliance requirement: Business text messaging must adhere to TCPA regulations, ensuring that SMS messages are sent only to users who have opted in.

Promotional SMS vs. Transactional SMS

Promotional SMS and Transactional SMS serve different purposes in business communication. Promotional SMS is used for marketing and advertising, helping businesses reach potential customers with offers, discounts, and promotions. On the other hand, Transactional SMS provides essential, non-marketing information such as order confirmations, OTPs, and account updates.

How Does Promotional SMS Work?

Promotional SMS works by delivering short marketing messages directly to a customer’s mobile phone. Businesses use SMS marketing platforms or bulk messaging services to send these texts to a large number of people at once. The process starts with businesses creating a message that highlights a discount, sale, new product, or any other promotional offer. This message is then sent through an SMS gateway, which ensures fast and smooth delivery to customers.

To send these messages legally, businesses must get customer consent, usually through opt-ins where customers agree to receive marketing texts. These messages are sent only during approved hours, typically between 9 AM and 9 PM, to avoid disturbing recipients. Also, they include an option to opt-out, allowing customers to unsubscribe if they don’t want to receive further texts.

The main goal of Promotional SMS is to encourage immediate action. For example, a retail store might send a message saying, “Limited-time offer! Get 30% off on all items today. Visit our store now!” This creates urgency and increases the chances of customers taking action quickly. Since SMS has a high open rate, businesses can expect faster responses compared to emails or other digital ads.

With the right strategy, businesses can use SMS to build customer relationships, drive sales, and improve brand awareness without spending too much on advertising.

Promotional SMS Examples & Templates

Promotional SMS marketing is a powerful way to connect with customers, drive sales, and increase engagement. A well-crafted message can grab attention instantly and encourage immediate action. Whether you’re offering discounts, announcing a new product, or running a seasonal campaign, the right SMS strategy can make a big impact. Below are different types of promotional SMS campaigns, along with best practices for each.

1. Discount & Sales Promotions

Discount and sales promotion messages are designed to create urgency and encourage customers to make a purchase. These SMS campaigns often include time-sensitive deals, exclusive discounts, or limited-time offers. For example:

This type of SMS should be short, clear, and include a strong call to action, such as a promo code or sale deadline, to prompt immediate responses.

2. Product & Feature Announcements

When launching a new product or feature, an SMS campaign can quickly inform your customers and generate excitement. These messages highlight key benefits and encourage users to explore the latest offerings. For example:

By focusing on how the product adds value and including a direct link, businesses can increase curiosity and conversions.

3. Customer Engagement & Retention

Customer engagement messages aim to maintain a strong relationship with your audience by keeping them informed, entertained, or rewarded. These SMS campaigns often include loyalty rewards, feedback requests, or personalized offers. For example:

By making customers feel appreciated, these messages encourage repeat business and long-term brand loyalty.

4. Conversion-Driven SMS

These messages are designed to convert potential leads into paying customers by targeting abandoned carts, sign-up reminders, or limited-time incentives. For example:

A well-timed follow-up SMS with an incentive can encourage hesitant buyers to finalize their purchase.

5. Seasonal & Holiday Campaigns

Holidays and special occasions are the perfect time to connect with customers through festive promotions. These SMS campaigns highlight special offers for occasions like Christmas, Black Friday, or New Year. For example:

Adding festive emojis and emphasizing urgency can make seasonal SMS campaigns more engaging and effective.

Best Practices for Using Promotional SMS

Promotional SMS marketing is an effective way to engage customers, but it must be done strategically to get the best results. Poorly written or excessive messages can annoy recipients and lead to opt-outs. Here are some best practices to ensure your SMS campaigns are impactful and well-received.

1. Get Customer Consent

Always obtain permission before sending promotional messages. Customers should opt in to receive SMS updates, ensuring compliance with regulations and maintaining trust. Unsolicited texts can harm your brand reputation.

2. Keep Messages Short and Clear

SMS has a 160-character limit, so messages should be concise and to the point. Avoid unnecessary words and clearly state the offer, promotion, or action you want the customer to take.

3. Personalize Messages

Adding a personal touch, such as the customer’s name or previous purchase history, makes messages feel more relevant. Personalization increases engagement and improves response rates.

4. Include a Strong Call to Action

Clearly direct customers on what to do next. Whether it’s “Shop Now,” “Claim Your Discount,” or “Sign Up Today,” a compelling CTA encourages immediate action.

5. Send Messages at the Right Time

Timing is crucial in SMS marketing. Avoid sending messages too early in the morning or late at night. The best times are typically mid-morning or early evening, when customers are more likely to check their phones.

6. Use a Recognizable Sender Name

Customers should immediately recognize who the message is from. Instead of using a random number, use a business name or branded sender ID to build trust and credibility.

7. Create a Sense of Urgency

Encourage quick action by setting deadlines or emphasizing limited availability. Phrases like “Offer ends tonight” or “Only 5 left in stock” can increase conversion rates.

8. Provide an Easy Opt-Out Option

Give recipients the option to unsubscribe if they no longer wish to receive messages. This ensures compliance with regulations and helps maintain a positive brand image.

9. Track and Analyze Performance

Monitor key metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversions. Analyzing campaign performance helps refine future messages and improve effectiveness.

Start Using Promotional SMS with ControlHippo

If you’re looking for an easy and effective way to reach your customers instantly, ControlHippo offers SMS shared inbox for promotional SMS marketing. With its user-friendly platform, businesses can send bulk SMS campaigns, automate messages, and track engagement—all in one place. Whether you want to announce a new product, offer discounts, or re-engage customers, ControlHippo makes the process simple and efficient.

One of the biggest advantages of using ControlHippo is its smart automation feature. You can schedule text messages in advance, segment your audience for personalized outreach, and analyze real-time results to improve future campaigns. The platform ensures high delivery rates, meaning your messages reach the right audience without delays.

With the right plan, SMS promotions can help businesses bring in new customers and keep existing ones engaged. A well-written promotional SMS text can make customers feel valued and more likely to choose that brand again. When done properly, SMS marketing becomes a powerful tool for business growth.

Updated : March 26, 2025

Jainy Patel

Jainy Patel is a content strategist who specializes in omnichannel communication solutions. She develops innovative marketing strategies that unify messaging across various channels, ensuring a consistent and engaging customer journey. Jainy is passionate about optimizing communication processes and crafting targeted content that resonates with audiences at every touchpoint.

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