Feeling overwhelmed by planning your SMS campaigns? You’re not alone. Building a well-timed SMS marketing calendar can take the guesswork out of reaching your audience, ensuring you send the right message at the right time. A structured approach not only saves time but can also drive higher conversions, boosting sales effortlessly.
Here’s what’s in store:
- Key SMS dates and events for 2025
- Seasonal campaign ideas with message templates
- Pro tips for maximizing engagement and conversions
PS. TxtCart helps you schedule profitable SMS campaigns around these year-round events with battle-tested templates, eerily human-like conversational AI, and intelligent automations. Eligible brands get a 10x ROI guarantee – try free for 14 days today.
See how Organi Grow Hair increased conversions by using TxtCart’s SMS automation.
Organi Grow Hair, a vegan and organic haircare brand, used TxtCart’s 2-way SMS to recover $25K monthly, drive 42% reply rates, and deliver 9,500+ personalized campaign orders.
$1,248,723
Revenue Attributed to SMS
26,241+
Orders Attributed to SMS
16.9x
SMS Attributed ROI
“TxtCart has really built something special and we’ve been a fan for over 3 years. The organic conversations pair so well with our organic products, providing additional revenue and customer satisfaction.”
Founder, Organi Hair
What Makes up an SMS Marketing Calendar?
An effective SMS marketing calendar involves strategic planning and consistent execution. Let’s break it down step by step:
1. Understand Your Audience
To create messages that truly resonate, you need to know who you’re talking to. Here’s how to get started:
- Analyze demographic data: Use tools like Google Analytics or customer surveys to understand factors like age, location, and buying behavior.
- Leverage past campaign data: Review previous campaigns to see what types of messages worked best with different segments.
- Identify pain points and preferences: Use social media polls or email surveys to gather insights on customer needs, communication preferences, and motivations.
2. Set Clear, Measurable Goals
Defining clear objectives is key to tracking success. Here’s how to do it:
- Use SMART goals: Make sure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, aim to increase SMS-driven sales by 20% in Q1.
- Align with business goals: Whether it’s boosting sales, growing subscriber lists, or increasing traffic, ensure that SMS goals support broader marketing objectives.
- Track metrics: Define which metrics matter for each campaign (e.g., click-through rates, conversion rates, or opt-out rates).
3. Choose the Right Channels
While SMS is central, it works best alongside other channels:
- Combine SMS with email marketing: Use email for detailed messages and SMS for urgent, time-sensitive offers. This creates a cohesive communication strategy.
- Explore social media integration: Use SMS to direct subscribers to social media contests, live events, or exclusive announcements.
- Tailor messaging for each channel: Ensure that the tone, format, and CTAs align with the specific channel you’re using.
4. Plan and Schedule Activities in Advance
Consistency is crucial for successful marketing. Here’s how to stay organized:
- Create a content calendar: Map out campaigns for the entire year, factoring in major holidays, special days, and business-specific events.
- Automate where possible: Use tools like TxtCart to schedule messages, set up automated campaigns, and manage reminders.
- Use templates: Develop message templates for different types of campaigns (e.g., flash sales, product launches, or re-engagement campaigns).
5. Track and Analyze Performance
Regular monitoring is essential to refine tactics and achieve better results:
- Set up tracking tools: Use TxtCart’s analytics dashboard to monitor key metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates.
- Review campaign data: After each campaign, analyze what worked and what didn’t. Look for patterns in messaging, timing, or audience response.
- Optimize future campaigns: Use insights to refine segmentation, messaging, and timing in future campaigns.
How to Plan for Seasonal Marketing with SMS: Monthly Marketing Events for 2025
Each quarter brings unique opportunities to engage your audience with timely, relevant messages through SMS. By aligning your campaigns with key seasonal and special events, you can make the most of each month while driving sales and customer engagement. Here’s a breakdown of 2025’s monthly SMS marketing events and suggested templates for each:
Q1: January – March (Winter)
Kick off the year by focusing on fresh starts, love, and celebrations.
Theme: Fresh starts, love, and fun celebrations
January
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Template 1: “Happy New Year! 🎉 Start 2025 with 20% off your first purchase—use code NEWYEAR20!”
