SMS Marketing Templates and Examples for Every Campaign Type
Writing strong SMS copy from a blank page every time is slow and inconsistent. A tested template gives you a structure that already includes the right compliance elements and a clear call to action — you just customize the details. Here's a working set of templates across the campaign types most businesses actually send, along with what to adjust for your own brand.
Why start from a template
Templates save time, but the real benefit is consistency — a good template already has a clear call to action, an appropriate tone, and an opt-out instruction built in, so it's harder to accidentally ship a non-compliant or confusing message. Treat every template below as a starting structure: swap in your business name, offer details and brand voice before sending.
Flash sale and promotional templates
Flash sale
FLASH SALE! 30% off everything for the next 6 hours only. Shop now: [link] Reply STOP to opt out
Buy one get one
[Business Name]: Today only! Buy one get one free on select styles. Shop: [link] Text STOP to unsubscribe
Last chance urgency
LAST CHANCE: 25% off ends tonight at midnight. Don't miss out: [link] Reply STOP to opt out
Customizing promotional templates
Replace bracketed placeholders with specifics, keep the urgency window honest, personalize with the customer's name where you can, and always use a tracked link so you can see what converted.
Welcome series templates
Welcome offer
Welcome to [Business Name]! Enjoy 15% off your first order with code WELCOME15: [link] Reply STOP to opt out
Welcome with frequency expectation
Hi [Name]! Thanks for joining. Here's £5 off your first purchase: [link] We text 2-4x/month. Reply STOP to unsubscribe
Send the welcome message immediately after opt-in, while intent is highest. State roughly how often you'll text so there are no surprises later, and make the first offer strong enough to earn the first purchase.
Abandoned cart recovery templates
First nudge (1-2 hours after abandonment)
You left something behind! Your items are waiting. Complete checkout now: [link] Reply STOP to opt out
Second nudge with incentive (24 hours later)
Still thinking it over? Your cart's waiting + free shipping if you check out today: [link] Text STOP to unsubscribe
Final urgency (48 hours later)
LAST CHANCE: 10% off the items in your cart. Offer ends tonight: [link] Reply STOP to opt out
Appointment reminder templates
Standard reminder
Reminder: your appointment with [Provider] is tomorrow at [Time]. Reply C to confirm or R to reschedule.
Reminder with location
[Business Name]: Appointment on [Date] at [Time]. Address: [Location]. Reply CANCEL to modify. See you soon!
Birthday and anniversary templates
Birthday offer
Happy Birthday [Name]! Celebrate with 20% off any purchase this week: [link] Reply STOP to opt out
Loyalty anniversary
Happy Anniversary! Thanks for 2 years with us. Here's £10 off as our thank you: ANNIV10 Reply STOP to opt out
Order confirmation and shipping templates
Order confirmed
Order confirmed! Your order will arrive by [Date]. Track it here: [link] Questions? Reply to this message.
Shipped notice
Good news! Your order has shipped. Track delivery: [link] Expected arrival: [Date]
Win-back and re-engagement templates
We miss you
We miss you! Come back with 20% off your next order, no minimum: [link] Reply STOP to opt out
Named win-back
[Name], we'd love you back! 25% off + free shipping on your return order: [link] Reply STOP to opt out
Review request and loyalty templates
Review request
How did we do? Share your experience and get 10% off your next order: [link] Reply STOP to opt out
Loyalty points update
You've earned 250 points! That's £5 off. Redeem before [Date]: [link] Reply STOP to opt out
Template customization checklist
“Templates provide the structure. Personalization and timing provide the results.”
Save your best templates as reusable snippets
A platform like Havari lets you save proven templates and merge-field them per campaign, so your team is never rewriting the same welcome or reminder message from scratch.
Can I use these templates exactly as written?
Yes as a starting point, but always swap in your specific business details, offer terms and brand voice — the template gives you structure, not the final copy.
How do I pick the right template for a campaign?
Match the template to the goal. Driving a sale calls for a promotional template; building a relationship calls for birthday or loyalty templates. Test a couple of variants and see what your audience responds to.
Should I A/B test template variations?
Yes — small changes to urgency language, the call to action, or the level of personalization can noticeably change conversion rates, and it costs nothing extra to test.
None of these templates are meant to be the finished product — they're a fast, reliable starting point. Adapt the tone to your brand, keep the compliance basics in every send, and use the results from each campaign to refine your own template library over time.