Great Collection of Sample SMS/Messages

Last month, I watched a small bakery owner pay $150 for three promotional text messages. The copywriter delivered generic templates that could've been found free online. According to the Federal Trade Commission, businesses spend billions on marketing copy when proven templates exist for every campaign type.

Photo by Keira Burton on Pexels

Last month, I watched a small bakery owner pay $150 for three promotional text messages. The copywriter delivered generic templates that could've been found free online. According to the Federal Trade Commission, businesses spend billions on marketing copy when proven templates exist for every campaign type.

Small businesses struggle with SMS message creation and conversion optimization. You're competing against brands with dedicated copywriting teams while managing inventory, customer service, and daily operations. The solution isn't hiring expensive writers—it's accessing professional-grade templates that convert.

This comprehensive template library covers every major campaign type and industry. You'll get welcome series, promotional campaigns, abandoned cart recovery, event marketing, customer service, loyalty programs, flash sales, re-engagement, and survey templates. Plus customization guides, performance metrics, and testing strategies to maximize your results.

Welcome Series Templates for New Subscribers

Welcome series create the foundation for successful SMS relationships by introducing your brand and setting clear expectations.

Welcome SMS series are multi-touch sequences (typically 3-5 messages over 7-14 days) that introduce your brand, deliver promised content, and establish messaging frequency expectations.

• Hi [Name]! Welcome to [Brand]. You're now part of our VIP text club. Expect 2-3 messages weekly with exclusive deals, new arrivals, and insider tips. Reply STOP to opt out anytime. First perk: 15% off your next order with code WELCOME15
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• Welcome to [Restaurant Name]! 🍕 You'll get weekly specials, flash deals, and menu updates. Tonight only: Buy one pizza, get one 50% off. Show this text at checkout. Questions? Reply HELP. To unsubscribe, reply STOP
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• [Service Business] here! Thanks for joining our text updates. You'll receive appointment reminders, special offers, and helpful tips 1-2 times per week. Need to schedule? Reply BOOK. To stop messages, reply STOP
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• Hey [Name]! Welcome to [Fitness Studio]. Your VIP membership includes workout tips, class schedules, and member-only deals via text. First class free this week—reply CLAIM to book. Standard rates apply. Reply STOP to opt out
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• Welcome to [Retail Store] texts! Get first access to sales, style tips, and new collections. We text 2-3 times weekly max. Your welcome gift: Free shipping on orders $50+ with code FREESHIP. Reply STOP anytime to unsubscribe
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Tip: Consider pairing welcome messages with branded merchandise like custom tote bags or water bottles to create memorable first impressions.

Promotional Campaign Templates by Industry

Sales-focused messages tailored to specific business sectors drive immediate revenue while maintaining customer relationships.

Promotional SMS messages should include clear offers, expiration dates, and easy redemption instructions while maintaining optimal character limits for delivery.

• FLASH SALE: 40% off all summer dresses today only! Shop now at [link] or visit our store. Use code SUMMER40 online. Sale ends at midnight. Reply STOP to opt out
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• Lunch special alert! 🥗 Fresh Caesar salad + soup combo just $8.99 until 3pm. Limited quantities available. Show this text to your server. [Restaurant Name] on Main St. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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• Your car's due for service! Book this week and save $30 on oil changes. Call 555-0123 or reply BOOK. Offer expires Friday. [Auto Shop Name] - trusted since 1985. Reply STOP to opt out
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• Weekend warrior special! 🏋️ 3-day gym pass for $15 (reg $45). Perfect for trying our new CrossFit classes. Valid Sat-Mon only. Reply CLAIM or visit [Gym Name]. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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• Client appreciation sale: 25% off all legal consultations booked this month. Protect your business with proper contracts. Call 555-LAW1 to schedule. [Law Firm Name]. Reply STOP to opt out
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• Spa Sunday special! Hot stone massage + facial package $89 (saves $40). Book online at [link] or call 555-RELAX. Available this Sunday only. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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• How to Use SMS Marketing to Promote Happy Hour & Special Events
• 15 Professional Business Text Messaging Examples for 2025
• Mobile SMS boasts a 98% open rate, making it the most direct channel to announce sales and offers\

Abandoned Cart Recovery Text Templates

E-commerce recovery sequences re-engage potential customers who left items in their shopping carts without completing purchase.

Abandoned cart SMS recovery campaigns typically achieve 10-25% conversion rates when sent within 1-3 hours of cart abandonment with personalized product details.

