With more consumers welcoming texts from brands, businesses are doubling down on SMS to reach customers instantly, drive real revenue, and streamline customer service. Whether it’s sending an exclusive deal, automating appointment reminders, or solving a problem in real time, brands that prioritize SMS marketing are seeing stronger engagement and better results.

To get the full picture, we surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers as well as 400 business owners and digital marketers about how they use and perceive SMS in 2025. We dug into everything from texting habits and AI adoption to SMS marketing conversion rates and opt-in trends.

So, which industries are seeing the biggest SMS adoption? How are businesses using AI to make texting more effective? And why are more consumers opting into business texts than ever before? Let’s break down the numbers.

Key SMS marketing statistics

1. In 2025, 66% of businesses use SMS marketing software to text their customers and 67% are increasing their SMS marketing budgets.
2. Businesses that text their customers are 5.89 times more likely to report digital marketing success than businesses that don’t use text message marketing.
3. Most businesses have an average SMS marketing click-through rate between 21 and 35%.
4. 82% of businesses agree that SMS marketing is an effective way to drive revenue.
5. Customer service is the primary reason businesses are using SMS marketing in 2025.
6. 81% of businesses say AI has improved their SMS marketing success, with most saving 4-6 hours per week on average.
7. 82% of consumers check their text notifications within just five minutes of receiving a text. And nearly a third check their text notifications within just 60 seconds of receipt.
8. 93% of consumers text every day, and nearly half (45%) check their text messages more than 10 times a day.
9. Texting is the top mobile activity for 83% of consumers.
10. In 2025, 84% of consumers are opted in to receive texts from businesses –– indicating a 6% growth in consumer opt-ins from last year.
11. Over half of SMS subscribers (52%) receive texts from four or more businesses.
12. Consumers are most likely to subscribe to texts from businesses within the ecommerce/retail and healthcare industries.
13. Appointment or reservation reminders, shipment tracking, and promotions are the biggest reasons consumers are signing up to receive business texts.
14. Most consumers now choose texting over email and phone calls for customer service issues, and 71% of consumers want the ability to text a business back.
15. According to consumers, texting too frequently is the fastest way to lose subscribers.

Consumer-related SMS marketing statistics

How are consumers using their smartphones?

People reach for their text messages before anything else on their phones. Texting is the top mobile activity for 83% of consumers, outpacing social media (75%) and email (66%). And it’s not just a passing trend. There’s been a steady rise in texting as the top mobile activity over the past few years: 77% in 2022, 78% in 2023, 80% in 2024, and now 83% in 2025. 

For businesses, this means one thing: SMS isn’t just a way to reach customers—it’s the way they prefer to communicate. With engagement levels continuing to climb, there’s never been a better time to connect with your audience via text.

How quickly do consumers check their text notifications?

When it comes to checking text notifications, speed is the name of the game. 32% of consumers open their texts within just 60 seconds of receipt. And if you zoom out a bit, the numbers are even more impressive. 82% of all consumers and 90% of Gen Z consumers check their texts within five minutes.

This isn’t just a one-time trend, either. Year after year, our reports have shown the same pattern: consumers consistently prioritize checking their texts almost immediately. For businesses using SMS, that’s a major advantage—your message isn’t just delivered, it’s seen and considered within moments.

How frequently do consumers check their texts throughout the day?

Grabbing consumers’ attention isn’t easy these days. People ignore marketing emails, scroll past sponsored posts, and mute push notifications without a second thought. Cutting through the noise takes a channel they’re already engaged with—and that’s exactly where SMS shines.

93% of consumers text every day, and nearly half (45%) check their text messages more than 10 times a day. Some take it even further—18% of all consumers and 26% of Gen Z check their texts more than 20 times a day. Whether it’s one-on-one chats or buzzing group threads, younger generations are glued to their messages, making SMS one of the most effective ways to reach them.

How many consumers are opted in to SMS marketing in 2025?

Consumers want direct, no-nonsense communication from businesses, and SMS remains their preferred way to get it. In 2025, 84% of consumers are opted in to receive texts from businesses, marking a 35% growth in SMS marketing opt-ins since 2021. Just last year, that number was 79%, showing a 6.3% increase in opt-ins year over year.

When breaking it down by demographics, women (88%) are more likely to opt in to business texts than men (78%), and Gen X leads the way in SMS subscriptions, with 85% currently receiving texts from brands.

How frequently do consumers want to receive texts from businesses?

There’s still plenty of room for businesses to grow their SMS marketing reach. Over half of SMS subscribers (52%) receive texts from four or more businesses, with Gen X leading the way at 60%. Meanwhile, most baby boomers currently receive texts from just 1-3 businesses but are open to opting into texts from 4-6 businesses, presenting a clear opportunity for brands to expand their SMS reach among older generations.

When it comes to how often consumers want to hear from businesses, most prefer texts every other week (49%) , while 34% are comfortable with weekly SMS messages. The key takeaway? Customers are open to more SMS engagement—but brands that respect texting cadence preferences will build stronger loyalty in the long run. You’ll want to avoid texting customers too much, so watch your SMS frequency.

Why are consumers opting in to texts from businesses?

It’s no mystery why consumers are increasingly opting in to business texts—SMS makes life easier. The top reasons people subscribe are appointment and reservation reminders (76%), shipment tracking and order updates (68%), and promotions or sale alerts (58%).

What do these have in common? Convenience and real-time updates. Consumers want timely reminders so they don’t miss important appointments, instant shipping notifications to track their purchases, and exclusive deals delivered straight to their phones. With SMS, there’s no digging through emails or refreshing apps—just fast, direct information exactly when it’s needed. 

Why would consumers opt out of texts from businesses?

What is the fastest way to lose SMS subscribers? Texting too often (53%), sending spam-like content (21%), or delivering messages that don’t feel relevant to the customer (11%). These numbers make one thing clear: successful SMS marketing is all about balance and personalization.

A simple rule of thumb—don’t overwhelm customers. Set clear expectations from the start by letting subscribers know how often they can expect to hear from you each month. Another key takeaway? Avoid text messages that feel robotic or generic. Before hitting send, ask yourself: Does this sound like a real person wrote it? If not, tweak it. A human touch makes all the difference in keeping customers engaged. Get our tips for effective text marketing opt-in language.

Which industries have the most SMS contacts?

Consumers consistently turn to SMS for updates from key industries, with ecommerce/retail (46%) leading the way, followed closely by healthcare (45%), and finance (27%). These three industries have topped the list since we started tracking this data in 2021, highlighting just how essential text communication has become in these spaces.

Ecommerce SMS marketing is useful for engaging shoppers with personalized promotions, reducing cart abandonment, and providing real-time order updates. In healthcare, text messaging improves patient communication, minimizes no-shows with appointment reminders, and enables instant responses to urgent requests. Financial institutions use SMS for secure account alerts, fraud detection, and seamless customer support.

Because these industries handle time-sensitive information—whether it’s a limited-time sale, a medical appointment, or a banking notification—SMS remains the most effective way to reach consumers quickly and ensure they stay informed.

How do consumers prefer to reach businesses for customer support?

Consumers increasingly value two-way conversations with businesses, especially when it comes to customer support. In 2025, texting officially overtook email as the top way consumers want to reach customer service. Most consumers (31%) now prefer texting a customer service rep over email and phone calls, marking a shift from last year when email held the top spot. 

The demand for two-way messaging is also growing. 71% of consumers want the ability to text a business back, 18% more than last year’s report. As customer expectations evolve, businesses that prioritize SMS for service inquiries will be best positioned to meet them.

Business-related SMS marketing statistics

What percentage of businesses use SMS marketing in 2025?

Texting has become a go-to marketing channel for businesses across industries. In 2025, 66% of businesses are using SMS marketing software to text their customers—a massive 55% increase compared to four years ago, when just 42% were leveraging text messaging. What’s more, with 82% of businesses agreeing that SMS is an effective way to drive revenue, it’s clear that text message marketing isn’t just a growing trend—it’s a proven strategy.

Industries leading the way in SMS marketing adoption rates include healthcare (83%), hospitality (80%), and finance (72%), where instant, direct messaging is key to customer interactions. According to hospitality businesses, SMS is their second highest-performing digital marketing channel, helping hotels, restaurants, and travel services stay connected with their guests. Meanwhile, healthcare and finance brands are well-positioned to maximize SMS marketing, as both rank among the top industries for consumer opt-ins.

Interestingly, there’s a disconnect between consumer demand and business adoption in ecommerce SMS marketing. When we asked consumers which industries they’d be most likely to opt in to for texts, ecommerce/retail ranked #1. But when we surveyed businesses, ecommerce/retail only came in 6th for SMS adoption (66%)—behind industries like construction and consumer services. This means retailers may be leaving opportunities on the table, missing out on a channel their customers want to engage with.

How does SMS marketing impact overall marketing success?

Adding SMS to your digital marketing mix isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a game-changer. 98% of businesses that text their customers say their digital marketing efforts are successful, compared to just 80% of businesses that don’t. That means businesses using SMS marketing strategies are 5.89 times more likely to report digital marketing success than those that don’t use text message marketing.

What are average SMS marketing click-through rates in 2025?

In 2025, most businesses (36%) report an average SMS marketing click-through rate between 21 and 35%, with the finance industry leading the way. 72% of finance businesses see click-through rates above 20%, making it the top-performing sector for SMS engagement.

Conversion rates tell a similar story. The majority of businesses (32%) see average SMS marketing conversion rates between 21 and 30%, with hospitality, finance, and consumer services standing out. In fact, 69% of hospitality businesses and 67% of both finance and consumer services businesses report conversion rates above 20%. With numbers like these, it’s clear that SMS isn’t just generating clicks—it’s turning them into real results.

How and why are businesses using SMS marketing?

SMS marketing isn’t just for promotions and payment reminders anymore. In 2025, customer service (51%) and customer satisfaction surveys/feedback (47%) continue to be the top two reasons businesses send texts, following the upward trend seen in last year’s report.

This shift reflects how brands are using SMS to create better customer experiences, gather real-time feedback, and provide instant support. Instead of just selling, businesses are focusing on building stronger connections one text at a time.

