Every Sales Text Message Example For Every Funnel Stage

The sales funnel is the process that businesses use to turn prospects into customers. There are different stages to the funnel, and each stage requires a different type of SMS, and we’re here to help you out with SMS sales text examples.

The first stage is discovery. This is when prospects are just learning about your product or service. Your SMS texts should be focused on educating them about what you offer and why they need it. The second stage is interest. At this stage, prospects are starting to get interested in your product or service. Your texts should encourage them to take the next step, such as scheduling a demo or signing up for a free trial. The third stage of the funnel is decision. At this point, prospects are ready to buy your product or service. This is when your SMS should help them make the final decision and take action.

Discovery Sales Text Messages

The discovery stage of the funnel is the first stage in the sales process. It’s where the salesperson identifies and qualifies potential customers and collects their phone numbers. This stage is also known as the leads stage, when the salesperson begins to build relationships with potential customers.

The goal here is to identify the customer’s needs and determine whether they are a good fit for the product or service being sold. There are two sub-stages in this phase: lead generation and lead qualification.

Lead qualification messages matter during this stage because they give you an opportunity to learn more about your potential customers and what they are looking for. When you send out lead qualification texts, you can ask questions that will help you determine if they are a good fit for your product or service. This information is key to making sure that you are able to close the sale and connect with the right customer.

Follow-up texts are just as necessary during the discovery stage of the funnel because they allow you to keep the conversation going. By continuing to communicate with your prospects, you can learn more about their needs and how your product or service can help them. They also show that you are interested in developing a relationship with the prospect and are committed to helping them find a solution to their problem.

Examples

• Interested in learning more about our products? Reply for more information.

• Wondering what our products can do for you? Check out our website or reply to this text for more details.

• Considering our products? Reply now or give us a call to chat with a representative.

• Hi Diana, thank you for showing interest in our products. Would you like to schedule a meeting? Reply with YES or NO.

• Hey! We help teams like yours get better results with less effort. Want to see how? Reply YES and we’ll take it from there.

• Hi Sarah, thanks for your interest! Would you like a quick overview of how our service works? Reply YES and we’ll send it over.

Interest Sales Messages

The interest stage is when a potential customer becomes aware of a product or service and begins to learn more about it. At this stage, the customer is considering whether or not to make a purchase. They may research the product online, read reviews, or compare prices. This is where SMS marketing comes in handy. 

The purpose of a business during the interest stage is to provide information that will help the customer make a decision. This may include product demonstrations, client testimonials, or free trials.

During this phase, lead re-engagement texts play a huge role because they help keep your company top of mind for potential customers. As you send timely, relevant SMS texts, you remind leads of your products or services and encourage them to continue down the funnel. Also, engaging prospects can help you identify interested leads who may have fallen off the radar, giving you another chance to make a sale.

The interest stage is when potential customers are interested in your product or service, but haven't committed to purchasing yet. This is a critical stage in the funnel because it's when you have the opportunity to turn a potential customer into a paying customer.

Free trial texts come in handy here since they give potential customers a way to try out your product or service before they commit to buying it. By sending these, you can help them decide if your offering is right for them, and it can also give you an opportunity to build trust and credibility with them.

This way, you are showing potential customers that you are confident in your product or service and that you are willing to let them try it out before they make a purchase.

Follow-up texts can help you convert leads. You get to address any concerns or questions the potential customer may have. These can also help build trust and rapport with the potential customer, which can ultimately lead to a sale.

Examples

• Hi Mary, are you interested in learning more about our sales training courses? Reply YES to learn more.

• John, our team is the best in the industry. Train with us and see the results for yourself!

• Want to close more deals and earn more commission? Our training can help!

• Hi Rebecca, are you looking for a way to improve your sales skills? Our courses can help!

• Hi Alex, still thinking about our sales training? Let us know if you’d like a free trial. Just reply YES.

• Hi Lisa, want to see how our training can improve your close rate? Reply for more info.

Decision Sales Texts

The decision stage is when the customer has decided to make a purchase. This is the final stage in the funnel, and the sale is complete. During this stage, it’s a good idea to show your appreciation for your customer's business and let them know that you value their patronage.