- Template 2: “Ring in the savings! Enjoy 20% off our entire collection today only. Code: NEWYEAR25.”
- National Technology Day (January 6)
- Template 1: “Celebrate National Tech Day! 💻 Get 10% off our latest gadgets—today only!”
- Template 2: “Upgrade your tech! Enjoy 10% off select products for National Tech Day. Code: TECH10.”
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 20)
- Template 1: “In honor of MLK, we’re supporting [charity name] with every purchase this week.”
- Template 2: “Celebrate unity this MLK Day—join us in supporting [charity] with a portion of each sale.”
February
- Valentine’s Day (February 14)
- Template 1: “Spread the love! ❤️ 25% off gifts for your special someone. Use code LOVE25.”
- Template 2: “Show them you care! Enjoy 20% off all Valentine’s gifts with code HEART20.”
- World Cancer Day (February 4)
- Template 1: “Support the fight against cancer 🎗️—10% of today’s sales go to [charity name].”
- Template 2: “Join us in raising awareness this World Cancer Day. A portion of today’s sales will support [charity].”
- National Pizza Day (February 9)
- Template 1: “It’s National Pizza Day! 🍕 Get 15% off your pizza order with code PIZZA15.”
- Template 2: “Celebrate Pizza Day! Order your favorite pizza and enjoy 10% off—today only!”
March
- International Women’s Day (March 8)
- Template 1: “Celebrate Women’s Day! 🌷 Enjoy 20% off all products that empower women. Code: WOMEN20.”
- Template 2: “Honoring women worldwide! Get 15% off select items today with code EMPOWER.”
- St. Patrick’s Day (March 17)
- Template 1: “Get lucky this St. Patrick’s Day! ☘️ 20% off everything with code LUCKY20.”
- Template 2: “Feeling lucky? Enjoy 15% off all green items—today only!”
- World Sleep Day (March 15)
- Template 1: “Sleep better this World Sleep Day! 💤 15% off sleep products with code SLEEP15.”
- Template 2: “Prioritize rest! Enjoy 10% off sleep essentials for World Sleep Day.”
- Key Tips for Q1:
- Focus on New Beginnings: Campaigns that promote self-improvement products or “new you” themes work well.
- Target Valentine Shoppers: Use special offers and gift recommendations for partners.
- Leverage National Awareness Days: Promote causes and show social responsibility through awareness events.
- New Year’s Day: “Happy New Year! 🎉 20% off your first 2025 purchase—use code NEWYEAR20!”
- Valentine’s Day: “Spread the love! ❤️ Enjoy 25% off gifts for your special someone. Use code LOVE25.”
Q2: April – June (Spring)
Focus on renewal, family connections, and environmental awareness in the spring months.
Theme: Renewal, family connections, and eco-consciousness
April
- April Fool’s Day (April 1)
- Template 1: “No joke! 🤡 Enjoy a surprise 25% off with code GOTCHA25.”
- Template 2: “April Fool’s Day deal: get 20% off sitewide—no prank here!”
- Earth Day (April 22)
- Template 1: “Celebrate Earth Day 🌍 with 10% off eco-friendly products! Code: EARTH10.”
- Template 2: “Go green this Earth Day—10% of sales today go to [environmental cause].”
- National Siblings Day (April 10)
- Template 1: “Celebrate Siblings Day! BOGO on select items—use code SIBLINGBOGO.”
- Template 2: “Show love for your sibling! 15% off when you shop together today only.”
May
- Mother’s Day (May 11)
- Template 1: “Make Mom’s day special! 🌸 20% off all Mother’s Day gifts with code MOM20.”
- Template 2: “Treat Mom! Free shipping on orders over $50—this weekend only.”
- Labor Day (May 1, International)
- Template 1: “Labor Day Special! 💼 15% off sitewide with code LABOR15.”
- Template 2: “To all the hard workers, enjoy 10% off today’s purchase. Code: WORKER10.”
- World No Tobacco Day (May 31)
- Template 1: “Quit tobacco, embrace wellness! 🚭 Get 15% off wellness products today.”
- Template 2: “Support a healthier lifestyle—15% off all wellness items for No Tobacco Day.”
