Automated Text Messaging

In today’s mobile world, people are more reliant on their mobile phones than ever before. As a result, they’re likely to find SMS messaging is more immediate and convenient than other communications methods such as mail, email or even voice phone calls. For businesses, an SMS messaging service can keep messages from getting lost in the inbox. The average email user receives 88 emails per day. Yours can easily be lost in the pile. Using an automated text messaging system can ensure your message won’t be overlooked or left unread. Consider some statistics:

• Texts have open rates of as much as 98 percent compared to email, which has an 18 percent open rate.
• Consumers are 35 times more likely to read an SMS message than an email.
• 75 percent of smartphone users expect to get immediate information using this device.
• 68 percent of consumers say they’re more likely to buy from a company that makes communication convenient.

SMS stands for Short Message Service, although most people know it by its common name: text messaging. Since the first message was delivered in 1992 – between a computer and a phone – it has become a standard – and very popular feature – of mobile phones. The service uses standardized communications protocols to deliver messages via the Internet and mobile devices. A notable quality of SMS messages is brevity. These very short messages and are usually limited to 160 characters, although modern phone services can enable longer messages. In addition, contacts receive SMS messages within seconds. The combination of these characteristics – short and speedy – means the technology is ideal for delivering urgent messages and alerts.

A text messaging service allows organizations of all sizes to share information instantaneously with hundreds or thousands of recipients. Some services also offer the flexibility to send messages to defined lists or groups of contacts, which improves relevancy. For recipients, this is an advantage because they only see the messages that matter to them. An automated text messaging system allows you and your organization to easily communicate with groups of recipients.

Sending a text message is as simple as typing words in a box and pushing send. Ease of use also applies to the recipient, who often doesn’t need to even open the messaging app on their phone. Messages appear on the home screen, so they can be read with just a glance. But texting tens, hundreds, and even thousands of phone numbers can be complicated and time consuming. By sending mass reminders and notifications from a computer or a touch-tone device, you’ll enjoy more free time to manage other priorities.

The right automated texting software walks you through a few simple steps and gets you off and running at click-speed. Here are the basics:

• Create your message: Don’t worry if you’re struggling with wording – a dependable mass texting service will offer a variety of stock messages you can tailor to your needs.
• Select your audience: Mass texting software can easily integrate with your existing contact lists.
• Distribute by clicking ‘Send’: Rest assured people can easily respond if they need to, and you’ll be notified right away.

Once you’re communicating regularly through a text messaging system, reaching all of your people all at once feels natural. With a convenient mobile app and intuitive user interface, you can pre-create as many types of messages and contact groups as you need, or just as easily set them up on the fly. Whether your business works best with detailed preparation and planning, or your operations are inherently fluid and dynamic, the right automated text messaging system supports your objective, boosts your bottom line and keeps you set up for success.

While it’s easy to send single SMS messages from one phone to another, doing so at scale requires SMS messaging software. Organizations can use SMS messaging software for a wide range of uses, including sending emergency alerts, reminding customers of sales and payments and promoting events. With SMS messaging software, organizations can deliver business text messages and emergency alerts to hundreds or thousands of recipients at once. It also offers capabilities to set up unlimited numbers of subgroups, which allow specific targeting of people in a single location, on a team or by type of customer or volunteer group. In addition, SMS messaging software offers the capability to create message templates. When there’s an emerging threat, it can take valuable time to craft the right message. But with SMS messaging software, you can plan ahead and create templates for almost any scenario. If a critical event occurs, you can simply fill in the details – time, place, action – select the impacted group of recipients and press send. Some software even provides a mobile app, so you can handle a crisis no matter where you are.

Speed, reliability and ease-of-use make SMS messaging ideal for a wide variety of applications. It’s versatile enough to handle both routine business text messaging needs such as customer support and marketing, as well as an organization’s emergency alerting requirements. The following are just a few of the ways businesses can leverage an automated SMS system:

• Issue payment and past-due bill reminders
• Send appointment confirmations and reminders
• Automatically confirm appointments
• Schedule seasonal service calls
• Renew service agreements
• Inform customers of route or service changes
• Distribute promotional offers
• Promote special events
• Collect customer feedback
• Build customer loyalty to boost sales through increased communications
• Comply with quality, safety and operational standards
• Send emergency announcements
• Announce training and gather sign-ups

Easy contact management. Current, reliable contact information is the foundation of any outreach. That’s why it’s important to select an SMS messaging service that allows you to upload contacts easily. In addition, integration with the applications you use will help you keep contact data up to date, ensuring the right information gets to the right people at the right time.

Unlimited number of contact groups. To get relevant information to the right people, an SMS service should enable the creation of multiple subgroups of contacts. Contact groups may be comprised of a single recipient or thousands. Additional filter fields allow users to dynamically create groups.

Reporting and polling. It’s essential to confirm who received your message – especially in an emergency. Reporting and polling capabilities will help you understand who missed your message and who needs additional assistance.