15 Promotional Message Examples to Capture Customers

Customers decide whether to engage with your brand in just a few seconds. That’s why your promotional texts need more than an offer. They should provide purpose and a spark that makes people want to act.

Promotional SMS is about more than pushing a sale. It’s a chance to show customers that you understand what matters to them.

With the right approach, you can answer their needs, brighten their day, or reward their loyalty all in just a few words.

In this article, we’ll showcase 15 examples of promotional SMS messages and explain the best practices for capturing attention, engaging customers, and encouraging action.

TL;DR

• Promotional SMS campaigns are essential for building product awareness, sparking customer engagement, and driving conversions.
• If you want your promotional text messages to stand out, focus on audience-centric segmentation, specific calls to action, relatable language, highlighting benefits over features, maintaining consistent branding, and ensuring key information is quick to find.
• A wide range of promotional message types, including coupons, product launches, daily deals, early access offers, and cart reminders.
• Crafting effective messages involves setting a purpose, timing your messages, using emotional triggers, testing different approaches, managing frequency, automating routine outreach, adding engaging visuals, and making redemption as easy as possible.
• Textellent offers powerful SMS tools for segmentation, automation, and personalization to help you create, schedule, and track impactful promotional messages.

Elements That Make Your Promotional Messages Stand Out

The best promotional messages depend on an effective SMS marketing strategy and audience understanding. Here are the key elements of successful text message marketing to boost engagement and improve results for your business.

Audience-Centric Approach

The first step to crafting audience-focused messages is identifying who you’re speaking to. This involves considering factors such as:

• Demographics: Age, location, income level, and other basic details
• Interests and preferences: What products or services they find valuable
• Pain points: What problems your audience is trying to solve

SMS segmentation allows you to divide your audience into smaller, targeted groups based on shared characteristics. For example, loyal customers might receive early access to new products, while first-time buyers receive a welcome discount.

SMS marketing for event reminders can also target only those who registered interest. This tailored approach increases open rates and improves conversion rates.

Textellent simplifies audience segmentation through its flexible tagging system that allows you to organize and target your audience with precision. You can tag contacts by interests, purchase behavior, assigned representative, and preferred language.

Even better, this text marketing platform uses a tagging system that integrates with the tags you’re already using in your customer relationship management (CRM) platform, customer service software, or other systems. You can use existing data to improve segmentation without starting from scratch.

Sign up for a free trial or request a demo consultation with Textellent today!

Strong Call to Action

Without a clear and compelling call to action (CTA), even the most well-crafted message may fail to deliver results.

The CTA should leave no doubt about what action the recipient needs to take. Ambiguous phrases like “Click here” or “Learn more” may not be as impactful as specific instructions like “Shop the sale now” or “Download your free guide.”

A CTA should stand out in the message, such as a button, bolded text, or a prominent link. Long, cluttered CTAs can confuse readers. Keep it short and place it where it’s easy to find.

Simplicity in Language

Overcomplicating your message with jargon or lengthy explanations can confuse your audience and reduce the likelihood of engagement.

You can break down complex ideas into shorter, digestible sentences. Long sentences can overwhelm readers, especially in a promotional context.

You may use everyday words that everyone can understand. If technical terms are necessary, explain them briefly.

It’s also ideal to choose words that your audience uses in daily life to create a connection and make the message feel natural.

Benefits Over Features

While features describe what your product or service does, benefits explain why it matters to the customer and how it can improve their life.

Highlighting benefits makes it easier for customers to see the value and take action. For example:

• Feature: “Noise-canceling technology in our headphones.”
• Benefit: “Enjoy uninterrupted music and focus, no matter where you are.”

Consistent Branding

When your branding is consistent, people can immediately identify your business, even without seeing your name or logo. Consistent branding helps customers feel connected to your business over time.

Your tone and style should reflect your brand personality. If your brand is playful, use a lighthearted tone. If it’s formal, keep the message professional.

When you’re creating an email, SMS, or social media post, the messaging should feel like it’s coming from the same source. You need to avoid changing the tone or style between platforms.

Easy-to-Find Information

When the important details are prominently displayed, your audience doesn’t have to guess or search. The quicker they can process your message, the better your chances of converting interest into action.

Place the most important details at the beginning of your message to let your audience know what you’re offering right away.

Structure your message so the details are logically arranged and easy to scan. You can use headings, short sentences, or visual elements like bold text to emphasize key points.

15 Promotional Marketing Message Examples

Here are 15 promotional message examples that you can use to draw in and keep your customers satisfied.

1. Mobile Coupons

Text message coupons are digital vouchers sent to a consumer’s smartphone or tablet, which can be redeemed at physical stores or online. They promote instant purchases and can be personalized based on the user’s location or purchase history.

