Summer is the season of lounging poolside, evening walks through the park, camping under the stars, and neighborhood soccer games. What do all these activities have in common? People are away from their computers, making SMS a far more preferable to email marketing during this warm-weathered season.
To help you get the most out of your summer SMS marketing campaigns, we’ve put together a mix of fun ideas and practical tips.
Maximize Summer SMS Marketing Campaign Success With These Practical Tips
Consider refining and testing text timing—days and hours—specifically for summer
Summer shakes up our routines—kids are out of school, vacations are in full swing, and even longer daylight hours can shift our habits. In turn, consider modifying the day and time you send your summer marketing texts.
For example, imagine your quick-service restaurant found that Friday mornings were the best time for SMS open rates and promo engagement; customers were eager to use the discount before their lunch break. In summer, engagement with your Friday promotional SMS might drop, as more people take the day off from work for long weekends. In response, you may want to test sending your SMS in the middle of the week instead.
Look to summer buying patterns to predict customer interests and behaviors
Many industries experience summertime slow-downs, from B2B to retail. You may be able to find outside research that speaks specifically to your industry. However, arguably the most valuable insights into summer buying patterns lies within your own data. Look at multiple years’ worth of sales information to extract a greater understanding of:
- How summers compare to other seasons, overall
- Which day of the week—and times—are the most profitable
- Distinguishable trends regarding product and sales
- Which sales are the most successful
- If there’s a change in digital interactions, such as app usage
Segment SMS audiences based on known information
As previously established, summer tends to throw a wrench into our schedules. However, the type of impact—and to what extent—can vary based on numerous factors, such as the recipient’s age group, socioeconomic status, and location. For example:
- If you run a café chain, your summertime SMS and MMS marketing should reflect regional preferences. In northern states, patio seating might be a major draw, while in the South, showcasing a refreshingly air-conditioned interior could be more enticing.
- If you run a bakery franchise, locations serving upper-middle-class customers may experience a sharper decline as they take longer vacations, while those catering to lower-income patrons may see steadier demand.
- If you run a quick-service restaurant, you may notice a summertime dip in college students using student discounts compared to other customer groups, as many head “home” for the break.
By segmenting your SMS subscribers into subgroups, you can determine who receives which messages and how to allocate your budget. After all, sending summertime promotions to college students who are hundreds of miles away would be a waste of marketing dollars.
Voxie is an SMS platform that combines scalable text marketing with precise targeting based on location and customer data.
Incorporate summertime visuals using MMS to make your texts pop
For many, summertime is the season they’ve dreamed of all winter and spring—the greenery, the pool, the warm breeze. Use these uplifting, warm-weather visuals to spark positive emotions and inspire action by incorporating them into your marketing MMS campaigns.
For creative ideas to fuel your summer MMS marketing, read Leveraging MMS in Marketing (With Examples) - How & Why.
Embrace Summer Holidays Within Your SMS Marketing Campaigns
Summertime marks a parade of different holidays, all of which influence consumer’s needs. Father’s Day, people will be scrambling for the perfect gift for Dad or perhaps will be more receptive to generous fine dining promotional offers. Memorial Day or the 4th of July, your marketing text subscribers may be hunting for the perfect ideas for summer party supplies.
Father’s Day SMS Marketing Campaign Ideas
Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re marketing to dads for Father’s Day—to achieve summertime success, craft SMS messaging that speaks to their romantic partners or children.
“Father’s Day is almost here! Give Dad one-of-a-kind cufflinks from Smith’s for Men with FREE engraving when you order before June 15. [link]”
People usually start thinking about Father’s Day gift-giving two weeks in advance, so this could be the perfect time to start your promotions. If you’re an eCommerce business, send a “final reminder” text 24 hours before the order deadline for on-time Father’s Day delivery.
If you’re a retail store or offer services, send marketing texts 2-3 days in advance of Father’s Day to reach people hunting for last-minute gifts.
