The Text to Win Moonlight Sweepstakes asks consumers to text “SHOP4ME” to 74700 to be entered for a chance to win one of four $1,000 Tanger Outlets shopping sprees during the company’s Moonlight Madness and After Thanksgiving Sale. Consumers can enter until Dec. 1, and each of the four winners will be selected daily from Nov. 29 – Dec. 1.

“An SMS sweepstakes is a great way to not only increase engagement and excitement around a shopping experience, but also to build a mobile subscriber database for future campaigns,” said Cezar Kolodziej, president/CEO of Iris Mobile, Chicago.

“We see very high opt-in rates for contest-style mobile promotions where there is incentive to win, so people are likely to readily opt-in for a chance to win a $1,000 voucher,” he said. “Tanger Outlets has the right idea running a messaging campaign because it is easy to set up and execute, and it provides longstanding value for the brand in the form of a subscriber list.”

Mr. Kolodziej is not affiliated with Tanger Outlets. He commented based on his expertise on the subject.

Tanger Factory Outlets did not respond to press inquiries.

Moonlight sweepstakes
Once a consumer texts the keyword “SHOP4ME” to the short code 74700, he or she will receive a confirmation text that also links to Tanger’s mobile site.

Immediately after the congratulatory text, consumers receive a text welcoming them to the Tanger Text Deals. It explains that they will start receiving text coupons in one to two weeks, afterwards receiving four texts per month.

Consumers can reply with the word “STOP” to leave the SMS listserv.

By using SMS as the entry form for the sweepstakes, Tanger is able to build its SMS list for future promotions. Since all phones can receive SMS messages, this is a channel that has the largest reach in terms of mobile users.

To enter the Text to Win Moonlight Sweepstakes consumers must be above the age of 18 and U.S. residents. Consumers can only enter the sweepstakes once.

Each of the four winners will receive two Tanger Outlets gift cards valued at $500 each. The gift cards expire one year after issue date.

The winners will be notified by 9a.m. every day from Nov. 28 – Dec. 1. They will then be instructed to pick up their gift cards at the nearest Tanger Outlets center.

Early shopping
The Text to Win Moonlight Sweepstakes is part of Tanger Outlet’s broader efforts to start holiday shopping early this year.

With the shopping season this year being shorter than ever, Tanger is providing consumers a number of different ways to connect to savings for the holidays.

Tanger will open at 10p.m. on Thanksgiving for early deals for Black Friday shopping. The Moonlight Madness Sale will feature holiday savings throughout the Thanksgiving weekend.

Shoppers can also download 20 percent and 30 percent Bonus Savings Passes to receive additional savings. The passes must be downloaded online or picked up at Shopper Services by Nov. 27.

Additionally, consumers can access more deals and coupons on Tanger’s Web site and mobile apps.

“With the holidays coming up, people have shopping on the brain,” Mr. Kolodziej said. “There are entertaining needs, parties to attend or host and gifts to buy, so a holiday SMS sweepstakes campaign is incredibly timely.

“Shoppers are engaged and likely to be making more purchases than during other times of the year, so the chance to have some extra cash on hand is very appealing,” he said.

Final Take
Rebecca Borison is editorial assistant on Mobile Commerce Daily, New York