If you were to take a quick glance at your phone, what would you likely see? Dozens of unread emails are piling up in your inbox, while that pesky voicemail icon reminds you over and over that you have unread messages. It’s enough to make you want to shut off your phone for the day and ignore everyone!
Now, look at your text messages. You’ve likely read almost all of them, right? That’s because text messaging is one of the fastest and easiest ways to communicate in today’s busy world.
Texting is the way many of us communicate today. Decades ago, most businesses wouldn’t dream of using this type of communication with their clients, but those days are far behind us. Communication by text is now a perfectly acceptable form of communication today, even for businesses. Whether your company is a small, local brand or a large corporation, texting is the key to pulling in a loyal customer base.
Let’s look at why.
1. Texts put the customers in control
Everyone is busy, right? Between work, family, social obligations, and the plethora of other activities we all have going on, most of us don’t enjoy excess demands on our time. Phone calls often interrupt people when they don’t have the chance to answer them, and emails simply pile up on one another in an almost taunting way. But a text received from a business allows the customer to have better control over their situation as most people prefer the option to communicate on their own terms. It’s easier to answer a text message over a phone call when you are busy or with a group of people. Phone calls go to voicemail, while text messages are usually immediately looked at. The ball is in the customer’s court when a texting service for business is used to communicate.
2. Texts are quick and easy
Businesses all over the globe are finding out just how easy text messaging can be when they want to communicate with their customers. Almost everyone walks around with a smartphone; in fact, so many people have them literally in their hands most of the time! A business can shoot off a text to hundreds of people at the same time when they wish to send offers, coupons, and deals. Texts are quicker to open than emails and usually even faster to read.
If a business has time-sensitive information that needs to go out, text messages are much quicker than any other form of communication. And while customers will greatly appreciate a text over a phone call or email, it is often even better for a business. As responses start coming in from a mass text, a business can quickly reply to each one as they appear. This is a much easier strategy than trying to personally answer every phone call and email that comes in, allowing a business to focus on other details at the same time.
3. Texts are more personal
In the past decade or so, the line between work-life and personal life has become somewhat blurred. This has caused many people to favor communication that mirrors what they prefer-text messages. Receiving a personal text message from a business, one that is obviously meant just for their eyes and not just a blast of spam, helps customers feel like they are really important to the company.
Text conversations between a business and customer should always be as personal as possible. Names should be used, current photos of products or services should be added, and even the right emoji can convey your business when used the right way. For repeat customers, a personal text offering the latest products or services the company knows they enjoy will make the customer feel seen and heard. Just remember, text messaging should be used responsibly by a business. Too many unnecessary, spam comments will result in being blocked.
In Conclusion
Gone are the days when phone calls and emails were the only forms of communication between a business and a customer. When you need an easy, cost-effective communication tool between your company and customers, consider adding text messaging services to the list. Text messaging will improve your efficiency while drawing your customers closer to your brand.