For half of businesses (50%), the ability to have two-way conversations with customers is the biggest advantage of SMS marketing. Unlike other channels, texting creates a direct, real-time connection where customers can ask questions, get support, and engage with businesses on their own terms, building stronger relationships with every interaction.

Beyond two-way messaging, businesses are also turning to SMS for its cost-effectiveness (42%) and real-time reach and instant delivery (41%), making it one of the most efficient and impactful marketing channels available.

How are businesses planning to adjust their SMS marketing budgets in 2025?

Businesses are doubling down on SMS in 2025. 67% plan to increase their text message marketing budgets this year, a clear sign that brands see SMS as a high-performing, must-have channel. And with good reason—most businesses (55%) saw their SMS opt-in rates grow over the past year, with finance (78%) and hospitality (69%) having the highest percentage of businesses reporting growth.

SMS isn’t just keeping customers engaged, it’s driving serious sales. Most businesses say text message marketing now accounts for 21-30% of their online revenue, proving that a well-timed text can do a lot more than just get opened—it can convert.

Artificial intelligence (AI) in text marketing

Which emerging trends are businesses incorporating into their SMS marketing strategy?

AI is taking center stage in SMS marketing, with 50.4% of businesses planning to use it for personalization and automation—making it the top emerging trend. Businesses are turning to AI to craft smarter, more engaging texts that feel tailored to each customer while driving better results. It’s working, too—81% of businesses say AI has improved their SMS marketing success.

Other trends gaining traction include chatbots and virtual assistants (44.3%), interactive polls and surveys (35.1%), and two-way messaging (30.2%), all pointing to a shift toward more conversational and dynamic customer interactions. Location-based SMS targeting (28.6%) and cross-channel integration (26.0%) are also on the rise, helping businesses create seamless, real-time connections with their audience. As businesses continue to refine their SMS strategies, expect to see even more innovation in how brands engage customers through text.

How are businesses using AI in their SMS marketing?

AI is transforming how businesses approach SMS marketing, helping brands analyze customer data for targeting purposes (47.7%), personalize messages based on customer behavior (45.4%), and optimize message timing (41.6%) to improve engagement. Businesses are also using AI to generate text copy (40.1%) and automate campaign scheduling (38.2%), making SMS marketing more efficient than ever.

But AI adoption isn’t without its challenges. High implementation costs (25.2%) and privacy and data security concerns (22.5%) are the biggest barriers businesses face. Some also struggle with understanding AI tools (14.9%) or accessing relevant customer data (11.8%). That said, 15.3% of businesses report no issues integrating AI into their SMS marketing.

How much time do businesses save each week with AI-powered SMS marketing?

AI isn’t just making SMS marketing smarter—it’s making it way more efficient. Most businesses (37%) say using AI tools for SMS marketing saves them 4-6 hours per week, while nearly 19% are reclaiming seven or more hours. That’s an entire workday freed up just by automating message personalization, campaign scheduling, and customer engagement. Whether it’s fine-tuning send times or crafting the perfect text, AI is helping businesses get more done in less time—without sacrificing results.

How comfortable are consumers texting with AI chatbots?

AI-powered chat is quickly becoming a standard part of how businesses communicate with customers. Nearly 70% of consumers have interacted with an AI chatbot via text in the past year, whether for customer support, appointment scheduling, order tracking, or other purposes. What’s even more interesting? 8% aren’t even sure if they’ve chatted with AI or a human. That says a lot about how seamless these experiences have become.

Consumers are warming up to AI-powered texting, but human backup is still key. Statistics show that 64% of all consumers feel comfortable interacting with AI chatbots via SMS , with Gen Z leading the way at 69%—significantly more than baby boomers at 56%. That gap makes sense: younger generations have grown up with AI-driven recommendations, voice assistants, and automated customer support, making chatbot interactions feel more natural.

But no matter the age group, one factor stands out—69% of consumers say having the option to connect with a human when needed makes AI chatbots far more comfortable to use. The takeaway? AI can handle the routine, but businesses that offer a seamless handoff to real agents will earn the most trust.

How can AI chatbots provide the most value in text conversations with consumers?

Consumers see the most value in AI chatbots when they make everyday tasks faster and more convenient. When asked what situations they’d find chatbot texting useful, the top responses were order updates and tracking (66%), scheduling appointments (58%), and customer support (54%). These are quick, straightforward interactions where automation can save time and eliminate wait times. Instead of sitting on hold or digging through emails, customers can get instant updates, book appointments on the go, and resolve common issues—all through a simple text message. 

The future of SMS marketing

If this year’s data proves anything, it’s that SMS marketing is only becoming more essential for businesses. Texting has officially overtaken email and phone calls as the top way consumers want to contact customer service. AI is also making a major impact—81% of businesses say it has improved their SMS marketing success, and most report saving 4-6 hours per week using AI-powered tools. Meanwhile, opt-in rates continue to rise, but there’s still untapped potential, especially in ecommerce, where consumer demand outpaces business adoption.

Check out our success stories spanning various industries, showcasing how SMS marketing has empowered both small business owners and corporations to connect effectively with their target audiences. Another good source of inspiration is our small business podcast where we work one-on-one with customers to help them solve their marketing challenges. Interested in starting your SMS campaign or engaging customers through two-way texting? Try us out for free today! 

Methodology

The statistics in this report come from two surveys conducted between December 23–26, 2024. We surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers across various demographics and 400 U.S. business owners and marketing managers from diverse industries and company sizes. Interested in SMS marketing statistics from previous years? View our 2023 and 2024 SMS marketing reports.

FAQ

The post Texting & SMS marketing statistics in 2025 appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

SMS tickets for customer service is a system that lets customers initiate and manage support requests via text message. Each message creates a ticket in a customer service platform, allowing teams to track, prioritize, and respond to issues efficiently—all through a channel customers use every day.

Dale Carnegie is best known for the book “How to Make Friends and Influence People.” Leaders like Warren Buffet swear by it, and the book has sold over 30 million copies. 

One of the core lessons of the book is the importance of “seeking common ground.” The idea here is that if you begin on bad terms with someone, you’ll never be able to recover and risk losing all credibility.

The same idea applies to your customer service strategy. If you begin by communicating with someone on a channel they don’t like, you’re already placing yourself at a disadvantage when it comes to appeasing customers.

You’ve been there. Your phone rings, and you sigh in annoyance. It’s a customer service agent, and they’re calling you about an issue. You’re in the middle of dinner. Don’t answer it, and your ticket remains open. Answer it, and your meal goes cold. SMS ticketing can help avoid these scenarios and ensure businesses address concerns in a way that is convenient for customers.

That’s no way to “make friends and influence people.” If you don’t want your customers to experience this, then you need an SMS ticketing system. In this article, we cover:

Why use SMS ticketing software?

It’s not groundbreaking to suggest that customers don’t want long hold times, slow responses, and confusing email threads. Yet, this is what they experience on a near-daily basis. SMS ticketing solves these issues.

We get it—old habits die hard. But when it comes to customer service, sticking with the status quo can hold you back. Consumers today expect fast, convenient, and personal support—and SMS ticks all those boxes. Using SMS tickets for customer service meets customers where they already are: on their phones. It’s an easy way to improve response times, boost satisfaction, and stand out in a crowded market. If you’re not sure where to start innovating, just look at how your customers are communicating. That’s where your investment should go.

• Customizable SMS for Queue Management
  Ability to tailor SMS messages to fit specific business needs and branding for more personalized customer interactions.

• Secure and Reduce Lost Tickets
  Enhanced security features that minimize the risk of lost tickets compared to traditional paper-based systems.

• Intergenerational Method for Queueing
  A versatile queueing system that caters to all age groups, ensuring accessibility and ease of use for a diverse customer base.

• Live Notifications for Customers
  Real-time updates sent to customers about their position in the queue and estimated waiting times, improving overall customer satisfaction.

• Process for Customers to Join a Queue Using SMS Ticketing
  Question: What is the step-by-step process for customers to join a queue using SMS Ticketing?
  Answer: Customers send an SMS to a specific number at the store, receive a text back with a ticket number and waiting time, and are notified via SMS when it’s their turn.

• Benefits of Using SMS Ticketing Compared to Traditional Methods
  Question: What are the advantages of implementing SMS Ticketing over conventional queue management systems?
  Answer: SMS Ticketing offers customizable messaging, enhanced security with fewer lost tickets, an intergenerational approach to queuing, live customer notifications, and a stress-reducing modernized queue system for both customers and staff.

Source: Pew Research Center

Cell Phone ownership in the US is close to 100% across nearly all demographics. Now take a look at consumer’s preferred customer service channels––text messaging is number one in the US by a significant margin.

Source: Twilio

What becomes overwhelmingly evident from these two charts is how ubiquitous cellphone ownership is and how comfortable consumers are texting businesses. Customers want you to use SMS for customer support. There are even more benefits to consider:

• Unlike live support, you don’t have to be glued to your phone and re-explain the issue. That means no more rude interruptions.
• It’s immediate and fast. 97% of text messages are opened, and 90 percent of those are read within less than three minutes of being received.
• It’s convenient for your employees as they can message multiple customers at once.

If you want to take advantage of the overwhelming benefits and your customers’ preferences, here’s how to implement an SMS ticketing software.

How to implement an SMS ticketing system from scratch

Two-way text messaging can offer you a new way to quickly and efficiently resolve customer service issues while still providing a human touch. You can get started with SMS tickets in three easy steps:

1. Choose your customer support number for SMS

After upgrading your SimpleTexting plan, you have choices when it comes to your virtual SMS number: 

1. You can use a new local or toll-free number (just be sure to have any local number you use registered).
2. It’s also possible to text-enable your current landline phone number or a VoIP line. Text-enabling your landline or existing phone number will not impact your voice service in any way.
3. You can lease a dedicated short code for your business. Learn a little more about dedicated short codes here.

Note: If you choose a toll-free number, know that carriers are currently imposing limits on toll-free number traffic and that those limits will increase until you submit your verification form. Make sure to get your toll-free number verified to avoid disruptions.

If you want to “try before you buy,” you can take our sms platform for a spin and create a free trial account. No credit card is required to sign up.

