When it comes to customer and client outreach in 2021, there are a lot of different tools and strategies that a business can employ. In fact, some business owners are confronted with so many useful options that they end up having a hard time figuring out what the best option for them actually is!
That’s why we thought it would be a great idea to break down one of the most impactful tools to utilize during a messaging campaign.
That tool is, of course, programmable SMS reminders. But what are programmable SMS reminders and what are some of the top benefits of this fantastic strategy? Click here to get more information about SMS reminders.
What is an SMS reminder?
Well, if you have never heard of what an SMS reminder is, then you will certainly want to have this question answered before we go any further! To put it simply, an SMS or text reminder is basically a text message that is sent to a mobile phone or a list of mobile phones to remind them of something. This is done in place of a phone call or robocall that can be used to offer the same information.
As you can probably already gather, there are a lot of reasons why this is a type of technology that is obviously growing in popularity. Year by year, it seems that while people spend more time on their phones, they are less willing to pick up phone calls. That is especially true when it comes to phone calls from unknown numbers. On the other hand, text messages keep growing in popularity.
Now that you have an understanding of what it is, let’s break down its five top benefits!
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Will get crucial information to more people
For as long as you’ve owned a cell phone you have probably hated it when unknown numbers call you up. In fact, lots of people hate receiving calls from unknown numbers so much that they simply never pick them up, or even block the numbers altogether! That is even true if the number that is calling has important and valuable information to the receiver. On the other hand, a text with the same information is far more likely to be read!
For example, consider the fact that just about 50 percent of adults ages 18-24 say that the conversations that they have via text are just as meaningful as the conversations that they have via phone. So, not only are you getting the information to the people that you need to get the information to, but studies show that they will take that information to heart and treat it as important in the same way that they would if the information was coming via a phone call!
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Easily accessible
SMS reminders are also a better option than the same information being sent via email. The reason for that is because some people do not read all their emails! On top of that, it is always possible that your email is put in the spam folder, making it likely that it will never be read. A text is almost guaranteed to be read, increasing its access and outreach.
When it comes to any kind of transfer of information, there is no doubt that the biggest and most important factor is whether or not that information will actually end up being seen by the recipient you have in mind. What is the point of spending loads of time crafting a fantastic email for your potential clients and customers to read if they are never going to even open the message?
With a text message, the chances that they open and read the text is incredibly high, making it a very valuable form of communication to be aware of.
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It’s instant
SMS reminders are also far better than similar information being sent via the mail. Of course, texts are sent and received instantly while letters or postcards can take days or weeks to get a customer.
There is no doubt that there are some companies out there that still value the importance and formality of sending a letter to clients and customers through the mail. Whether it is a simple thank you note for their business, an update on the business itself, or an offer with attached coupons, there are some business owners that just like the physical nature of a card. However, mail has grown to be increasingly unreliable in recent years. In fact, people run the risk of sending something that will simply never arrive. Moreover, a physical letter campaign is likely going to cost a whole lot more than an SMS reminder campaign.
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It reduces customer requests to your call center
Another benefit of SMS reminders is that offering key info via text greatly reduces the likelihood that customers will call to get the same information. The reason being, of course, is that they already got the information through your SMS!
This frees up your customer service team to communicate with clients and customers that are having real issues and could really use your help! Overall, this leads to your team being less overworked and having the time and energy needed to service your clients and customers when they call with problems that they need help solving.
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It increases customer experience
Customers always love to be kept in the loop. If you can offer them valuable information via text, there is no doubt that their overall experience with and opinion of your company will improve!
That improved experience will without a doubt not only lead to more return customers coming back to your company when they need the service or products that you provide but it could also very likely lead to an increase in word-of-mouth advertising, which is essentially one of your customers telling someone else about your business.
In the end, there is no doubt that an SMS campaign is a net positive for any company. That’s why you should strongly consider it next time you need to reach out!
