It’s that time of the year again. Summer is in full swing, but students and parents are preparing for the next school year.
It’s time for brands to do their homework and ace their back-to-school marketing campaigns.
Traditionally, the top-purchased product categories around this time of year are clothing and accessories, electronics or computer-related equipment, school supplies, cosmetics, and shoes. As retailers prepare for a challenging season, 80% of consumers expect higher prices when back-to-school and back-to-college shopping in 2023.
A solid marketing strategy will help you grab the attention of your audience and drive more revenue to your store. Use the combined strengths of SMS and email to reach your shoppers everywhere, engage on a channel of their choice, and put your irresistible offers right at their fingertips.
SMS & Email Cheat Sheet
Sharpen your pencils, here are our three expert tips that will help you score an A+ with your Back-to-School SMS & email campaigns:
Schedule Smartly
Start NOW. Most families will soon start looking for valuable offers. Extend your sales until the first weekend after the start of the school year to ensure you benefit from procrastinating parents and their last-minute purchases. For best results, send an SMS or an email now and follow up with a text message, including a small incentive.
Sell Smartly
Make your offer appealing. Now, more than ever, people are focused on saving money and are actively searching for discounts. Offer special promotions such as BOGO, free shipping, and extended return. Complementary items or exclusive Back-to-School bundles at marked prices will also help attract new customers and boost the AOV of your store.
Message Smartly
Use the good ol’ F.O.M.O. Remind shoppers that the first school day is right around the corner, and explicitly mention that your offers are time-sensitive and quantities are limited. Get personal in the copy of your messages, and make your subscribers feel closer to your brand and products. Use some student lingo and add a pinch of humor whenever possible.
Now it’s time to present our list of 18 actionable SMS & email templates for A-graders: whether your products belong to the most purchased categories around this time of the year or not – it’s important to think outside the box and make an offer your customers can’t (and won’t) refuse.
Universal
SMS Template:
{FirstName}, we at {SiteName} did Your homework and prepared great school offers for the whole family. Enjoy A-grade discounts in the next 48h at: {SiteUrl}
Email Template:
Back-to-School Limited Sale!
Make sure you check every item off your Back-to-School list before the first bell! All products are now at 15% off.
Shop Now
SMS Template:
{SiteName}: {FirstName}, enjoy a {DiscountValue} discount and stock up on all the necessities for the upcoming school year! Valid until September 10! {DiscountCodeUrl}
Email Template:
20% discount on us
Sharpen your pencils and pay attention, class! Get ready for school with a 20% sitewide discount, valid while stocks last!
Shop Now
Clothes & Accessories
SMS Template:
{SiteName}: {FirstName}, time to suit up and get an A+ in style with our Buy One Get One promo – now available for all shirts and jackets: {SiteUrl}
Email Template:
Back to School Style
Save big on fall wardrobe essentials! Get 30% off all apparel and accessories with code BACK2SCHOOL.
Shop Now
School Supplies
SMS Template:
{SiteName}: {FirstName}, they say that 1+1=2. Well, not with us! Check out our Back-to-School bundles with free shipping until Sept 10! Grab one at: {SiteUrl}
Email Template:
It’s Back-to-School time!
Prep your family for excellence with the help of our wide selection of school supplies.
Shop Now
Sports
SMS Template:
{SiteName}: {FirstName}, gear up for the new school year with brand-new sports equipment. Browse through our latest collection at: {SiteUrl}
Email Template:
Save Big on Sports Essentials
Back to school, back to sports! Save 20% off all gear with code BACK2SCHOOL.
Get the discount
Electronics
SMS Template:
{SiteName}: Get ready for the first bell with some brand new earphones, {FirstName}. Now with special discounts and free shipping: {SiteUrl}
Email Template:
Study smarter, not harder
Can you imagine how easy that must be with a new laptop? Use code BACK2SCHOOL for an additional 15% discount on all items.
Shop Now
Beauty
SMS Template:
{SiteName}: {FirstName}, make school mornings more enjoyable with our body wash collection. Refreshing new scents at a special price: {SiteUrl}
Email Template:
Your 5-minute face
Sleep later on school days with these barely-there everyday essentials that give you a no-makeup look in five minutes flat.
Shop Now
Shoes
SMS Template:
{FirstName}, can you really be “Too Cool for School”? Let’s try it out with our new shoe collection at {SiteName}! Free shipping for a limited time only: {SiteUrl}
Email Template:
Back-to-School Essentials
School is coming and the kids might need new cool & comfortable shoes. Limited quantities left, so make sure you don’t miss it.
Shop Now
Food & Beverages
SMS Template:
{SiteName}: {FirstName}, prep your kids for school in just a few minutes with our daily food subscription boxes. Fresh ingredients and nutritious recipes – delivered straight to your doorstep: {SiteUrl}
Email Template:
Dorm snacks for your favorite student
Fact: college students need fuel to get through late nights and cram sessions. Set up a snack box subscription and they’ll never go hungry during crunch time. 25% OFF your first box with code DORMSNAX!
Subscribe Now
Class dismissed!
Today’s SMS & email marketing class might be over, but the actual school year hasn’t even started yet. Time to pack up your summer bags and head back to your store for your Back-to-school sale. Use our 18 templates for inspiration and start prepping your next campaign.