2. Advertise your new customer service text channel

The next step is to promote your text-enabled number on your website, social media, or in your physical locations. Our click-to-text button generator is a great way to encourage customers to contact you via SMS. Take a look at how it works:

3. Respond from your inbox or the mobile texting app

Once you receive an SMS ticket from a customer in your shared inbox, you can prioritize conversations by time waiting or most recently received. You can also:

• Set an away message and respond automatically to out-of-hours texts
• Leave private notes for your team
• Respond immediately
• Snooze a conversation for a set period
• Mark conversations as resolved
• Use a template
• Schedule a response for a later date
• Manage your customer support text messages from your cellphone with our mobile app

Here’s an excellent resource for learning more about SMS tickets for customer service and support.

How to integrate SMS with your existing ticketing software

If you already have an existing customer service ticketing system like Zendesk or LiveAgent and want to layer in SMS, then we recommend you use our Zapier integration.

This connection means that processes and tasks happen on your behalf behind the scenes. There’s nothing you have to do to keep up with or remember them. All you need are Zaps—Zapier’s automated workflows—that support your workflows.

To illustrate how you can do this, we’re going to use Zendesk as an example customer service platform. You could connect any customer service platform that has a Zapier integration. (To create this workflow, you’ll need a Zapier account too.)

When someone sends a customer support query via text message, you can trigger the creation of a ticket in Zendesk. 

You can also trigger a text message to go out when a new action on a ticket in Zendesk occurs.

It’s no secret to anyone that businesses build their reputations and bottom lines on providing personalized service. A great way to bolster your efforts there is to incorporate text-based customer service into your channel offering. It’s fast, cheap, and highly popular with customers. And as you can see from the above, it’s easy to implement.

The post What is SMS ticketing and how to implement it appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

Your restaurant can also set up its own text ordering system. It’s not nearly as tricky as you might think, and there are some distinct advantages to allowing your regular customers to text their orders for pick-up or delivery directly to your business. Restaurants can also use texting platforms to create their own SMS reservations systems.

If you think that SMS ordering software is only for large chains with deep pockets, we’re here to tell you otherwise. It’s affordable and easy to implement, with our plans starting at $29/month.

Here are two ways you can implement a straightforward SMS ordering system, as well as how to get started.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Benefits of Using SMS For Order And Delivery Notifications
• 1. Send Customers a Link to Place an Online Order
• 2. Ask Customers to Text in Their Orders

Why use your own SMS text-to-order system?

I could go on and on about why texting is the best way to talk to your customers, but these are the major benefits of sending your order and delivery updates through SMS.

1. No third-party fees: Many of the popular platforms charge as much as 15% to 30% of an order as commission. That’s a pretty steep fee when you consider how tight margins already are in the restaurant business. While being on these platforms can increase visibility, giving loyal customers a more direct text-to-order option means you keep more of what you charge.
2. It’s fast. Texting is an instant communication channel for both you and your customers. The data says that 90% of texts are read within three minutes, and they only take seconds for you to send (especially if you use templates), so customers get the information they need with no delay.
3. It’s visible. Adding to the fast response times, texts come with a 98% open rate, and they don’t get lost in spam or junk inboxes like emails can. Think about how quickly you look at the notifications on your phone. Your customers will do the same, so SMS helps you cut through the noise to get important details to your contacts. That includes order updates and food delivery notifications.
4. It makes two-way conversations easy. Customers no longer need to wait on hold or expect an email back in 3-5 business days. With texting, you can send and receive messages to resolve customer service issues or answer questions within minutes.
5. Keep customer data: When a customer orders through DoorDash or UberEats, those companies are the ones who collect the data on your customers. But with your own text ordering system, you have access to it instead. You can use that data to help personalize customer experiences, including your own loyalty or rewards program.

1. Send customers a link to place an online order

The simplest way to set up an SMS ordering system is to ask customers to text in a keyword to receive an automated message with a link to order online (a keyword is a word, phrase, or other combination of numbers and letters that allows people to receive an SMS from you).

If you don’t already use an online ordering solution, you can implement one like OrderStack. It integrates directly into your existing website and doesn’t take any commission on food and drink orders. 

For e-commerce, platforms like Shopify can fill this gap.

The next step is to promote your SMS ordering system by advertising your keyword in your restaurant or on your social media channels. Promotion is even more critical if you use text-to-order for takeout customers.

If you want customers to order by text, you can ask them to text in your keyword.

In the SimpleTexting platform, it only takes a few minutes to set up a keyword and an automated response. 

The first step is to create a keyword by selecting Keywords from the left-hand panel.

Next, click on the blue button labeled “New keyword.”

The keyword in the example below is “CURRYHOUSE,” and it’s what customers will text to your number to receive the online ordering link. 

You can update the automated confirmation message depending on whether you’re using it for dine-in customers, takeaway customers, or e-commerce customers. We recommend that you shorten any URLs with our URL shortener.

You can then follow the steps in this article to text your customers when their food is ready and/or keep them informed of their order details and status. 

An added benefit here is that you collect phone numbers that you can market to in the future with promotions and specials to grow your business. Check out how Barn Bowl & Bistro uses text messages for real-time marketing.

This video explains how to set up a keyword in more detail.

2. Ask customers to text in their orders

You can also ask customers to text you their orders so you can input them into your Point of Sale (POS) system. 

You can even add texting functionality to your existing number so that you and your customers don’t have to learn a new one. In this case, calls go through as usual, and text messages go straight to the SimpleTexting platform.

Alternatively, all SimpleTexting accounts also come with a text-enabled local number if you’d rather use a separate number for your text messages.

Remember, you’ll want to start by letting customers know about your text-to-order system. You can do this by adding a Click-to-Text Button to your website with a call to action like “Order Now.”

The best part is that when someone clicks the button, it opens their native messaging app with a prewritten message and your phone number pre-populated. (Here’s how to add a Click-to-Text button to your website.)

The prewritten message could–for example–request your menu or a specific product. You could then send people a link to a PDF. (Here’s an article that explains how to send a PDF via an SMS message.)

Once people know what they want, they can text their full order to your SimpleTexting inbox, and you can record it in your system.

Alternatively, you can advertise your SMS ordering system in your restaurant, on your menu, or on your website or social media.

It’s worth noting that the SimpleTexting inbox lets you prioritize conversations, make notes, and set up templates so that you never have to write the same message twice. 

The latter is handy for sending order updates and delivery process SMS notifications. If you’re dealing with a large volume of orders, you can also use it for customer service questions.

In this two-minute video, we cover the basics of how the inbox works:

Text ordering for other types of local businesses

It's not just restaurants that can benefit from SMS ordering systems. Giving your customers the opportunity to place orders via text message can create new connections and opportunities for other businesses too. Here are a few examples...

Enable service requests over text

Service-based businesses can get in on text orders, too. Since ordering services can involve so many custom details, texting offers a great alternative for customers who’d rather not call.

Bates Electric, an electrical contracting business, improves its scheduling process by offering an SMS option. COO Andrew Bates walked me through each step.

It all starts when a customer sends a text with basic details about the service, such as “need a new ceiling fan installed.” Bates Electric will respond to confirm the request and ask for any extra details it needs.

Once the customer confirms their appointment time, they get a text confirming the appointment, introducing the tech involved, and sharing a link to track their arrival. Bates Electric will also send appointment reminders with the option to reply YES to confirm.

If you try this process, you can use your own CRM, field service software, or whatever app you use to organize your work to keep your customers in the loop. Using one of our integration partners, you could automatically send such a text when you schedule an appointment.

After the tech finishes the job, Bates Electric sends a text to ask for feedback with a simple rating that let's them know if the customer was satisfied. If not, they can follow up to find out more and address the situation.

Develop custom products through an SMS conversation

Like services, customizable products have quite a few variables that are easier to work out over a conversation. You can have this conversation over text to capture those important details while letting your customers get back to you on their time.

At Ninja Transfers, customers can text to order their custom-designed heat transfer decals. Head of Marketing Tom Golubovich explained to me how it works. Throughout the process, the customer texts specific words to trigger the next step of ordering.

After texting the type of product they want, the customer gets a prompt to describe their design.

When Ninja Transfers finishes the initial design, it sends a link to the mockup over text. The customer can then text APPROVE to move forward with it.

Offer exclusive pre-orders for out-of-stock items

When your customers want one of your out-of-stock products, texting is the perfect way to give them a heads-up. You can send a text to a list when it comes back in stock so interested subscribers can order right away.

Founder and CEO Roman Zrazhevskiy uses this tactic at MIRA Safety, a preparedness equipment supplier. Customers can sign up for a restock list on the company’s website to get notifications within minutes of a product restocking.

These SMS messages have an exclusive pre-order link that lets subscribers buy before the general public, offering a reward for their loyalty.

“This method is all about making loyal customers feel valued and appreciated,” Roman says. “Offering exclusive early access shows them their time and interest matter, which keeps them excited and connected to our brand. It’s a way of rewarding their loyalty while building trust and creating that special ‘VIP’ feeling.”

You could get more specific with this approach by making a keyword for each of your products and having customers sign up for product-specific lists. When a product is back in stock, you could use one of our integration partners to trigger an automatic text with a link to the restocked product.

Make reordering possible with SMS

SMS can also make it easier for your customers to reorder their favorite products. Send a text around the time they would need to stock back up with a link to buy the product again.

Bully Max, a pet nutrition company, sends SMS reminders to order again when their pet food is about to run out. CMO Maris Laatre shared an example of a text customers could receive:

Sports equipment supplier MoreSports uses keywords to manage its reorders. According to CEO Peter Elliott, customers can text a keyword with a product number to get reminders to reorder. When they get one of those reminders, they can then text YES to confirm or adjust their order.

Use a QR code for text ordering

You can combine this last method with any of the ones above to save your customers even more time when ordering. SMS QR code generators let you create a QR code that pre-populates a message with your number and keyword so customers only need to scan and send. Then, you can place this QR code in prime spots like:

• Your dining menu
• Your product catalog
• Mail flyers
• In-store flyers and posters
• Ecommerce package inserts
• Product tags and labels

Using the QR code, your customers can order or reorder the product or service related to it. This blog post goes over the entire process of creating an SMS QR code so you can try it yourself.

How do I get started with SMS ordering software?

SimpleTexting has the tools you need to try the tactics in this blog post. The first step is to start your 14-day free trial today to see how simple texting your audience can be. We don’t ask for a credit card when you sign up, so you can try all of our features pressure-free.

