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As text marketing is the quickest and most direct way to reach your customers before your competitors do, especially on high-volume days like Black Friday. That’s why Black Friday text marketing is a game changer for brands looking to stand out.
With inboxes overflowing during the biggest shopping week of the year, text messages cut through the noise, landing right where your audience is: on their phones.
This guide breaks down how to plan, send, and optimize high-converting SMS campaigns for Black Friday, from list building to timing, compliance, and retention.
Growing your list before Black Friday
Businesses need an opt-in from their contacts before they can send them text messages and stay compliant in the process.
Start building your contact list well in advance so that you can nurture your potential customers in advance of Black Friday and make it more likely that they convert.
Some ways to do this are through:
- SMS – Optin
- Website forms
- Marketing emails
Of these, SMS opt-ins are the simplest way to start growing your contact list. You don’t even need any technical help to get started. Here’s how:
How to grow your SMS list with CallHub
Here’s how you can quickly set up an SMS opt-in campaign to get your potential customers subscribed to your text message alerts.
Step 1: Set up a keyword
Choose a keyword of your choice after creating a free account.
When someone texts you the keyword, they’re opted in to your list and can be included in future broadcast texts.
If you have a large texting program, you can place a request for a dedicated short code after sign up. A dedicated short code lets you create unlimited keywords at no additional cost.
Step 2: Set up an SMS opt-in campaign
Choose SMS opt-in from the CallHub dashboard to begin setting up.
Step 3: Set up your auto-reply
The initial text that goes out should let people know what they are opting in to. For example:
- What kind of texts you will be sending
- The frequency of communication
- How to opt out
We keep your lists clean by automatically unsubscribing people who reply with STOP, END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, and QUIT.
Step 4: Create follow-up prompts for data collection
If you choose to do so, you can collect additional data from contacts. For businesses, you might want to know what kind of products interest these potential customers, or what kind of messages they would like to receive.
Step 5: Publish and advertise your keyword and short code
Get the word out to everyone who engages with your brand:
- On social media
- On your website
- Through your marketing emails
- Paid online ads
- Print ads
You can make your CTA to opt-in more enticing by:
- Offering a permanent discount to people who are subscribed to your text messages
- Advertising exclusive discount codes sent to contacts through texts
Your SMS opt-in campaign will keep populating your contact list with new subscribers as they sign up.
Once you have your list of contacts, you’re all set to start sending them text alerts by setting up mass texting campaigns.
Tip: Keeping your keyword relevant to your brand and industry can make it easier for potential contacts when they want to opt in.
Ex. “SHOES” if you are a footwear business.
Timing your Black Friday text marketing campaign
The interest peaks just before and early on Black Friday. Here is…
| Timing | Message type | Strategy |
| Night before | Teaser/countdown | Early access, urgency |
| Morning of | Sale alert | Announce “Sale Live” |
| Evening | Last-chance | FOMO, urgency |
| Post-sale | Follow-ups | Feedback and retention |
Pro tip: Send at least two texts. A countdown teaser and a “live now” alert to maximize sales impact.
Black Friday text marketing: promotional texts
Source: Internxt
Timing can define your campaign’s success. According to Google Trends, interest in Black Friday peaks at midnight before the sale, then again at 6–8 AM on the day itself.
Recommended Send Times:
- Night Before (10 PM–2 AM): Send teaser/countdown messages.
- Morning of (6–8 AM): Announce your sale – “Sale Live” alert.
- Evening (6–9 PM): Send final-hour call/reminders.
| Key Takeaway: Schedule at least two texts, one teaser and one “live now” alert, to stay top of mind through the buying window. |
Read Also: Small Business Marketing Strategy: 10 Tips to Get More Sales
Pre–Black Friday text marketing message
Pre–Black Friday texts help build anticipation and awareness weeks before the sale.
How to do it:
- Start 2–3 weeks ahead with product previews or “coming soon” deals.
- Create a drip campaign to warm up leads.
- Segment lists using opt-in data to personalize offers.
Example:
Sneak Peek! Black Friday drops next week. Save up to 40%, only for SMS insiders. Stay tuned!
| Key Takeaway: Nurture your SMS subscribers early to increase click-throughs and conversions when your sale goes live. |
Post black friday text marketing message
Keep customers engaged post-sale. Post-Black Friday texts help keep your momentum going and allow you to learn what worked. This is also a retention tactic to turn black friday shoppers into loyal fans.
