Short sales

Flash Sale SMS Templates for Sales Measured in Hours

A flash sale lives or dies by its clock. The texts have to say when it ends before they say anything else, and arrive while there is still time to act. Here are six for the different points of a short sale, each sized to one segment.

Pick a point
Show the textsWrite a flash text
A four-hour sale, starting now flash sale text on an iPhoneA four-hour sale, starting now flash sale text on an Android phone Four hours, on both platformsJump →
Before, during, at the end

Flash sale SMS examples on a timeline

From the teaser an hour ahead to the final 60 minutes. Every card lists when it goes out, two wordings, long and short, and a preview you can switch between the two platforms.

A four-hour sale, starting now flash sale text on an iPhoneA four-hour sale, starting now flash sale text on an Android phone
Template 01 · Four hours

A four-hour sale, starting now

MarketingFashionAt the moment the sale opens

The length of the sale is the whole message. Putting the end time in the first sentence makes the urgency real and checkable.

Full SMS
MAREN: Flash sale, now until {{end}} today: 30% off everything, new season included. Discount shows in your bag: maren.co/flash Reply STOP to opt out
145 characters with sample values · GSM-7 · 1 segment

Edit the timing →

An hour's notice before it starts flash sale text on an iPhoneAn hour's notice before it starts flash sale text on an Android phone
Template 02 · Teaser

An hour's notice before it starts

MarketingHomeOne hour before the sale opens

A short warning lets people be ready without giving them a day to forget. Naming the category tells them whether to care.

Full SMS
ALDER & CO: At {{time}}, every lamp and light drops by 25% for six hours only. Have a look now so you're ready: alder.co/lighting Reply STOP to opt out
147 characters with sample values · GSM-7 · 1 segment

Edit the timing →

The code arrives when they reply flash sale text on an iPhoneThe code arrives when they reply flash sale text on an Android phone
Template 03 · Reply FLASH

The code arrives when they reply

MarketingBeautyMid-afternoon, for engaged subscribers

Asking for a reply filters for the people who want the deal, and every reply is a signal you can use for the next sale.

Full SMS
LUMA: A 3-hour flash sale on serums starts now. Reply FLASH and we'll text you a 35% code straight back. Reply STOP to opt out
126 characters with sample values · GSM-7 · 1 segment

Edit the timing →

24 hours on a single category flash sale text on an iPhone24 hours on a single category flash sale text on an Android phone
Template 04 · One category

24 hours on a single category

MarketingSupplementsEarly morning, for a full-day flash

A whole day suits shoppers in different time zones and routines. Keeping it to one category protects the margin on everything else.

Full SMS
NORTHWELL: Today only: 20% off all protein, every flavour and size. Ends at midnight, no code required: nwl.co/protein Reply STOP to opt out
140 characters with sample values · GSM-7 · 1 segment

Edit the timing →

Two hours left of four flash sale text on an iPhoneTwo hours left of four flash sale text on an Android phone
Template 05 · Halfway

Two hours left of four

MarketingFashionAt the halfway point, to non-buyers only

The midpoint reminder catches people who saw the first text and meant to come back. Sending it only to those who have not bought keeps it from annoying the rest.

Full SMS
MAREN: Halfway there. Two hours remain on 30% off everything, and the leather boots are in it too: maren.co/flash Reply STOP to opt out
135 characters with sample values · GSM-7 · 1 segment

Edit the timing →

The last 60 minutes flash sale text on an iPhoneThe last 60 minutes flash sale text on an Android phone
Template 06 · Final hour

The last 60 minutes

MarketingHomeOne hour before the end

A final-hour text is short by nature. The end time and one product are enough; anything longer slows the decision down.

Full SMS
ALDER & CO: The lighting sale closes at 6pm, one hour from now. Our chunky knit throws are in it too: alder.co/lighting Reply STOP to opt out
141 characters with sample values · GSM-7 · 1 segment

Edit the timing →

Flash text editor

Change the discount and the clock, and count as you type

Choose a text, set your own end time, percentage and link, and the chat preview refreshes on each keystroke. The meter turns dark the moment the text needs a second segment.

0 / 160 characters1 segment
  • Opens with the brand
  • Says when it ends
  • Includes STOP
  • One segment
9:41
Text Message
Today 10:02
Text message
Tuesday 7 October9:41
Messages · now62418now

The reply-for-code flash sale text in iPhone MessagesThe same flash sale text on an Android phone
Reply-for-code

Why some flash sales ask for a reply first

A reply keyword turns a broadcast into a two-way exchange. Only interested subscribers answer, and their answers tell you who to text next time.

A keyword that names the sale

FLASH, SERUM, LAMP: a word tied to the offer is easy to remember and easy to filter.

Answer within seconds

The code has to come back instantly, or the urgency you created works against you.

Keep the window short

A reply-for-code mechanic suits a sale of hours; over days it loses its edge.

Rules of the clock

Five rules for flash sale texts

  • Put the end time firstThe deadline is the reason to act. If it is not in the opening line, the text reads like any other offer.
  • Mean the deadlineExtending a flash sale teaches subscribers to ignore the next one.
  • Hold reminders for non-buyersAnyone who already ordered should not get the halfway or final-hour text.
  • Two or three texts at mostLaunch, halfway and last hour is the most a few hours can carry.
  • Check the quiet hoursA sale that ends at midnight still cannot text after 9pm local time in the US.

Run flash sales by text with Zefir

Zefir schedules every text in a flash sale, answers reply keywords with the right code, holds the reminders back from people who already bought, and attributes each order to its text.

Request access See how it works
1,000+stores run campaigns through Zefir
$530M+attributed to Zefir's WhatsApp sends
Questions

Flash sales by text: common questions

What is the right length for a flash sale?

Anywhere from a few hours to a single day; the shorter the window, the more the end time matters in the text. Zefir schedules the launch, reminder and last-call texts around whatever window you choose.

How many texts should one flash sale get?

Usually two or three: the launch, a midpoint reminder and a final-hour text for those who have not bought. Zefir removes buyers from the later texts automatically.

Should a flash sale text include a code?

Not necessarily; applying the discount automatically removes a step, while a reply-for-code mechanic helps you find engaged subscribers. Zefir supports both and replies to keywords instantly.

What time of day works best?

Late morning and early afternoon suit most stores, as long as every text lands inside quiet-hour limits. Zefir enforces quiet hours in each subscriber's own time zone.

Can I measure which flash sale text worked?

Yes, with a separate link or keyword per text. Zefir links each sale back to its source text.

Read next
ArticlePromotional SMS TemplatesPercent off, bundles, gifts and other evergreen offers.ArticleSMS Marketing for Ecommerce: Still the Highest-ROI Channel in 2026Why time-limited offers suit texting so well.ArticleEmail vs WhatsApp vs SMS for EcommerceWhich channel to use when every hour counts.