A single text can stop people in their tracks. Maybe it’s the “Psst, it’s finally here…” for a highly anticipated product drop. Or the “Last chance! Your cart is waiting…” flash sale alert. These texts are a must because they deliver quick wins, but the conversation shouldn’t end there.
If you only reach out to make a sale, you’re missing the chance to build a real connection. SMS drip campaigns fill in all the gaps between those high-urgency messages. They welcome people when they first join, answer questions before they’re asked, and follow up after key moments.
You’ll love the fact that these sequences run themselves. Set it up once, and the system takes it from there, delivering messages to fit the moment for every customer. It’s automation at its best. Sound like something you could use? Here’s how to start.
Understanding text message drip campaigns
A text message drip campaign is a planned series of messages sent over time. Each message has a purpose, and, together, they guide the customer through different stages of their journey.
Some message sequences send on a schedule, like birthday wishes with discount codes or monthly loyalty rewards updates. But most triggers send based on customer actions, such as signing up, making a purchase, or even going quiet for a while.
To send these messages, you use an SMS marketing platform. These tools let you segment your audience, build drip texting sequences, and track performance, all from a single dashboard. If you choose an all-in-one marketing platform, you can run email drip campaigns, too.
Why successful SMS drip campaigns work so well
SMS drip campaigns work because they match how people communicate. Text messages are short, direct, and easy to read, which makes them ideal for quick nudges throughout the customer journey.
They also rely on timing instead of volume. You’re not flooding inboxes with daily texts. Instead, you’re showing up at key moments with timely, relevant messages. This keeps customer engagement high while avoiding message fatigue. But it’s not just about the customer experience.
SMS drip campaigns benefit your brand, too. People are far more likely to respond, click, and buy when personalized SMS messages arrive at just the right time. You get higher sales without manual follow-ups, helping your brand maximize revenue from every subscriber on your list.
Effective SMS drip campaign examples
The best way to understand drip texting campaigns is to see them in action. Here are 9 SMS drip campaign examples for every stage of the customer journey.
Example #1: Welcome series for new subscribers
A welcome series introduces new subscribers to your brand and sets expectations for future messages. It triggers when someone opts into your contact list and typically includes 3-4 personalized messages.
Example flow:
- Immediate: “Hey [Name], welcome to [Brand Name]. Your exclusive 15% off discount code is: WELCOME15. Shop here: [link]”
- Third day: “Want a peek behind the scenes? Here’s how our [Product Name] is made. [Link to video/blog]”
- Seventh day: “Our bestseller, the [Product Name], is back in stock! Claim yours at a discount with your welcome code: [link]”
Example #2: Onboarding drip campaign
An onboarding drip campaign helps new customers get started with your product or service. The first message triggers after a purchase, followed by 2-3 more messages over the first 2 weeks.
Example flow:
- Immediate: “You’re all set! Here’s your quick-start guide to get the most out of [Product Name]: [link]”
- Fifth day: “Pro tip: 90% of users start with this feature to get the best results: [link]”
- Tenth day: “Have questions? Our Support team is here if you need help getting the most out of [Product Name]. Reply HELP anytime.”
Example #3: Lead nurturing sequence
Lead nurturing flows build ongoing relationships with subscribers who aren’t ready to buy yet. The 2-3-message sequence triggers when a potential customer engages with a lead magnet, fills out a form, or otherwise shows interest.
Example flow:
- Immediate: “Curious how [Product Name] works? Here’s a short breakdown of what it can help with: [link]”
- Fourth day: “Many customers ask this before getting started: [common question]. Here’s the answer: [link]”
- Tenth day: “When you’re ready, here’s an easy way to get started with [Product Name]: [link] Take 10% off with code: GETSTARTED.”
Example #4: Abandoned cart reminders
Abandoned cart reminders recover lost sales by gently nudging customers to complete their purchase. These timely follow-ups trigger when someone leaves an item in their cart, sending 2-3 messages over 24-48 hours.
Example flow:
- Three hours later: “Hi, [Name], you left something behind! Your cart is waiting: [link]”
- One day later: “Still thinking it over? We saved your cart. Need help deciding? Just reply MOREINFO to chat with our team.”
- Two days later: “Last chance to grab your items before they sell out. Complete your order here: [link]”
Example #5: Post-purchase flow
A post-purchase flow confirms orders, provides tracking updates, and encourages repeat purchases. It triggers when a customer buys something or signs up for your service and can include 3-5 messages over 30-60 days.
Example flow:
- Immediate: “Order confirmed! We’re packing your [Product Name] now. We’ll let you know when it ships.”
- When shipped: “Your order is on the way! Expected delivery on [date]. Track it: [link]”
- After delivery: “Did everything arrive safely? Reply YES or let us know if something’s off.”
- Thirty days later: “Running low on [Product Name]? Reorder now and save 20% off with code RESTOCK20: [link]”
Example #6: Loyalty program alerts
Loyalty program alerts make your best customers feel like VIPs. It’s an ongoing sequence that triggers whenever loyal customers earn points, reach new tiers, or have rewards expiring.
Example flow:
- Points milestone: “You just earned 250 points, [Name]! You’re only 50 points away from a $10 reward.”
- Tier upgrade: “Congrats! You’ve unlocked Gold status. As a Gold member, you get early access to our new drop this Friday. Shop here at [time]: [link]”
- Reward expiring: “Heads up, you have $15 in rewards expiring in 7 days. Use them before they’re gone: [link]”
Example #7: Event reminders
Event reminder sequences keep your brand top-of-mind for specific dates like webinars, in-store events, or big sales. These trigger sends are based on the event’s start time and date to ensure your audience doesn’t miss out.