• Hey [Name]! You left something in your cart: [Product Name]. Complete your order in the next 2 hours and get free shipping. Finish purchase: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out
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• Don't miss out! Your [Product] is still waiting. Plus, we're holding a 10% discount for the next 24 hours. Use code SAVE10 at checkout: [link]. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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• Hi [Name]! Your cart expires in 1 hour. We're saving your [Product Name] but can't hold it much longer. Complete purchase: [link]. Questions? Reply HELP. Reply STOP to opt out
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• Almost forgot something? Your [Product] is still available but inventory is low. Secure yours now: [link]. Free returns within 30 days. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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• Last chance! Your cart items are about to expire. Complete your $[Amount] order now and get 15% off with code LASTCHANCE. Shop: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out
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Tip: Complement cart recovery with retargeting ads for related products like phone cases when someone abandons a smartphone purchase.

Event Marketing and Reminder Templates

Event promotion and attendance optimization messages ensure maximum turnout and engagement for your gatherings.

Event reminder SMS should be sent 24-48 hours before events with essential details like time, location, and parking information to maximize attendance rates.

• Tomorrow's the day! [Event Name] starts at 7pm at [Venue]. Doors open 6:30pm. Parking available on Oak Street. Can't wait to see you there! Reply STOP to opt out
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• Reminder: [Workshop Name] is this Saturday 10am-2pm at [Location]. Bring a notebook and water bottle. Lunch included. Address: [Full Address]. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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• Tonight's comedy show starts in 2 hours! 🎭 [Venue Name], 123 Main St. Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm. Reserved seating until 7:45pm. See you there! Reply STOP to opt out
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• Last call! [Conference Name] registration closes tomorrow. Early bird pricing ends at midnight. Save $100: [link]. Questions? Reply INFO. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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• You're registered! [Event Name] is next Friday 6-9pm at [Venue]. What to expect: networking, appetizers, and door prizes. Dress code: business casual. Reply STOP to opt out
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• Change of plans! Due to weather, [Event Name] has moved indoors to [New Location]. Same time (2pm), new address: [Address]. Free parking available. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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Customer Service and Support Templates

Transactional and support messages enhance customer experience by providing timely updates and clear communication.

Transactional SMS messages have 98% open rates and should include order numbers, tracking links, or appointment details for maximum utility.

• Order confirmed! Your order #[Number] will arrive [Date]. Track your package: [link]. Questions? Reply HELP or call 555-0123. Reply STOP to opt out
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• Appointment reminder: [Service] scheduled for [Date] at [Time] with [Provider]. Location: [Address]. To reschedule, call 555-0123. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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• Payment received! Your invoice #[Number] for $[Amount] has been processed. Receipt emailed to [Email]. Questions? Reply HELP. Reply STOP to opt out
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• Your repair is complete! [Device] is ready for pickup at [Location]. Bring ID and this text. Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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• Delivery update: Your order is out for delivery and will arrive by 5pm today. Someone must be present to sign. Track: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out
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• Prescription ready! [Medication] is available for pickup at [Pharmacy]. Bring ID. Hours: 8am-9pm daily. Questions? Call 555-MEDS. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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• How to Use SMS Marketing to Promote Happy Hour & Special Events
• 15 Professional Business Text Messaging Examples for 2025
• Mobile SMS boasts a 98% open rate, making it the most direct channel to announce sales and offers\

Loyalty Program and Retention Templates

Customer retention messages build long-term relationships by recognizing loyalty and providing exclusive value.

Loyalty SMS campaigns increase customer lifetime value by 20-30% when they include personalized rewards, point balances, and exclusive member benefits.

• You've earned 500 points! 🎉 That's $25 toward your next purchase. Points expire in 90 days. Shop now: [link]. Current balance: [Points]. Reply STOP to opt out
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• VIP early access! New fall collection launches tomorrow but you can shop today. Use code EARLY20 for 20% off. Shop: [link]. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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• Happy Birthday [Name]! 🎂 Celebrate with 30% off your entire purchase this week. Use code BIRTHDAY30 at checkout. Valid through [Date]. Reply STOP to opt out
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• Congrats! You've reached Gold status. Enjoy free shipping, exclusive sales, and priority support. Your first Gold perk: 25% off today with code GOLD25. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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• Refer a friend and you both save $10! Share your code [Code] and they get $10 off their first order. You get $10 credit when they purchase. Win-win! Reply STOP to opt out
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• Member exclusive: Private shopping event this Saturday 10am-noon. Enjoy 40% off everything, complimentary refreshments, and personal styling. RSVP: [link]. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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Flash Sale and Urgency-Based Templates

Time-sensitive offers drive immediate action by creating scarcity and urgency around limited-time opportunities.

Flash sale SMS messages should create urgency with specific end times, limited quantities, or exclusive access to drive immediate purchasing decisions.

