Best Use Cases For SMS

Overview

Creating seamless, engaging fan experiences is more than just ticket sales—it's about building a relationship before, during, and after game day. The following use cases demonstrate how sports organizations can use SMS, email, and digital touchpoints to drive ticket redemption, loyalty, and conversion from passive followers to first-party fans.

Use Case 1: Game Day Engagement Campaign

Objective: Boost ticket redemption and merchandise sales on game days.

Channels Used: SMS + Email

Journey Flow:

1. Email (2 days before game):

   • Subject: "🏀 Your Game Day Plan Inside!"

   • Body: Highlight game time, weather, parking, and link to pre-order merch.

2. SMS (on game day):

   • Text:

     "It’s Game Day! 🏟 Doors open at 5:30PM. Don’t forget to redeem your 15% merch discount: [link] — Go Lions!"

3. Post-Game Email:

   • Recap the game, share a fan highlight reel, and include a CTA for next game’s early access tickets.

Use Case 2: Fan Loyalty Campaign via SMS + Landing Page

Objective: Convert casual fans into loyalty members.

Channels Used: SMS + Email + Web Form (Landing Page)

Journey Flow:

1. Social Media Call-to-Action:

   • “Text FAN to [Toll Free Number] for a chance to win VIP tickets 🎟️”

2. SMS Response:

   “Welcome to the FanZone! Complete this quick form to enter the contest 👉 [Landing Page Link]”

3. Landing Page:

   • Form to collect name, email, and favorite player. Opt-in checkbox for marketing.

4. Follow-Up Email:

   • “Thanks for entering! 🎉 We’ll notify winners by Friday. Meanwhile, here’s 10% off team merch.”

Use Case 3: Social Follower to 1st-Party Data Conversion via Gamified Sweepstakes

Objective: Convert social followers (Instagram, TikTok, X, etc.) into owned SMS/email subscribers using lightweight gamification without real-time scoring or external platforms.

Channels Used: Social Media → SMS → Mobile-Optimized Landing Page → Email

Journey Flow:

1. Social Media CTA (Instagram Story or TikTok Video)

“🏟️ Think you're the ultimate fan? Enter our Fast Five Challenge for a chance to win 2 VIP tickets! Text FAN5 to [Toll Free Number] to start 🏆”

2. SMS Response (Instant Automated Reply)

“You’re in! 🙌 Click to answer 5 quick fan questions. Each response boosts your entry chances! 👉 [Fan Challenge Link]”

3. Landing Page (Mobile-Optimized Web Form)

• Collects:

  • First Name

  • Email Address

  • Mobile Number (prefilled if via SMS)

  • 5 simple multiple-choice trivia-style questions about the team or venue

• No backend scoring logic; the illusion of a game is created through participation.

• All entries go into a sweepstakes or raffle pool (terms & conditions linked at the bottom).

4. Thank You Confirmation Page

• Displays a personalized message: “Thanks for joining, [Name]! 🥳 Winners announced Friday. Meanwhile, grab 10% off team merch: [Shop Link]”

• Optional:

  • Social share buttons: “Challenge your friends”

  • Referral bonus: “Get 1 extra entry for every friend you refer!”

5. Email Follow-Up (Day After Entry)

• Subject: “Your Entry is In ✅ Here’s What’s Next…”

• Body: Confirms contest entry, shares additional merch deals or early ticket access.

• CTA: “Add us to your contacts to get real-time updates via SMS.”

Use Case 4: Abandoned Ticket Funnel Recovery

Objective: Convert ticket searches into purchases.

Channels Used: Web + SMS + Email + Ticketing Integration

Journey Flow:

1. User searches for tickets but doesn’t purchase.*

2. SMS (next day if the ticketing integration is not real time):

   “Still thinking about those Lions tickets? 🐾 Grab them now before they sell out: [link]”

3. Email (same evening):

   • Reminder with updated seat availability and urgency (“Only 120 seats left in your section!”)

Note: Ensure the ticketing website supports Add to Cart event tracking to enable timely, targeted follow-ups.

Use Case 5: Know Before You Go (Pre-Arrival Education)

Objective: Minimize in-venue friction and enhance preparedness. Channels Used: Email + SMS

Journey Flow:

• Email (Day Before Game): Subject: "🎟️ All Set for Game Day? Here’s What You Need to Know" Body: Details about venue entry times, prohibited items, mobile ticket access, restroom locations, family zones, etc.

• SMS (Morning of Game): “🚗 Reminder: Parking Lots A, B, and D open at 3PM. Use Gate C for fastest entry. See you soon! [Venue Map Link]”

Use Case 6: Real-Time Game Day Updates (Including Weather-Driven Changes)

Objective: Keep fans informed during the event with contextual nudges and weather-related alerts. Channels Used: SMS (real-time), Email (backup notification)

Journey Flow:

• Pre-Game SMS (1 hour before): “🎉 Pregame show starts in 30 minutes! Head to Section 104 to catch the action.”

• Weather Alert SMS (Triggered by Venue Ops): “🌧️ Weather Alert: Due to lightning in the area, gates will now open at 6:15PM. Please stay tuned for more updates.”

• Email Fallback (Optional): Subject: “Game Day Update: Delayed Start Due to Weather” Body: Includes updated gate open times, safety protocols, and live update page link.

• Rainout SMS (if cancellation occurs): “⚠️ Tonight’s game has been canceled due to severe weather. Your ticket will be honored for the rescheduled date: [Details Link]”

• Halftime SMS (if game continues): “🍔 Beat the lines! Order snacks now and pick up at Stand 12. Tap here to order: [Order Link]”

• Post-Game SMS: “🏁 That’s a wrap! Thanks for supporting the Lions. Share your experience using #RoarOn and tag us!”

Key Tactics Used Across Journeys

• UTM-tagged shortened links for tracking SMS vs. email conversions.

• Smart segmentation: Targeting fans by purchase behavior or favorite team/player.

• A/B testing: Compare opt-in rates from SMS-first vs. email-first flows.

• Compliant double opt-in: Confirm via SMS or email before long-term journey enrollment.

• Gamification for viral reach.

• Use cases involving incoming messages require prior configuration by the support team.