Promotional Text Messages: 50 Templates + Writing Tips

Like you, your customers are busy people navigating work, family, and social obligations, while fielding countless distractions vying for their time. As a marketer aiming to grab your audience’s attention, you’re not only up against other brands in your industry — you’re also competing with 24-hour news cycles, endless social feeds, and real-time notifications.

But promotional text messages allow you to land directly in the center of your contact’s line of sight with succinct and enticing information, and drive immediate action. Unlike other forms of marketing that require a tremendous amount of effort but may reach the wrong audience (or the right audience at the wrong time), SMS marketing boasts a 98% open rate and sky-high conversions. That’s because, despite the numerous distractions we all face every day, we still find time to check our texts hundreds of times.

To help you make the most of this powerful channel, we’re sharing some insight into why promotional texts work, a few writing tips and best practices to help you boost conversions, and several templates to jumpstart your creativity.

What Are Promotional Text Messages?

A promotional SMS is a text that businesses send to engage contacts directly with details about sales, events, new products, programs, or special offers. (Unlike transactional messages, which are triggered by customer actions and communicate information like shipping updates, appointment reminders, or account notifications.)

For example, a brand might send customers a text announcing a limited-time discount on a high-demand item, or a bank might share details about a new type of credit card or lending program.

That said, not all promotional SMS campaigns directly drive sales. In some cases, marketing teams may send texts as part of upper-funnel awareness campaigns. For example, a university might send a message promoting a new on-campus organization, or a software company might text its most engaged users to announce a beta testing program for a new feature.

Why Promotional Texts Work for Business Growth

Over the past decade, the digital marketing landscape has become increasingly complex, competitive, and fractured. Brands are doing their best to show up across dozens of channels and platforms to capture buyers’ interest before they turn their limited attention elsewhere. It can seem impossible to cut through the clutter and reach your audience (let alone hold their focus long enough to drive a conversion).

Of course, in many cases, it’s not a lack of enthusiasm that keeps would-be customers from following through on a purchase. Often, there’s just too much noise.

For many of us, it’s challenging enough to keep up with everyday responsibilities without falling prey to seemingly infinite distractions — let alone complete a purchase you’ve been considering or snag tickets to an event before they sell out. Fortunately, a concise and well-timed reminder may be enough to bring your brand back to the forefront of your contacts’ minds.

Promotional texts are highly effective at fueling interest and driving purchases thanks to four characteristics:

• Immediacy
  An SMS is almost instant, so you can ensure it’s delivered exactly when your contact is most likely to engage with each promotion
  

• Visibility
  Texts are difficult to miss because they land in a digital space where your recipients already spend a lot of time.
  

• Simplicity
  A well-composed SMS is short and unobtrusive. It gets straight to the point using captivating language that prompts your audience to act immediately.
  
• Personalization
  Addressing a contact by name and tailoring your message to their specific interests and behaviors with dynamic content makes contacts feel valued, which, in turn, helps boost engagement.

This rare quadruple-threat helps businesses grow, retain more customers, and strengthen revenue. Of course, for your promotional message strategy to achieve meaningful results, you have to be strategic. In addition to using a business SMS platform like TrueDialog to schedule your messages for times most likely to drive engagement — and striving not to bombard recipients with too many messages — you also need to write compelling and strategic copy.

Best Practices for Writing High-Converting Promotional Texts

While data shows SMS marketing for promotions is highly effective at encouraging recipients to take action (including completing purchases), that doesn’t mean every text campaign is an automatic slam dunk. As a marketer, you know that the medium you choose is only one ingredient in the recipe for sustainable success. Your message’s content and context are equally vital to ensuring you reach your campaign goals.

Here are four best practices to help you write promotional texts that convert:

• Keep It Short and Clear

  When writing SMS messages (and most marketing copy), less is more. Given that most people are busy and distracted, it’s helpful to reduce the amount of mental labor required to consume or understand your promotions. Plus, with most carriers charging by message segment (160 characters max), staying concise helps keep costs down.
  
  In other words, get to the point quickly and clearly, don’t waste too much time teeing up your offer or using flowery vocabulary, and make sure your message is easy to scan and digest. By writing clear and direct copy, you can reduce friction and pave a smoother path to conversion.

   

• Personalize Whenever Possible

  Everyone likes to feel appreciated, and personalization is a great way to show your contacts that they matter to your organization. Using contacts’ names, referencing previous purchases, and tailoring copy specifically to an individual’s or segment’s preferences are all excellent ways to customize your promotional SMS campaigns.
  
  And with the right SMS platform, it’s easy to personalize at scale. For example, by integrating with top CRMs, TrueDialog gives users the power to easily create dynamic content fields that pull directly from their customer data.
  
  And while taking the extra time to personalize may not seem like much, data from McKinsey shows personalization directly impacts marketing ROI, with fast-growing companies tracking at least 40% of their revenue back to personalized experiences. Additionally, audiences don’t just like personalization — they anticipate it. A whopping 71% of consumers now expect companies to deliver personalized interactions, and 76% get frustrated when organizations don’t.