June
- Father’s Day (June 15)
- Template 1: “Dad deserves the best! 👔 20% off Father’s Day gifts with code DAD20.”
- Template 2: “Celebrate Dad—20% off on all toolsets this Father’s Day weekend!”
- World Environment Day (June 5)
- Template 1: “Celebrate World Environment Day 🌱 with 10% off eco-friendly items.”
- Template 2: “Support sustainability! Get 15% off green products today only.”
- Pride Month (June)
- Template 1: “Happy Pride! 🌈 15% off & support [LGBTQ+ charity] with every purchase.”
- Template 2: “Celebrate love and inclusivity! 10% of Pride Month sales go to [charity].”
- Key Tips for Q2:
- Highlight Sustainability: Promote eco-friendly products around Earth Day for environmentally conscious shoppers.
- Celebrate Family Bonds: Target family-oriented segments with special offers for Mother’s and Father’s Day.
- Encourage Wellness: Focus on health and self-care campaigns as customers prepare for summer.
- Earth Day: “Celebrate Earth Day 🌍 with 10% off eco-friendly products! Code: EARTH10.”
- Mother’s Day: “Make Mom’s day special! 🌸 20% off Mother’s Day gifts with code MOM20.”
Q3: July – September (Summer)
Summer campaigns bring a fun, festive atmosphere with plenty of opportunities for themed promotions.
Theme: Fun, festivity, and relaxation
July
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Template 1: “Celebrate freedom! 🇺🇸 20% off your order. Code: FREEDOM20.”
- Template 2: “Happy 4th of July! Enjoy 15% off sitewide with code JULY15.”
- World Emoji Day (July 17)
- Template 1: “Express yourself! 😄 10% off emoji-themed products today only.”
- Template 2: “Celebrate Emoji Day! Get 10% off with every ‘😄’ reply.”
- National Ice Cream Day (July 21)
- Template 1: “Cool down this Ice Cream Day! 🍦 15% off frozen treats. Code: COOL10.”
- Template 2: “Sweet deal alert! Buy 1, get 1 50% off frozen items.”
August
- Friendship Day (August 4)
- Template 1: “Celebrate friendship! 🤝 Buy 1, Get 1 50% off—use code FRIENDS.”
- Template 2: “Tag a friend! Enjoy 10% off your order when you buy together.”
- Women’s Equality Day (August 26)
- Template 1: “Support equality—20% off with code EQUALITY20.”
- Template 2: “Celebrate Women’s Equality! 15% off sitewide—today only.”
September
- Labor Day (September 1)
- Template 1: “Labor Day Sale! 👷 Save 15% on select products with code LABOR15.”
- Template 2: “Celebrate hard work with 10% off sitewide—today only!”
- International Literacy Day (September 8)
- Template 1: “Celebrate literacy! 📚 10% off all books today. Code: READ10.”
- Template 2: “Support literacy! Buy 1, Get 1 free on all educational books.”
- Key Tips for Q3:
- Use Fun Themes: Embrace the playful vibe of summer and add interactive elements like emojis in your campaigns.
- Focus on Friend and Family Sales: Friendship Day and Independence Day are ideal for group-oriented promotions.
- Highlight Social Causes: Acknowledge Women’s Equality Day and other causes to engage socially conscious customers.
- Independence Day: “Celebrate freedom! 🇺🇸 20% off your order. Code: FREEDOM20.”
- Friendship Day: “Celebrate friendship! 🤝 Buy 1, Get 1 50% off—use code FRIENDS.”
Q4: October – December (Fall/Winter)
Wrap up the year with a focus on holidays, wellness, and gratitude.
Theme: Holidays, gratitude, and gifting
October
- World Mental Health Day (October 10)
- Template 1: “Prioritize self-care 🧠 15% off wellness products today!”
- Template 2: “World Mental Health Day—enjoy 10% off all self-care items.”
- Halloween (October 31)
- Template 1: “No tricks, just treats! 🎃 20% off with code SPOOKY20.”
- Template 2: “Halloween deal alert! 10% off sitewide—today only!”
November
- Thanksgiving (November 27)
- Template 1: “Give thanks! 🦃 20% off your next purchase with code THANKS20.”
