15 Successful Text Message Marketing Examples

Why text message marketing works

Text message marketing outperforms many traditional channels. According to EZ Texting’s 2025 Consumer Texting Report, SMS messages have an average open rate of 98 percent. Decision Telecom’s State of SMS Marketing 2025 report adds that they achieve a 27.7 percent click-through rate with an opt-out rate of just 3.09 percent.

By comparison, MailerLite’s 2025 Email Marketing Benchmarks show that the email open rate is only 42 percent on average, with a 2 percent click-through rate. Klaviyo’s 2025 Benchmark Report puts the average email conversion rate at about 2 percent, while Postscript’s 2025 SMS Benchmarks say conversion rates range from 1 to 3 percent for win-back texts to over 11 percent for abandoned cart campaigns.

It’s no surprise, then, that adoption is climbing. Decision Telecom reports that more than 80 percent of businesses are now actively using SMS marketing.

Of course, knowing the numbers is just the start. The real advantage comes from learning how to use SMS effectively. Below, we’ll share examples of text messages you can adapt to build stronger customer relationships, boost loyalty and drive sales.

Text message marketing examples for businesses

SMS marketing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Depending on your goals, you can use different types of text messages to build relationships, drive sales and keep customers engaged. Here are 15 examples of text message campaigns that show how versatile this channel can be for businesses of all sizes.

Introduction and welcome texts

A customer’s first interaction with your brand is a chance to make a great impression and set the tone for future communication. Welcome texts are a great business texting use that gives you a chance to confirm their opt-in, thank them for joining and even spark an initial purchase or referral.

Here are two common approaches:

1. Welcome notes/opt-in confirmations

Example:

Thank you for signing up to receive updates! To confirm you want to keep receiving texts from us, please reply YES.

If you don’t need customers to confirm, you can use a similar text to thank them for signing up and include a promo code to encourage their first purchase. Coupons drive engagement and retention and can be powerful tools in welcome texts.

2. Referral offers for new customers

Example:

Thank you for signing up to receive updates! To refer your friends and get 10% off your next order, use your custom referral link.

A custom referral link can be something like “onlineshop.com/uniquereferral.” Referral offers turn your newest customers into brand advocates by motivating them to share your offerings with friends and family.

Event invitations and reminders

Event invitations and reminders are another way to reach out to customers, increase brand awareness and boost customer loyalty. Here are two options:

3. Webinar or online event invitations

Example:

Join us for a virtual event this Friday at 4 p.m. RSVP or learn more here: Eventlink.com.

Alert customers to upcoming events with a brief text explaining the event’s purpose and where and when it will be held. Then, direct them to a web page where they can learn more about the event. If the event is virtual, consider including a quick note at the end of the text letting customers know they can attend online.

4. Conference offers

Example:

Calling all small business owners: Our annual e-commerce summit starts this weekend. Join us for the latest news on e-commerce tech and trends. Click here to sign up now and receive 25% off the cost of admission.

For events with paid admissions, you can also use the invitation text to offer a discount on admission fees. These texts alert target audience members about upcoming events and encourage them to act quickly to secure their discounted admission.

Booking confirmation and appointment reminders

Booking confirmations and appointment reminders are helpful to the customer and assure the business that an expected appointment will occur.

5. Booking confirmations

Example:

Hi, Sarah. This message is to confirm your appointment with Local Credit Union at 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 25. If you have questions or need to change your appointment, please call us at 555-555-5555 or visit our online customer portal. Text STOP to end.

This confirmation is personalized with the customer’s name and contains all the details they need about their upcoming booking, including the business’s name, the appointment date and contact information, and a way to opt out.

At a glance, the customer can review the appointment details and know who to call or where to go if they have questions. They can also opt out if they don’t want to receive text updates about this or future appointments.

6. Appointment reminders and confirmations

Example:

Hi, Sarah. Please confirm your appointment with us tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. by replying YES to this message.

Appointment confirmations are a great way to remind customers of upcoming appointments and reconfirm a booking. They help simplify scheduling and prevent missed appointments or short-notice rescheduling.

Customer support and chatbot integration

SMS chatbots are a practical way to use text messaging for customer service. They provide quick answers around the clock, reduce the load on your support team, and can seamlessly transfer customers to a live agent when needed.

7. Automated support replies

Example:

Hi [Name], thanks for reaching out! You can track your order status here: [link].

Need more help? Reply SUPPORT to connect with a representative.

This type of message shows how chatbots can automate common questions while still giving customers a clear way to escalate to a person. According to IBM, modern chatbot tools can handle up to 80 percent of routine inquiries automatically, making support more efficient without sacrificing service quality.

Sales, promotions and loyalty offers

You can also increase sales with business text messages by alerting customers to your latest deals and promotions, reminding them of items in abandoned shopping carts, and sending loyalty program notices. 

8. Abandoned cart reminders

Example: 

Hey, Robert. I see you left some items in your shopping cart. Click here to return to your cart and complete your order: Onlineshop.com/cart

Abandoned shopping cart emails are common, but text reminders tend to get a more immediate response. Many businesses also use these messages to offer a small discount to encourage completion of the purchase.