Examples

• Enjoy a special 20% discount on seasonal clothing this weekend. Enter the code SEASON20 when shopping online.
• Book your next appointment online and save $10 with our exclusive mobile coupon. Use the code RELAX10 at checkout.
• Unlock $5 off your purchase of $25 or more with this mobile coupon. Show this text at checkout to redeem.

2. Product/Service Announcement

When announcing a new product or service, the message should be engaging, perhaps including an image to showcase the product. It typically includes details like the product’s description, benefits, and how customers can purchase it or learn more. 

Examples

• Introducing our new eco-friendly skincare line! Made with natural ingredients for beautiful, healthy skin. Available online and in stores starting this Friday.
• Coming soon: Our new digital consulting service is designed to streamline your business processes. Stay tuned for the launch next Friday!
• Meet the latest addition to our collection—Bluetooth headphones with all-day battery life. Shop the new release online now.

3. Bundle Promo

One of the main appeals of bundle promotions is the perceived value they offer. Customers feel like they are getting more for their money, which can be a compelling reason to purchase. Consider adding an image to make your message even more engaging.

Examples

• Tech Trio Deal! Purchase our latest smartphone model and get a protective case and wireless earbuds at a 20% discount. Upgrade your tech in one go—the offer ends soon!
• Refresh Your Space Bundle! Buy a set of curtains and get a matching throw pillow at half price. Perfect for giving your living room a new look. Available while stocks last.
• Family Meal Deal: Order any large pizza and get breadsticks plus a 2-liter soda for just $5 more.

4. Daily Deals

Daily deals are time-sensitive promotions available for just 24 hours. Like flash sales, they drive quick decisions for higher engagement.

Examples

• Start your day right! Today only, enjoy 25% off all coffee machines until midnight. Wake up and smell the savings!
• Daily Fashion Fix: Get 40% off all designer handbags today. Act fast—the deal ends at midnight!
• Lunch Special: Buy one entrée, get the second half off. Only valid until 2 PM today.

5. Holiday Promotion

Seasonal promotions use themes and imagery that resonate with the holiday spirit. Like other sales promotions, holiday shopping campaigns usually feature limited-time offers that create urgency.

Examples

• Find the perfect gift this Valentine’s Day with our Sweetheart Sale! Enjoy 20% off all jewelry and get a free box of chocolates with every purchase over $75. Offer valid until February 14th.
• Get ready to light up the 4th of July with our Star-Spangled Sale! Save 30% on all outdoor grills and patio furniture. Plus, receive a free American flag with your purchase of over $100. Hurry, this offer ends July 4th!
• Don’t miss our Black Friday Sale—doors open early with unbeatable savings on your favorite brands, while supplies last!

6. Personalized Promos

Personalized promotions are customized to each customer based on their past purchases and browsing behavior. These can be effective in increasing conversion rates by making offers more relevant to each customer.

Examples

• We noticed you love historical novels! Here’s a 20% discount on our latest arrivals in the genre—just for you.
• You’ve been eyeing stylish activewear lately—grab 15% off on our latest sports collection! Use code FIT15 at checkout.
• Thanks for being a loyal customer, Maria. Enjoy free shipping on your next order, with no minimum required.

7. Flash Sale

A flash sale alert is a short-term discount or promotion offered for a limited time. It’s typically announced with little to no advance notice and lasts a few hours to a few days.

Discounts during a flash sale are usually higher than a typical promo message to make the offer especially compelling. Including an animated GIF along with the message can be effective.

Examples

• 2-Hour Flash Sale! Save 50% on all winter coats. Ends at noon—don’t miss out!
• Tonight Only: 30% off selected home essentials from 6 PM to midnight. Grab these deals while they last!
• Flash Deal Alert: 40% off sitewide for the next 3 hours. Use code QUICK40 at checkout.

8. Sales Alert

Sales alerts are useful for encouraging quick purchases and moving inventory, especially during peak shopping periods like holidays or seasonal sales.

Sales text messages include phrases like “for a limited time” or “while supplies last” to prompt customers to act quickly and remind customers of ongoing offers.

Examples

• Big Savings Alert! Our annual summer sale starts next week. Up to 50% off on all outdoor furniture. Don’t miss out!
• Holiday Countdown Deal! Just in time for the festive season, enjoy 30% off our entire line of kitchen appliances. Offer valid through December 5th—shop now before the holiday rush!
• Clearance Event: Extra 20% off already reduced prices, online and in-store. While supplies last!

9. Loyalty Program Invite

Loyalty programs make customers feel valued for long-term brand relationships. Invitations to join these programs highlight benefits like discounts, points, or exclusive offers.