We’re here seven days a week to answer questions and guide you to the right SMS strategy for your business. Call us at (866) 259-1887 or chat with us using the icon in the corner of your screen when you need us.

The post How to set up a DIY text ordering system appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

What is mass texting and why do you need it?

If you’re trying to figure out how to text multiple people at once, there’s a good chance you have a particular audience you need to reach with a specific message. 

Mass texting—also known as bulk SMS—refers to the sending of SMS or MMS messages to a large list of contacts. You can use mass texts to communicate with staff, send updates or emergency alerts, and stay in touch with customers. SMS marketing is also a great way to let your customers and clients know about promotions, events, and more.

These mass texts are best sent using a dedicated software solution known as a business texting service. As your business and your contact list grow, you’ll need a solution that scales with you while helping you stay compliant with privacy laws and regulations. Texting multiple people from your own smartphone may no longer be a viable or legal option.

We’ll cover why that’s the case and how you can use SimpleTexting to send multiple SMS messages online below.

How much does It cost to send multiple SMS online?

Before we go any further, you probably want to know what the cost of a text messaging service is.

Our pricing plans start at $29 per month for 500 SMS. With that, you get a free number, dedicated support seven days a week, and unlimited keywords. You can also text-enable your existing landline or toll-free number.

Here’s more information on the cost of mass texting–and its ROI.

Send multiple SMS from a phone

In an effort to avoid any investment in new software, you might wonder if it’s possible to send an SMS to many numbers at a time from your mobile phone.

The problem is that:

• Most default messaging apps only let you text around 10 people
• There is no way for people to opt-out of your messages

This isn’t a major problem if it’s a group of friends coordinating dinner plans but it quickly becomes one if you want to send one SMS to multiple numbers as a business.

There are other benefits of using a paid SMS service to send messages. You can also:

• Collect phone numbers using tools like web forms, Text-to-Join, and our Mobile Sign-Up Widget
• Manage your list with custom fields and segments
• Schedule SMS campaigns in advance
• Send automated text messages
• Run Text-to-Win SMS marketing campaigns
• Use our mobile app

That’s just a small number of our powerful features.

Challenges with native messaging apps:

• iPhone: To send mass texts, iMessage should be turned off, and highlight the contact limit for broadcasting groups (25).
• Android: Mention the contact limit for broadcasting groups (20-30) and the steps to turn off group messaging in the settings.
• WhatsApp: Explain WhatsApp’s broadcasting feature, noting its contact limit (256) and requirements (recipients must have WhatsApp and save the sender’s number).
  

Legal and compliance issues:

While it’s possible to manually copy and paste messages to multiple recipients with your phone, dedicated SMS platforms provide a streamlined process, ensuring compliance with regulations, tracking engagement, and delivering messages quickly to large groups. Unlike your phone, professional software offers advanced features such as list segmentation, personalized messaging, and analytics, making it ideal for businesses aiming to optimize their communication strategy.

Send one text to multiple numbers online with SimpleTexting

It’s incredibly easy to send an SMS to many numbers at a time with SimpleTexting. In just a few minutes you can conveniently and effectively communicate with all of your contacts. 

All you need to do is…

1. Sign up for an account

Try our SMS broadcast service for free for 2 weeks. With our platform, you can send text messages to multiple recipients quickly and efficiently. You’ll also get a free text-enabled number. (We don’t ask for your credit card so there are no strings attached.)

2. Import any existing contacts

If you already have a list of contacts who have given you permission to send them text messages? You can import them directly to our platform by following these instructions.

3. Build your list

Even if you have no experience with SMS marketing, it’s easy to collect numbers. Just add a web form to your site or invite people to text a unique keyword to your text-enabled phone number.

4. Send your message

Once you’ve got everything set up and ready to go, it’s time to write your special promotion, appointment reminder, emergency alert—whatever you want, really—and then click send or schedule it for later.

Watch the video below and we’ll walk you through each step:

Get started sending multiple SMS online

If you have more questions, you can also request a demo. Alternatively, you can text or call us at (866) 450-4185 or use the chat at the bottom of your screen.

If you’re ready to take us for a test drive, sign up for a 14-day free trial.

FAQs

The post How to send one SMS to multiple numbers online appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

If you read a negative review of your business and feel your stomach churn, you are not alone.

On the other hand, when a customer shares a good review for your company, it’s a cause for celebration!

The highs and lows of customer feedback are all too real. The problem is that most businesses focus on the former. 

We are here to tell you that you can do more than prevent bad reviews: You can generate positive ones too.

In this article, we provide you with examples of good reviews and what they can teach us.  We also equip you with the know-how to set the tone of future reviews.

Good customer reviews impact your bottom-line

We wrote recently about how Google reviews help your Google rankings, and how to automate the ask. All you really need to know is that a staggering 9 out of 10 customers read reviews before deciding to purchase from you. 

There is a ton of research that goes a step further and attempts to quantify reviews actual dollar value. One such study by the Harvard Business Review found, “a one-star increase in Yelp rating leads to a 5-9% increase in revenue.” On the other hand, only 2.5 percent of consumers trust businesses with overall ratings of 2.0 stars or less. If 97% of potential customers skip over your business, it’ll be hard to keep the lights on.

Customer feedback examples 

If you want to generate more positive reviews, it helps to know what an excellent review really looks like. You might be thinking, “Duh, I know this already, people say nice things about my business.”

There is more to it than a five-star rating. While the exact characteristics of good reviews vary by industry, there are certain fundamental elements that great reviews have in common. It’s worth taking note of them. You need to know what the end goal looks like if you want to achieve it.

1. Good reviews are detailed, specific & honest

A useful review includes enough detail to give others a feel for what happened. Potential customers want to know more than that someone else was happy. They want to know what exactly they liked so that they can gauge whether it aligns with their own preferences. Just compare this review of a Dominos…

To this review…

Which review is likely to influence someone with an intense pizza craving? A five-star rating and “good pizza” is not bad, but it doesn’t have the same impact. A review doesn’t have to be the length of War and Peace, but an honest, detailed, and specific recollection goes a long way to building credibility.

2. Good reviews praise stellar customer service

70% of U.S. consumers say they’ve spent more money to do business with a company that delivers excellent service. It’s not surprising then that a good review will shed a positive light on your customer experience.

An added bonus is if a review makes particular note of your staff or even calls out an employee by name:

3. Good reviews provides constructive criticism

One less-heralded benefit of reviews is the feedback they provide you with. Ideally, a review also outlines areas of possible improvement. This constructive criticism is not only helpful to you. It also gives customers a sense of their “worst-case” scenario.

They want to know what can go wrong to understand just how much it will matter to them. Take this review:

If a customer doesn’t care about the restaurant’s food presentation, then it won’t bother them. If they do, and they decide to come anyway, then at least it won’t come as a surprise. Not only will they be less likely to complain, but they will also be more likely to focus on the positives they expected.

4. Good reviews features images

Marketers use a fancy word for images in reviews: User-generated content. If you are not a fan of marketing jargon, it basically means that your customers include pictures of your product in action or your business’s premise. These “real-life” images provide an in-depth and authentic feel to any review. 

Good review examples from different industries

How to generate good customer reviews & feedback

Now that you have a solid understanding of both the importance of good reviews and actual examples of real reviews, it’s time to focus on generating more of them.

There are a lot of different ways that you can help control the narrative in your reviews, but here are three critical areas you can’t ignore.

1. Provide exceptional customer service

If you’ve paid attention thus far, you know that we already called out the importance of customer service. It might go without saying, but the number one way you can generate overwhelmingly positive customer reviews is by focusing on customer service. 

Empower your staff to go above traditional standards—and beyond canned responses—to deliver personal customer support. A genuinely warm and human experience prompts loyalty like nothing else. 

2. Encourage reviews on your social channels

It’s incredibly rare that anyone would pick up the phone and call you up with feedback. Instead, your customers take to social media to talk about you. That’s why it’s essential to harness your most public-facing customer service touchpoint and join in on the conversation. 

With the right approach, you can turn it into a goldmine of positivity. Encourage customer feedback and positive interactions with fun hashtags and quick responses, and most importantly, have fun.

This does not apply solely to customers post-purchase, but at every single point on the customer journey. Your tone and voice in this interaction will help guide your customers, so expect it to be reflected back in their reviews.

3. Reply to positive customer reviews

Certain people believe that the higher-purpose of customer service is to turn an angry customer into a happy one. In this light, there lies an opportunity in every negative review.

While there is value in this, it can risk a mindset that ignores the power of good reviews too, and the need to respond to them. Positive reinforcement is the core concept here.

Happy customers need to be heard just as much as unsatisfied ones. This shows anyone thinking of leaving a review that they will be heard and that their feedback matters to you. 

Good customer feedback is essential for your business

Whether you want to get reviews on Amazon or Facebook, repeat after me, “customer reviews are under my control.” Reviews are just another element of your company.

When you focus on excellent customer service, you create the reviews you want. You can also determine the tone and voice of the customer by reflecting it in your engagement with them, primarily in-person and through your social channels.

There is, unfortunately, no exact science. But when you see consistently excellent reviews roll in, you know you have the right formula.

FAQs about good review examples

The post 7 good review examples and how to generate compelling customer feedback appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

These are questions we hear every day from business owners starting out their text marketing strategy. The good news is, both SMS and MMS are easily accessible text marketing tools.

We’ll walk you through the differences between SMS and MMS text messages along with instructions for using both to send audio, video, GIFs, and more.

What is SMS?

SMS, which stands for Short Message Service, is a fancy term for text messages under 160 characters. If you want to get technical, it’s a special communications protocol created to send and receive text messages over cellular networks. 

The first text message was sent via the SMS protocol way back in 1992. It is the most widespread and frequently used texting technology.

What is MMS messaging?

MMS stands for Multimedia Messaging Service, and it’s a type of texting that involves media (like videos, images, GIFs, and audio) and up to 1,600 characters. 

MMS is an extension of the core SMS protocol, and it was developed to enable the transmission of multimedia content via text message. 

What is the difference between SMS and MMS?

TL;DR: SMS comes with a 160-character limit, while MMS allows for 1,600 characters as well as media such as pictures, videos, or audio.

