With the recent release of the Repeat + Postscript integration, SMS reordering is as powerful as ever. The tech is ready, so let's learn how to use it! Postscript's own Brooke Andrus joins us to share five proven ways to drive repeat purchases with SMS.
Getting a new customer over the finish line for the first time is hard enough. Keeping the momentum going—and turning a one-time shopper into a repeat buyer—is even tougher.
Luckily, today’s ecommerce marketers have plenty of tools to help them capitalize on every sale opportunity, including leveraging past customers for additional purchases. One of the best tools at their disposal: SMS.
Remember, to use SMS to its fullest—particularly with respect to driving reorders—you’ve gotta ask customers to opt into your SMS messaging at checkout.
Once you’re collecting customer phone numbers, here are the top SMS marketing strategies you can use to generate additional sales.
Learn more: best time to send SMS for repeat purchases
1. Set up a winback automation
Set up a winback automation to keep your brand top of mind for past purchasers who go a while without ordering from you again.
When you create a winback automation in Postscript, customers will automatically receive a text after a specified amount of time—often 30 or 60 days post-order. Winback messages typically include some type of “we miss you” note along with a discount code or a link to new arrivals.
You can even build multiple messages into one winback automation flow so customers who don’t convert on the first message receive multiple reminders to take advantage of your offer.
Here’s an example from loungewear brand Jambys:
If you want to get a little more creative, try asking your SMS subscribers to respond to your winback message in order to receive a special prize or discount code. Those who are the most interested in actually purchasing are the most likely to respond—which may increase the ROI of your offer.
2. Hype your loyalty program
If your brand has a loyalty or VIP rewards program, be sure to play it up to past purchasers so they know what’s in store for them if they decide to buy again. This may incentivize them to make their next purchase from you versus another brand that offers similar products.
For example, maybe your loyalty program members enjoy free shipping on every order or a 20% off code to use each month. Let customers who have yet to join (or qualify for) those rewards know about the VIP benefits they’re missing out on!
You might even incentivize them to sign up for your rewards program by offering a double-points opportunity if they purchase within the next 24 hours.
3. Request a product review
Asking a past customer to review the product they purchased can be a great way to remind them of how much they loved it. Throw in a discount or free shipping for their next order to sweeten the pot and increase their chances of following through.
This message might read something like:
“What did you think about [Product Name]? Leave a review to let us—and future customers like you!—know, and we’ll give you 10% off your next purchase!”
4. Create upsell and cross-sell campaigns
If you offer multiple products or collections, upselling and cross-selling are effective approaches for driving additional purchases. These types of promotions use a customer’s purchase history to suggest:
- a more expensive or premium product (i.e., upsell), or
- a related or complementary product (i.e., cross-sell).
Send a quick message showcasing certain products based on the customer’s previously purchased item—with or without a discount offer. For example, if a customer purchased a pair of mittens from your shop, you might send a cross-sell follow-up promoting a matching scarf or hat—or an upsell message offering 20% off on the purchase of a new winter coat.
Here’s an example from olive oil brand Brightland:
It’s easy to automate cross-sell and upsell messages based on purchased items within Postscript.
5. Send perfectly timed reorder reminders
Many brands—particularly those in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) space—leverage well-timed reorder reminders that nudge customers to repurchase their favorite products before they run out.
Repeat makes it easy to not only nail your reorder reminder timing, but also drive high conversion rates thanks to personalized cart links. Paired with a streamlined SMS automation in Postscript, this is the new industry standard for generating additional sales within your current customer base.
That’s why Postscript + Repeat is the must-have integrated reorder solution for CPG brands. Repeat analyzes your store’s historical data to determine how frequently consumers purchase certain products, and Postscript fires off text message reorder reminders within the specified time frame.
Customers simply follow the personalized reorder link to land on a pre-populated cart where they can complete their order. If they don’t take action, they’ll get another reminder 14 days later.
Here's an example of how our friends at Huron send their reorder reminders:
When customers click the link in the SMS, they'll be taken to a pre-loaded shopping cart. Here's the beauty: customers who just want to reorder can do so with one-click. That was easy!
Take a look at this sample cart from Hero Cosmetics:
See all the benefits of pairing Postscript with Repeat here. And if you aren't already using Repeat, get started by booking a demo!
Don’t have Postscript for SMS marketing yet? Get a free demo of their industry-leading platform here.
