Who even talks on the phone anymore, am I right? Quick, short communications are all the rage and it’s no different for your business. Instead of investing hours and dollars into expensive office phone systems that just sit there (see: Your office phone sucks), implement a text messaging service for small business. Texting can help your business save money, communicate faster, and increase sales. How, you ask? Allow us to make it plain and simple for you. Here’s why you should consider text messaging solutions for businesses.
For anyone who has been living under a rock for the last decade, the nerd tech word for text messaging is SMS, or Short Message Service. Everyone’s cell phone supports SMS and allow up to 160 characters to be send to another device. If you have more than 160 characters, multiple texts are sent. Pretty simple right? Yes, and that’s why it’s the most popular communication style today.
So how can a mass texting service for business help you? Easy.
Communicate faster and get to the point. Text messages reach the recipient immediately. Statistics show that 90% of the time a text is read within the first three minutes of receiving a message. We are nosy as a species, we can’t help it. The average American sends and receives more than 30 texts per day. Make sure your texts are short, clear and relevant to stand out from the texts they are receiving.
Why not email or call?
Why not email them, you ask? Wouldn’t that be easier to send everything you need without worrying about a lengthy text? Consider this- text message open rates are at 98% while email is just 20%. Ok, so email might not do the trick, but calling is the best option, right? You will definitely get their attention if you call! Well, you may get their attention, but they may not have the positive reaction you were hoping for. Statistics show that 90% of people prefer texts to calls and only about 20% of people are willing to answer calls. If you leave a voicemail, only 18% of people check their voicemail within a week.
Ok, I get it, texting matters, but how do I use it effectively?
So clearly a text message system for business is important. What are some creative ways you can increase your sales?
Texting is the easiest way to follow up or stay in the top of someone’s to-dos. If you spoke to them a week back about purchasing a product or service, shoot them a follow up text to see if they have questions. Your customer can quickly reply with their interest level and timeline, so you don’t waste time calling or emailing to no avail.
A texting service for small business is also a great way to ensure that you maximize your profit opportunities. Schedule appointments, send appointment reminders and confirmations and send out alerts for delays or cancellations to avoid losing money on no-shows and cancellations.
Group Texting
If you have several prospects to reach out to or have a specific group of people that you need to get the word out to efficiently, group texts are the way to go. Many large companies use group texts to get important internal communications and news circulated around the company. If there is a special going on for customers, you can text them the details all at once and it will look like a personal message. It sure beats calling each person individually to let them know. And the average cost of sending a text SMS is 0.01-0.05 cents per message so you’ll save money on that next phone bill.
Wow, with all that information, you can throw away your computer and your office phone, right? Just text everyone! Not so fast. Check out our RingByName business phone solutions to ensure that you are running efficiently on all cylinders.
Sources:
http://growmap.com/texting-grow-business/
https://aurainnovates.com/8-ways-texting-can-make-your-business-soar/
wow this is amazing, i love your article it’s great.i never knew that texting can improve my business, i thought calling was the best and the cheepest