The main difference between SMS and MMS messages is the type of content you can send. With SMS, you can only use plain text under 160 characters. (With extended SMS, you can send up to 306 characters.) 

MMS allows you to send images, videos, audio, GIFs, PDFs, and text up to 1,600 characters. However, because of the increased character length, MMS messages typically cost more to send.

You’ll run into these two terms most often in the phrases “SMS marketing” and “MMS marketing.”

Let’s get into some more specifics about both.

SMS vs. MMS at a glance

Almost all devices support both SMS and MMS, so you usually don’t need to stick to one over the other. Realistically, a good text marketing strategy should include a combination of the two for variety.

As you can see here, SMS and MMS text messages can look quite different, meaning you can match the message type to the text you’re sending.

The biggest differences between SMS and MMS messages go beyond the visual elements and MMS’ ability to include media. 

SMS messages are best for quick text-based alerts or notices, while MMS messages are perfect for highlighting products, sales, or anything that needs a visual element.

The table below highlights some of the practical differences between MMS and SMS messages to help you pick the best option for each scenario.

You can group the main differences between SMS and MMS into three areas:

• Character limits
• Supported media
• Pricing

MMS gives you more characters

Where SMS marketing only allows for up to 160 characters per text, MMS marketing allows for an unlimited number of characters per text, technically speaking.

Practically speaking, wireless carriers tend to limit the length of MMS messages, but the result is still roomier than SMS.

At SimpleTexting, for example, you get up to 1,600 characters per MMS message.

MMS lets you embed rich media

MMS also gives you the ability to embed rich media like images, audio files, baby elephant GIFs, and short video clips. 

With SMS, you can only include links to your media — you can’t add it directly to the text itself.

SMS and MMS messages have different pricing

MMS messages cost a bit more than SMS messages because they involve transmitting more data.

The difference in cost varies from provider to provider. With SimpleTexting’s text messaging platform, MMS costs 3 credits per message. SMS, on the other hand, costs 1 credit per message.

The nice thing is that you can mix and match your MMS and SMS messages to suit your messaging strategy. 

For example, if you buy a 1,000-credit plan, you can send 400 SMS messages and 200 MMS messages. (400 + [200*3] = 400 + 600 = 1,000.)

In case you’re wondering, “Why should I pay more for MMS?”, the answer is simple: MMS campaigns have a 20% higher opt-in rate than SMS campaigns. MMS messages are also 8x more likely to be shared on social media.

Don’t take our word for it, though. Check out these SimpleTexting customers who got amazing results using MMS.

• Whisker Seeker Tackle Uses MMS to Achieve a 25% Conversion Rate
• This Upscale Dollar Store Keeps Customers Coming Back with Exclusive Texts
• Using MMS Messaging, Life is Beautiful Delivers a Sharable Lineup Poster Image

When to use SMS messages

We recommend choosing SMS for messages where “short and sweet” makes the most sense. SMS is perfect for communicating important details, from order confirmations to time-sensitive alerts.

SMS messages are also great for campaigns where you’re bringing contacts in using a keyword. 

A keyword is simply a short word or phrase that contacts can text to your number to agree to receive texts from you. If you’re expecting a lot of new contacts, using SMS for your confirmation message can help keep your costs low. 

Here’s an example:

SMS messages also work well for transactional texts like:

• Order confirmations and delivery tracking
• Appointment reminders and updates
• Updates
• Password resets and two-factor authentication (2FA)

Finally, many of our awesome customers also use SMS for marketing and promotions, generating new sales, and improving engagement with coupons and other offers.

When to use MMS messages

Most promotional text messages benefit from photos, GIFs, or videos. 

The reason is simple: Those who use visual communication to get their message across to an audience are more successful than those who rely on words alone. 

We ran an A/B test with a SimpleTexting customer to prove the concept, and the test found that the MMS message in the test received a 52% higher click-through rate (CTR) than the SMS message. 

Consider sending MMS when you want to:

• Show off your product
• Offer a mobile coupon
• Invite your contacts to an event
• Send a birthday or anniversary message
• Run a competition

The first 50 people who show this image on their phone at checkout receive 20% off their entire purchase. 

Send your contact card with a welcome message

Texting out your contact card with your welcome message encourages your subscribers to save your contact info right off the bat so they recognize and trust your texts going forward.

First thing, you’ll need to create and download a virtual business card (you can design a free one in Canva).

Once you’ve created your card, you’ll attach it to a message. People do this most often with a keyword. 

Keywords are words or phrases that new contacts can text to your number to sign up for your texts. A dog grooming business might use the keyword “GROOMER.”

Your keyword setup will require an auto-confirmation message that automatically replies to new subscribers. You’ll use this message to send your business card.

Send images or animated GIFs for promotions (and beyond)

Images and GIFs help communicate your message more effectively and add an engaging visual component.

If you’re sending a GIF from your phone’s messaging app, you’ll only need to follow a few steps.

1. Copy your GIF from an app or website like GIPHY.
2. Launch your texting app.
3. Paste your GIF.
4. Hit “send.”

The process is just as easy within your SimpleTexting account.

1. Head to the Campaigns tab and start a new campaign.
2. Select MMS as the message type.

3. Hit the paperclip icon above the message box and add your GIF. Highlight the GIF in your media library and click the blue “Include” button.

4. Fill out and send or schedule your campaign as usual. Your subscribers will see the full-size GIF in the body of the text.

Sending an image in your text takes a few more steps.

1. Start a new campaign in the Campaigns tab.
2. Choose “MMS” as the campaign type.

3. Click the paperclip button.

4. Upload the desired image or paste in the URL where it’s located.

5. Click the image once it’s uploaded and hit the blue “include” button.

6. Send your campaign as usual.

Send pictures as links in SMS text messages

It’s still possible to send photos without using MMS, but your image won’t appear in the text message itself. 

With SMS, you can instead include links that, when clicked, send recipients to the photo online.

Here are six steps to attach an image to an SMS message as a link:

1. Open a new campaign.
2. Ensure SMS is selected as your campaign type.
3. Select the image icon.

4. Paste the image’s URL or upload a file from your computer. Any JPG, PNG, or GIF file up to 10MB will work.

5. Hit the “insert” button.

6. Send your campaign.

Send PDFs for invoices or additional information

Texts (even MMS messages) are a super concise way to communicate, and what you have to say might not always fit within 1600 or 160 characters.

In those cases, you can text a PDF that includes the information you couldn’t include in the body of your message.

1. From your SimpleTexting account, go to Campaigns and select SMS as your message type.
2. Click the media icon.

3. Upload your PDF as a URL or a file, then press the blue Include button.

4. Your PDF will appear in your message as a link that will send recipients to the document online.

Send PDFs with two-way business texting

That’s the campaign PDF setup, but you also have the option of sending PDF files through your two-way messaging Inbox. 

Simply open the conversation where you want to send the file and click the paperclip icon below the message box.

Click Upload and add your desired PDF with the blue Include button.

Your PDF will show up in your message as a link just like in a campaign.

How to text a PDF via MMS

While the steps here are the same, PDFs sent with an MMS message will show directly in the message body instead of as a link.

When a subscriber clicks on the PDF, it opens within the text message, where the recipient can save the PDF like a photo.

1. Start a new campaign and select MMS as the message type.

2. Choose the paperclip icon.

3. Follow the steps to upload your PDF as a file or from a URL.

4. Your PDF will show up directly in your message and can open without the need for an internet connection.

Send audio files 

Maybe you’re sending out some content meant for the audio learners on your subscriber lists, like a podcast or a voice memo announcement. Piece of cake.

If you want to send an audio file bigger than 1 MB, you’ll do so via a link in an SMS message.

1. Start a new campaign with SMS as the type.
2. In the message box, paste a link to your audio file.
3. Click the chain link button above your text to shorten your URL. This will help you save space and characters as well as allow you to track who did and did not click on your link for each campaign.
4. Your audio file will show up as a link in the message box. The URL will be automatically shortened, and it will show in the preview box on the right the way your subscribers will see it.
5. Type out your message and send your campaign.

The resulting message will look like this to recipients. When they click the link, they will be redirected to listen to your audio.

How to send audio files via MMS

To use this method, your file must be 1 MB or less. 

If your file is bigger than that, you can try to compress it. There are a few different ways to do so.

The easiest way is by using Adobe Premiere or Audition. You can set your compression to a significant amount (aka 1 MB). There are other free tools out there with a few extra steps, like HandBrake.

Once you’re ready to text your audio file, follow these steps.

1. Start a campaign with MMS as the type.
2. Choose the paperclip icon.
3. Upload and include your desired 1 MB audio file. 
4. Your file will show up in the body of your text where recipients can click to open it.

Send videos

Sending a video text message is one of our top tips for standing out in subscribers’ inboxes and showing off your brand’s voice.

And you don’t have to take our word for it. Let me show you how one of our customers does this. 

Our customer Casey regularly sends texts with a video and a discount on monthly services to customers who book a single cleaning with his company.

Here’s how to replicate the process using SimpleTexting.

1. From your inbox, open a conversation and type a message in the box.
2. Click the media icon.
3. Upload your video and include it.
4. Send or schedule your text. 

MMS vs. SMS FAQs

Still have questions? We don’t blame you. Check out these FAQs from business owners like you.

Start using SMS and MMS messages in your marketing strategy

We all love exciting visuals, so it’s not surprising that text messages with pictures typically drive more engagement. However, with conversion rates from SMS campaigns as high as 45%, your text marketing strategy should include a mixture of both.

If you’re interested in SMS or MMS marketing, here are some helpful links to get you started:

• Pricing and Plans
• Schedule a Demo
• Try Us Free

If you’d prefer to chat with someone, our team of SMS marketing experts would love to help. We’re available 7 days a week. Text or call us at (866) 450-4185 or use the chat icon at the bottom of your screen.

The post SMS vs MMS text messages: definition & differences appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

Email confirmations have their place, especially for appointments that are scheduled far in advance. Even as someone who works for a business texting company, I’d never tell you to get rid of your email strategy.

But the fact that SMS has an average open rate of 98%, while email’s open rate is around 21%, suggests that you should send important appointment details by text if you want people to see it.

