We’ve got good news and bad news.
The good news? Despite the lower number of “in-store stampedes” we used to see on Black Friday, it’s not a dying holiday. In fact, UK consumers are expected to spend nearly £13.3 billion on Black Friday – up 7% from last year.
The bad news? Of those shoppers, 61% report finding their Black Friday deals in their emails – almost to the point of digital overload. Is your Black Friday marketing getting buried under an avalanche of competitor emails?
In the rush of Black Friday promotions, your customers’ inboxes will be flooded with hundreds of offers, deals, and discounts.
But while your competitors’ messages pile up unread in email folders, your offers could be landing directly in customers’ hands – where they’re guaranteed to be seen.
Why Your Black Friday Marketing Needs Bulk SMS in 2024
It’s Black Friday morning. Your competitor sends an email about their flash sale. It joins 50 other unread emails in your customer’s inbox. Will they actually see it?
Meanwhile, your SMS about your door-buster deal arrives with a gentle ping, appearing directly on your customer’s phone screen. Which message do you think is more likely to drive immediate action?
You Need To Do More To Break Through the Black Friday Noise
The reality of Black Friday marketing in 2024 should be a wakeup call:
- The average person receives 120+ emails per day
- Marketing email open rates hover around 18%
- Social media engagement continues to decline
- Ad costs spike during the Black Friday period
Meanwhile, SMS messages:
- Are opened and read within 3 minutes of delivery
- Often see upwards of 98% open rates through direct routing
- Generate response rates 7.5x higher than email
- Cost a fraction of social media advertising
As you can see, there’s a reason why so many UK brands are adding SMS to their Black Friday marketing mix.
Strategies for GDPR-Compliant Black Friday SMS Campaigns
So, if SMS is so effective, how do you start using it in your own Black Friday campaign? Here are a few tips you can use to start pushing promotional text to your ideal customers right now.
1. Build a Compliant Customer Database
Building trust with your customers starts with proper data handling.
Your Black Friday campaign’s success depends on having a clean, compliant database that respects customer privacy while maximising marketing potential. Before sending your first message, ensure your foundation is solid with these key compliance measures:
- Obtain explicit consent for SMS marketing
- Maintain clear opt-in records
- Use secure UK-based data storage
- Provide simple opt-out options
2. Leverage Your CRM Integrations
The power of SMS marketing multiplies when it’s connected to your existing business systems.
By integrating your SMS platform with your CRM, you create a seamless flow of customer data that enables more targeted, effective messaging while reducing manual work. Here’s how to maximise your integration potential:
- Connect with Zoho, HubSpot, and Zapier
- Automate personalised messages
- Track customer interactions
- Maintain data security across systems
3. Create a Strategic Campaign Timeline
Black Friday success isn’t just about the day itself – it’s about creating a comprehensive journey that builds excitement, delivers value, and maintains engagement throughout the entire holiday shopping season.
By breaking your campaign into three distinct phases, you can maximise impact at each stage of the customer journey:
Pre-Black Friday: Your pre-event strategy sets the foundation for success. This is your opportunity to build anticipation and ensure your audience is primed for your offers.
During Black Friday – Cyber Monday: The main event requires precise timing and clear communication. Your messages during this phase should create urgency while keeping customers informed of their opportunities.
Post-Black Friday Weekend: The aftermath of Black Friday presents valuable opportunities to extend sales and gather insights. Keep the momentum going with strategic follow-up.
Black Friday SMS Ideas To Inspire Your Marketing
Transform your Black Friday campaign with these proven SMS templates designed for each phase of your holiday marketing strategy. Each message is crafted to maximize engagement while maintaining GDPR compliance.
Pre-Black Friday Messages
Early Access Preview
[Brand]: 🌟 VIP Early Access Alert! You’re invited to shop our Black Friday deals 24hrs before anyone else. Save up to 70% starting Nov 28. Exclusive preview link: {link} Reply STOP to opt out
Build Anticipation
[Brand]: ⏰ 5 DAYS until our biggest sale! Want a hint? Our bestselling {product} will be £{X} off! Save this date: Nov 29, 8AM. Stay tuned for more! Reply STOP to opt out
Last Chance Preview
[Brand]: 🎁 Tomorrow’s the day! Set your alarm for 8AM to grab {product} at its LOWEST price ever! Your exclusive shopping link drops at 7:45AM. Reply STOP to opt out
During Black Friday Messages
Flash Sale Launch
[Brand]: 🚨 BLACK FRIDAY IS LIVE! First 100 orders get an extra 10% off! Shop now before your favorites sell out: {link} Reply STOP to opt out
Urgency Builder
[Brand]: ⚡ ALERT: Only 5 {product} left at £{price}! Don’t miss out on our most popular deal. Grab yours: {link} Reply STOP to opt out
Stock Update
[Brand]: 📢 RESTOCKED! Your wishlisted {product} is back, but won’t last long at 60% off! Quick-shop here: {link} Reply STOP to opt out
Post-Black Friday Messages
Cyber Monday Transition
[Brand]: 💻 Missed Black Friday? You’re in luck! Cyber Monday deals are LIVE with an extra 15% off everything. Shop now: {link} Reply STOP to opt out
Extended Sale
[Brand]: 🎉 SURPRISE! Due to popular demand, we’ve extended our Black Friday sale for 24 hours! Last chance at these prices: {link} Reply STOP to opt out
Feedback Request
[Brand]: Thanks for shopping our Black Friday sale! How was your experience? Quick 1-question survey: {link} Share your thoughts for 10% off your next purchase! Reply STOP to opt out
How Sendmode Powers Your Black Friday Marketing
Not only do you need a strategy for how you will use SMS bulk messagings for promotional holidays, but you need a service that can get the job done.
With our SMS marketing platform, Sendmode empowered you to easily reach a large audience with targeted and personalised messages.
As the UK’s top bulk SMS provider, we maintain ISO 27001-certified data centers and GDPR compliance without passing heavy costs to you. Your customer data never leaves the UK, and with our direct routes, your messages always reach their destination.
From simple scheduling and sending to advanced analytics, our platform has everything you need to track and optimise your messages for maximum impact:
- Professional sender IDs that build trust
- Pre-built templates for quick campaign creation
- One-click URL tracking for ROI measurement
- Real-time delivery reports and analytics
We believe in simple, straightforward pricing. No setup fees, no hidden charges, and no long-term contracts.
Ready To Take Advantage of the Power of SMS?
With Sendmode, you’re never alone in your SMS marketing journey. This Black Friday, be the brand that customers see when they reach for their phones. With our easy-to-use platform, you can have your campaigns set up and ready to go in minutes.
Join over 40,000 global clients who trust Sendmode to deliver their most important messages. Start your free trial today to learn how we can power your most successful Black Friday campaign yet.
