The Indisputable Power of Text Messages

If you aren’t already using text messaging in your business, you may be missing out. Professionals are relying on text messaging as a way of staying efficient, focusing on their customers, and even reaching new markets. It’s not just a convenient messaging tool for teenagers; it is also a part of the American professional’s life. 

Get Straight to the Point

Conversation takes time, and for many professionals, that is exactly what they lack. Even a voicemail can take 45 seconds just to hear the caller’s phone number. Those seconds add up, and before you know it, your day is over.

Instead of taking the time to hold a conversation during business hours, why not use text messages instead? The 160 character limit ensures that the message is kept brief. Most of the time, you can receive all of the necessary information with just a glance. For some tips on writing more professional text messages, you should read this post.

Be More Polite

Phone calls are a distraction, especially around other customers. It is always rude to take a call during an important business meeting, or while showing a house if you are a realtor, but receiving important messages are also part of your responsibilities. Communicating by text is a much better way to obtain valuable information without seeming disinterested.

Perhaps the best part about text messages is the fact you won’t miss anything by not replying immediately. Everything you need to know is right there, and you can finish up what you are working on before you reply.

Set Your Quiet Time

Just like phone calls, you can configure your text messages to enter a “Do Not Disturb” mode during certain times (iPhone | Android). This prevents you from receiving disruptive messages the wrong time. You can also set custom ringtones for text from certain numbers so that you are always alerted of them. We recommend doing this with your Smith number.

Attract new customers

Text messaging isn’t just about the messages you receive; it also is an effective way to send out messages. Many studies have shown that marketing messages sent via text have a higher response rate than other forms of messaging, plus Americans are increasingly using the technology. In 2010, more than 70% of cell phone users sent or received an average of over 40 messages per day.  In comparison, those under age 24 were sending and receiving around 50 messages per day.  These numbers show SMS marketing can be an excellent way to reach millennials.

Here at Smith, we love to talk to your customers, but we also value your time. That is why our answering service includes text messaging. Our professional receptionists can reduce those long phone calls into their essential points in 160 characters of relevant information.  We also assign priority, disposition and urgency to every call, so you can quickly decide how and when you’d like to follow up. It’s a live receptionist service for today’s world – one that very much includes text messages.