Examples

• Become a Gold Member! Sign up for our loyalty program today and earn points for every purchase, redeemable for exclusive rewards.
• Upgrade your shopping experience! Become an Elite Member for early access to sales, special birthday offers, and more. Join now to start enjoying the benefits!
• Join our rewards club and earn double points on your first purchase as a member.

10. Pre-Sale Promos

Pre-sale promotions allow customers to order a product before it is officially available. This can help you gauge demand and secure early revenue.

Examples

• Pre-order the newest smartwatch model and save 15%! Secure yours now and be ahead of the tech curve!
• Reserve your copy of the upcoming bestseller today and get an exclusive signed bookmark. Pre-sale ends soon—don’t miss out!
• Secure your seat at our online masterclass by booking now—tickets go on sale to the public next week.

11. Birthday Offer

Automated birthday messages are a thoughtful way to show customers you care about their special day. 

These personalized promotional SMS and MMS messages give customers special discounts or perks on their birthdays and boost customer relationships through a personal touch.

Examples

• Celebrate your birthday with us! Get a free dessert on your special day when you dine in. No strings attached—just show an ID!
• It’s your birthday, and we’re celebrating! Enjoy 25% off your next purchase. Use your unique birthday code: BDAY25 at checkout.
• Happy Birthday! Spin our birthday wheel online and win a surprise reward with every spin.

12. Online Event Announcement

This promotional message informs customers about an upcoming online event, such as a webinar or live product demonstration. The goal is to boost online engagement and participation.

Examples

• Discover the latest trends in digital marketing with our expert panel. Tune in online this Wednesday at 6 PM EST. Reserve your spot now!
• See our new kitchen gadget in action! Join our live demo on Friday at 12 PM EST. Register for free, and don’t miss out on exclusive tips and tricks!
• Mark your calendar—our virtual open house is happening Saturday. RSVP now for exclusive access and giveaways.

13. Service Upgrade Invitation

You can invite customers to upgrade their plan or try a new premium service that delivers advanced features and greater value.

Examples

• “Ready for more? Upgrade to our Enterprise Plan and get three months free. Unlock new features today.”
• Experience our enhanced delivery service with a complimentary one-month trial. Upgrade now for faster shipping!”
• “Unlock premium support and advanced analytics when you move to a higher-tier plan—see what’s new today!”

14. Early Access Offer

Early access can improve customer loyalty by making participants part of an exclusive group. It’s a way to reward and engage with your most committed customers and strengthen their connection to your brand.

Examples

• Early access just for you! Shop our new shoe collection today, 72 hours before the public. Thank you for being a valued customer!
• Be the first to explore our winter apparel. As our loyal subscriber, you enjoy early access starting now, 48 hours before the official release!
• VIPs only: Sneak peek shopping event starts tonight—log in to unlock special access before anyone else.

15. Cart Abandonment Reminder

Cart abandonment reminders gently nudge customers who added items to their cart but didn’t complete the purchase. Personalized messages can recover lost sales and improve the customer journey.

Examples

• Still thinking it over? The items in your cart are almost gone. Complete your purchase before they sell out!
• Your shopping cart is waiting. Finish your order today and enjoy free shipping from us.
• Need help completing your order? Reply to this message or click here for quick assistance and an extra 5% off.

How to Write Effective Promotional Messages

Every element of the message should align with your goals while keeping your audience’s needs front and center. Here’s how you can write promotional messages that capture attention and inspire action.

Define Your Purpose

A promotional message delivers the best results when its purpose is unmistakable. You want your audience to immediately grasp what you are offering and what action you want them to take.

You can set one objective for each message. For example, you may want to boost sales for a new product, announce an exclusive event, or encourage customers to sign up for a newsletter.

Sticking to a single, concise message avoids overwhelming your audience and makes your call to action stronger, especially when your messages aim to increase customer lifetime value.

Time Your Messages Strategically

The best time to send marketing messages depends on your audience’s daily habits and preferences. You should review customer time zones and buying behavior to determine when they pay the most attention to messages.

Mid-morning, lunch hours, and early evenings work well for promotional texts. Retail and event-based promotions perform better on days when customers already plan to shop or make decisions.

Avoid sending promotional messages too early or too late, since off-hour texts can lead to opt-outs or negative reactions. Consider paydays, holidays, and seasonal events as additional windows to reach your SMS subscribers when interest peaks.

Use Emotional Triggers

The right emotional trigger in a promotional message can motivate your audience to take immediate action. You can appeal to positive feelings such as excitement, exclusivity, curiosity, or belonging.

Using triggers like exclusive discounts for new customers or early access offers for top customers can drive results.

The fear of missing out (FOMO) also remains one of the most powerful emotional triggers for promotions. Urgent messages push recipients to start shopping quickly.

Phrases like “Only a few left,” “Offer ends soon,” or “VIPs get exclusive early access” create a sense of urgency and scarcity. People act fast to avoid missing an opportunity, especially when they believe others are getting special treatment or unique promo codes.

