Texting Handbooks Archives Tue, 13 May 2025 15:41:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 Business texting handbook for customer retention https://simpletexting.com/guide/business-texting-handbook-for-customer-retention/ Mon, 15 Apr 2019 16:27:11 +0000 https://simpletexting.com/?post_type=guide&p=10555 Making sales and generating revenue are the obvious surface-level goals for any business. But at the core, true growth is sustained by a focus on customer retention: the practice of building out a base of return customers who continue to purchase your goods/services for extended periods. Having a product that customers love is undoubtedly part […]

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Business texting handbook for customer retention

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Making sales and generating revenue are the obvious surface-level goals for any business. But at the core, true growth is sustained by a focus on customer retention: the practice of building out a base of return customers who continue to purchase your goods/services for extended periods.

Having a product that customers love is undoubtedly part of the equation, but it’s not the only thing that keeps people coming back.

Creating a customer retention strategy is all about fostering customer loyalty. Our best piece of advice for getting started? Collect as much customer data as you can. Then, when you think you have enough, collect just a bit more.

McKinsey found that companies making intensive use of customer analytics are 2.6 times more likely to have a significantly higher ROI than competitors. Not to mention, a 5% increase in customer retention can produce 25% more profit.

Understanding customer retention

To build a solid customer retention strategy, it helps first to understand what it takes to keep your loyal customers coming back.

Understanding your customer’s likes, dislikes, purchases, preferences and logging them diligently into your CRM system is more than half the battle. The more you know about the people buying your products and services, the easier it is to have them stick around.

Customer retention doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. Your customers don’t want to go to competitors. They would rather work with a business that they’ve developed a personal relationship with than shop around.

That’s why it’s worth it to put in the work to treat each customer like a friend from the very first interaction. This is where good customer service comes in. Across the globe, 96% of consumers say customer service is a crucial factor in their choice of loyalty to a brand.

Aside from knowing a customer better than they know themselves, another key to customer retention is providing ample opportunity for customer feedback. Surveys, blogs, and chat forms ensure your customers feel heard. That courtesy goes a long way.

33% of customers who abandoned a business relationship last year did so because personalization was lacking. Monitoring feedback gives you the chance to personalize your messages further.

You can also identify customers who feel positively about your brand and encourage them to share their feelings on review sites. A customer experience promoter has a lifetime value to a company that’s 600 to 1,400% that of a detractor.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that 89% of consumers have switched to doing business with a competitor following a poor customer experience.

The importance of customer retention vs. customer support

There are many similarities between customer retention marketing tactics and customer support, and it can get a little confusing. 

We’ve written a complete guide on the ins and outs of SMS for customer support, and those marketing strategies will undoubtedly complement your retention efforts. But there’s one big difference that separates the two concepts.

Customer support is about isolated experiences, and customer retention tactics are for sustaining long-term satisfaction.

Think of the difference like this: customer support is like the wait staff at a restaurant. You are tending to your immediate needs and keeping you happy on the fly. 

Customer retention is more like the manager. Checking in to make sure your experience has been satisfactory and giving you the attention you need for big-picture requests.

The analogy isn’t perfect, but it demonstrates the hierarchy that puts into perspective the importance customer retention tools have on your entire business operation. 

Now, finding the tool that best compliments your retention strategy is the next step in the process.

How to use text messages for customer retention

Using your business’s existing number, or a new 10-digit line, you can now text with customers one-on-one, and in turn, enhance your existing marketing, communication (and most importantly) customer retention strategies.

Below we’ll provide samples of texts that support client retention strategies. But first, here are some of the ways you can use one-on-one texting to strengthen your customer retention throughout a customer’s journey:

  • Beginning: Integrate it into your onboarding process to make your existing customer base feel valued from the start.
  • During: Follow up with an SMS “live chat” when you receive a tip or inquiry from customers.
  • After: Reach out to detractors and promotors personally.

Text messages you should send

1. Welcome customers to your brand: Start your relationship off on the right foot. As soon as someone signs up for your service, send a text as a warm welcome and make yourself available as a resource if they have any questions.

Hey Grace! We’re excited to have you as a student on Udemy. If you have any questions about your courses, feel free to text or call this number. ☺

2. Show them how to use your product: When a customer buys your product or service, you need to remember they might not be experts on it yet. 

Showing them that you’re invested in making them one goes a long way toward strengthening your bond. Proactively teaching your customers how to use your product or service benefits both you and them. 

