At FireText we’ve heard some great SMS marketing stories over the years. In this post we have hand-picked three of our favourite SMS campaigns that stand out for being so different.
A Merry Christmas from Route 66 Harley Davidson
Christmas is the season of giving; especially for Oklahoma based Motorbike dealership Route 66 Harley Davidson.
The company wanted to increase sales and raise awareness over the Christmas period. With an existing ‘Route 66’s mobile club’, the bike retailer already had a list of loyal customers subscribed to receive text messages.
In the twelve days leading to Christmas, a text marketing campaign started where the mobile club members received 20% discount off different products each day. The campaign saw an increase in sales during what is usually a slow period for the company. The 20% off helmets offer resulted in more helmet sales in one day than all of the previous week.
They also managed to increase their text marketing list by advertising the campaign across social media. Customers were asked to text RT66 to 55678 in order to start receiving the offers. This campaign was created and delivered by 7 Media Group.
Man of the Match
Football team Leeds United have recently started using text voting allowing fans to choose their man of the match.
Fans are encouraged to text LEEDS followed by the surname of their chosen player to 84222.
e.g. LEEDS Smith
By voting, fans are entered into a prize draw to win a signed shirt. Texts are charged at £1 with some of the proceeds going to the Leeds United Foundation. The use of SMS allows fans to vote live at the game and is a great way of raising awareness of a worthy cause.
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps
In 2004, the producers of British comedy Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps wanted to give the viewers a chance to influence the storyline. Season four ended on a cliff-hanger with one of the main characters, Johnny (played by Ralf Little), being shot by the police.
Ralf Little (Johnny)
Viewers were asked to vote whether the character should live or die and they would only find out the result at the start of season five. The SMS campaign successfully engaged with the audience and kept them hooked for the next series.
Fortunately, with the help of voting fans, Johnny survives the ordeal… until a shark-jumping stunt goes wrong in season 7.
Get Inspired
If you want to try something different with your SMS text marketing then give us a call – we’d be happy to act as a soundboard for ideas and even recommend some of our own.