   

• Add a Compelling Call-to-Action

  When a recipient finishes reading your message, they should know exactly what to do and where to do it. Use simple, actionable copy like “Book now” or “Shop the sale” combined with a link to a page with a streamlined conversion path.
  
  For example, a sports team promoting discounted season passes shouldn’t simply link to the franchise homepage and expect recipients to find the correct page. Instead, the organization should link directly to a landing page designed for the campaign, with a clear spot to add a promotional code (also included in the SMS message). Your ultimate goal is to help contacts convert in as few clicks as possible.
  
  To further boost engagement, consider using a mass texting platform with a link shortener to keep the message brief and the action clear. (For example, TrueDialog has a proprietary URL shortener that, unlike generic URL shorteners, is less likely to trigger the carrier’s filtering process. Users can upgrade to branded short URLs for even more credibility and brand recognition.)

   

• Create Urgency or Exclusivity

  Humans tend to procrastinate and delay decisions — especially when our brains are exhausted by work, school, and other daily obligations. Often, we need something to inspire us to take action.
  
  Urgency (i.e., “deal ends tomorrow”) and scarcity (i.e., “just a few tickets left”) are highly effective at boosting conversions because they appeal to our natural loss aversion. Meanwhile, adding exclusivity (i.e., “VIP access is now open”) taps into our innate desire to feel included.
  
  Of course, too much pressure can worsen the situation by stoking anxiety, but a strategically planned time-sensitive or exclusive offer can give your contacts the nudge they need to be decisive and act quickly. 

50 Promotional Text Message Templates for Every Occasion

Looking for inspiration for your next SMS campaign? Here are several sample promotional message examples that illustrate our best practices in action:

• Flash Sale and Discount Promotions

• • FLASH SALE ⚡️30% off all merch in the fan shop! Ends at 10 PM. Shop now: [LINK] 

• • Fan Deal of the Day: Buy 2 tickets to Saturday’s match, get pre-game access to the VIP club 🥂[LINK]

• • Halftime, half off! 🥨Text subscribers get 50% off at all concession stands until the buzzer. Just show this coupon at checkout: [LINK]

• • Earlybird Discount ends TONIGHT! Last chance to grab your conference badge for 15% off. Use code EARLY15 [LINK]

• • Flash sale alert! 🚨Upgrade to Pro today and get your first 3 months free. Use code 3FREE at checkout: [LINK]

• • Hey Josh! Don’t forget: As a VIP member, you get 50,000 extra points when you’re approved for our Diamond Rewards card 💎 Offer ends Friday! Apply now: [LINK]

• • Ready for your next adventure? ✈️ Book a flight with your Gold Card today and get 10,000 miles toward a future trip. See details: [LINK]

• • Welcome, Class of 2029! 🎓Save 15% on all official university gear now through midnight. Use code FRESH15: [LINK]

• • Hi Sofia! Still interested in joining the Future STEM Professionals organization? We’re waiving application fees today. But hurry — spots are filling fast! Apply here: [LINK]

 

• Holiday and Seasonal Promotions

• • Make the most of summer! 😎Maymester enrollment opens tomorrow. See the full course catalog here: [LINK]
    

• • Staying on campus for fall break? 🍁Get 50% off a mini meal plan. Stop by the dining hall on Thursday or apply online now: [LINK]
    

• • Ready to crush your Q3 sales goals? Check out our new report: 5 FinTech Strategies to Boost Revenue in H2 2025: [LINK]
    

• • Summer slump? Not for Jill’s team! Get 50% off your first month — plus add 5 additional users free with code 5FREE [LINK]
    

• • Get a jumpstart on holiday shopping! 🛍️Apply for a Travel Rewards card today and get 3x cash back at select retailers through December 31. Apply here: [LINK]
    

• • Start 2026 with a bang! 🎊 Earn a $200 bonus when you open a business checking account before Jan. 5. Get started now: [LINK]
    

• • It’s your lucky day! ☘️ All home game tickets are BOGO 15% off now through March 17 with code LUCKYME [LINK]
    

• • Happy Halloween! 👻Treat yourself to 15% off season passes for 2026. Snag yours now and get a free thermal tee with code SPOOKY26 [LINK]
    

• • Still need gifts for your gameday crew? Get 20% off all beanies and scarves in the fan shop. Order by Saturday for delivery before 12/24: [LINK]
    

 

• Product Launch and New Arrivals

• • Announcing the official Fan Marketplace! ⚽️💚Buy and sell tickets, authenticated merch, and more. Set up your account here: [LINK]
    

• • Did you see? 👀 Limited edition 2026 season jerseys just dropped! Shop the collection before they sell out: [LINK]
    

• • Good morning, Alex! We’ve upgraded your student portal experience. Log in and tell us what you think: [LINK]
    

• • Need a textbook ASAP? The university bookstore now offers on-campus delivery! Get $10 off your first purchase with code BOOKME: [LINK]
    

• • AI-powered sales outreach launching in 3…2…1 🚀 Try our newest automation tool free for 30 days with code LAUNCHDAY. Get started now: [LINK]
    

• • Want to be the first to try our new analytics dashboard? Beta testers get early access and 3 months free. Sign up now: [LINK]
    