We’ve seen it work for our customers here at SimpleTexting, too. Some business owners’ appointment attendance rates increased by more than 30% after sending appointment confirmation and reminder texts.

If you’re ready to send your first appointment confirmation text, I have good news. We’ve done all of the legwork for you, providing confirmation text examples and guidance below on what you need to write the perfect booking confirmations.

What is an appointment confirmation text?

An appointment confirmation text is a message sent by SMS minutes, hours, or days before an appointment. Recipients can reply or follow a link to confirm or reschedule. They’re often used by doctors and dentists, veterinarians, salons, dentists, and any other business that offers appointments.

You might be thinking, “Why should I send texts and not emails?” 

While 90% of text messages are opened within the first three minutes of being received, over two-thirds of emails are never opened. (Phone calls show a much lower success rate than either email or SMS.)

9 tips for writing an appointment confirmation text

To help you get more clients to attend appointments, I’ve compiled confirmation text best practices and advice from our SMS experts.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Include all necessary information

Wondering what to say when confirming an appointment by text?

Appointment confirmation texts should include:

1. Your business or organization’s name
2. Appointment date and time
3. Physical address (if you have multiple locations or it’s their first visit) or how to access a virtual appointment

For appointment confirmation response texts, include a call-to-action so your recipient can easily let you know if they’re still planning on attending. If they’re not, you’ll have the chance to quickly fill their spot and avoid lost revenue.

2. Personalize your confirmation texts

Appointment confirmation texts are a prime example of an opportunity to connect with your customers on a personal level. Simply sending a robotic reminder isn’t enough. To truly stand out, consider these personalization tactics:

Tailor the tone: Consider your target audience and the nature of your business. Use a friendly, professional tone for most appointments, while healthcare providers might maintain a more formal approach. Hair salons could inject a touch of fun or excitement.

Highlight the benefits: Always lead with value. For a haircut, mention the stylist’s expertise. For a financial consultation, emphasize achieving financial goals. 

Be clear and offer calls to action: Being prepared pays off. Remind them of what to bring or how to prepare (e.g., “Wear comfortable clothes for your fitness consultation”) by dropping a link to additional information or directions.

Share specifics: For complex appointments, connect the dots with a breakdown of the scheduled procedure (e.g., “Root Canal with Dr. Smith”).

Communicate both ways: Create an interactive experience with sms. Consider allowing simple replies to confirm, reschedule, or ask questions (be sure to have a system in place to manage these replies).

SimpleTexting makes personalization easy:

Our platform streamlines personalization with user-friendly features:

• Dynamic content tags: Easily insert placeholders for names, dates, times, and appointment details, automatically populating each message.
• Segmentation tools: Segment your customer base by appointment types and tailor messages accordingly.
• Pre-built templates: Use pre-designed templates with personalization options to save time and ensure consistent branding.

3. Keep your messages short

A long-winded appointment confirmation text can cause recipients to overlook important details about their appointment. Include only necessary information to reduce confusion, and consider adding extra details—like instructions and items to bring—to a landing page on your site. 

4. Use inviting language

Appointment confirmation texts are a valuable touchpoint, but they don’t have to be dry reminders. By using inviting language, you can transform them into mini-interactions that build rapport and excitement for the upcoming appointment.

Where inviting language resonates:

• Service-oriented appointments: Businesses like hair salons, massage therapists or personal trainers can use inviting language to create a positive, customer-first impression before their client even arrives.
• First-time appointments: For new clients (dental checkups, loan consultation where it’s easy to be nervous), a welcoming tone can ease any anxieties and make them feel comfortable about their upcoming appointment.
• Appointments requiring preparation: If clients need to come prepared (paperwork filled out or fasting before lab work), use inviting language to encourage them and offer support like “we look forward to seeing you, please fill out this questionnaire [link] beforehand.”

Making your texts inviting:

• Warm greetings: Instead of a generic “This is a confirmation,” start with a friendly salutation like “Hi [Name],” or “We’re excited to see you again, [Name]!”
• Positive reinforcement: Highlight the benefits of the appointment. For a dentist, mention a brighter smile. For a fitness class, emphasize the chance to get energized.
• Action verbs and questions: Use action verbs like “prepare” or “get ready” to create a sense of anticipation. Consider asking a question to spark engagement (e.g., “Is there anything you’d like to discuss during your consultation?”).
• Express gratitude: A simple “Thank you for booking with us!” shows appreciation and reinforces their decision.

Words to avoid:

• Urgent or demanding language: Pivot away from words like “urgent” or “required” unless absolutely necessary. Focus on a positive and informative tone.
• Negatives: Skip words like “don’t forget” or “avoid being late.” Frame things positively (e.g., “We can’t wait to see you at [time]”).
• Jargon or technical terms: Use clear, concise language that everyone understands.

5. Be specific with your call to action

Make it clear how you want people to confirm their appointment. For example, instead of saying “Reply to this message to confirm your appointment,” say “Reply C to confirm your appointment, or call/text to cancel or reschedule.”

Having a standard way of confirming appointments will help you quickly spot which recipients have confirmed and which have questions.

6. Send confirmations at the right time

There’s no one-size-fits-all texting timeline for appointment confirmations, but researchers at Kaiser Permanente found that sending texts three days and one day before can help reduce no-shows.

You can start with this basic schedule:

1. After scheduling: Send a text right after the appointment is scheduled so recipients can refer back to the message and add the details in their calendar.
2. Three days before: Send the actual appointment confirmation that asks for a response less than 72 hours before the appointment. 
3. One day before: Send a reminder text the day before the appointment.

7. Automate your confirmation messages

Reduce the time you spend on sending confirmation texts by automating them. SimpleTexting integrates with thousands of tools, like Google Calendar and Calendly, so you don’t have to manually send each appointment confirmation text message.

See how to schedule appointment confirmation and reminder texts with Google Calendar and SimpleTexting.

SimpleTexting Is Appointment Confirmation Text Software

Take advantage of text messages’ 98% open rates and reduce appointment no-shows. Meaningful connections are just a text away with SimpleTexting.

Try Us Free

No credit card required

8. Give clients the option to call you

Include your phone number in your confirmation text for people who’d rather talk in real time than text when they have questions.

If you’re not able to take calls right away, let them know when to expect a call back from you.

9. Give clear opt-out instructions

Sometimes people change their minds about appointment text messages. Make it easy for them to unsubscribe from your messages by including opt-out instructions, like “Reply STOP to stop.”

Send opt-in/opt-out instructions and other SMS compliance information after texting a new contact for the first time.

If you use SimpleTexting, we’ll send new contacts a free, customizable compliance message with information on how to unsubscribe once you send your first message. 

Read our SMS compliance guide to learn more about how to follow texting industry regulations.

Appointment confirmation text templates to copy and paste

Not sure what to say to confirm an appointment? I’ll share some appointment confirmation text templates to choose from and add to your business texting platform.

Appointment confirmation text templates:

• Doctor and dentist office appointments
• Veterinary office appointments
• Beauty salon appointments
• Home service appointments
• Real estate property showings
• Automotive service appointments
• Business and sales meetings
• Virtual appointments
• Job interviews
• Cancellation policy disclosures
• Special instructions

Appointment confirmations texts for doctors and dentist offices

Veterinary office appointment confirmations

Beauty salon appointment confirmations

Home service appointment confirmations

Real estate property showing confirmations

Hi [BUYER NAME]! This is [YOUR NAME] with [COMPANY]. Does [DATE] at [TIME] still work for the showing at [PROPERTY ADDRESS]?

Automotive service appointment confirmations

Business and sales meeting confirmations

Virtual appointment confirmations

Job interview confirmations

No-Shows and Cancellation Policy disclosures

Hi [CLIENT/PATIENT NAME], your appointment at [BUSINESS NAME] is scheduled for [DATE] at [TIME]. Please note that canceling or rescheduling less than [NUMBER OF DAYS/HOURS] before your appointment will result in a [FEE AMOUNT] cancellation fee. Reply or call this number with questions. Thank you!

Special instructions

Hi [CLIENT/PATIENT NAME], your appointment at [BUSINESS NAME] is scheduled for [DATE] at [TIME]. Before your appointment, please [INSTRUCTIONS FOR FORMS, WHAT TO BRING, ETC.]. Reply or call this number with questions. Thank you!

How to send text appointment confirmations (the SimpleTexting Way)

SimpleTexting streamlines the process of sending text appointment confirmations, saving you time and ensuring clear communication with your customers. Our user-friendly interface allows you to:

1. Leverage integrations:

• Calendar sync: Connect SimpleTexting with your online calendar (e.g., Google Calendar, Outlook) via Zapier to automatically generate confirmation texts based on appointments booked. This ensures messages are sent at the right time with all the necessary details pre-populated.
• Online booking forms: Integrate SimpleTexting with your online booking forms. When a client confirms their appointment through the form, a confirmation text can be automatically triggered.

2. Building your text message:

• Start with a template: Choose from a library of pre-built templates designed for appointment confirmations. These templates already include essential elements like greetings, appointment details, and disclaimers.
• Personalize your message: SimpleTexting offers powerful personalization tools. Use dynamic content tags to automatically insert the recipient’s name, appointment date, time, location, and other relevant details. You can further customize the message with greetings, appointment-specific details, and calls to action.
• Add a touch of brand personality: Maintain a consistent brand voice by incorporating your brand’s language and style.

3. Setting up automated sending:

• Schedule delivery: Once you’ve crafted your message, determine the ideal timing for sending confirmation texts. You can choose to send them immediately upon booking, a few days before the appointment, or a combination of both.
• Test before sending: Before sending out a blast of texts, send a test message to your own phone number to ensure everything looks perfect.

4. Manage replies and engagement (Optional):

• Enable Two-Way Messaging: Consider enabling two-way texting to allow clients to reply to confirm their appointment, ask questions, or reschedule. SimpleTexting provides tools to manage these replies and integrate them with your calendar or CRM.

Building trust through compliance

Earning customer trust is crucial for successful business texting. Let’s explore legal considerations and sms compliance best practices to ensure your appointment confirmation texts comply with regulations and protect user privacy.

• Express consent: The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in the US mandates obtaining prior express consent before sending appointment text messages. Appointment confirmation and reminder texts are defined as informational messages, meaning a consumer may provide verbal or written consent to receive messages related to the product or service they’re purchasing.
  
