It can be challenging for your business to stay competitive in today’s technology driven world. One way to show customers and employees that you’re at the top of your game is by incorporating text alerts. Text messaging is no longer viewed as being exclusive to personal use. For many people, texting is the preferred method of communication. While a phone call can take you away from the activity you are currently engaged in, a text requires only a brief glance and takes seconds to respond to it.
According to a recent study, 90% of people read texts within three minutes of receiving them, whereas on 20-30% of emails are opened. A text is a light-hearted and subtle way to wink at your customer with a friendly, “Hey, I’ve been thinking about you. Just thought maybe tonight you could use some Dominoes.”
1. Ease of Marketing
Text alerts are a fantastic marketing tool. Use them to inform your customers regarding a new product or promotion. Make use of fun, light language and keep it interactive by inviting the viewer to “Text ___” to learn more!” or “Click on the link below!” Always inform the customer of who you are and include a link to your website.
Remember: your customers will need to voluntarily “opt in” for text alerts in order to receive them. It may sound surprising, but not everyone owns a smartphone or has unlimited messaging. Keep your texts short and sweet and include a disclaimer explaining that standard messaging and data rates apply.
2. Update your Customers
Yoga studios use text alerts to let students know about a class cancellation. Restaurants use them to let guests know that their table is ready. A school can let parents and students know about closures due to weather. Furniture companies can text clients to update them on the status of their orders and to schedule delivery. Shipping companies like UPS and FedEx can also use text alerts to keep their customers abreast of their order status.
3. Update your Employees
Alerts can be used to let employees know about a meeting that has been rescheduled or a new webinar that is available to view.
4. Increase Security
By pairing their smartphones with access control technology, employees can be notified via text if a restricted area is accessed. This is hugely beneficial for banks, hospitals and other businesses with expensive materials and a high rate of theft. Phones can also be paired with security cameras, enabling you to be constantly aware of what is going on in your building or warehouse. Once the threat is confirmed, authorities will be dispatched and employees can watch live video or recorded feed on their smartphones.
5. Share Company Needs
You can alert employees about shifts that need to be filled or projects that need completion. You can also ensure that your employees are the first to know about any new positions opening up.
6. Stay on top of Technical Issues
Let your employees know that the Wi-Fi is down or that an internal system is being updated. Ensure that problems are addressed immediately. Keep your people informed, moment-to-moment, as the issues are being resolved.
7. Anticipate Client Needs
Inform everyone of a client that needs assistance so that an available team member can jump to the ready! In a retail setting, this can be the difference between a client having an amazing experience or a mediocre one. If a new client needs help, an alert can go out to all available team members to assist the client.
8. Make Payment Easier
Send your clients an alert to confirm payments that have been made or to give them a balance update.
9. Cell Phones are Dominating E-Commerce
According to Morgan Stanley, more people are using their cell phones to shop online than their computers or tablets. With the ease of Apple Pay, there’s no reason to carry a wallet anymore.
10. No Wi-Fi? No Problem!
Unlike some mobile applications, text messages do not require Wi-Fi, so even if you are out of range, your alerts should come through.
There are so many benefits to using text alerts for your business that it’s foolish not to incorporate them. But once you decide to use them, remember this rule of thumb: keep alerts to customers to a max of two to three per month. No one wants to be bombarded with texts, and if customers receive too many they’re likely to be annoyed and request to unsubscribe. Whether you’re texting customers or keeping it internal, don’t forget to keep messages brief, light and interactive and enjoy the benefits of this fantastic technology.