7 Ways to Engage Your Customers via Text This Holiday Season!

The holiday season offers businesses a unique opportunity to engage customers and drive sales. With customers eagerly searching for deals, gift ideas, and special offers, SMS marketing has become a powerful tool for connecting with them in real time. Let’s explore 7 ways to use text messages during the holidays to boost engagement and make a memorable impact on your audience.

1. Send Holiday Promotions and Discounts

One of the most effective ways to engage customers during the holiday season is by sending exclusive discounts and promotions via text. Limited-time offers increase sales and create a sense of urgency that prompts customers to act quickly.

• Why It Works: Texting exclusive discounts gives customers a reason to shop now, driving sales and building loyalty.
• Quick Tip: Mention a short deadline in the message to encourage immediate action.

Example: “Holiday Flash Sale! Enjoy 20% off on all items until midnight. Shop now and grab your favorites!”

2. Share Gift Guides and Product Recommendations

Many customers struggle to find the perfect gifts during the holidays. Help them by sending curated gift guides or personalized product recommendations based on past purchases. This thoughtful approach positions your brand as a helpful resource and enhances the shopping experience.

• Why It Works: Gift guides provide value by simplifying holiday shopping, which customers appreciate.
• Quick Tip: Use segmentation to send relevant recommendations to different customer groups.

Example: “Looking for gift ideas? Check out our Top 10 Gifts for Her and make holiday shopping a breeze!”

3. Offer VIP Access to Sales and Events

Make your loyal customers feel special by offering them early access to sales or exclusive holiday events. Inviting them to shop before the public builds excitement and rewards their loyalty. These VIP offers can drive significant engagement and encourage repeat purchases.

• Why It Works: Exclusive access creates a sense of privilege and strengthens customer loyalty.
• Quick Tip: Send these VIP invites to your most engaged or high-value customers.

Example: “VIP Early Access! Shop our Holiday Sale before anyone else and get the best picks. Your exclusive link awaits!”

4. Send Friendly Holiday Reminders

Customers can easily forget important dates like sale deadlines or shipping cutoffs during the busy holiday season. Remind them with a quick, friendly text to help them stay on track. These reminders create a sense of urgency while showing you care about helping them complete their shopping on time.

• Why It Works: Helpful reminders add value and keep your brand in mind as customers finalize their purchases.
• Quick Tip: Schedule reminder texts a few days before critical dates, like the last shipping day for Christmas delivery.

Example: “Just a reminder! Today is the last day to order for guaranteed Christmas delivery. Don’t miss out!”

5. Create Holiday-Themed Contests and Giveaways

Contests and giveaways spark excitement and engagement during the holiday season. Inviting customers to participate creates a festive atmosphere that draws them into your brand’s community. Text messaging lets you quickly inform customers about contests, announce winners, and keep participants engaged.

• Why It Works: Contests encourage interaction and increase brand visibility as participants share and discuss it.
• Quick Tip: To maximize participation, use a simple entry method, like replying to the text or clicking a link.

Example: “Holiday Giveaway Alert! Reply with ‘WIN’ to win a $50 gift card. Good luck!”

6. Send Personalized Holiday Greetings

Send personalized holiday greetings to make your customers feel valued. A simple message expressing appreciation can strengthen relationships and foster loyalty. Holiday greetings are a great way to show your brand’s personality and remind customers you’re thinking of them, even outside sales.

• Why It Works: Thoughtful messages build connections and leave lasting impressions.
• Quick Tip: Address customers by name and keep the message short but heartfelt.

Example: “Happy Holidays, Sarah! We’re grateful for your loyalty. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a joyful New Year!”

7. Provide Order and Shipping Updates

During the holiday rush, customers want assurance that their orders arrive on time. Keep them informed by sending timely order confirmations, shipping updates, and delivery notifications via text. These updates reduce customer anxiety and enhance their shopping experience by making them feel cared for and in the loop.

• Why It Works: Timely updates reassure customers and reduce inquiries about order status.
• Quick Tip: Include tracking links or estimated delivery dates for added convenience.

Example: “Good news! Your holiday order has shipped. Track your package here to ensure it arrives in time for the festivities.”

Additional Tips for Successful Holiday SMS Engagement

To make the most of your holiday SMS marketing, keep these extra tips in mind:

• Be Consistent but Not Overwhelming: Send messages regularly, but avoid overwhelming your audience with too many texts.
• Keep Messages Short and Clear: Use concise language to get your message across quickly. Customers appreciate short messages, especially during busy times.
• Add a Personal Touch: Small details, like using the customer’s name or acknowledging past purchases, go a long way in creating a personalized experience.
• Track and Measure: Monitor engagement metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and conversions to understand what resonates with your audience and adjust accordingly.

Compliance and Legal Considerations

• Importance of Opt-Ins and Respecting Opt-Outs: Before launching holiday SMS campaigns, it’s crucial to obtain explicit consent from recipients through clear opt-in mechanisms. This ensures messages are welcome and helps avoid potential legal issues, as many regulations require customers to actively agree to receive promotional texts. Equally important is honoring opt-out requests. Providing an easy, clear way for recipients to unsubscribe (usually by replying “STOP”) ensures compliance and maintains customer trust by respecting their preferences.
• Frequency Guidelines: During the holiday season, there’s a temptation to increase message frequency, but overloading customers can lead to higher unsubscribe rates and decreased engagement. To avoid this, consider setting frequency limits based on industry best practices or customer preferences—typically no more than 1-2 messages per week unless there’s an urgent promotion. Remind readers that quality and timing are more impactful than quantity; strategic messages, especially during peak shopping days, are more likely to engage customers without causing frustration.
• Transparency in Messaging: Clearly state the purpose of your messages upfront, especially when users first opt in. Inform them of the type of content they’ll receive (e.g., holiday discounts, product updates, reminders). Transparency builds trust and sets clear expectations, leading to higher engagement and customer satisfaction.
• Adherence to Local and International Regulations: SMS regulations vary across regions, with different rules for consent, opt-out mechanisms, and message content. For instance, the TCPA in the U.S. requires written consent for promotional messages, while the GDPR in Europe emphasizes strict data privacy standards. Ensure your campaigns comply with local laws if you’re reaching an international audience.
• Respecting Time Zones and Appropriate Messaging Hours: It is crucial to send messages during business hours in each recipient’s time zone. Avoid sending texts late at night or too early in the morning, as this can be disruptive and lead to a negative brand impression. Many regions also have legal restrictions on messaging hours, so check guidelines specific to each target location.

Final Thoughts

Text messaging offers a direct, personal way to engage customers during the holiday season. With these seven strategies, you can create a festive, customer-centered approach that drives sales and strengthens your relationship with your audience.

From exclusive promotions to friendly reminders and holiday greetings, SMS marketing can elevate your holiday campaign and make your brand a memorable part of your customer’s seasonal experience.

Start planning your holiday SMS strategy today, and watch your engagement, loyalty, and sales soar.