Not able to slash prices for Black Friday, but want to make the most of it? Here are some cost-effective BFCM marketing tips and SMS strategies for small businesses.
Let’s be transparent here: Offering heavy discounts on Black Friday is one of the easiest ways to stand out and sell on this day. We too recommend using special offers, but sometimes, that just doesn’t align with your target revenue.
If you’re selling premium products that rely on customer trust and brand equity to survive, cutting your prices in half could do more harm than good. Or perhaps your margins are already razor-thin, and discounts would chip away at profits rather than adding to them.
In those scenarios, you can still run a Black Friday marketing strategy, just one that safeguards your bottom line in other ways while offering customers excitement and value.
We’ve got the solution for you though to boost your Black Friday profit strategy.
With so many sellers clogging inboxes and social feeds with markdowns, this question remains: How can your brand break through when everyone else is bragging about their discounts?
The solution we suggest: Doubling down on what sets your business apart – whether it’s a premium quality product, your unique experience, or a collective sense of community around your brand.
Trying to compete with heavy discounts are also tough for small businesses. Margins tend to be too thin to knock 40–50% off without degrading profitability.
Plus, many customers aren’t as enticed by savings alone. In truth, many consumers place just as much, if not more value on factors such as exclusivity, convenience, and personalization. This includes aspects like:
All of these are non-discount incentives that can instill the same sense of urgency and excitement, without you losing revenue.
You can use pretty much anything to create urgency and excitement. Here are five strategies that small businesses can use this Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM):
Instead of quickly reducing your prices, give customers more value and incentives to buy from you. Make a list of your best sellers and complementary products or consider creating limited editions that you’ll only sell during BFCM.
This gives customers the feeling they’re getting their hands on something exclusive and unique. For instance, you could match a crowd-pleasing product with another supporting item that adds ease or complements the main purchase.
“Black Friday exclusive: Get our Cozy Winter Bundle: our best-selling candle + collectible mug! Only 100 available. Just tap to get yours before they’ve run out!”
Your best customers deserve the extra recognition with a special offer for Black Friday. Offer VIPs early access to your sale, exclusives on limited numbers of inventory, or special bundles that only they can get.
SMS text messages are particularly effective here. A text-only VIP notification makes customers feel like insiders, adding to both trust and lifetime value.
Black Friday stresses people. Make their lives easier and they will remember your brand. Provide thoughtful amenities such as free gift wrapping, curbside pickup, or same-day delivery for local customers.
Scarcity is a great tool for closing sales quickly. When your product isn’t available every single day, people are more likely to seize the opportunity and buy now, while they still can. Whether it’s a flash sale happening within a few hours or announcing there were only so many items in stock, an element of scarcity often prompts people to act before it’s too late.
You can use an SMS message like the one below to let your customers know when new stock drops or how much stock is left:
Instead of structuring BFCM around discounts, focus on what value the bonuses you offer can bring.
Selling products? This could be an extended warranty, a free digital guide, or exclusive content. Got a service-based business? Try holiday-only offers such as free consultations, bonus sessions, or discount package deals. These are incentives that help you maintain the quality of your services and products.
When you’re just not ready to keep cutting prices to drive sales anymore, it’s time for your marketing to offer immediacy, exclusivity, and that personal touch. You can use an SMS platform like SimpleTexting to deliver all three of those.
Early access deals are another great way to give your “best” customers first dibs and create hype for your general sale’s launch. You can first to launch new products, limited-time bundles, or special collections with your subscribers, making them feel valued and respected. And as a bonus: Iit also allows you to manage inventory and demand in a more predictable way.
Similarly, VIP alerts ensure your loyal customers are the first to know about everything. This is a great text messaging strategy you can use on any day, not just for Black Friday. Such personalized alerts drive repeat purchases and build lasting relationships with customers, converting one-time purchasers into lifelong brand advocates.
Urgency can often feel overdone, but it works when you’re being genuine. It’s so effective for driving action and it’s super easy to put into practice. Just send text messages telling customers when/if inventory is almost gone or a flash sale is about to expire. This timeliness turns passive browsers into buyers, all without you discounting prices.
SMS remains a versatile channel for storytelling, educating shoppers, and creating a better customer experience. Lean into this with other non-discount Black Friday offers like bundles, service add-ons, and extra benefits. This redirects your customer’s attention from chasing discounts, to instead, appreciating what makes your brand unique.
Let us let you in on a little secret: You can use SMS for more than just selling. Turn to texting customers as an opportunity to create hype, delight buyers, and make an impression that lasts, through the busiest shopping season of the year and beyond.
Use this four-step playbook with some extra flair to make your BFCM texting campaign shine:
Use the traditional sign-up pitch in reverse by giving them a sneak peek into Black Friday excitement. For instance, you can tempt your subscribers with something like “Want to reveal secret BFCM sales and surprises? Text JOIN to receive unique clues before anyone else.” This is perfect if you want (and you should) to drive early sign-ups and buzz.
Tip: Make it easy to sign up with clear, compelling calls-to-action.
Move past basic segments such as “recurring buyers” and show you truly understand your audience by setting up segments related to specific browsing styles or interests like “early bird deal hunters” vs. “experience seekers”.
Customize messages to what each segment wants (and is hence likely to respond to) with flash sale alerts for one and VIP event invitations for another.
Tip: Refresh your segments often based on engagement results to keep messages timely so they’ll keep resonating with your audience.
Why not do something different and turn your Black Friday SMS into mini-stories or “choose your own adventure” type messages.
Try out teasers first.
Like “Time’s running out… Will you snatch our limited-edition gift box before it disappears?” Follow with an unexpected turn (particularly when response is low to the first message): “And for the next 50 buyers only, we’ve got a mystery gift.”
Tip: Emojis and casual language can help a text feel like a personal note (not a sales pitch) but the overall story is what matters the most – and an image will trigger an MMS send.
Use times, dates, and even weather conditions to send weather- or location-specific tips: “The snowstorm’s here! Warm up with free same-day delivery on all orders today.” Or shock the late shoppers with a: “Still shopping? And here’s the secret flash deal, just for night owls like you.” When your messages feel personal and timely, sales should follow.
Tip: Track when customers engage the most for your first Black Friday campaign so you can optimize send windows next year to reach them at the best moments.
Looking for more creative ideas and customizable templates? Check out our Black Friday SMS Survival Guide.
Both Black Friday and Cyber Monday should be on your radar even if you don’t want to join the discounts galore. Simply focus on these three core points before all else:
The key to success with these? Start now. Build and segment your SMS list now so you can launch your first Black Friday and Cyber Monday campaigns this year.
Each new campaign will give you more insights into what your audience wants and what type of offer they’ll respond to. This way, you gradually tailor your messages to create a high-impact SMS marketing that will break through the holiday chatter.
With SimpleTexting, starting and maintaining your campaigns is quick, simple, and cost effective. Try it for free and start boosting revenue today.
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