• Clear opt-in methods: Provide users with clear and easy ways to opt in to receive appointment confirmation texts. This can be done through online forms, checkboxes during appointment booking, or keyword opt-in programs (e.g., texting “CONFIRM” to a specific number).
  

Transparency is key: Inform users about the frequency and nature of the texts they can expect. Will they receive only appointment confirmations, or might they also get occasional reminders or updates?

A powerful tool for personalization:

SimpleTexting empowers you to personalize appointment confirmation texts, fostering a positive user experience, starting with:

• Dynamic content: Include the recipient’s name, appointment date, time, and location in the message. This adds a personal touch and reduces confusion.
  
• Segmentation by appointment type: If you offer various appointment types (e.g., consultations, haircuts), personalize messages accordingly. Mention the specific service booked for better clarity.
  

SimpleTexting as your trusted partner:

By following these legal guidelines and personalization tips, you can leverage appointment confirmation texts effectively. SimpleTexting’s platform simplifies compliance with built-in opt-in features and easy personalization tools.

Start sending appointment confirmation texts today

While it’s unlikely that you’ll prevent every single cancellation or last-minute request to reschedule, using a channel with 98% open rates to confirm appointments will drastically improve your attendance rates. 

That’s what happened for our customer Lighthouse Dental, a dental practice in British Columbia, saw a major reduction in missed appointments after they started texting.

If you’re looking for a platform to send these appointment confirmation SMS messages, sign up for a 14-day free trial of SimpleTexting. 

This article was written on June 30, 2020, by Drew Wilkinson and was updated on August 1, 2023, by Dani Henion. Nathan Ellering contributed to this piece.

The post How to write the perfect appointment confirmation text appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

There’s a little more to it than that.

While these numbers may look odd next to your 10-digit phone number, they’re actually quite powerful–and popular. Every day, these shortened phone numbers enable Amazon to send verification codes to confirm new accounts, FedEx to share delivery notifications, and SouthWest to promote its flash sales.

So, what’s special about a 6-digit phone number, and how can you put this type of number to use in your business?

What is a 6-digit phone number?

A six-digit phone number is referred to as a short code (there are also some instances of 5-digit short codes). These short code numbers were created by the major wireless carriers in 2003 to allow marketers to easily communicate things like promotional offers or important alerts to consumers.

If you want to know more about these numbers, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll cover the following FAQs in this article:

• How do 6-digit phone numbers work?
• How is a 10-digit phone number different from a 6-digit number?
• How do you get a 6-digit phone number?

How do 6-digit phone numbers work?

6-digit phone numbers are used by companies of all sizes to send marketing blasts, conduct two-factor authentication, and send out notifications and alerts. 

Six-digit phone numbers are leased from the Common Short Code Administration, and once this happens, organizations can send and receive SMS and MMS messages. It’s not a free-for-all, though, and there are several rules businesses must follow to be TCPA compliant.

The most important thing to remember here is that customers must give you explicit permission to send them text messages. We put strong emphasis on making sure you can avoid looking spammy to your customers.

Getting subscribers with a 6-digit phone number

One of the most common ways for customers to provide this permission is by texting in a keyword. For example, a burger chain might use the keyword “BURGER.” A customer would send a text to the 6-digit number with the keyword “BURGER” to subscribe. The chain can then send this customer text messages. 

Keywords are arguably the most popular opt-in method to ensure customers are providing their explicit permission. If you want to learn more about keywords and compliance, we recommend checking out the following resources:

• The complete guide to SMS compliance
• Setting up a keyword
• 10 places to advertise your keyword

What is the difference between a 10-digit phone number and a 6-digit number?

The biggest difference between a 10-digit phone number and a 6-digit number is that 10-digit numbers can also make calls and send faxes (if anyone still sends faxes). So, with a 10-digit phone number, your customers can both text and call you. 

10-digit phone numbers also allow you to send out mass text messages if they are text-enabled. If you’d like to learn more, we’ve written about how to pick the right number for SMS marketing and a guide to short codes vs. long codes.

“If you’re considering SimpleTexting, I highly recommend it. As a marketer, and someone who consults with multiple different types of businesses, the support that you get is wonderful. And I find the design of the platform allows you to move and experiment very quickly.”

How do you get a 6-digit phone number?

You’ll lease your 6-digit phone number. This can run your business anywhere from $1000-$1500 a month. 

If you have the budget and want to learn more about setting up a dedicated short code, then we recommend you check out our dedicated short code texting services. 

The first step involves deciding between a dedicated vanity short code (a code that spells a word, as in Kmart’s SMS short code 56278 that spells out “Kmart”) or a random short code. 

Vanity short codes can make your 6-digit number even more memorable and, therefore, more trusted by your customers. However, this comes with extra costs, and random 6-digit numbers are more affordable.

Setting up your short code

The process of getting either a vanity short code or a random short code goes like this:

1. Choose whether you’ll lease a random or vanity code based on your desired budget and goals.
2. Work with us to complete a service approval form and provide details on what type of messages you’ll send, how you’ll use your 6-digit phone number, and your organization in general.
3. We’ll get connected with an aggregator and get your help in submitting a joint form. This form will include information on how you’ll stay in compliance. You’ll then get either approval or feedback so we can re-submit.
4. Once you’re approved, you can get started using your number for campaigns.

We get that leasing a 6-digit number can be an intimidating process. Never fear. With over a decade of experience with short code texting, we can guide you through the entire process to make it as smooth as possible. 

Get started by visiting our contact page or clicking on the blue chat button at the bottom of your screen to get started.

The post What to know about 6-digit phone numbers appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

One often-overlooked channel for monetizing content is text subscription services where you exchange exclusive content via SMS to paying customers.

It doesn’t require your followers to download or sign up for a third-party app, and they can engage with you in a more personal way than traditional social media channels.

• Nearly everyone has a cell phone (97% of Americans, if we’re being technical), many of which are outfitted with text messaging capabilities.
• Because SMS has an average open rate of 98%, setting up a paid texting subscription service is a surefire way to keep your followers engaged.

Social media strategist Sydney McDonald discovered how lucrative texting can be when she set up her texting subscription service for daily social media trend reports. The service now earns her more than $4,000 every month.

What if you don’t have thousands of followers like Sydney? She said that because it’s a service that you grow from the ground up, you can grow your social media following along with it.

I’ll walk you through the exact process Sydney used to create her texting subscription, plus ideas and tips to get you started.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• What is a text subscription service?
• Pick a topic for your text subscription service
• Choose an SMS platform and payment processor
• Set up your autoresponders
• Promote your texting subscription service
• 5 ways to use a text subscription service

Recommended reading: 50+ must-know texting & SMS marketing statistics in 2024

What is a text subscription service?

Text subscription platforms help you collect phone numbers so you may text your audience. SimpleTexting is an example of an SMS provider.

Businesses offer text subscription services to share valuable insights via text messages (delivered through an SMS provider). You may charge subscribers to receive your text messages.

You’ll do four things to start your text message subscription:

1. Choose a topic.
2. Set up your SMS and payment software.
3. Set up autoresponder messages.
4. Promote your new subscription.

1. Pick a topic that aligns with your audience’s needs and interests

What do people ask for your advice or opinion on? What are the top challenges that you can help them overcome? 

Pick a texting subscription topic that you could talk about for hours. The last thing you need is to run out of content ideas when you’ve built up a customer base.

Need a jumping-off point? You could start a texting service for:

• Daily/weekly inspiration
• Personalized coaching and advice
• Access to exclusive content
• A first look at your new products or services
• Industry trends and forecasts
• Meal and workout plans

You can even offer subscription tiers with varying levels of content, so your audience can choose the tier that fits best with their interests and budget.

2. Choose an SMS platform and payment processor.

Next, you’ll need an SMS platform that’s built for sending mass texts and having one-on-one conversations, as well as a payment processor that allows for recurring monthly payments.

Sydney McDonald, who I mentioned earlier, uses SimpleTexting for SMS (try it free for 14 days if you’re curious about how it works) and Stan* for payment processing.

→ Check out my list of the nine best SMS marketing platforms to see how they stack up.

As you’re looking for these two platforms, make sure you can integrate them with each other to save you time. For example, you could integrate SimpleTexting with Stripe to automatically add new customers created in Stripe as contacts in SimpleTexting.

→ Importation note about industry regulations: Even though your contacts are signing up for a texting subscription service, you’ll still need to follow SMS compliance regulations. This will help ensure everyone who receives your messages knows what they’re signing up for and can easily unsubscribe if they change their minds. Our compliance guide has everything you need to know before you send your first text.

3. Set up your autoresponders

Time to welcome new contacts to your texting list! With our Autoresponder feature, you can create a series of automated messages that each contact receives after they pay and are added to your contact list.

Let’s say you’re a personal trainer who wants to start a three-month workout text subscription service. 

First, you’ll need to set up a welcome message to thank your contacts for joining and let them know what to expect.

Then, you can schedule out a series of two text messages per week that include workout instructions and fitness tips. Our autoresponders provide you with the option to send the message immediately or to delay it from the date when the contact joined.

If you’re planning on sending content that can’t be scheduled that far in advance, like trends or new product alerts, you can still automate your messages. 

For instance, Sydney McDonald writes her daily social media trend text messages each night and schedules them for the next morning. That way, her contacts get the trends on time and she doesn’t have to manually send the text.

4. Promote your texting subscription service

Now for the best part — sharing your new text message subscription service with your audience!

Where you promote it depends on where you already engage with your followers, but you can share it in: 

• Social media posts and bios
• Video content
• Email newsletters

You can also ask brand partners or content creators you’ve collaborated with if they’ll share your texting subscription service with their audience.

→ Pro tip: Draw more contacts in by posting a free preview of the kinds of texts they’ll receive when they become a contact.

5 ways to use a text subscription service

There is a lot of value to be gained from an SMS subscriber list if you can convince potential and existing clients to sign up for a text subscription service. With the mobile numbers you’ve gathered from your lead generation activities, you can make SMS marketing messages that really speak to your target audience.

Here are a few examples.