• ⚡ 4-HOUR FLASH SALE: 50% off everything! Sale ends at 6pm sharp. No code needed—discount applied at checkout. Shop now: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out
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• URGENT: Only 12 items left! Your wishlist item [Product] is almost sold out. Secure yours now: [link]. This price won't last. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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• FINAL HOURS: Clearance sale ends at midnight. Up to 70% off select items. Once they're gone, they're gone forever. Shop: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out
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• BREAKING: Surprise sale just went live! 24 hours only—buy 2, get 1 free on all [Category]. No code needed. Ends tomorrow at noon. Shop: [link]. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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• LAST CHANCE: Your cart expires in 30 minutes! Complete your purchase now or lose your items forever. Finish order: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out
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Tip: Create additional urgency by promoting complementary time-sensitive products like concert tickets or limited-edition collectibles.

Re-engagement and Win-Back Templates

Campaigns targeting inactive subscribers and lapsed customers attempt to revive dormant relationships before removing contacts from lists.

Re-engagement SMS campaigns should offer compelling incentives or content updates to inactive subscribers while providing easy unsubscribe options to maintain list quality.

• We miss you! It's been a while since your last visit. Come back and get 25% off your next purchase. Use code COMEBACK25. Valid for 7 days. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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• Did our messages stop being helpful? We've added new features and better deals. Give us another chance—here's 20% off: code RETURN20. Reply STOP if you're done
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• You haven't opened our texts lately. Should we keep sending them? Reply YES to stay subscribed or STOP to unsubscribe. Either way, here's 15% off: code CHOICE15
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• Final attempt! We're about to remove you from our list. Want to stay? Reply KEEP and get 30% off your next order. Otherwise, you'll be unsubscribed in 48 hours
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• We're cleaning our list. Reply STAY to keep getting deals and updates, or do nothing to be removed. Thanks for being part of our community! This is your last message unless you reply
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• How to Use SMS Marketing to Promote Happy Hour & Special Events
• 15 Professional Business Text Messaging Examples for 2025
• Mobile SMS boasts a 98% open rate, making it the most direct channel to announce sales and offers\

Survey and Feedback Collection Templates

Customer feedback and market research message formats help businesses improve while engaging customers in meaningful dialogue.

Survey SMS messages should include incentives for participation, estimated completion times, and mobile-optimized survey links to maximize response rates.

• How was your experience? Rate us in 30 seconds and get $5 off your next visit. Survey: [link]. Your feedback helps us improve. Reply STOP to opt out
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• Quick favor? We're improving our service and need your input. 2-minute survey gets you 20% off next month. Help us: [link]. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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• Product feedback wanted! You bought [Product] last month. How's it working? 1-minute review gets you free shipping on your next order. Review: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out
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• You're invited! Join our customer panel and influence our next product line. 5-minute survey + $10 gift card. Participate: [link]. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
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• NPS Survey: How likely are you to recommend us? Rate 1-10 by replying with your number. Takes 5 seconds and helps us serve you better. Reply STOP to opt out
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Custom Template Creation Guidelines

Creating effective SMS templates requires understanding character limits, personalization opportunities, and brand voice consistency. Most carriers deliver messages up to 160 characters as single SMS, while longer messages split into multiple parts and cost more.

Start with personalization tokens like [Name], [Product], or [Location] to increase relevance. Always include fallback options when personalization data isn't available. For example, use "Hi [Name]" with a fallback to "Hi there" if the name field is empty.

Call-to-action placement matters significantly. According to Nielsen research, messages with clear CTAs in the first 50 characters achieve 23% higher click-through rates. Use action words like "Shop," "Book," "Claim," or "Save" followed by shortened links.

Brand voice consistency across templates prevents confusion and builds recognition. Create a style guide covering tone (professional vs. casual), emoji usage, and signature phrases. Test template variations through A/B testing, measuring open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates to optimize performance.

Remember that successful SMS marketing balances promotional content with value-driven messages. The 80/20 rule works well—80% helpful content, 20% promotional offers. This approach maintains subscriber engagement while driving sales.

These templates provide the foundation for effective SMS campaigns across industries and use cases. Customize them with your brand voice, test performance metrics, and adjust based on audience response. Professional SMS marketing doesn't require expensive copywriters when you have proven templates that convert.

Start with templates that match your immediate needs, then expand to other campaign types as your SMS strategy develops. Remember to follow US texting laws and include proper opt-out instructions in all messages to maintain compliance and subscriber trust.

What's the ideal length for SMS marketing messages?

Keep messages under 160 characters for single SMS delivery. Longer messages split into multiple parts, increasing costs and reducing effectiveness.

How often should I send promotional text messages?

Send 2-4 promotional messages per month maximum. Focus on providing value through helpful content, exclusive offers, and timely updates.

What's the best time to send SMS campaigns?

Send between 10am-8pm in your customer's timezone. Avoid early mornings, late evenings, and major holidays for promotional messages.

Do I need permission to send marketing text messages?

Yes, you must have explicit opt-in consent before sending marketing SMS. Include clear opt-out instructions in every message.

How do I measure SMS campaign success?

Track delivery rates, open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, and unsubscribe rates. Industry averages help benchmark your performance.