The role of appointment reminder text messages during the decision stage of the funnel is to keep the potential customer interested in the product or service. You may want to send reminders that include a call to action and a link to where the product or service can be found.

Needless to say, it pays to stand out from your competition and show your customers that you are grateful for their business. A thank you can go a long way in showing your customers that you appreciate their business and that you are committed to providing them with the best possible experience.

Cross-selling texts also play a big role during the decision stage of the funnel. They can help prospects make informed decisions about what to buy. You’ll also be able to build brand loyalty and create a sense of urgency, which can prompt customers to make a purchase decision more quickly. Your text marketing efforts will certainly pay off at this stage.

Examples

• Congratulations Patty, you are now a subscriber! Feel free to contact us with any questions.

• Thank you for purchasing that awesome T-shirt, Chad. Complete your look with an equally cool bag: bit.ly/p1we1

• Hi Jane, we have you down for a meeting this Saturday to discuss further information about the product. Reply with YES if you’re coming.

• Hey Chris, thank you for subscribing to our channel. We are so excited to have you as our customer.

• Hi Emma, thanks for your order! Don’t forget to check out our bestsellers to complete your setup: bit.ly/p1we1

• Hi Mark, just a reminder: your demo call is tomorrow at 2 PM. Reply YES to confirm.

7 Sales Message Best Practices to Implement Now

Creating strong SMS sales messages isn't just about what you say—it's also about how, when, and why you say it. Following a few best practices can boost your chances of getting a response, driving engagement, and guiding prospects through your funnel. They feel intentional, relevant, and valuable to the recipient, which is exactly what moves your leads up. Let’s break down how effective sales message examples help you out. 

1. Keep It Short and Punchy

When it comes to sales texts, less is more. SMS isn’t the place for long pitches or heavy paragraphs. Your message should be easy to scan in just a few seconds. Focus on clarity and get straight to the point.

Most people read texts on the go, often in between tasks or during short breaks. That’s why your message needs to be short enough to read quickly and clear enough to understand instantly. Also, keep in mind that you only have 160 characters. 

Instead of:

“Our company offers a wide variety of digital solutions that can help improve productivity and streamline your business operations.”

Say:

“Boost productivity with our all-in-one digital tools. Want a quick demo? Reply YES.”

The difference between these two examples is that the latter avoids clutter. Every word should serve a purpose. Use simple language, limit technical jargon, and make the benefit obvious.

2. Tailor the Text Content

Generic messages don’t convert. If your texts feel like they could’ve been sent to anyone, chances are they’ll be ignored. Of course, SMS templates for sales help cut down manual work, but you must tailor your messages based on the funnel stage, customer behavior, or previous interactions. This shows you’re paying attention, and that builds trust.

Start by using the recipient’s name if you have it. Then, reference something specific to their interest or journey. Are they a first-time visitor? Someone who downloaded a free guide? A returning customer? Adjust your message accordingly.

For instance:

• “Hi Jenna, we noticed you started a free trial but didn’t finish the setup. Need help?”

• “Thanks for checking out our pricing page, Marcus! Got any questions we can help answer?”

 The more personalized your message feels, the more likely it is to lead to a response or action.

3. Time Your Messages Wisely

Timing matters just as much as content. Even the best-crafted message can fall flat if it lands at the wrong time. Think about when your audience is most likely to see and respond to your message. 

Weekdays between mid-morning and mid-afternoon tend to have the highest response rates. Avoid early mornings, late evenings, and weekends unless your audience has shown interest during those times.

Timing based on the funnel stage plays a huge role, too. If someone just signed up for a free trial, sending a message right away helps maintain momentum. If a customer made a purchase, a thank-you message or a cross-sell a day or two later feels thoughtful, not pushy. Use your customer data and test different times to see what works best. Just don’t spam—one well-timed text will always beat five scattered ones.

4. Add a Strong CTA

Your message needs a purpose, and your recipient needs to know what to do next. A call-to-action (CTA) tells your prospect what to do and makes it easy for them to take the next step. Whether it’s replying to the text, clicking a link, scheduling a call, or claiming a freebie, your CTA should be clear and compelling. Use action words like “REPLY, TRY, CLAIM, GET, SCHEDULE, or LEARN.”