It can be frustrating when you’re faced with unsatisfied customers whose issues stem from misunderstanding or misuse. By getting ahead of the learning curve, you can save everyone a lot of grief!

Nik, congrats on sending your first campaign! 👏 You may want to check out our duplicate feature! It’ll help you save time. We’re happy to set up a demo!

3. Reengage dormant users: If you notice customers slipping away, reach out to them! Find out what’s causing the distance and create an opportunity for change. 

Use this as an opportunity to share upcoming features, provide feedback on their use of your product/service, and provide customer service opportunities to fit their needs. 

But above all, listen to what they have to say, and act on it. That’s the beauty of a two-way communication platform.

Brooke, we haven’t seen you at the studio in a few weeks. We just wanted to check in and make sure everything is okay! – ❤Lauren from Pure Barre

4. Send relevant material to customers: just because: When it comes to showing your customers that you’re listening to them, actions speak louder than words. 

Ongoing customer relationship management revolves around “random acts of business kindness” that demonstrate your anticipatory investment. 

It’s important not to spam people with messages, but dropping in every month or two with a blog or message that made you think of them is a great way to keep the relationship alive.

Shea, still interested in adding online orders to your POS system? We have a webinar on restaurant mobile marketing coming up. Happy to reserve a spot for you.

5. Follow-up with canceled accounts: You can’t keep customers from leaving if you don’t know what’s making them walk away in the first place. Create a marketing automation that alerts you by email or Slack as soon as someone cancels their account. 

Ask if there’s anything you could have done differently. You may win them back, or at the very least, you’ll get valuable insights into how to keep your current customers happy.

Hi Mark, Meghan from SimpleTexting here. We noticed you canceled your plan. Your feedback matters a lot to us. Is there anything we could have done better?

The big picture customer retention takeaways

At the end of the day, attracting a new customer is 6-7 times more expensive than retaining a current one. Investing now in all your existing clients will pave the way for future business down the line. Happy customers often turn into your best spokespeople after all!

Just remember, the keys to a customer retention program are anticipation, data collection, and delivery. Three steps that can be managed and measured from your texting dashboard.

In the end, trust your brand’s voice and your knowledge of your customers. And know that we’re here seven days a week to help you set up your text marketing program to align with the needs of you and your customers!

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Business Texting Handbook for Upselling https://simpletexting.com/guide/upselling/ Wed, 27 Mar 2019 15:34:38 +0000 https://simpletexting.com/?post_type=guide&p=10342 Without consistent growth, a business won’t last. And we can’t understate the importance of customer acquisition. But too many leaders focus entirely on finding new customers. According to a report by Forbes, only a third of business leaders consider focusing on existing customers a priority. This is a problem. Successful sales teams should know how […]

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Without consistent growth, a business won’t last. And we can’t understate the importance of customer acquisition. But too many leaders focus entirely on finding new customers. According to a report by Forbes, only a third of business leaders consider focusing on existing customers a priority. This is a problem. Successful sales teams should know how to provide more value to their current customers, and turn this added value into new revenue. We’re talking, of course, about upselling.

For too long, upselling has been a dirty word. It conjures up mental images of snake oil salesmen and infomercial hosts shouting, “But wait! There’s more!” It’s time to take a more accurate look at upselling and consider how to do it right. When done correctly, upselling is good for both your bottom line and your customers.

What Is Upselling?

Upselling is a technique that lets you generate sales by getting your current customers to purchase more. We don’t need to tell you that it’s more expensive to get new customers than to retain existing ones. Upselling is just the practice of putting that age-old business wisdom into action.

3 Steps to Follow for Successful Upselling

In order for upselling to work, you need to add it to your sales strategy in a way that feels organic to you and your customers. You do this by speaking to your customer base, actively listening, and understanding their needs.