“Need a last-minute gift for Dad? Good news—Manchester Foods is open until 8:00 PM and has everything he loves, from cooking spices to premium cuts of meat to his favorite brandy! 🍖🥃”
“🎁 Not sure what to get Dad? Treat him to a gift card from Smith Landscaping—sent to your phone or his in just minutes! [link]”
For a fuller list of dad-themed promo ideas, read Father’s Day SMS Marketing Strategies for Franchises.
4th of July SMS Marketing Campaign Ideas
The 4th of July is not a holiday for gifting, but rather for celebrating. And for many retailers, it’s a prime moment to shine. Party hosts are on the hunt for deals on snacks, games, and sparklers, while event goers may be tempted to splurge on a new swimsuit or outfit. It’s also a peak time for road trips, with families heading out for beach days, camping weekends, and city getaways.
“🚗 Hit the road with confidence this 4th of July! Get $60 OFF Michelin tires at Smith’s Service Center—just in time for your summer adventures. Don’t let worn-out tires slow you down your weekend fun. [Link] 🎊🏕️🚙”
“This 4th of July, conquer summer humidity with a sleek blowout or get that sun-kissed glow with fresh highlights! ✨💇♀️ HURRY—limited spots left before the holiday! Book now: [link]”
For more summertime SMS campaign inspiration with a patriotic twist, read How to Use SMS for Sparkling Fourth of July Promotions .
Labor Day SMS Marketing Campaign Ideas
Alas, summer must always come to an end. Your customers’ minds may be fixated on making the most of the dwindling warmth or already turning their attention to what’s next—back-to-school shopping and autumn activities.
This is the time when many Americans eagerly await major sales to shop and save. Use this opportunity to shape your Labor Day SMS campaigns around clearing out summer inventory and addressing your customers’ time-sensitive needs.
“Say goodbye to summer in style! 🌞 Enjoy 40% off ALL shorts and t-shirts at Smith’s Closet, now through Sep 1, 2025. Don’t miss out—shop today! [link]”
“Get your home fall-ready with our limited-time Labor Day Sale, now through Sep 1. Bedding! Bath towels! Home goods! NOW is the time to save as much as 70%. [link]”
Other Summer Events to Fuel Your SMS Marketing Ideas
June through August is an exciting time of year for many reasons, not just for federal holidays. When searching for summertime ideas to shape your SMS marketing campaigns, consider:
- Weddings
- Beach trips
- Sporting events
- Graduation parties
- Amusement park visits
- Camping
- Music festivals
- Road trips
- Family reunions
- Picnics
- Barbecues and cookouts
Evolve Summertime SMS Marketing Beyond Product Promos
Promote Your Referral Program
Referenced throughout this article is the fact that your customers will most likely be more social during the warm months of summer. So what better time is there to encourage your SMS subscribers to spread the word about your brand?
Use SMS to remind followers of your referral program and its perks. As your followers reconnect at backyard BBQs or family gatherings, your offer will be in the back of their minds.
Use Summertime to Acquire UGC
With all the picnics, beach days, and outdoor adventures, your audience is snapping countless photos. Make your products part of those memories by running a summer-themed photo contest—invite customers to text in their best shots for a chance to win.
Use SMS to Promote Your Summer-Themed Content
Did you craft summer recipes that feature your jarred salsa or a listicle of your favorite local spots for a picnic? Consider leveraging SMS to get extra eyeballs on your summer-themed marketing content.
Bonus - Consider That Customers May Need Extra SMS Reminders About Upcoming Appointments
Though appointment reminders don’t exactly fall under the umbrella of marketing, it’s still a powerful use of text messaging. Since summer distractions can lead to missed appointments, consider adding an extra SMS reminder—whether for haircuts, dentist visits, home repairs, or other commitments.
Click here to read tips for effective SMS appointment reminders.
Heat Up Your Summertime SMS Marketing With Voxie
Voxie is an SMS platform designed specifically to help franchises and multi-location businesses effectively connect with customers and drive real growth. From acquiring new contacts to further engaging loyal customers, our platform balances personalization with advanced automation. Capabilities include 2-way SMS powered by Conversational AI, smart list segmentation and personalization, drip campaign programming, in-depth text marketing analytics, and versatile tech integrations.