Example flow:
- One day before: “Big day tomorrow! The [Event Name] kicks off at [time]. Make sure you have the link ready to go: [link]”
- One hour before: “Almost time! We’re going live in 60 minutes. Grab your seat and get ready: [link]”
Example #8: Customer feedback request
A customer feedback request gathers insights about the brand experience and shows people you value their opinions. It triggers 3-5 days after a purchase or visit, giving people enough time to reflect before weighing in.
Example flow:
- Three days after delivery: “Quick question, [Name]: How would you rate your recent purchase? Reply with a number from 1 to 5 (5 = amazing!).”
- If rated 4-5: “So glad you loved it! Would you mind sharing a quick review? It helps us a ton: [link]”
- If rated 1-3: “We’re sorry to hear that. Can you tell us what went wrong? We want to make it right.”
Example #9: SMS winback campaign
An SMS winback campaign re-engages inactive customers and gives them a reason to return. This 2-3-message sequence triggers when a customer hasn’t purchased or otherwise engaged in 30-90 days.
Example flow:
- Sixty days inactive: “We miss you, [Name]! It’s been a while. Here’s what’s new since you’ve been gone: [link]”
- Seventy-five days inactive: “Still there? Come back and save 20% on your next order. Use code COMEBACK20: [link]”
- Ninety days inactive: “Last chance: Your 20% welcome-back discount expires in 48 hours. We’d love to see you again: [link]”
Six easy steps to create SMS drip campaigns
Ready to level up your digital marketing strategy with drip texts? Simply follow these 6 easy steps to map, build, and launch your campaign with confidence.
Step #1: Get text message marketing software
Before you can send automated sequences, you need an SMS marketing platform. It will be your go-to platform for managing text campaigns, so choose carefully.
Some features to look for include:
- Contact management: Store customer data like phone numbers, purchase history, and past interactions in a single place.
- Segmentation: Group contacts so you can send SMS messages based on shared traits or actions.
- Automated triggers: Start sequences automatically when customers take specific actions.
- Compliance tools: Handle opt-ins and opt-outs automatically.
- Analytics: Track clicks, conversion rates, and other results.
Bonus, check if it supports email marketing communications. This powerful tool lets you send messages across both SMS and email from the same dashboard.
Step #2: Define your SMS campaign goals
Every SMS drip campaign should have a clear purpose. What do you want to achieve? Your goal will shape everything from message content to timing.
Common SMS drip campaign goals include:
- Reduce lost sales.
- Improve your brand reputation.
- Grow customer lifetime value.
- Shorten the sales funnel.
- Improve retention rates.
When creating goals, be specific. Instead of saying “increase sales,” try “convert 20% of new subscribers into paying customers within 14 days.”
Step #3: Choose the sequence type
Based on your goals, pick the first automated text message sequence to create. If you want to build trust with new leads, go with a lead nurturing sequence. But if you’d like to boost repeat purchases, a loyalty or post-purchase flow is your best bet. You can run multiple sequences simultaneously, but it’s best to start small, then scale up later.
Step #4: Write your marketing messages
Now it’s time to write your SMS messages. Because you’re working with a limited character count (usually 160 characters per text), every word needs to earn its spot. The goal is to make each message feel tailored to each recipient.
Follow these best practices to keep your writing sharp:
- Stick to a single idea per text.
- Make the value clear from the start.
- Include a clear call to action (CTA).
- Write in the brand voice and tone.
Remember, each message should build on the last. A good follow-up text adds new value or a gentle reminder without being repetitive.
Step #5: Set up automated text sequences
After writing your messages, build the marketing automation flows in your SMS platform. This is where you map out the customer journey and set the automation rules to make everything run on autopilot.
Define your specific triggers. What starts each sequence? Match the message to the trigger to ensure relevant content arrives at just the right moment. The exact timing will depend on the sequence type.
For example, when sending a review request, it should trigger a few days after delivery, so they’ve had time to try the product. Space out follow-up messages appropriately to give customers time to respond and act.
Before launching, take time to test your automated sequences. Walk through the flow as if you were the customer to confirm you’re delivering timely messages in the right order.
Step #6: Launch, monitor, and optimize
Don’t just set up your SMS drip campaigns and forget about them. Continuous improvement helps you get better results over time and keeps your sequences performing at their peak.
Using the analytics dashboard in your SMS platform, monitor key metrics like:
- Delivery rates
- Message interactions
- Click-through rates
- Conversions
- Unsubscribe rates
Analyze your data carefully to catch telltale warning signs. For instance, if your unsubscribe rates climb, you might be sending too many messages. If click rates drop suddenly, test different CTAs or offers.
Once you’ve found winning sequences, apply those insights to other campaigns. If your abandoned cart flow performs exceptionally well, you might want to use similar messaging, timing, or offer strategies in your SMS winback campaigns.
Key takeaways for SMS drip campaigns
- Keep the conversation going: One-off texts can grab attention, but SMS drip campaigns build real relationships by showing up during key moments.
- Let automation help: SMS marketing platforms let you set up automated sequences to stay connected without sending messages manually.
- Remember good timing: Fewer messages sent at the right moments keep engagement high without causing message fatigue.
- Stay relevant always: Customers are more likely to click, respond, and buy when messages speak to their needs.
- Start simple, then optimize: Launch your first SMS drip sequence to gauge what works, then apply what you learn to future campaigns for better results.