Discount message examples include flash sales, BOGO offers, birthday discounts, and abandoned cart reminders – all sent as promotional SMS texts directly to a customer’s phone. With a 98% open rate (source: Sender, 2023), SMS outperforms every other direct marketing channel.
This guide covers the five main discount types, 10 proven campaign strategies, and a checklist for writing discount SMS messages that convert.
What are the different types of SMS discounts?
The five main SMS discount types are percentage off, flat-rate, free shipping, BOGO, and limited-time – each suited to a different sales goal.
Here are five types of discounts you can promote via SMS.
Percentage discounts
Your customers love percentage discounts. There are percentage deductions that lead customers to buy at a lesser-than-normal price.
Here’s an example of a percentage discount SMS message.
Get 25% off your next purchase with code SAVE25!”.
This creates an instant appeal and drives customers to act.
Flat rate discounts
Flat rate discounts are fixed deductions off the customer’s bills. Unlike
percentage discounts.
Flat rate discounts make an offer look straightforward and compelling. Take this SMS discount message, for example.
“Enjoy $10 off any order over $50! Use code DISCOUNT10 at checkout”.
Short and to the point. This motivates customers to reach the specified purchase threshold.
| Use SMSCountry to send fast and personalized discount messages via SMS or WhatsApp. See how it works and schedule a quick demo or sign up. |
Free shipping discounts
This is self-explanatory. Who doesn’t love free shipping?
Free shipping SMS discounts are game-changers. Send a message saying:
“Today only! Enjoy free shipping on all orders. No minimum purchase required. Use code
FREESHIP”.
This type of SMS removes barriers and encourages immediate purchases.
Check 5 expert tips to prepare your e-commerce business for the unexpected
Buy-one-get-one (BOGO) discounts
BOGO discounts create a sense of excitement and value. Craft a discount SMS message like this example:
“Buy one pair of shoes, purchase the second pair 50% off! Limited stock is available. Hurry, visit our store, or use code BOGOSHOES online!”
Limited-time discounts
Creating a sense of urgency can significantly impact consumer behaviour.
It’s popularly known as FOMO. Meaning the “fear of missing out” on a good deal. Use SMS to announce time-sensitive discounts.
Here’s a powerful example of a lifetime discount message:
“Flash Sale Alert! Get 30% off all items for the next 24 hours. Don’t miss out! Use code FLASH30.”
Those are the five types and examples of SMS discount messages. How can you customise them to suit your needs?
Let’s get creative.
Which SMS discount type works best for each goal?
| Goal | Best discount type | Example code |
|---|---|---|
| Clear excess inventory | BOGO | BOGOSHOES |
| Drive immediate traffic | Flash sale / limited-time | FLASH30 |
| Increase average order value | Flat rate with threshold | DISCOUNT10 |
| Reward repeat customers | Birthday / loyalty | BDAY20 |
| Remove purchase barriers | Free shipping | FREESHIP |
Use this as a quick reference when planning your next SMS discount campaign.
How do you use SMS discounts to boost sales?
SMS discounts boost sales by triggering urgency, rewarding loyalty, recovering abandoned carts, and reactivating lapsed customers – all via a single direct text.
This section shows you 10 unique ways to create interactive discount campaigns. These discount message examples will help you attract your audience and boost sales.
1. Flash sale discount alerts
We live in a fast-paced world of e-commerce. And flash sale alerts are a proven strategy to create a sense of urgency.
They drive immediate sales.
Flash sales alerts typically offer time-limited discounts on select products. They entice customers to purchase before the sale ends.
Here’s how to effectively apply flash sale alerts in your e-commerce business.
Example: “🔥 Don’t Miss Out on Our 24-Hour Flash Sale! Get 40% off on all items. Use code FLASH40 at checkout. Shop now and get the latest supplies for your organisation!”
“Flash sale SMS campaigns on SMSCountry see an average redemption window of under 2 hours.”
Check out 6 reasons why SMS is the future of e-commerce communication
2. Personalised birthday discount offers
Personalised birthday offers are the secret to winning hearts. They create lasting customer loyalty.
Tailor special discounts and surprises to your customers on their birthdays. You’ll keep
them coming back for more.
Imagine it’s their birthday. And you send them a heartfelt message like this:
“🎉 Happy Birthday, [Client’s Name]! Enjoy an exclusive 20% off your next health check-up with code BDAY20. Let’s make this year your healthiest one yet!”
3. Time-sensitive deal countdowns
Want to boost sales in the blink of an eye? Create a sense of urgency. Time-sensitive deal countdowns are your secret weapon.
Your customers will scramble to take advantage of your limited-time offers before it’s too late. This creates excitement and compels customers to purchase before time runs out.
You have a hot sale going on. You can send a discount message with a coupon code, like in this example:
“⏰ Quick! Only 24 hours left to snag a jaw-dropping 50% off your next delivery. Order from your favourite brand today and use the code COUNTDOWN50 at checkout.”
4. Refer-a-friend incentives
Want a good recommendation? Refer-a-friend incentives will do.
Harness the power of word-of-mouth marketing. It’ll turn your customers into brand
ambassadors.
It’s a win-win situation. It’ll keep the referrals flowing in and the rewards multiplying. You reward both the referrer and the referred friend.
Send a special message like this:
“💌 Hey [Customer Name]! You’re officially our superstar ambassador! Refer a friend, and get 2% extra on your next savings plan. Spread the joy!”
Use this discount example template to create a refer-a-friend SMS invitation.
5. New product launch promotions
So, you’re ready to make a grand entrance into the market.
There’s so much excitement, and customers can’t wait to get their hands
on your latest masterpiece.