- Template 2: “Celebrate Thanksgiving! Enjoy 15% off sitewide.”
- Black Friday (November 28)
- Template 1: “Black Friday Special! 🛍️ Up to 50% off sitewide—use code BLACKFRIDAY.”
- Template 2: “Flash Deal! 30% off everything—today only!”
December
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- Template 1: “Merry Christmas! 🎄 Enjoy 25% off all holiday gifts with code XMAS25.”
- Template 2: “Celebrate the season—25% off select items. Code: HOLIDAY25.”
- New Year’s Eve (December 31)
- Template 1: “Ring in the New Year with 20% off! 🎇 Use code NEWYEAR20.”
- Template 2: “Start 2025 right! Get 20% off your first purchase of the year.”
- Key Tips for Q4:
- Focus on Festive Messaging: Highlight holiday themes and offer gift bundles to appeal to holiday shoppers.
- Encourage Early Shopping: Start Black Friday promotions early to capture early bird shoppers.
- Create Urgency for Last-Minute Shoppers: Use countdowns and limited-time offers to encourage last-minute purchases.
- Black Friday: “Black Friday Special! 🛍️ Up to 50% off sitewide—use code BLACKFRIDAY.”
- Christmas: “Merry Christmas! 🎄 Enjoy 25% off all holiday gifts with code XMAS25.”
Read next:
- 16+ Black Friday SMS Templates, Timing, & Examples (Guide)
- 9+ BFCM SMS Marketing Templates for More Sales (2024)
Final Tips for Crafting Year-Round SMS Campaigns
Consider using themes and timing that make each message feel relevant. If your summer campaigns aren’t performing as expected, our guide on Shopify SMS Campaign Troubleshooting offers tips to optimize and boost engagement.
For campaigns involving user-generated content or visual elements, leverage our Video Marketing Statistics to understand the power of video in driving engagement.
How to Run Successful SMS Campaigns Year-round
Want to maximize the impact of your SMS campaigns? Here’s how to ensure each message counts:
1. Keep Messages Short and Concise
SMS is all about quick communication. Stick to 160 characters or less to make your message clear and easily understood.
- Example: “Limited-time offer! Get 20% off sitewide. Use code SAVE20. Shop Now!”
- Pro Tip: Use shortened URLs (e.g., bit.ly) to save character space and track clicks.
TxtCart’s SMS campaign builder has a built-in character count feature to help you keep your messages powerfully concise and compelling. You can also view how it looks with a live preview mockup on the right.
2. Use Attention-Grabbing Headlines and CTAs
Start strong! Your headline should be bold and intriguing to capture attention immediately. Use clear, direct calls-to-action (CTAs) to encourage immediate response.
- Example CTA: “Shop Now,” “Claim Your Discount,” or “Get 20% Off Today!”
- Pro Tip: Test multiple CTAs to see which drives the best results.
3. Personalize Your Messages
Customers appreciate a personal touch. Include customer names and tailor messages based on preferences or past behavior.
- Example: “Hi [Name], we have a special deal just for you! Enjoy 15% off your favorite items—today only.”
- Pro Tip: Use segmentation to send personalized messages based on purchase history or browsing behavior.
With TxtCart you can write personalized SMS campaigns with shortcodes, ready templates, and even our AI copy assistant. You can also take advantage of the intelligent recommendations to improve message strength. Check out the screenshot below of how it looks 👇
4. Use Segmentation to Target Specific Audiences
Not every message should go to everyone. Segment your audience by factors like location, purchase history, or engagement level to deliver relevant content to the right people.
- Example: Segment customers who have made a purchase in the last 30 days for loyalty discounts, while targeting those who abandoned carts with a reminder.
- Pro Tip: Create segments based on engagement (e.g., high open rates vs. low open rates) and craft tailored messages for each group.
BTW, not to toot our own horn (again), TxtCart lets you segment audiences for your SMS campaigns based on different subscriber behaviors like “Customers with 2+ purchases” or customers that texted more than once, etc.
5. Track and Analyze Campaign Performance
Regularly monitoring performance metrics helps you refine your campaigns for better results. Key metrics include:
- Open rates: Measure how many recipients open your messages.
