How to Write Flash Sale SMS That Actually Convert
TL;DR:
- Lead with your offer – put the discount or deal in the first few words
- Include a direct link to your sale page to reduce friction
- Set clear deadlines using specific times to create urgency
- Send during peak hours when your audience is most active
- Use 'last chance' reminders for sales running longer than a few hours
Flash sale SMS campaigns work because they cut through the noise. Your customers get a direct message about a time-sensitive offer, and if you've done it right, they act on it immediately.
The key is keeping things simple and urgent. Your message needs to grab attention in seconds and make it dead easy for people to buy.
Start With the Deal
Put your offer right at the front of your message. Don't bury it behind pleasantries or brand messaging. Your customers need to know what's in it for them within the first few words.
"50% off all trainers – today only" works better than "Hi Sarah, we've got an exciting offer for you today."
Be specific about what's on sale and how much they'll save. Vague offers like "huge discounts" don't create the same urgency as "40% off everything."
Make Buying Easy
Every flash sale SMS needs a clickable link that takes customers straight to your sale page. The more steps between your message and checkout, the more people you'll lose.
Don't send them to your homepage and expect them to hunt around for the deal. Link directly to the discounted products or a dedicated sale landing page.
Short links work best in SMS. Use a link shortener if your URLs are long, but make sure the destination is obvious from your message.
Create Real Urgency
Deadlines drive action, but they need to feel genuine. "Limited time only" is too vague. "Ends at midnight tonight" or "24 hours left" gives people a specific reason to act now.
Be honest about your deadlines. If you say the sale ends at midnight, it should actually end at midnight. Customers notice when you extend "final" deadlines, and it hurts your credibility.
For very short flash sales (under 6 hours), consider adding a countdown element to your landing page to reinforce the urgency.
Time It Right
When you send your SMS matters as much as what you say. Most people check their phones constantly, but they're more likely to make purchases during certain windows.
Early evening (6-8pm) typically works well for consumer brands, but your audience might be different. B2B customers might respond better to lunchtime messages.
Test different send times with small segments of your list to find what works for your specific audience. Track not just open rates, but actual sales from each time slot.
Use Follow-Up Messages Wisely
If your flash sale runs for more than a few hours, a well-timed reminder can capture people who missed your first message or were too busy to act immediately.
Send your follow-up when there's still enough time for people to make a decision – usually with 2-3 hours left in the sale. Make it clear this is their last chance without being pushy about it.
"2 hours left – 50% off trainers ends at midnight" gives people the information they need to decide.
Keep Messages Short and Scannable
SMS has a 160-character limit for single messages, and even though longer messages are possible, shorter usually performs better for flash sales.
Stick to the essentials: the offer, the deadline, and the link. Everything else is probably unnecessary for a flash sale message.
Use line breaks to make longer messages easier to scan. Put each key piece of information on its own line when possible.
FAQs
How long should a flash sale SMS be?
Keep it under 160 characters when possible. Include your offer, deadline, and link – everything else is optional.
Should I personalize flash sale messages?
Basic personalization like first names can help, but don't let it get in the way of your main message. The offer is more important than personalization for flash sales.
How many flash sale SMS can I send without annoying customers?
This depends on your audience and frequency of regular messages. One initial message plus one reminder is usually safe for genuine flash sales.
What if my sale page loads slowly?
Fast loading times are crucial for flash sales. Test your landing page speed before sending, especially on mobile. A slow page kills conversions.
Jargon Buster
Flash Sale SMS: A text message promoting a short-term discount or offer, usually lasting 24 hours or less.
Click-through Rate: The percentage of people who click your link after receiving your SMS.
Conversion Rate: The percentage of people who actually buy something after clicking through from your message.
Segmentation: Dividing your SMS list into smaller groups based on behavior, preferences, or demographics.
Wrap-up
Flash sale SMS campaigns succeed when they're direct, urgent, and easy to act on. Lead with your offer, set clear deadlines, and make buying as simple as clicking a link. Test your timing to find when your audience is most responsive, and don't be afraid to send a final reminder for longer sales. The goal is to create genuine urgency while making it dead easy for customers to take advantage of your offer.
Learn about QuickSMS: https://www.quicksms.com/