Imagine the anticipation as you unveil your new product to the world. Then use this discount message example to accompany that anticipation, like this:
“🚀 Get ready for lift! Introducing [Product Name], designed to revolutionise your [Industry]. Be among the first to enjoy 20% off during the launch week.
Check 5 ways AI can boost your e-commerce sales and customer experience.
6. Scavenger hunt sales discounts
Transform your customers into savvy treasure hunters with a thrilling quest.
Their task is to find hidden discounts and unlock incredible savings.
Customers will search high and low, following clues and unlocking exclusive discounts.
To run a scavenger hunt campaign, hide unique discount codes across product pages, blog posts, or social media posts. Send an SMS teaser directing customers to start hunting. Each code can offer a different discount tier – 10%, 25%, or 50% off.
How? Here’s an example of a scavenger hunt sale with a discount offer message:
“🔍 Calling all adventurers! Join the ultimate shopping quest. Hunt for hidden discount codes across our website to enjoy savings ranging from 10% to 50% off.”
7. Abandoned cart reminders
Ever wondered what happens to abandoned shopping carts?
Your customers got so close to buying but got distracted along the way. It’s time to bring them back.
Reignite their interest. Provide that extra nudge they need to come back and complete
the purchase.
Here’s how.
Send a friendly reminder message with an offer like this:
“🛒 [Customer Name]! We noticed you left something special in your cart.
Don’t let it slip away! Complete your purchase now at 10% less!”
“Abandoned cart SMS messages recover an average of 10–15% of lost carts when sent within 1 hour of abandonment.”
8. Upsell or cross-sell discounts
Want higher average order value and customer satisfaction at the same time?
Then, offer to upsell and cross-sell discounts.
Send enticing discount messages to tempt customers to explore additional options. This takes their shopping experience to the next level.
Let’s say a customer is about to purchase a smartphone from your online store.
You can present them with a message like this:
“📱 Upgrade Alert! You’re about to own the latest smartphone model. Add our premium accessory bundle at a discounted price of 25%.”
This discount message example allows your customers to level up. Offer them complementary products that enhance their original purchase.
Do you want to boost your social media presence?
SMS discounts create a buzz around your brand on social media. It encourages user-generated content.
SMS-to-social campaigns work by giving subscribers an exclusive incentive to share on platforms like Instagram or X. This generates user-created content at scale – effectively turning your SMS list into a content creation channel. Track entries via a unique hashtag or tag to measure reach
Send a message like this to your customers:
“📲 Love our products? Share your favourite item on Instagram and tag us [@yourhandle] for a chance to win a 20% discount on your next purchase!”
10. Encourage post-purchase behaviour
The journey doesn’t end after a customer makes a purchase. It’s just the beginning.
Turn that opportunity into a long-lasting relationship. Use SMS discounts to follow up after customers purchase. This encourages customers to provide feedback.
Use this example to send a discount offer message to encourage post-purchase engagement.
“🎉 We appreciate your recent booking! Show us some love by leaving a review on our website, and we’ll reward you with a 15% discount on your next booking.”
What makes an effective discount offer message?
An effective discount SMS leads with the offer, states a code and deadline, stays under 160 characters, and ends with one clear call to action.
Compelling discount SMS messages share six traits: a clear offer amount, a unique code, a deadline, a benefit statement, urgency language, and a single call to action.
Consider these tips (as applied in the examples above) when crafting discount offer messages:
- Use a captivating headline: That’s step number one. Grab your audience’s attention from the get-go. A catchy and compelling headline highlights the value of your discount.
- Be clear: Communicate the details of your discount. Like the percentage or dollar amount off, any specific products or services included, and any restrictions or expiration dates. This maintains trust.
- Apply FOMO: Highlight limited-time availability. How? Use a countdown, for example. It creates the FOMO effect.
- Highlight the benefits: Clearly outline how it adds value to the customer’s life. Be clear on why they should take advantage of the offer.
- Be persuasive: Persuasive language evokes emotion and encourages action. Use words like “exclusive,” “limited,” “unbeatable,” or “don’t miss out”. They create excitement and a sense of urgency.
- Include a strong call-to-action (CTA): Guide your audience on what to do next. Use action words like “Shop Now,” “Claim Your Discount,” or “Get Started.” SMS messages with a single CTA convert at a higher rate than those with two or more links or actions – keep it to one.
We’re finally at the end of this guide.
Always write captivating discount offer messages. It’s an art that requires a balance of:
- compelling language
- clear communication, and
- persuasive elements.
It’s time to put these strategies into action. Start crafting your irresistible discount offer messages.
| Are you confused about which service providers are on the top? Here you can find a list of top service providers so that you can make an informed choice, delight your customers, and multiply your revenue. |
When is the best time to send a discount SMS?
The best times to send discount SMS messages are 10 AM–12 PM and 6–8 PM on weekdays, when open and redemption rates peak.
Send outside office hours only for flash sales where urgency outweighs timing. Avoid sending before 9 AM or after 9 PM – this risks opt-outs and violates carrier guidelines in several regions. For birthday and loyalty discount messages, send at the start of the recipient’s birthday day for maximum impact.
Craft compelling SMS discount offers with SMSCountry
As shown in the examples in this guide, crafting compelling discount messages is an art. And with the right strategies, you’ll enjoy excellent results.
The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone.
SMSCountry can help you create irresistible deals that captivate your audience and drive conversions.
It’s the number 1 SMS marketing solution on the globe.
With a flexible platform, you’ll send impactful SMS campaigns and engage your customers like never before.
Unlock the power of SMS marketing to supercharge your discount offers. Or request a demo.
You can also use our WhatsApp messaging solution to reach out to your customers.