Customer appreciation and excitement also encourage engagement. Messages that use phrases like “Celebrate with us” or “Enjoy a special thank you gift” make recipients feel valued and included.

Run A/B Tests for Continuous Improvement

A/B testing, also known as split testing, is a method for comparing two versions of an SMS marketing campaign to determine which performs better. This data-driven approach helps improve click-through rates and overall campaign performance.

Start by testing just one element at a time, such as the headline or the timing of your message. You can deliver messages to a separate group within your SMS list, and track key metrics like open rates, clicks, or redemptions.

Once you determine which version performs better, you can use it as the primary message for the rest of your audience or apply it to your next SMS marketing campaign.

Respect Frequency and Avoid Over-Messaging

Too many promotional messages can frustrate your audience and cause them to unsubscribe. You need to keep a steady schedule that matches your audience’s preferences.

SMS marketing frequency plays a key role in how your audience views your brand and engages with your promotions. You may offer options for how often customers receive your messages.

You should also pay attention to opt-out rates and direct feedback to make sure you send the right message and your outreach stays at a healthy level.

Automate Messages for Consistency

SMS automation brings structure to your promotional messaging and helps you deliver every campaign on time. SMS automation tools can schedule messages in advance and maintain a reliable flow of communication.

You can trigger messages based on key actions or dates, such as customer sign-ups, birthdays, or cart abandonment. It also allows you to set up regular campaigns for recurring events like loyalty rewards or seasonal promotions.

With automation handling the routine tasks, you gain freedom to focus on developing new campaign ideas, optimizing message content, and responding creatively to trends or customer feedback.

Incorporate Visuals

Visual elements make your promotional messages more engaging and memorable. You can add images, icons, emojis, or branded graphics to draw attention and help your offer stand out.

Most audiences view messages on mobile devices. You have to showcase product photos, coupon images, or event graphics to illustrate your message and provide instant context.

Emojis can also add personality and highlight key information, such as sales percentages or deadlines. Use them sparingly to keep your message professional and easy to read.

Textellent offers an exceptional solution for adding MMS to your messages through its extensive template libraries for messages and rich media. These libraries provide a selection of professionally designed templates that make it simple to create polished and visually appealing messages.

Provide an Effortless Redemption Experience

You have to give direct instructions for how to use a discount, promo code, or special link. 

You may use short links that work well on mobile devices and avoid unnecessary forms or complicated sign-up steps. It’s good to include a clickable button or a call to action so your audience knows where to go next.

Make sure to state all requirements or deadlines upfront. If a code is needed, display it prominently and keep it easy to copy. Make sure any landing pages load quickly and display the offer details right away.

Transform Ordinary Texts Into High-Performing Promotions—Try Textellent!

Your customers are looking for personalized offers that are simple to act on. Textellent gives you the power to create, schedule, and automate the kinds of messages that stand out.

With Textellent, you can personalize every message based on your customer’s behavior and location. You can easily segment your lists with ease, automate appointment reminders, and track real-time results right from your dashboard.

The platform makes it easy to include both exclusive deals and essential transactional SMS messages as part of your ongoing SMS program. 

Its powerful analytics show you which promotional messages drive conversions, so you can refine your approach and make every campaign more successful.

Plus, with access to an extensive template library, you’ll have professionally designed multimedia options to deliver engaging promotions and support re-engagement campaigns.

Don’t miss the opportunity to improve lead generation, boost sales, and gain customer loyalty. Sign up for a free trial or request a demo consultation with Textellent today!

FAQs About Promotional Text Message Examples

What is an example of a promotional message?

A promotional message is a text sent to customers to advertise a special offer, product, or event.

Example: “Hey [First Name], have you seen our new arrivals? Check them out and enjoy free shipping this week only! Shop now: [link].”

What is a good promotional message?

A good promotional message states the offer, uses simple language, and includes a strong call-to-action. It should be relevant for the recipient. 

This approach in SMS business marketing also complements both promotional and transactional messages to keep audiences engaged.

Example: “Limited time only! Buy one, get one free on all shoes. Order today before the deal ends.”

What’s a good short promotion message?

A good short promotion message is direct, easy to read, and highlights the main benefit. You can use similar brevity for urgent updates like account alerts or shipping updates.

Example: “Flash Sale: 30% off everything. Ends at midnight!”

How to write promotional text?

Start by defining your goal for the message. You have to use concise language, personalize when possible, and include a specific call-to-action.

Keep the most important details at the top, highlight the benefit to the recipient, and make sure your branding and tone are consistent.

Example formula: [Personalized greeting] + [Main offer/benefit] + [Call-to-action] + [Link or code, if needed]