Examples:

• “Reply YES to claim your free trial.”

• “Want to see how it works? Book a quick demo: bit.ly/p1we1”

• “Check out our newest offer here: bit.ly/p1we1”

Instead of vague directions, give your recipients one clear action and make it as easy as possible. 

5. Use a Friendly Tone

SMS is a personal channel, so your messages should feel warm and approachable. If your sales text message examples sound too robotic, salesy, or pushy, they are going to fall short big-time. Write as if you’re talking to a friend or trusted advisor—this way, prospects are more comfortable engaging with your texts.

A friendly tone builds rapport and trust. Greetings, polite language, and conversational phrasing help your messages stand out. Emojis can be used sparingly to add personality, but keep your audience in mind; some industries prefer a more formal tone.

Instead of:

“Your trial expires soon. Upgrade now.”

Try:

“Hey Sam! Your free trial ends soon. Want help getting set up?”

To put it simply, friendly texts feel less like marketing and more like helpful nudges.

6. Do A/B Testing

No two audiences are exactly the same. What works for one group might not work for another. A/B testing lets you compare different versions of your sales text message templates to find what resonates best with your audience.

Test one element at a time, like message length, CTA wording, or send time, to see which version gets more replies or clicks. You can send half your list a message with “Reply YES to learn more,” and the other half “Want info? Text back now.” Then, analyze which performs better.

Over time, testing helps you optimize your texts for higher engagement and conversions. It also reduces guesswork by letting data guide your strategy.

7. Include Opt-Out Instructions

Respect your recipients’ preferences by clearly including opt-out instructions in every SMS campaign. No, this isn’t advice; it’s a legal requirement. 

Common opt-out phrases include:

• “Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”

• “Text STOP to opt out.”

Including this option builds trust and shows you respect your contacts. On top of that, it keeps your list clean by removing uninterested recipients, which improves your overall campaign performance. An opt-out keeps communication honest and compliant while protecting your brand’s reputation.

Why Use SMS for Sales Messaging

There’s a reason why SMS is a core channel in modern sales strategies. It’s fast, highly visible, and direct—everything a sales message should be. And if you’re not using it, you’re missing out on a high-impact channel. Here’s how and why it works so well:

Instant Delivery and Read Rates

Needless to say, SMS is one of the fastest ways to reach a prospect. Messages are typically delivered within seconds and read within minutes. People are rarely without their phones these days, making SMS the fastest direct line to your audience.

From a technical standpoint, SMS relies on cellular networks rather than data or Wi-Fi. For time-sensitive sales promotions, appointment reminders, or flash offers, this instant delivery is a need, not a want. Be it confirming a demo or sending a limited-time discount, SMS guarantees your message gets there fast, often faster than any other digital channel.

Sky-High Open Rates

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: email marketing averages an open rate of about 21%, while SMS boasts a staggering 90–98% open rate. That’s because text messages are short, familiar, and typically come from known or local numbers. This level of engagement gives you a much better chance of being seen and acted on. When you're sending messages at key stages of the sales funnel (discovery, interest, or decision), visibility is everything.

Even better, the response rates are equally strong. SMS has an average response rate of 45%, compared to just 6% for email. This means your calls to action—whether it's replying, clicking a link, or confirming an appointment—are far more likely to convert.

Direct Access to Your Audience

SMS gives you one-on-one access to your prospects without the noise of competing platforms or inbox clutter—it cuts through the distractions of social media, email, or display ads. In sales, timing and relevance are critical. SMS lets you send hyper-targeted messages at just the right moment. 

With proper segmentation, you can send personalized texts based on behavior, interests, location, or funnel stage. From nurturing leads and answering questions to booking appointments, you can move prospects toward a sale without being intrusive with SMS. For example, someone who abandoned a cart might get a follow-up message with a discount. Or, a prospect who requested a demo can get a reminder the day before. 

Plus, SMS integrates easily with CRM platforms and marketing automation tools, allowing sales teams to trigger messages based on actions or events. You can build automated workflows that send follow-ups, reminders, or personalized check-ins for consistent communication with minimal manual effort.

