Even with all of today’s latest tech, a simple text message is still a reliable way to keep your audience informed. Texts are harder to ignore than other forms of communication. Everyone carries their phone with them throughout the day and will immediately see your text messages. They’re more personal than an email or social media post, but how do you make the most of them?
Personalized Messages
A text alert service makes it possible to customize your text messages. Using one’s name in any form of communication is a great way to make a connection and appear friendly. This is true for text messages as well. Start messages with the recipient’s name.
You must also learn who your audience is and create messages that meet their specific preferences and needs. For example, a business owner who manages a restaurant could send text messages describing the new items they’re adding to their menu to meet a customer’s specific dietary needs.
Ensure you have someone’s permission to send texts before adding them to the group messages. While your goal is to keep everyone informed, no one wants a company to spam them. In fact, by doing so without permission, you could be acting illegally. The Federal Communications Commission has rules about this. You could face steep penalties and fines for sending text messages to a mass numbers database. By limiting messages to those that have subscribed to your texts, you’re reaching only interested people without annoying the public and getting a bad reputation.
Timing
While you want to keep your audience informed, you don’t want to flood your customers’ phones with texts at inappropriate times. No one wants to get a text message in the middle of the night. Sending messages at the wrong time is annoying. Learn when your audience is most likely to be receptive. In addition to the time of day, consider which day of the week is best. Regular business hours are the best. Be consistent once you decide on a time to send your text messages. When a customer gets random texts, it appears unprofessional.
Frequency is important as well. No one wants to get overwhelming amounts of text messages. Your first instinct may be to tell everyone about every promotional event or new item you’re offering but hold back. While you’re really excited about your newest product or service, your customer doesn’t want to hear about it repeatedly. They’ll opt out of other texts if they get too much information.
Be upfront about what your text messages will involve before having customers subscribe. They’ll opt out if they don’t find your texts interesting or relevant. While you don’t want them to unsubscribe, be sure you’re offering an easy way for them to stop the texts if they change their mind. Knowing they have this option makes them more likely to sign up in the first place.
To the Point
When keeping your audience informed, messages need to be short and sweet. Get right to the point. Cover the most important information as clearly as you can and use one single call to action. For example, the text for an upcoming sale should state the time and general theme, along with simple instructions on how to take advantage of this deal.
Each text message needs to add value. Make sure that what you’re communicating is relevant and enhances your customer’s experience. Consider what would make them the happiest. Is it promotions, coupons, or sneak peeks? You want them to look forward to each text. Begin by looking at your typical customer and thinking about the type of communication they use in their peer group and on social media.
Conclusion
By offering useful information directed to your customer’s likes and needs, a text message service can help you build your customer base. Your audience will appreciate being informed of upcoming events and promotions, and you’ll be making a personal connection with these individuals, which is a valuable part of improving your reputation and enjoying success.
