The 25 Best SMS Campaign Prompts to Transform Your ROI (2026)

Writing an SMS that converts in 160 characters is difficult. Writing hundreds of them for different segments, stages of the customer journey, and campaign goals is practically impossible without help.

AI prompts completely change this equation, but only if you know exactly what instructions to give. Here you will find 25 ready-to-use prompts, organized by campaign objective, along with techniques to create your own and measure their real effectiveness.

What is an SMS prompt and why it affects conversion

An SMS prompt is a written instruction you give to an artificial intelligence tool to generate text messages for your marketing campaigns. The instruction includes details such as the message’s goal, who will receive it, what tone to use, and what offer to include. The more specific the instruction, the better the message the AI produces.

The difference between a generic prompt and a well-structured one is enormous. If you write 'create a promotional SMS,' you get something vague and unhelpful. But if you specify 'create a 150-character SMS to recover an abandoned cart, aimed at Maria who left a pair of shoes 2 hours ago, with a friendly tone and a 10% discount,' the result is completely different.

Why does this matter so much for conversion? Because in 160 characters, there is no room for generic messages. Every word has to work to motivate a specific action, and that only happens when the AI receives clear instructions on what to write and for whom.

Key components of a winning prompt in 160 characters

1. Clear objective

Every effective prompt begins by defining what you want to achieve. Recovering an abandoned cart is not the same as announcing a flash sale or asking for feedback after a purchase. When you specify the purpose, the AI adjusts the tone, urgency, and call to action consistently with that goal.

2. Defined segment

Indicating who will receive the message completely changes the result. A new customer requires a different approach than a frequent buyer. In your prompt, include details such as 'customer who abandoned cart 2 hours ago' or 'VIP subscriber with more than 5 previous purchases.'

3. Offer or incentive

The concrete value you offer is what motivates the action. Your prompt must specify whether it is a percentage discount, free shipping, a gift with purchase, or exclusive access. Without this element, the message lacks the specific reason for someone to act.

4. Tone and personalization

This is where you define the personality of the message. Do you want urgency, friendliness, exclusivity, or simply to inform? You also indicate which personalization variables to use, such as the customer's name or the specific product they left in their cart.

5. Urgent call to action

The CTA is where the conversion happens. Instruct the AI to create direct calls with a sense of urgency: 'buy now,' 'last hours,' 'today only.' A good prompt specifies exactly what action you expect from the recipient.

Best practices for writing SMS marketing prompts

1. Be specific with variables {name} {product}

Dynamic fields multiply the effectiveness of your messages. In your prompt, clearly indicate where you want personalization: 'include the customer's name at the beginning' or 'mention the specific product from the abandoned cart.' When someone reads their name and the exact product they were considering, the message feels personal rather than mass-produced.

2. Ask for variants for A/B testing

Requesting multiple versions of the same message in a single prompt saves time and improves results. You can ask to 'generate 3 variants with different CTAs' or 'create 2 versions, one urgent and one friendly.' This way, you have material ready to compare what works best with your audience.

3. Limit spam-risk words

Certain terms trigger filters and reduce the delivery of your messages.

Include instructions in your prompt such as 'avoid words like FREE in all caps, URGENT, or WINNER.

4. Check length and emojis

A standard SMS has 160 characters. Specify "maximum 155 characters including link" in your prompt to leave a margin. Regarding emojis, indicate if you want them and how many: "include 1 relevant emoji at the beginning" works better than leaving the decision entirely to the AI.

5. Add inclusive language instructions

Respectful communication connects better with diverse audiences. You can include guidelines such as "use neutral language" or "avoid gender stereotypes" so that every message reflects your brand values.

How to personalize the prompt according to the customer journey

Abandoned Cart

This is probably the most profitable use case for SMS marketing. Your prompt for this scenario must include moderate urgency, the specific abandoned product, and an incentive to complete the purchase.

