20 Best SMS Marketing Campaign Examples

SMS marketing continues to thrive in 2025 because of its direct, high-impact engagement, something many digital channels still struggle to match. Brands like Domino’s and Starbucks have excelled with SMS campaigns: Domino’s uses texts for real-time order tracking, while Starbucks sends personalized promotions that drive repeat purchases.
 

From special offers in retail to appointment reminders and event notifications, here are some well-crafted SMS marketing campaign examples that help businesses connect and grow.

1. Flash Sale Alert

   Flash sales work because people fear missing out. Keep this type of message short and highlight the deadline. Use action words and emojis to boost engagement. Always include a clear link for instant purchases.

   For Example: “LAST CHANCE! 60% off all summer dresses - ends tonight at midnight! Don’t miss out! Shop now."

2. Back-in-stock update

   When popular items restock, customers are ready to buy. Mention the exact product name they wanted. Your regular customers might be waiting for their favourite items to be restocked.

   For Example: “Good news! Your favorite jacket (or any other product) is back in stock. Grab it before it’s gone again.”

3. Cart Abandonment Message

   Remind customers about their abandoned items within 1-2 hours. Offer an incentive like free shipping. Use their first name for personalization. Make the CTA button prominent.

   For Example: "John, your cart is waiting! Complete your purchase in the next hour and get FREE shipping. Check out now."

4. Shipping Confirmation

   Keep customers informed with shipping updates and expected delivery times. When they’re notified about the status of their products, they feel valued, opening doors for future purchases.

   For Example: “Your order #12345 has shipped! Track your package here."

5. Loyalty Points or Rewards Notification

   Show customers their accumulated rewards and make the redemption process simple. Use celebratory language and emojis, including an expiration date, to create urgency.

   For Example: "You’ve earned 1,000 points ($20 value)! Redeem by Friday for any purchase. Your reward code: SAVE20. Shop now."

1. Appointment Reminder

   Send reminders 24-48 hours before appointments. Include exact date/time and business name. Provide easy rescheduling options and keep the tone professional but friendly.

   For Example: "Reminder: Your haircut at Style Studio is tomorrow at 3 PM. Reply RESCHEDULE if needed. See you soon!"

2. Missed Appointment Follow-up

   Reach out within 24 hours of the missed appointment, and offer a small discount to rebook. and make rescheduling effortless. Show understanding rather than frustration.

   For Example: "We missed you yesterday! Book your next visit in 48 hours and get 15% off. Reply BOOK to reschedule."

3. Limited-time Service Discount

   Highlight the exclusive nature of the offer, specify exact dates for the promotion, and target specific services that need boosting. Use money-saving language that can attract your customers to purchase instantly.

   For Example: "This week only: Teeth whitening for $99 (regular $150)! Offer ends Friday. Call 555-1234 to book."

4. Customer Feedback Request

   Ask for feedback when the experience is fresh and offer a small incentive for responding. Keep the rating system simple and provide multiple response options.

   For Example: "How was your spa treatment? Rate us 1-5 stars. Please, reply with your rating!"

5. Holiday or seasonal promotion

   Align offers with holiday themes (e.g., "Mother’s Day Pampering Package"). Highlight limited availability and include gift options too.

   For Example: “Holiday Deal: Give the gift of relaxation! 3-month gym membership + 1 free session. Buy by 12/15."

1. Event registration confirmation

   Include the event name, date/time, and platform. You can also provide preparation tips if needed and offer contact information for questions.

   For Example: "You’re registered for ‘SEO Masterclass’ on June 10 @ 3 PM EST. The Zoom link arrives 1 hour before. Bring questions!"

2. Reminder 1 day before the event

   Resend the access link prominently, highlighting key attending benefits, including duration ("60-min session"). This reminder text will be an alert to attend events or any webinars.

   For Example: "Starts tomorrow! 500+ marketers are joining ‘AI for Business’. Save this link. (2 PM EST)"

3. Topic or speaker highlight

   Focus on speaker credibility, not just bio. Include a fun fact or achievement and link to their social media.

   For Example: "Meet your speaker: Mike Chen, who grew a startup to $10M in 2 years! Learn his growth hacks LIVE. [Event link]"

4. Post-event thank you

   Share key resources (slides, recordings). You can also ask for feedback in the same message and offer next-step opportunities. If possible, personalize with the attendee's name.

   For Example: "Thanks for joining! Access the replay & slides here: [link]. Loved it? Join our advanced course."

5. Early access invite for future events

   Highlight exclusivity ("VIP-only"). Set a clear early-access window. Mention the regular price for contrast. Create FOMO with limited spots.

   For Example: "VIP Early Access: Enroll in our new course 48 hours before public launch. Save 20%! Sign up by 5/15."

Here are some examples of SMS marketing in the real estate industry:

1. New property listing

   Include key details (price, beds, location), use exciting language about the property, and offer multiple response options.

   For Example: "NEW LISTING: 3BR/2BA Craftsman in Downtown ($475K). Open floor plan + rooftop deck. Want photos? Reply YES."

2. Open house invite

   Mention any special features, create excitement about the event, and provide multiple contact options. This type of text includes the exact date/time/address.

   For Example: "OPEN HOUSE SUN 1-4 PM! 123 Main St - renovated kitchen & smart home features. Bring friends! Call/text for details."

3. Price drop notification

   For price drop notifications, show a comparison of the old and the new prices. Explain the reason if strategic ("motivated seller") and include recent price reduction trends if available.

   For Example: "PRICE DROP! 123 Elm St now $575K (was $599K). Seller is flexible on closing dates. Schedule a viewing? Reply NOW".

4. Buyer pre-qualification message

   Offer multiple response options (call/text/online), highlighting speed ("5-minute approval"). Include the loan officer's direct contact.

   For Example: "Dream home ready? Get pre-approved in minutes! No credit hit. Reply YES or call Sarah at 555-7890."

5. Follow-up after showing

   Send within 2 hours of showing and ask specific questions ("How did the kitchen fit your needs?").

   For Example: "Hi [Name], what did you think of 123 Oak St? I found two similar homes with larger yards if you're interested. Call me at “XXXXXXXXX".

SMS marketing offers a fast, direct way to connect with customers, but standing out requires more than just short messages. By adhering to the following best practices for SMS marketing, businesses can craft compelling, personalized campaigns that capture attention and drive results.

Nobody reads novels in text. Everyone prefers short text that covers the entire intention of the message.

Your customers fear missing out when the offer is for a short period. They may take further action when the offer on their favourite products ends very soon.

Tell people exactly what to do next with clear call to actions.

SMS marketing continues to deliver unmatched results across industries by combining the immediacy of text messaging with strategic campaign execution. It works well for everything from retail flash sales to healthcare appointment reminders and real estate alerts, demonstrating how concise, well-timed messages drive customer action.

When done with clear calls to action, personalization, and compliance awareness, SMS campaigns get an impressive 98% open rate—better than email and social media. However, you’ll still need a platform to help you realize these campaign and their results.
 

Yes, you can adjust your text messages to fit industry needs. For example:

• Use flash sales for retail
• Appointment reminders for healthcare
• Property alerts for real estate

2-4x/month for promotions; daily for transactional alerts (shipping, appointments). Never exceed six texts/month—TCPA fines apply for spam.

According to a survey, 98% of SMS messages are read, and 90% are read within 3 minutes. With the adoption of RCS messaging (rich media texts), SMS is evolving, not dying.