Flash sales and discounts

Provide a service or sell a product? Spread the word to your current and potential customers if you’re having a flash sale or offering a promo code. Customers can be prompted to buy sooner rather than later by using drip campaigns, in which they get a series of communications at regular intervals.

Thanking first-time buyers with a discount is a terrific way to show appreciation, send a powerful message, and increase the likelihood that they will become repeat buyers.

The “LASHFLASH” discount code offered by Benefit Cosmetics is an excellent example of this. It rhymes, it’s catchy, and it has something to do with the discounted mascaras.

Loyalty club offers

Customers today want to be rewarded for their continued patronage, so launching a loyalty program is a smart move. Freebies (or points), a VIP discount, loyalty points, or other incentives might be offered via text message marketing, depending on the nature of your business.

If you fly frequently for work or pleasure, you should definitely sign up for an airline’s reward program. While most airlines provide some sort of rewards program, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan has been recognized for excellence.

Customers may earn miles, take advantage of award travel, and reach the highest level of elite status (MVP) with Alaska’s Mileage Plan more quickly than any other airline.

Alaska Airlines makes it simple and quick for its customers to receive special treatment, such as two free checked bags and preferred seats.

Abandoned cart

Customers may visit your site with great anticipation, load up their shopping carts, and close the page for any reason. Customers may return to complete their purchases if they get a single abandoned cart SMS message within 48 hours. However, they should be used rarely. Limit yourself to a single message per shopping cart or time frame.

Take a cue from Knix and include a feeling of urgency in your abandoned cart message as they did in this SMS. The company reminds the customer that the product they have put in their basket is in high demand and may be sold out when they return to the store. The message is succinct yet clear.

SMS surveys

Direct customer input is vital for brands. Are your clients satisfied with the services you offer? Was their previous interaction with your brand positive? Would they suggest you to a friend?

SMS surveys allow you to ask clients for their honest opinions so you may tweak your approach and ensure you’re meeting their demands. 

Google provides surveys to users following their interactions with your agent to ensure they are happy with their exchanges. You may send surveys inside the context of a discussion if you wish to gather data at a different time, such as at the conclusion of one. Users can respond to surveys that appear in the discussion with a range of alternatives based on the question.

Tracking updates

Each of us has placed an order and then anxiously awaited its arrival, checking shipment status numerous times a day. Customers may be kept up-to-date on shipping status by SMS so they don’t have to go looking for it themselves. Sending these notifications shows your enthusiasm and willingness to keep customers informed while they await the arrival of their purchases.

Create your SMS subscription service today

Starting a paid text subscription service can give you another revenue stream and a new channel where you can interact with your audience. 

All you have to do is to find a topic you’re passionate about, create valuable content, and engage with your contacts. Oh, and choose an SMS marketing tool that makes automating texts and managing contacts ridiculously easy (I’m just going to leave this 14-day free trial here). 

If you have any questions about setting up a texting subscription service, reach out to our team seven days a week by clicking on the blue chat button at the bottom of your screen.

This article was originally published March 16, 2023. It was updated and revised August 30, 2023. Agnee Ghosh and Nathan Ellering contributed to this piece.

The post Text subscription service: How to start one step-by-step [examples] appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

The fact is, 89% of job seekers prefer texting to emails or calls.

If you want to stand out among the thousands of near-identical job postings on Indeed or LinkedIn, sending your posting straight to your candidates’ text inboxes is a sure bet.

Not only that, you can conduct almost the entire recruitment process through text, from first contact to hiring paperwork. 

Intrigued? Well, let me introduce you to the hiring phenomenon known as text-to-apply. Let’s get into it.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• What is text to apply?
• A text to apply example
• Why use text to apply services?
• How to set up text to apply
• FAQs

What is text-to-apply?

Text-to-apply is an SMS process that allows job applicants to text a keyword to a phone number and receive an automatic response with:

1. A direct link to a job application,
2. a document outlining the role or position,
3. or a link to more information as they decide whether to apply.

Text-to-apply is also known as text-to-hire and text-to-apply software.

Typically, text-to-apply starts with an advertisement posted by the employer. The advertisement’s call to action is to text the business’s phone number with a specific word or phrase. When a candidate texts the number, they receive an automated response with more information.

A text-to-apply example

Here’s an example of it in action.

This is an example from Casey's, a gas station and convenience store that hires with a simple text-to-join keyword posted on their parking structures.

When candidates text the keyword to their number, they receive an auto-confirmation message with more information about open positions.

Recruiters may also use text-to-apply to gather additional information directly from candidates' text messages.

Why use text-to-apply software?

More than 18 billion text messages are sent every day, so it’s hardly surprising that 81% of Americans report using texting daily.

That’s why text-to-apply is so convenient for jobseekers — they’re already texting all the time. With no special app to download, the application process stays simple for both sender and recipient, and qualified hires are just a text message away.

The prevalence of texting isn’t the only reason you should be using SMS for recruiting. It’s also:

• Fast and personal: When someone texts in your keyword, you can respond immediately (instantly if you use an auto-confirmation message) and continue to communicate one-on-one with them.
• Modern: SMS is an excellent way to show job candidates that your company is technologically up-to-date, responsive, and efficient.
• Low-pressure: Filling out a lengthy job application can seem like more trouble than it’s worth. Texting, on the other hand, is a quick and “business casual” way to send in job applications.

Texting is extra useful for hiring processes where:

• People aren’t always at their desks, such as in retail or hospitality. 
• Hiring managers are doing high-volume, competitive, or rapid recruitment.
• Recruiters have existing access to print and advertising budgets, signs, billboards, and subway ads to post keywords or QR codes.

How to set up text-to-apply

Text-to-hire is straightforward to set up and works in the same way as text-to-join. Here’s the breakdown. 

1. Choose a business texting service

You'll need a business text messaging platform to start. As you've probably guessed, SimpleTexting meets that definition.

SimpleTexting customers use our service to send mass texts (to staff, customers, volunteers, etc.) and converse with individuals one-on-one.

Our tool works well for independent businesses that want a simple, effective way to recruit talent. The use case that works well for our software is for quick-hire positions, like in the service industry, where competition is fierce and talent is tech-savvy.

When you sign up, you'll get a free trial that allows you to send a text message to your own phone number to see how it works. When you buy the software, you'll choose your business's text-enabled phone number. Then you'll be ready to rock with setup for text message recruiting.

2. Create a text-to-apply keyword to use in your "now hiring" advertisements

A keyword is a short, memorable word or phrase that jobseekers can text to your phone number to agree to receive future texts from your team.

For example, a coffee chain might ask jobseekers to text the keyword “BARISTA” to their number.

To make sure that ad works, you'll set up a keyword in SimpleTexting.

Just log into your account and click Keywords in the left menu. Name the keyword and create a list where you'll add people's numbers.

3. Draft your automatic text replies for applicants

After a candidate texts the keyword “BARISTA,” they’ll receive an automated response. There are several different ways that you can approach your auto-confirmation message.

The option(s) you choose will depend on the role you’re hiring for, your hiring process, and how quickly you need to hire. For example, your confirmation message could simply ask for a reply for basic information:

Here are four ways to collect information via text-to-apply:

• Ask for candidates to reply with key information like role interests, full-time or part-time, and number of years.
• Send a link to an online application (check out that Casey's example above to see what this looks like).
• Share a link to schedule a phone interview.
• Send a PDF via text with more information on the role.

4. Optional: Screen candidates with text message questions.

Pre-screening candidates through text messages could be helpful to collect enough information to make an interview decision quickly.

You can screen candidates by text automatically using our custom fields and data collection features.

First, write down the screening questions you'd like to ask. SimpleTexting offers several default fields to collect the basics like:

• What is your name?
• What is your email address?

But you may want to also ask several other questions related specifically to your business and open positions:

• Are you authorized to work in the United States?
• What position are you most interested in?
• At what location would you like to work?
• How many years of experience in the industry do you have?
• Why would you like to work for us?
• What is your superpower?

You'll create custom fields for these sorts of questions. It's as easy as logging into SimpleTexting, selecting Contacts, clicking Custom fields, and tapping the New custom field button.

Next, you'll set up what we call data collection to actually ask these questions via text messages and get the information you need from each candidate.

In SimpleTexting, navigate to Apps in the left menu, select Data Collection, and hit the New data collection button. Name the data collection and select the Keyword to collect data from (I like naming the collection the same as the keyword).

Now you'll see Prompts. This is where you'll select the default and custom fields, then write your questions for the applications to reply to.

Let's pretend our full list of prescreen questions are:

• Let’s start with the basics. What is your first name?
• Great. What's your last name?
• Thank you, %%firstname%%. What's your email address?
• Are you legally authorized to work in the United States? Reply “Yes” or “No”.
• What position are you applying for? Reply "Server", "Bartender", or "Cook".
• We value our %%position%%s around here! Where would you like to work? Reply "546 Main Ave" or "846 1st Ave N".
• How many years have you worked in the service industry, %%firstname%%? Reply with digits like "1".
• Sweet. Two more questions, that's it! Why would you like to work for us? Reply up to 160 characters.
• OK, last question (just for fun): What's your superpower? Reply up to 160 characters.
• Thanks, %%firstname%%! We'll reach out via text within 2 business days with next steps. Text us if you have questions!

In Data Collection, you'll Add question for each, choose the SimpleTexting field, then simply copy/paste these questions into each Question field.

Then add that last Follow up message and hit Create data collection. You're done!

5. Advertise your text-to-apply keyword

The more places you advertise your keyword, the more applications you’ll receive. 

The rule here is to show off your keyword anywhere interested candidates might see it. You can promote your keyword on social media, in physical locations, on your website, and anywhere candidates interact with your brand.

Text to apply FAQs

I hope you’ve got a good idea of how to get your SMS recruiting program up and running. For a little bonus, here are some additional questions recruiters often ask. 

If the answer you’re looking for isn’t here, the SimpleTexting team would be more than happy to help. Just use the chat icon at the bottom of your screen.

Get started today with text-to-hire

A smooth, efficient hiring process can make all the difference in drawing candidates to your business. Hopefully, you’ve got a good headstart now on setting up text recruiting — you’ll have your job postings filled in no time.

Not yet a SimpleTexting customer? You can get started here with a free trial. Send a text to yourself today to see how it works.

The post How to set up text-to-apply for your job openings appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.