Cross-selling

Here you leverage purchase history to suggest complementary products. The prompt must specify the previous purchase and the relationship with the suggested product. A customer who bought shoes is likely interested in care products or related accessories.

Subscription Welcome

The first message sets expectations and generates initial engagement. Your welcome prompt should convey warmth, briefly explain what type of messages the subscriber will receive, and offer a first-purchase incentive if applicable.

Renewal Reminder

For subscriptions or recurring services, timing is crucial. The prompt must mention how many days are left until expiration, the benefits of continuing, and facilitate the renewal action with a direct link.

Post-purchase Survey

Requesting feedback requires an especially friendly and non-intrusive tone. Indicate in your prompt that the message must be brief, thank them for the purchase, and ask a single simple question or direct them to a short survey.

The 25 Highest-Converting SMS Prompts for 2026

Below you will find prompts organized by category, ready to use or adapt. Each includes the specific objective and the full instruction.

Cart Recovery:

1. ""Generate an SMS for {name} who abandoned {product} 1 hour ago. Offer free shipping. Urgent but friendly tone. Include a short link. Maximum 155 characters."
2. "Create an abandoned cart reminder message mentioning that stock is limited. No discount. Tone of genuine scarcity. For a new customer."
3. "Second-attempt SMS for a cart abandoned 24 hours ago. Offer a 15% discount as a last resort. Direct tone. Include code LAST15."
4. "Recovery message for a VIP customer who abandoned a high-value cart. Exclusive tone. Offer personalized assistance via WhatsApp."
5. "Short and direct SMS: the product in the cart is about to sell out. No offer, just real urgency. Maximum 120 characters."
   
   

Flash Sales:

6. "Generate a 4-hour flash sale SMS. 30% discount storewide. Exciting tone. Include a clock emoji. For the general database."
7. "Exclusive offer message only for SMS subscribers. Extra 25% off web price. Tone of privilege. Code SMSONLY."
8. "Last-minute SMS: 2 hours left for the promotion. Reminder for those who haven't purchased. Tone of maximum urgency."
9. "Lightning offer for specific product {product}. 40% discount today only. Targeted at those who viewed this product before."
10. "Early access sale message for frequent customers. 24 hours before the general public. Exclusive tone."
    
    

Loyalty Programs:

11. "SMS informing about accumulated points and how much is needed for the next benefit. Motivational tone. Include link to rewards catalog."
12. "Birthday message with a special gift. 20% discount valid all week. Warm and celebratory tone."
13. "Notification of level reached in loyalty program. New benefits unlocked. Congratulatory tone."
14. "Reminder of points expiring in 7 days. Suggestion on how to use them. Helpful tone, not pressuring."
15. "Invitation to an exclusive event for premium members. Tone of privilege and community."
    
    

Special Events:

16. "Pre-sale SMS for product launch. Access 48 hours early. Only for the waiting list. Tone of anticipation."
17. "Reminder for in-person event tomorrow. Include address and time. Informative and excited tone."
18. "Post-event thank you message with a special offer for attendees. 15% off next purchase."1
19. "Announcement of a special collaboration or limited edition. Tone of novelty and exclusivity. Real limited stock."
20. "Seasonal SMS (Black Friday, Christmas, etc.) with main offer. Festive but direct tone."
    
    

Feedback and Surveys:

21. Review request 3 days after delivery. One simple satisfaction question. Grateful tone."
22. "1-question NPS survey. Scale 1-10. Link to short form. Tone of genuine appreciation."
23. "Post-purchase follow-up asking if everything arrived well. Offer help if there are issues. Service tone."
24. "Request for a photo of the product in use for social media. Offer a discount in exchange. Community tone."
25. "Message asking for suggestions for new products. Tone of co-creation. Link to brief form."
    
    

Tip: Save these prompts in a document organized by category. When you need to create a campaign, you only have to adjust specific variables like name, product, and discount percentage.