9. Loyalty rewards notices 

Example:

You earned 10 points with your last order. Click here to see the rewards you qualify for: Onlineshop.com/rewards

After customers earn loyalty program points or go a while without redeeming them, a message like this can remind them of available rewards. A compelling message will include information about the rewards they’ve earned and where they can go to redeem them.

10. Birthday coupons

Example:

Happy birthday! To celebrate, place an order today and use code BIRTHDAY22 at checkout to receive 20% off your purchase: Onlineshop.com/happybirthday

Birthday promotions help customers feel valued. You can use this type of text anytime you want to emotionally connect with customers, such as on their anniversary with your company. 

11. Holiday promotions

Example:

Father’s Day Sales Event: From now until Sunday, get 20% off items from our Father’s Day catalog: Onlineshop.com/fathersday

Texts like these can alert customers to holiday events and move them toward purchasing by offering time-limited discounts. Like other sales-related messages, it includes a CTA and a descriptive link.

Status updates and billing reminders

SMS text messages are also a great way to keep customers in the loop about policy updates or remind them of upcoming payments.

12. Policy updates

Example: 

Sasha, we’ve updated our policies. Click here to learn more.

When you need to inform customers about policy changes, a short text like this works well.

13. Billing reminders

Example:

Your balance of $75 will be charged to your linked credit card on July 1. View your bill online by clicking here.

This message alerts customers to an upcoming payment, includes the date and method, and provides a link to their billing statement. A similar format can also confirm when a scheduled payment has been processed successfully.

New items and product updates

This type of marketing text keeps customers informed about products they care about.

14. New product or restock announcements

Example:

Just in! Our Summer Basics line will get you ready to spend time in the sun. Click here to check out our newest line of T-shirts, tanks, shorts and exercise wear.

Advertising new products to relevant audiences is a great way to communicate with customers. A clear text that names the brand or product line, highlights key details, and links directly to the listing is an effective way to introduce a new product or announce a restock.

15. Low or limited stock alerts

Example:

Selling fast! We’re almost out of our bestselling holiday candles. Once they’re gone, we won’t be restocking these until next year, so act now to get yours.

Informing customers about seasonal items, limited runs or products selling out quickly creates urgency and may influence recipients to make a purchase.

SMS marketing compliance requirements

Your SMS marketing texts require customer trust, and that means following specific rules and regulations. U.S. laws like the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), enforced by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), set strict rules for how businesses can send promotional texts. Companies that ignore these requirements risk fines ranging from $500 to $1,500 per unauthorized message.

Here are the basics every business should know:

• Get clear consent: You need express written permission before sending marketing texts.
• Be upfront: When people opt in, tell them what kind of messages they’ll get and how often.
• Make opting out easy: Every message should include instructions to stop texts, usually by replying “STOP.”
• Respect the Do Not Call Registry: Protections extend to texts as well as phone calls.
• Keep records: Maintain logs of how and when you received consent in case you ever need to prove compliance.

How to launch an SMS marketing campaign

Getting started with SMS marketing doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right prep and tools, you can set up campaigns that feel professional and deliver results. Here are the key steps:

1. Pick the right SMS platform: Choose a platform that fits your business needs and plays nicely with the tools you already use. Look for features like built-in compliance, automation and easy integrations. Many of the best text message marketing services, including EZ Texting, Omnisend and Textline, make it simple to manage campaigns while staying TCPA-compliant.
2. Stay compliant from the start: Protect your business (and your customers’ trust) by putting compliance systems in place. That means using double opt-ins, keeping records of consent, and making sure STOP requests are handled automatically and quickly — the law requires it within 10 business days, but most platforms do this instantly.
3. Segment your audience: Not every customer wants the same message. Break your list into groups based on behavior, demographics or preferences so your texts feel more relevant. Personalization pays off: Attentive’s 2025 report found that nearly all consumers are more likely to buy from personalized messages, and most want even more personalization than they currently get.
4. Build your message toolkit: Create a library of text templates for common campaigns, including welcome notes, promotions or reminders. Keep them short, clear and actionable, and don’t forget to include compliance language where it’s required. Having templates ready to go makes it easy to stay consistent and save time.
5. Test and refine your campaigns: Your first draft isn’t your final draft. A/B testing shows you what really resonates with your audience — whether it’s timing, frequency, message length or call-to-action wording. Try sending texts at different times of day, compare short and longer messages, or swap in CTAs like “Shop Now” instead of “Click Here.” Regular testing keeps your campaigns sharp and your engagement strong.
6. Measure and optimize performance: The only way to know if your SMS marketing is working is to track the right numbers. Keep an eye on delivery rates (shoot for 95 percent or more), open rates, click-throughs, conversions and opt-outs (ideally under 5 percent). Go beyond the basics by monitoring revenue per message and overall ROI. Monthly reports that stack SMS against email and other channels make it easier to spot trends, refine strategy and prove the value of your texting program.