Christmas is fast approaching and that means sparkling lights, cosy moments and of course - the busy shopping season.
In these busy times, it's crucial for your business to communicate effectively and engagingly with customers, and the direct and personalised format of SMS is ideal for this. Christmas is not just about increasing sales, it's also about building long-term relationships with customers to keep them coming back in the new year.
In this article, you'll find plenty of ideas and inspiration on how you can use the magic of Christmas to engage your customers and create joy while promoting your brand and products.
We dive into 10 examples of SMS campaigns that will not only increase your conversion rates, but also spread Christmas cheer!
The value of SMS campaigns for the Christmas season
As the cold weather hits and we wrap ourselves up in scarves and hats, the anticipation for the festive season rises. Christmas is the season of giving and your customers are looking for the best deals to make their Christmas extra special. This is where SMS marketing comes into its own as one of the most effective ways to reach your target audience.
A well-executed SMS campaign during the festive season can make a big difference to your sales figures. It's all about grabbing your customers' attention with offers that feel tailored and personalised, like a handwritten Christmas greeting. You can achieve that feeling with an SMS. Especially if you have access to relevant data about customer preferences and purchase history.
The instant nature of SMS ensures that your message is not only received, but also read.
The SMS channel is your opportunity to stay top-of-mind with your customers as they plan their Christmas shopping. An SMS can be the reminder that makes them choose your store over another. And with the right message sent at the right time, your SMS can be the key to a successful Christmas season for both you and your customers.
10 SMS examples for Christmas
Christmas is a time for tradition, but also for innovation. If you haven't tried SMS marketing before, now is the perfect time to start. If you're familiar with the world of SMS, here's an opportunity to try something new or fine-tune existing campaigns.
Below we've gathered 10 ideas for SMS campaigns that will engage customers and bring revenue to your business this Christmas.
1. Christmas sale
Christmas is a time for joy, and what brings more joy than a bargain? Use SMS campaigns to advertise your Christmas sale and make sure your customers don't miss out on the opportunity to find the perfect gift at a great price.
2. SMS Christmas calendar
A daily dose of Christmas cheer could be just what your customers need. Invite customers to join your Christmas calendar or advent calendar, where they can open a door every day with a great offer or maybe even a small gift.
3. VIP Christmas shopping
Offer your most loyal customers an exclusive experience with VIP Christmas shopping. It's an effective way to reward customers for their loyalty while creating a sense of exclusivity and luxury during the busy festive season.
4. Christmas competition
Christmas is the perfect time to create an engaging Christmas competition. Competitions are also a particularly fun way to interact with your customers and create engagement with your brand. You can run competitions online or in your physical store.
5. Christmas gift ideas
Christmas can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to finding and buying gifts for the whole family. Make it easier for your customers by offering them inspiring Christmas gift ideas via SMS. Combine your Christmas gift ideas with a great offer.
6. Free Christmas gift with your purchase
A little extra Christmas gift for December shoppers can be a great way to thank your customers and give them an extra reason to shop in your store. Such a campaign can increase customer satisfaction and motivation to buy.
7. Loyalty and benefits club during the festive season
Christmas is the perfect time to reward your customer club members and boost customer loyalty. Offer exclusive benefits like free shipping, extended exchange times, first in line for sales or special offers only available to members. This way you encourage purchases and strengthen relationships with your most loyal customers.
8. Christmas events
Christmas events are a great way to create a festive atmosphere and attract customers to your store or online platform. An event can be anything from a special shopping night to a Christmas market or perhaps a virtual event. Use SMS campaigns to inform and invite your customers to your exciting events.
As a bonus, this type of event not only drives sales, but also strengthens the relationship between your customers and your brand by giving them a unique experience they will remember.
9. Launch of the Christmas collection
Christmas is the perfect time to launch new products or a special Christmas collection. Use SMS campaigns to give your customers an exclusive first look at new products. It not only creates excitement, but also encourages early Christmas shopping.
10. New Year's preparation
After the festivities of Christmas, it's time to look forward to the new year. It can be an ideal opportunity to highlight products or offers that will help your customers start the new year in the best possible way. For example, an SMS campaign can be focused on New Year's preparations or give a taster of your New Year's sale.
Plan your Christmas campaigns in advance
If you want your Christmas campaigns to be successful, it's a good idea to be well prepared. By preparing and planning your SMS campaigns before the Christmas season kicks off, you can ensure that your messages reach your customers at the right time and don't get forgotten in the pile of other important Christmas tasks.
In inMobile, it's easy to plan your SMS campaigns. If you create standalone SMS campaigns, you can simply write your SMS as usual under Campaigns and then choose to time your broadcast.
You can also set up SMS automation if, for example, you want a specific Christmas greeting to be sent to new subscribers or customers who have shopped within a certain time frame, etc. All you need is access to the correct data.
Tips for sending SMS campaigns during Christmas
Do you want a more stress-free festive season? Here are some tips to remember when planning this season's Christmas SMS campaigns.
1. Personalisation
When writing your SMS messages, it's a good idea to speak directly to the recipient by including their name or other personal data in the message. It creates a sense of 1:1 communication and can significantly improve engagement.
2. Targeting and segmentation
Use data insights to target your campaigns more precisely. Segment your customer database based on behaviour, previous purchases, demographics or preferences to send relevant and personalised offers to the recipient.
3. Testing and optimisation
Before planning your Christmas campaigns, you should test your messages to check how the text looks, whether your links work and so on. If you use SMS automation, check that your trigger is activated correctly. Optimise continuously based on what your tests show.
4. Plan the campaigns
Once you have all your content ready and have tested what you need to, you can start planning your SMS broadcasts. Remember to coordinate with your other marketing initiatives for a streamlined customer experience. You can use a calendar to keep track of your campaigns.
5. Clear CTA
Make sure every SMS has a clear call to action (a CTA). It's important that the customer knows how to respond to your text messages, otherwise the chance of engagement is low. Also, make sure it's easy for the recipient to respond. For example, by adding links in your SMS.
6. Respect for the festive season
For many, Christmas is about peace and quiet and spending time with family and friends. Therefore, the tone of your messages should reflect this - don't be afraid to be more cosy and personal in these types of campaigns. Also, be careful about when you send your text messages.
7. Measurement and follow-up
After sending out your Christmas campaigns, it's important to measure their effectiveness and analyse the results. Look at open rates, click-through rates, and sales data to understand what worked and what can be improved for next year.
Summarising
We've now gone through a number of strategies and tips to help you create effective and engaging SMS campaigns during the festive season. From personalisation to segmentation and targeting, each element should be designed to enhance the customer experience and strengthen your brand presence during the crucial sales period.
Want to dive deeper into how to create engaging and converting SMS marketing messages? Then read on for our guide to the perfect SMS.