- Click-through rates (CTR): See how many users click on links within the SMS.
- Conversion rates: Track the percentage of users who complete a desired action.
Use A/B testing to identify the most effective message for your audience by experimenting with variations in text, CTAs, and timing. Here’s an example of how to set up A/B testing metrics and choose a winning metric based on click-through rates, conversion rates, or total revenue.”
This dashboard highlights high-ROI products, helping Shopify brands refine marketing, pricing, and retargeting, while optimizing inventory and the website to boost conversions and reduce cart abandonment.
Mini-Guide: Building Awareness with SMS Campaigns
- Build Your Subscriber List: Use website pop-ups, email promotions, or social media ads to encourage opt-ins. Offer incentives like exclusive discounts or free shipping for signing up.
- Create Targeted Messages: Develop messages that align with subscriber interests or recent behaviors. For example, send back-in-stock alerts to customers who previously showed interest in a sold-out item.
- Leverage User-Generated Content: Encourage subscribers to share photos, reviews, or testimonials. Highlight the best submissions in your SMS campaigns to build credibility and trust.
- Monitor Engagement Metrics: Keep an eye on metrics like click-through rates and conversions. Adjust your messaging and targeting based on performance data to improve campaign results.
With TxtCart, you can track vital metrics such as average order value (AOV), sales by country, gender, and device type, allowing you to refine your marketing strategies based on real customer insights. This dashboard provides an overview of orders, SMS campaign flows, and automations, helping you optimize your SMS marketing approach for maximum impact.
By understanding which segments engage the most and leveraging this data to tailor campaigns, TxtCart ensures your messages resonate with the right audience at the right time.
Pro Tips for Boosting SMS Visibility
- Best Times to Send: Aim to send messages during peak engagement hours, typically 10 AM to 2 PM. Avoid early mornings or late nights to prevent unsubscribed. BTW, TxtCart lets you schedule campaigns for the best sending times so you never miss a beat.
- Use Keywords Effectively: Incorporate popular and relevant keywords in your messages to improve visibility and engagement.
- Create a Sense of Urgency: Use phrases like “Limited Time Offer” or “Ends Tonight” to encourage quick action.
- Stay Compliant: Make sure you have permission to send SMS and provide an easy opt-out option in every message.
Make Record-breaking Profits in 2025 with TxtCart
A well-planned SMS Marketing Calendar 2025 sets the foundation for engaging and successful campaigns. Structuring your marketing activities with a calendar template helps you raise awareness, drive sales, and keep your audience engaged consistently all year.
By aligning messages with key events like International Day, Year Kicks, Flash Sales, and celebrations such as Mother’s Day and Father Figures. Your marketing stays timely and relevant. Whether sharing press releases, fostering the festive spirit, or creating engaging posts, a strategic approach ensures impactful and memorable campaigns throughout 2025.
- Conversational AI: Automates customer interactions with intelligent AI, providing instant responses at a low cost of $0.50 per resolution ,for a deeper dive into getting started with SMS marketing campaigns, see our Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Shopify SMS Marketing.
- High ROI Plans: Starter plan guarantees a minimum 5X ROI; Growth plan or higher delivers a 10X ROI guarantee for brands with 10k+ monthly visitors.
- Performance-Based Pricing: Pay only a percentage of sales, eliminating the need for purchasing credits upfront.
- No Contracts or Minimums: Flexible to scale as needed, without long-term commitments or minimum usage requirements.
- Conversion-Driven Analytics: Tracks and optimizes text message performance, turning each interaction into a potential sale, learn more about making data-backed adjustments to maximize ROI with our SMS Marketing Analytics for Shopify.
Joyride, an LA-based dog harness brand, leveraged TxtCart’s 2-way SMS to generate $1,841,617 in revenue, with 23,616 sales generated and over 2.8M customer conversations, driving massive growth in their eCommerce operations.
$1,841,617
SMS Attributed Revenue
12.4x
SMS Attributed ROI
23,616
Sales Generated
“Kyle and the team at TxtCart have been instrumental in our growth. They’ve worked closely with us to create custom solutions and the results have been phenomenal. TxtCart has helped us scale significantly and provided support at every turn.“
Founder, Joyride
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