• • High-yield savings accounts are here! Earn up to 4.5% APY 🤑 No minimum deposits and no fees. Open your free account today: [LINK]
    

• • Nick — did you know we offer small business loans? Get fast and flexible working capital to invest in your business. Apply now: [LINK]
    

 

• Loyalty Programs and VIP Offers

• • It’s member appreciation weekend! Use your card on gas or groceries and get $25 instant cash back. It’s just our way of saying “thank you” ☺️
  • You asked, we listened. No more ATM fees for VIP customers starting June 1. Learn more: [LINK]
  • Hey Lindsey! Loyalty pays off 😉 Enjoy a free upgrade to club seating for tomorrow’s game. Snag your spot before they’re gone: [LINK]
  • Psst! VIP member: Your 24-hour early access to playoff tickets begins now. Be the first to secure your seat! Grab your ticket here: [LINK]
  • Great news, Ahmed! Priority registration for next semester is now open for Dean’s List students. Visit the student portal to select your courses: [LINK]
  • Did someone say free tumbler? Stop by the university gift shop to claim your exclusive alumni gift — plus get 15% off Class of 2025 gear all weekend! [LINK]
  • Hurry! This week only: All conference attendees get 50% off premium badges for next year’s event. Use code VIP2026: [LINK]
  • Hi Melissa! Thanks for attending our webinar today! As promised, here’s your early access to our State of Tech Salaries report: [LINK] 

 

• Appointment Reminders and Event Invites

• • You’re invited! Join us for an exclusive playoff watch party this Saturday at 6 PM. Check out the details and RSVP: [LINK]
    

• • T-minus three hours until kick-off! 🏈 Get to the stadium early for 50% off drinks and appetizers at the Fieldside Cafe. Snag your coupon: [LINK]
    

• • Hi Felipe! Don’t forget your campus tour this Saturday at 10AM. Stop by the campus bookstore afterward for 15% off all university gear!
    

• • Interested in pursuing your MBA after graduation? 🎓Join our virtual info session Thursday at 7 PM! RSVP here: [LINK]
    

• • Ready? Our live product showcase begins at 10AM sharp with a surprise announcement from our CEO 🎉 Log on here: [LINK]
    

• • You’re invited, Mei! 👋 Join an exclusive AMA with our product team next Wednesday at 12 PM EST. Add the event to your calendar: [LINK]

• • Hi Dan! Are you still considering refinancing? We’re happy to help! Book a virtual appointment with one of our advisors to learn more: [LINK]
    

• • Overwhelmed by investing? Not sure where to start? Join our free class: Stock Market 101 📈💰Sign up for the next session: [LINK]
    

 

• Cross-Sell and Upsell Campaigns

• • Already saving with us? Stack even more cash with our new high-yield savings. Open your account for free today: [LINK]
  • You qualify for a credit card upgrade! 🥳Get double the cash-back and 2x more points on travel with the Silver Card: [LINK]
  • James, your team is growing — and we’re ready to grow with you. Upgrade to the enterprise plan and get your first month free: [LINK]
  • Loving our sales CRM? Add our marketing automation to your plan. Share reporting and align your teams for good 🤝 Learn how it works: [LINK]
  • Stop worrying about running out of dining hall credits. Upgrade to the unlimited meal plan for limitless swipes all semester long. Change your plan here: [LINK]
  • Take your studies further, Amira! 🌎✨ Explore new Spring 2026 study abroad opportunities for communications majors: [LINK]
  • The only thing better than a home win? Watching it from our brand new Midfield Club 🍻 Check out the exclusive benefits and luxury perks: [LINK] 
  • Never miss another slam dunk! 🏀 Subscribe to WNBA streaming to watch every game live — even on the go. Get 15% off with code DUNK15: [LINK]

 

How to Send Promotional Texts at Scale

Reaching your audience with well-timed, well-composed, and personalized promotional text messages can help move the needle by keeping your brand top-of-mind and re-engaging less active contacts. But what about when you have hundreds or even thousands of contacts in your list?

The best way to send a promotion SMS at scale is to leverage a mass text messaging platform — a type of software that allows you to send customized one-on-one texts to several recipients simultaneously. And if you use short codes (short five or six-digit numbers pre-approved by carriers for SMS marketing), you can enjoy even better throughput for bulk messages — with high delivery rates and less risk of filtering.

With an SMS solution like TrueDialog, you can reach your entire contact list using high-impact messages, schedule messages to arrive at the best time for each recipient, and easily personalize your SMS copy using dynamic fields. The platform allows you to launch and manage all of your promotional text campaigns from one central dashboard, and even integrates with your CRM so you can automate your workflows and enjoy more accurate, closed-loop reporting. 

Final Thoughts: Mastering the Art of Promotional Texts

There’s no doubt that promotional text messages are an excellent strategy for boosting sales, driving traffic to your site, keeping your contacts informed about new products, and fostering long-term loyalty. And, in an era of near-constant distractions, it’s one of the few ways to reliably (and directly) reach your audience.

By following our best practices for high-conversion copy, drawing inspiration from the promotion message examples, and adopting a top-tier SMS marketing platform, you can capture your contacts’ attention and motivate them to take action.