Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BF/CM) are some of the biggest online sales events of the year.
There’s a lot at stake for businesses, from making extra profits for the holidays to ensuring your customers have a good experience. We’ve had many customers ask what messages to use for BF/CM communications.
You ask, we deliver. Check out our list of messages for every touchpoint. They’re ready for you to copy, paste, and tweak in your Black Friday/Cyber Monday communications.
This blog will cover:
How to use our SMS templates for Black Friday/Cyber Monday
Before you get started, here are some best practice tips for using templates.
Using SMS placeholders
There are two types of placeholders in the templates below.
Round bracket placeholder, eg. (First Name)
Placeholders that use round brackets will match up to the customer data you upload in your contact list. Use these placeholders to personalise your messages.
There are up to 4 custom fields you can add for any purpose. For example, you might want to include the product bought, invoice number, tracking number, etc. These are denoted as (Cust. 1-4).
After clicking ‘Send Now’, you are taken to a confirmation page. You will see live data pull-through to preview the placeholders in your message.
If you still see the placeholder, double-check for typos, and the data does, in fact, exist.
Square bracket placeholder, eg. [Company]
For these placeholders, you’ll need to change the content to reflect your own business needs. Here are some examples:
- [company]: replace this with your company name
- [discount]: replace this with the discount amount or percentage you are offering
- [end date]: replace this with when the promotion will end
Unlike the round bracket placeholders, the square bracket will not pull data from your contact list.
Opt-in/opt-out
It’s important to ensure that your customers have opted-in for your marketing communications and can opt-out. This goes for all marketing via SMS and email.
With SMS, there are two ways to offer an opt-out.
Opt-out reply stop
- How: at the end of your marketing SMS, add the words opt-out reply Stop.
- Tip: this cannot be used if you are sending from a alpha tag (as this method does not support replies).
Opt-out link
- How: when setting up your ClickSend SMS campaign, click the ‘Add Opt Out’ button and choose the unsubscribe link.
Transactional messages are not promotional. They are triggered by your customer's interactions with your business. So you don’t need to include an opt-out option.
A quick note on templates Some of the templates in this blog are over the standard 160 characters and may cost more per send. Read our help doc to find out more.
Transactional Black Friday/Cyber Monday SMS templates
Make sure your transactional messaging is ready well ahead of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday rush before the virtual hordes descend.
Check out these examples.
Account creation
When a potential customer signs up with their email and phone number, give them a warm welcome and thank them for subscribing.
Online account creation
In-store signup
Encourage your customers to join your mailing list at the time of purchase. Or, you can offer in-store discounts in exchange for signing up. Once signed up, thank your customer via SMS:
Hey (First Name), thanks for joining our VIP program. We can’t wait to show you the exciting things we have in store for Black Friday. Check out our sneak peek at [Link]. [Company].
Hey (First Name), thanks for joining our VIP program. We can’t wait to show you the exciting things we have in store for Black Friday. Check out our sneak peek at [Link]. [Company].
Order journey for eCommerce businesses
Order placed
Note: in this last template, Cust. 1 is the placeholder for your customer’s order number.
Order dispatched
Hi (First Name), your order is on its way! Your tracking number is (Cust. 1), and you can track your parcel at [Link]. [Company].
Hey (First Name), your [Company] order has been shipped, and your est. delivery date is (Cust. 2). To check the progress of your order, your tracking number is (Cust. 1) with [courier].
Note: in the above examples, Cust. 1 will need to be configured as the customer’s tracking ID and Cust. 2 as the estimated delivery date.
Order update – arriving today
Pass on any shipping updates from your fulfilment companies to your customers. Keep them in the loop, so they know when their purchase is arriving.
That way, customers can make sure someone’s home to sign for the parcel, and it generates greater excitement.
[Company]: Hi (First Name), your parcel is almost here! We have been notified that it’s onboard for delivery today. We hope you enjoy your [Product].
Black Friday/Cyber Monday marketing SMS templates
Now that all your transactional messaging is set-up, it’s time to get started on your BF/CM SMS messages.
Check out these templates to send before, during, and after the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend.
Ahead of Black Friday/Cyber Monday
Build excitement and anticipation by sending messages before the event. Use sales automation to drive people to sign up for sale alerts.
Note: with the above template, you will need to have SMS keywords enabled for the word ‘ACCESS’.
Post sign-up
Once your newest loyal followers have subscribed to SMS alerts, ensure you respond with a confirmation of their opt-in.
[Company]: Alright (First Name), thanks for signing up! We’ll let you know as soon as the best deals are available this Black Friday weekend! Opt-out reply stop.
BFCM promotional SMS templates – examples for different products and industries
Send the following text messages whenever your promotions go live — choose your template depending on your business.
Sale alert examples for eCommerce
[Company]: Don’t miss out on our huge Black Friday bargains. Enjoy our [discount] off sale, available today only! Shop now: [Link]. Opt-out reply stop.
Hi (First Name), get the first pick of our Black Friday deals! Use code [Coupon code] and get amazing discounts of up to [Discount]: [Link]. [Company]. Opt-out reply stop.
[Company]: Hi (First Name), exciting news! Our 24hr Cyber Monday sale starts NOW. Enjoy [discount] off on selected items at [Link]. Opt-out reply stop.
Retail stores sale SMS templates
Don’t forget to cash in on Cyber Monday too.
[Company]: Missed out on our Black Friday sale? Come in-store and shop great offers in our Not-So-Cyber Monday sale! Opt-out reply stop.
