As the calendar pages turn and we inch closer to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, there are plenty of opportunities to stay top of mind.

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Get inspiration for your holiday planning by browsing BFCM examples, templates, and more in our Complete BFCM Archive.

This year, 27% of UK and US adults are planning to start their festive shopping as early as October, continuing the trend of early gift-buying and creating ample opportunities to engage consumers hunting for deals in the days leading up to BFCM. Retailers should prepare for this early surge in shopper activity, with key dates leading up to these events serving as strategic opportunities and milestones. Tailoring marketing for events like the Premier League, August Bank Holiday, London Fashion Week, Singles Day, and Bonfire Night captivates the interest and pockets of diverse audiences. By nurturing SMS subscribers with celebrations leading up to peak, they will be primed to expect messages from your brand and know that staying on your list is valuable.

These SMS strategies, ideas, and examples are designed to maximize your revenue as you approach the peak season.

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Score with list growth during the Premier League

Starting August 17, tap into the excitement of the season by engaging with sports fans through your Premier League strategy. Kick off by rebranding your sign-up units with a football theme and include a special offer on sports-related items. Once you’ve built your list, send SMS alerts about match specials, including promotions on sports gear and accessories throughout the season. Incorporate fun language related to matches and results to keep your messages interesting and relevant. Explore insights from our sports fan consumer survey to elevate your strategy further.

Capture August bank holiday shoppers early

The summer bank holiday, this year on August 26, marks a long weekend that many use for short trips or leisure activities. It’s a great opportunity to use your SMS channel to promote summer collections, essentials, and bbq essentials, and if you have a retail presence, use it to drive foot traffic to your store. Get started a few weeks ahead of the holiday as customers are making their plans.

Find out how your subscribers are spending their weekend with Two-Way Journeys™ to better personalize your August bank holiday marketing efforts. Use the information you collect to send bespoke shopping guides and recommendations that relate to their plans.

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SMS to impress this London Fashion Week with VIP perks

Build anticipation and excitement ahead of September 13-17 by displaying a countdown timer on your sign-up units. A countdown timer amplifies the sense of urgency, creating FOMO that compels customers to act quickly before time runs out.

During your London Fashion Week campaign, offer exclusivity to your SMS subscribers use your SMS channel to offer exclusive perks to your VIP subscribers. Launch Fashion Week themed flash sales and limited-time discounts on items that are trending at London Fashion Week or part of a new collection. If your brand is participating in the event, you can also promote the latest ready-to-wear collections once the week has passed.

If your brand isn’t participating but offers personal appointments—for example, skincare, make-up, or personal shopping—now is a great time to drive bookings and in-store traffic via SMS. 

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Create a sense of urgency on Singles Day

SMS is an ideal channel for achieving an immediate impact on this 24-hour shopping holiday. Singles Day, originally celebrated in Asia as an antidote to Valentine's Day, is transforming into one of the world's largest online shopping holidays. 

Initially, a day for singles to treat themselves, it now attracts global consumers with massive sales and promotions, rapidly gaining popularity. Focus your Singles Day campaign on exclusive deals that cater to self-gifting or treating friends. Consider sending messages to promote special time-limited discounts—such as11% off, buy-one-get-one-free, or a 24-hour flash sale. 

You could also send an incentivized message to your subscribers in the morning, creating a sense of urgency and excitement around the day. Then, retarget those who’ve clicked the link but not purchased, or your most engaged segment later in the day. 

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Spark conversions with bespoke Bonfire Night recommendations

Also known as Guy Fawkes Night, this annual celebration held on November 5th in the UK is traditionally marked with gatherings, fireworks, and bonfires. It's an ideal time for celebratory get-togethers and updating autumn wardrobes.

For your Bonfire Night campaign, encourage early purchases of seasonal goods—such as sparklers and outdoor gear—with special discounts and bundle offers to customers who buy in advance. Capture last-minute shoppers with SMS reminders as the day nears.

Make asking your subscribers about their plans with Two-Way Journeys part of your Guy Fawkes Night strategy. Find out whether they’re going out or staying in, and offer exclusive editorial content—like outfit lookbooks, party decor, and kitchenware for entertaining. For the foodies, create recipes for Bonfire Night treats like toffee apples or smores. Include a strong call to action encouraging customers to visit your shop or site for ingredients or products.

With these peak marketing tips and ideas, you're all set to make the period between now and BFCM one for the books.

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Looking for additional campaign inspiration? Dive into Texts We Love to discover ideas from top brands, and our 2024 Marketing Campaign Calendar, which is packed with tips and templates for important marketing dates.