Send follow-up messages like:
- “Thanks for shopping! How was your experience? Rate us here [link]”
- “Cyber Monday is next! Exclusive deals start tomorrow.”
- “Your feedback earns you 10% off your next purchase: [link]”
Year-round retention means your list stays active and ready for seasonal promotions.
| Key Takeaway: Follow-up messages turn one-time buyers into loyal customers and keep your list active year-round. |
Read Also: Here is How to Send Automated Texts in 2025
5 proven Black Friday text marketing templates
Source: Instagram
Here are five proven message types that drive engagement and sales:
| Type | Example message |
| Sale alerts | It’s live! 40% OFF everything. Shop now: [link] |
| Discount codes | Use code BF30 for 30% OFF, ends at midnight! |
| Low stock alerts | Your saved item is almost gone! Shop before it sells out [link] |
| Sweepstakes/Contests | Win a $100 voucher! Every order today counts. [link] |
| Cart recovery | You left savings in your cart! Finish to score – 25% |
| Key Takeaway: Use MMS and RCS for short, visual, and time-sensitive texts. Combine urgency with value to motivate fast action. |
Read Also:SMS Marketing Statistics: Is Your Outreach What 60% Want?
How to set up a mass text campaign on black friday
Once you have your list of contacts, you can start sending them messages by setting up a mass texting campaign.
Step 1: Set up a mass texting campaign
Choose Text Broadcast from the CallHub dashboard.
Once in campaign setup, you can name your campaign, choose the contact list you want to engage, and set a caller ID (shortcode/long code).
Step 2: Enter your message
Enter the initial message you want to broadcast to your contact list (for example a sale alert text.)
You can add images or videos here to go out to contacts as an MMS.
Step 3: Schedule it to go out
Once you schedule your campaign, your initial mass texts will go out. That means you can do this well in advance of Black Friday.
Black Friday text marketing compliance checklist
✅ Only text people who have opted in.
✅ Include opt-out instructions (“Reply STOP to unsubscribe”).
✅ Avoid sending texts outside of business hours.
✅ Keep your message frequency clear and consistent.
✅ Automatically remove unsubscribes (CallHub handles this for you).
Key Takeaway:
Transparency builds trust, and compliant texting protects your sender reputation.
Read Also: Maximize Engagement: The Power of Automated Text Messaging:
Black Friday text marketing templates (Copy & paste)
Stay compliant and protect your business with these essentials:
Teaser Text:
It’s almost here… Black Friday starts at midnight. Get ready to save BIG. [link]
Launch Alert:
We’re live! Up to 50% OFF sitewide. Limited stock — shop now: [link]
Last Chance:
Final hours! Your 30% OFF code ends tonight. Don’t miss out: [link]
Feedback:
Thanks for shopping! How was your experience? Tell us here [link]
Build momentum beyond Black Friday
Black Friday is just the beginning. With a well-timed SMS strategy, you can engage customers throughout the entire season, from Cyber Monday to the holidays.
Create, automate, and track all your SMS campaigns with CallHub today and watch how real-time engagement turns into real conversions.
Black Friday text marketing FAQs
Why is text marketing considered the quickest way to reach customers during Black Friday?
Text marketing is considered the quickest way to reach customers during Black Friday because messages land directly on their phones, cutting through the noise of overflowing inboxes and reaching the audience where they are most attentive.
How can businesses effectively grow their SMS contact list before Black Friday?
Businesses can effectively grow their SMS contact list before Black Friday by using opt-in methods such as SMS opt-ins, website forms, and marketing emails, with SMS opt-ins being the simplest to start with, especially through campaigns involving keywords and short codes.
What are the recommended steps to set up an SMS opt-in campaign with CallHub?
To set up an SMS opt-in campaign with CallHub, you should choose and create a keyword, set up an SMS opt-in campaign on the dashboard, create an initial auto-reply that explains the opt-in details, and then promote your keyword and short code across various channels to attract subscribers.
What is the optimal timing for sending Black Friday SMS marketing messages?
The optimal timing for Black Friday SMS marketing messages includes sending teaser or countdown messages the night before, announcing the sale in the early morning, and sending final reminders in the evening, with a recommended strategy of sending at least two texts: one teaser and one live alert.
How can businesses ensure compliance with SMS marketing regulations during Black Friday campaigns?
Businesses can ensure compliance by only texting contacts who have opted in, including opt-out instructions in messages, avoiding texts outside of business hours, maintaining clear message frequency, and automatically removing unsubscribes, thereby building trust and protecting their sender reputation.
