12 Powerful SMS Marketing Tips to Grow Your List Before Black Friday

Want to grow your SMS list fast for Black Friday? I’m talking about building that high-impact, direct line to your audience. Growing an SMS list from 0 to 500,000 subscribers by Black Friday is doable, and the payoff? Enormous. This isn’t just about throwing up a signup box and hoping for the best. We’re diving into 12 SMS list growth hacks that no one is using. If you nail these tactics, your ecommerce brand will see massive returns, especially in the holiday season.

Let’s get into it. Here’s how you can start growing your SMS list today.

1. Add SMS Opt-In at Checkout

People are ready to engage at checkout. Adding an SMS opt-in right there is a no-brainer, and it’s gold for high-value signups. When your customers are already committed to a purchase, they’re much more likely to opt into receiving updates directly. It’s straightforward, it’s effective, and it gets results.

2. Use Multi-Step Light Boxes

Look, email is great, but email and SMS together? That’s a powerhouse. Create multi-step lightboxes that encourage people to join both. Double-dipping on channels amplifies your reach, which means more eyes on every Black Friday deal you put out.

3. Include Text-to-Join Blocks in Promo Emails

This is the kind of simple but effective step so many brands overlook. Add a text-to-join call-to-action in all your promotional emails, campaigns, and automations. You’ve already got them reading your emails—now get them to take it further with SMS.

4. Text-to-Join in Transactional Emails

Transactional emails (like order confirmations and shipping notifications) have insane open rates. Use these as an opportunity to snag SMS signups. Add a text-to-join block and grab that chance to keep them in the loop for future deals.

5. Exit-Intent SMS Popup

Don’t let potential customers leave empty-handed. An exit-intent SMS popup is perfect for capturing visitors who are on their way out. Offer an incentive, get them to join your SMS list before they go, and you’ve just kept that potential customer close.

6. Target Existing Email Subscribers

Turn your existing email subscribers into SMS subscribers too. Offer them a little extra for joining your SMS list—like VIP status for early access to Black Friday sales. They’re already engaged, so make the most of it.

7. Friction-Free SMS Signup Landing Page

People hate filling out long forms. Make it quick and easy with a friction-free SMS signup landing page. Remove the unnecessary fields, and you’ll see a higher conversion rate.

8. Run Ads to SMS Signup Pages

Take it beyond your site. Run ads—yes, ads specifically for SMS signup! Drive traffic to your SMS signup page or use lead ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. This is a killer tactic for both fresh subscribers and re-engagement campaigns.

9. Social Profile Links to Drive SMS Signups

Your social profiles are valuable real estate. Instead of directing people to your homepage, link them to an SMS signup page. It unifies your audience around one action and maximizes your chances to get more signups.

10. Influencers to Promote SMS Signup

This is how you get “borrowed” media to become “owned” media. Have influencers you work with promote your SMS signups. This is going to drive results and bring fresh subscribers into your orbit just in time for Black Friday.

11. Promote SMS Offline

Go beyond digital. Promote SMS signups in-store, at checkout, and even in shipping boxes. This expands your reach beyond just online shoppers and grabs that offline audience, too.

12. Batch Send to Your Email List

Activate your list by sending out a batch email asking subscribers to join your SMS channel. Drive them to an SMS signup and let them know why it’s worth it—exclusive offers, first dibs on Black Friday deals, or early access to limited-time items.

Incorporating these 12 strategies will have your SMS list soaring before you know it. SMS marketing is one of the best ways to reach your customers during the holiday season, and the ROI speaks for itself. Whether you’re already using email marketing or working with an email marketing agency, don’t underestimate the power of SMS. Black Friday is right around the corner, so start now. Grow your list, grow your revenue, and watch your ecommerce business hit new heights this holiday season.

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Go to BlackFridayPlaybook.com, to learn more Q4 strategies for ecommerce brands in 2024.