[Company]: Cyber Monday is not just online! Come in-store to get [Offer] on [Product]. Limited stock – see you soon! Opt-out reply stop.
Fashion retailers
Hair & beauty industry
[Company]: Hi (First Name), you won’t want to miss our Black Friday mega sale! With up to [Max. Discount] off our bestsellers, the stock will run out. Shop now at [Link]. Opt-out reply stop.
Big event coming up? Make a booking this Black Friday weekend, and we’ll throw in a free hair treatment with your next cut or colour. Book at [Link]. [Company].
Show how well you know her with a custom eyeshadow palette – on sale this Black Friday, it makes a perfect Christmas gift! Hurry — ends soon! Shop: [Link]. [Company]. Opt-out reply stop.
Toy stores
If you run a toy company, there are loads of opportunities to encourage your customers to buy gifts for Christmas early.
Tech and gadgets
If you’re selling electrics, there are a few angles you could choose from this Black Friday — whether it’s preparing for Christmas or even upgrading the home office.
[Company]: Hi (Name), get your shopping done early this year. We have [Discount] off a range of laptops, phones, and more. Shop Black Friday sale now: [Link]. Opt-out reply stop.
[Company]: Hi (First Name), upgrade your tech this Black Friday with our super discounts. Check out our bestselling [Product] at [Discount] off! Shop deals now: [Link]. Opt-out reply stop.
Hey (First Name), getting fed up with your slow internet connection and cutting out of Zoom meetings? Upgrade your connection and save this Black Friday — check out our amazing deals: [Link]. [Company]. Opt-out reply stop.
House and home
The holiday season is a fantastic time to push home improvements, household products, furniture, and interior design pieces.
Here are some SMS examples for house and home products.
Kitchen appliances/whitegoods
[Company]: (First Name) – time to replace the fridge, dishwasher or washing machine? Check out our massive Black Friday sale. With amazing prices and free delivery and installation, you’d be crazy to miss out! Shop now: [Link]. Opt-out reply stop.
Hey (First Name), you’re going to love the [Company] Black Friday sale! Get huge discounts off all floor stock and amazing savings on all new stock. Come check it out for yourself – doors open [Time] tomorrow. Opt-out reply stop.
Electrical and big ticket
Let’s face it, if you’re in this business, big Black Friday sales are expected.
Don’t get left behind. Ensure that your brand is front of mind to maximise sales.
Black Friday Sales Start NOW at [Company]: Get in quick (First Name) for your pick of the best deals this Black Friday! Get a brand new 85” TV at up to 85% off! Shop in-store or online but be quick! With these prices, we WILL sell out! Opt-out reply stop.
(First Name) it’s now or never — shop our Black Friday Mega Sale NOW. With massive discounts online and in-store, you can’t afford to miss out! Check out all the deals at [Link]. Opt-out reply stop.
Health/fitness
Automotive
Holidays are a great time to visit family, so road trips are a go-go. It’s also a great time to check that everyone has what they need to travel safely. You can use up-selling and cross-selling to boost purchase value.
[Company]: Hey (First Name), has your car been fitted with snow tyres? Drive with confidence and protect your family this holiday season. Check out our Black Friday sales at [Link]. Opt-out reply stop.
Hi (First Name), it’s [Sales Person name] from [Company] here. I hope you are still enjoying your new four-wheel drive. I thought I’d let you know we are having [Discount] on bull bars so you can be confident on the roads this holiday season. Reply BARS and I’ll send through the info. Opt-out reply stop.
Trades and services
If you’re in the trades and services industry, don’t feel left out You can get in on the Black Friday action too.
If you time your communications right, you don’t have to offer a BF/CM discount. You can anticipate when your customers will need you and reach out then.
For example, for plumbers in the US, the busiest day of the year is Black Friday. This is due to people throwing away food waste down the drain after Thanksgiving. If you own a plumbing business, you can use this hilarious fact to boost your company’s visibility through SMS.
In countries that don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, this can be done on Boxing Day or any day following a traditional celebration. Or in the Southern Hemisphere, Black Friday is in Spring and is often a time when people start thinking about home improvements.
Note: with the template above you will need to enable START as an SMS keyword.
Abandoned cart
Win back customers who may have forgotten items in their shopping cart. You can incentivise returning to the cart with a discount. Or drive action by ensuring that this extra promotion has a deadline.
Hi (First Name), you left something in your shopping cart! Finish your purchase now at [link]. Opt-out reply stop.
Hey (First Name), we’ve saved your cart for you! Take advantage of our sale and get your items now: [link]. Opt-out reply stop.
Hi (First Name), you’ve left something in your [Company] cart. Don’t miss out – stocks are limited: [Link]. Opt-out reply stop.
[Company]: Oops – you left some items behind. No to worry, we’ve got your back! Get a further [Discount] off your items if you checkout in the next hour: [Link]. Opt-out reply stop.
Check out our guide to help you convert more abandoned carts into sales.
Follow up/lead into Christmas
Use the momentum from Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales to propel your business into Christmas and Boxing Day.
Thank your customers who bought an item from you with a text message and an invitation to sign up for Christmas sale notifications.
You may also want to gain social momentum by mentioning your social media accounts.
Hi (First Name), thanks for shopping with us this Black Friday! We always love seeing our customers enjoying [Product], so tag us on Instagram or Facebook for your chance to win a [Giveaway]. We can’t wait to see what you think! Opt-out reply stop.
We hope that you found this list of Black Friday and Cyber Monday templates helpful. If you want more ideas or tips, drop a comment below or chat with a superstar customer support rep through our 24/7 live chat.