Perfect for Time-Sensitive Offers

One of SMS’s strongest advantages is its ability to deliver time-sensitive information instantly. Whether you're running a 24-hour promotion, a limited-time discount, or last-minute availability, SMS helps reach your audience fast while it still matters.

Because SMS is typically read within minutes of delivery, it’s the ideal format for flash sales, back-in-stock alerts, or urgent event reminders. Compare this with email or push notifications, which may sit unopened for hours (or never get opened at all).

Sales teams can also use SMS to create urgency. Adding time-sensitive language like “today only,” “ending soon,” or “limited spots available” can significantly improve response rates. Pair this with short URLs that track clicks, and you get a fast-moving channel that drives immediate action.

Higher Engagement Than Email

SMS persistently outperforms email in terms of open rates, click-through rates, and response times. While email marketing is still valuable for in-depth content or long-term nurturing, it can’t match the real-time, high-engagement nature of SMS.

Part of this comes down to format. Text messages are concise, require no login, and are pushed directly to a user’s lock screen. That means less friction and more immediate attention. People tend to keep text threads open and check them frequently; your message doesn’t get buried like it would in an overcrowded inbox.

SMS also invites two-way communication, which drives interaction and makes prospects feel like they’re part of a conversation and not a campaign.

Great for Personalization at Scale

Modern SMS platforms allow businesses to send highly personalized messages at scale, thanks to CRM integration, segmentation tools, and automation. Instead of blasting out the same message to everyone, you’re tailoring your communication based on where each contact is in the sales funnel, what they’ve engaged with, and what they need next.

A customer who viewed a specific product on your site can receive a follow-up message referencing that product, along with a discount or feature highlight. A lead that signed up for a webinar might receive a reminder and post-event follow-up automatically.

Personalize by:

• First name

• Past behavior (clicks, downloads, purchases)

• Funnel stage

• Location

• Industry or company size (for B2B)

These details make your messages more relevant, and relevance leads to more engagement, more trust, and ultimately, more sales.

High Conversion Rates

All of the above—instant delivery, higher engagement, and personalization—add up to one thing: strong conversion rates. SMS campaigns regularly outperform other digital channels when it comes to driving action.

Whether your goal is to get someone to book a call, download a free trial, confirm a meeting, or make a purchase, SMS gives you a direct, uncluttered path to the prospect. Research shows that SMS marketing can yield conversion rates as high as 30%, especially when combined with urgency and personalization. For sales teams looking to speed up their cycles or reduce drop-off, SMS can be a major asset.

Ideal for Mobile-First Customers

The modern customer lives on their phone. Whether it's Gen Z checking social updates or a B2B decision-maker managing workflows on the go, people expect fast mobile experiences. SMS aligns perfectly with that behavior.

Unlike other platforms that may require an app download, login, or internet connection, SMS is built into every mobile device. There’s no learning curve, no added step—just instant communication.

Plus, SMS works great alongside mobile-friendly landing pages. You can include short links that direct customers to sign-up forms, product pages, or appointment calendars—all optimized for mobile. And with click-to-call functionality, prospects can call your sales team straight from the message.

Final Thoughts: Turning Sales Funnel into a Revenue Engine

Every stage of the sales funnel demands the right message, delivered at the right time, which means you need to have the best sales text messages ready to be delivered. We’ve covered how sales messages can guide potential customers from discovery to decision. You’ve seen how personalization, timing, and smart automation all come together to create a frictionless journey that drives conversions. With SMS, your messages get read, clicked, and acted on. And if you’re ready to put this into action, Dexatel is built to make it easy.

Dexatel’s advanced SMS platform gives you everything you need to manage, personalize, and automate sales messages at scale. You can segment your audiences with precision, craft text messages at scale, and automate your outreach across every stage of the funnel. From sending free trial reminders and follow-ups to appointment confirmations and time-sensitive offers, you can do it all from one intuitive dashboard.

On top of that, the platform integrates seamlessly with your CRM and sales tools, so you can manage campaigns more efficiently and keep everything aligned. Real-time analytics help you measure what’s working, optimize what isn’t, and fine-tune your approach for better results. You’ll know exactly who’s engaging, clicking, and converting.

See what Dexatel can do for your sales strategy—sign up today and start turning simple messages into results.