How to integrate these prompts with your CRM and Darwin AI

1. Map data fields

Automatic personalization requires your data to be organized. Identify which fields in your CRM correspond to the variables in your prompts: name, last product purchased, last purchase date, cart value. This connection allows each message to be generated with real, updated customer information.

2. Trigger messages from events

Automatic triggers activate the right prompt at the precise moment. An abandoned cart triggers the recovery prompt; a completed purchase activates the cross-selling one days later. Automation eliminates manual work while maintaining message relevance.

3. Supervise with human intervention

This is where Darwin AI technology makes the difference. Darwin AI's "AI Employees" execute repetitive generation and sending tasks, but the system identifies cases requiring human attention. An upset customer or an unusual situation automatically escalates to your team, combining efficiency with the personal touch when it truly matters.

Try Darwin AI now and discover how to automate your SMS campaigns without losing control.

Measurement and optimization: CTR, response, and A/B testing

1. Define KPIs by objective

Not all messages pursue the same goal. An abandoned cart recovery SMS is measured by completed conversions. A survey SMS, by response rate. Define before sending which number will indicate success for each type of campaign.

• Delivery Rate: Percentage of messages that effectively reached the device.
• Click-Through Rate (CTR): Percentage of recipients who clicked the link.
• Conversion Rate: Percentage that completed the desired action after the click.
• Opt-out Rate: Percentage that unsubscribed after receiving the message.

2. Set up A/B tests

Use the variants you generated with your prompts to compare real performance. Divide your audience into equal groups and send different versions of the same message. After enough volume, the data reveals which approach works best with your specific audience.

3. Analyze results and adjust prompts

Numbers tell stories. If a prompt generates a high CTR but low conversion, the message attracts but the offer does not convince. If the opt-out rate rises, perhaps the tone is too aggressive. Use insights from each campaign to refine your instructions and continuously improve.

Avoid spam: legal compliance and risk words

Mandatory Opt-in and Opt-out

Prior consent is not optional. Every person on your list must have agreed to receive messages from your brand. Equally important, every SMS must include a clear way to unsubscribe, usually by replying "STOP" or similar.

Filter-trigger word list

Beyond the previous table, avoid excessive capitalization, multiple exclamation marks, and exaggerated promises. Spam filters are constantly becoming more sophisticated, and a message that doesn't arrive is a message that doesn't convert, no matter how good the copy is.

Recommended sending times

The best message sent at 3 AM will likely annoy more than convert. Times between 10 AM – 12 PM and 5 PM – 7 PM usually work well for most industries. Avoid early Sundays and any hour that interrupts your customers' rest.

Close more sales by combining automation and empathy

Technology alone does not build lasting relationships with customers. The prompts we share here are powerful tools, but their maximum effectiveness comes when combined with human supervision in the moments that truly matter.

In Darwin AI, digital employees learn from every interaction, adapt to your communication style, and maintain the precision your business requires. Meanwhile, your human team focuses on conversations that genuinely require that personal touch that no AI can fully replicate.

Start automating your SMS campaigns with Darwin AI

FAQs on how to make the best prompts for SMS marketing

How do I adapt these prompts for different markets without losing effectiveness?

Adjust cultural variables while maintaining the base structure of the prompt. This includes local idioms, currency formats, references to regional holidays, and tone preferences. A prompt for Mexico may need adjustments to work in Spain or Argentina.

Can I combine multiple objectives into a single SMS prompt?

It is better to keep one main objective per message to preserve clarity within 160 characters. However, you can briefly mention a secondary benefit. For example, a cart recovery message can include that shipping is free, but the focus remains on completing the purchase.

What do I do if my CRM doesn't have all the fields the prompt requires?

Adapt the prompt to use only the data currently available. Meanwhile, prioritize which additional fields to implement based on their impact on personalization. Name and last product purchased are usually the most valuable to start with.

How often should I update my SMS marketing prompts?

A monthly review based on performance metrics is a good starting point. Also, update whenever your products or promotions change, or when you notice certain messages losing effectiveness over time.