1. Help Customers Find Initial Value in Your Product or Service

Upselling should start the moment someone purchases your product or signs up for your service. Don’t just come right out and say, “Thanks for your purchase! Here are some other products you may like!” That feels pushy. Instead, help your customers get as much use as possible out of the product they just bought. Someone who’s happy with their current service is likely to invest more money in it later. At the minimum, do the following:

  • Have a support rep reach out and offer to answer questions
  • Provide free tutorials to get customers familiar with the product
  • Show customers how others have seen success with your product

2. Identify Opportunities to Provide More Value

This is where the active listening comes in. If you’ve done the first step correctly, you should have had a few productive conversations with your customers. During these conversations, you should consider what problems your customers need solved and how your product can help. At this stage, you can do the following:

  • Find common pain points your service or team can solve
  • Identify gaps in customer satisfaction
  • Ask what initiatives your customers have coming up

3. Take Action

It’s your turn to speak! You know what your customers need, now offer it to them. At this point, it shouldn’t even feel like selling anymore. If what you’re offering is truly valuable, your customers will feel like you’ve been proactively thinking about their needs. Now’s the time to:

  • Thank your customer for their loyalty and business
  • Offer additional services or larger packages
  • Explain how and why your customer should upgrade

What Text Messages You Should Send

Because you already have an established relationship, upselling should be easier than acquiring new customers or speaking to fresh leads. Especially if your product works well. Still, if you’re just starting to use texting to upsell, there’s some testing and learning you’ll have to do to iron out the kinks. Use these messages as a jumping off point:

Initial Offer to Help

Remember the first step, help customers find initial value? This is what that looks like. As soon as a new customer is acquired, have a member of your account management or customer service team reach out with a friendly welcome. This lets your customer know they’re cared about, and gives them an avenue through which to ask questions. When a customer can quickly troubleshoot any initial issues they experience with their service, they’re more likely to stick around.

Hi Will! This is Daniela from Commerce Labs. All of us here are excited for your online shop to launch.🙂
You should have received an email from us with a getting started guide. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a text and I’ll get back to you ASAP.

Two-Month Check In

Give your customers time to get familiar with your product before you start trying to sell them more. A one, two, or three-month check-in is a good chance to see how they’re doing. If they’re getting a lot out of your service already, consider telling them why it would be beneficial to upgrade. If the time isn’t right to upsell, use this as an opportunity to increase retention. Offer to help and show them how to take full advantage of your service.

Hey Will, Daniela again. 👋 Wanted to check in and see how things were going with your Commerce Labs account. Let me know a good time for a quick call.

Usage Limit Message

Many companies, especially those in the SaaS space, have different pricing plans. Each one with certain limits. Often times, there’s a free version for trial users that has limited functionality. When someone reaches one of these limits, tell them why and how to upgrade.

Hi, Will! It’s Daniela. I noticed you added the max number of products to your store 💪 Let me know if you’d like to upgrade to a higher package.

New Product Launch

Notice that none of the messages we’ve shown contain a “buy now” CTA or a payment link. They read more like ice breakers than sales messages. And that’s the point. The key to successful upselling lives in building relationships. Find opportunities to speak more frequently to your existing customers. One of these opportunities happens before you launch a new product. You’ll get valuable feedback from active customers, and they’ll feel like valued insiders. If they find your new product useful, they may even upgrade.

Will, we’d love your opinion. Are you interested in trying our AI-powered pricing calculator? It’s free for 2 weeks, and your feedback would be appreciated.

Better Pricing Plan

If you run a subscription-based business, most of your new sign-ups are probably monthly plans. But many customers sign up for a monthly plan without realizing down the line that they could benefit from a larger, annual plan. Improve cash flow and reduce churn by reminding customers why they should switch to an annual plan. They’ll appreciate the savings, and you’ll have more money upfront to go toward other growth initiatives.

Hi Will, happy 6-month shop-anniversary 🎉 Shops that are on the annual plan save 25%. Shoot me a text if you’d like to make the switch!

Seeing Results

Set benchmarks that allow you to quickly determine when a customer is seeing success with your product. If it’s an online school, it may be when they’ve enrolled in a second course. If it’s website building software, it could be when they’ve received a certain amount of visitors. These checkpoints are a good time to offer more service or products to customers.

Looks like you’ve really grown sales recently. 📈 Let’s chat about how you can keep up with our Commerce Labs Pro plan. Available today for a quick call?

Do’s and Don’ts of Upselling Using Text Messages

The messages above should help you grow your business naturally. But don’t confine your upselling texts to the messages we’ve listed. Connect with your sales, account management, and customer service team to talk about how you can better serve your users. Just be sure to keep the following in mind:

Don’t

  • Apply a one-size-fits-all to customers
  • Go for quick, short-term wins
  • Be pushy or make customers feel pressured

Do

  • Personalize your messages (even if you’re using templates)
  • Have patience and be friendly
  • Focus on starting conversations
  • Show your customers how to find more value in your product
  • Transition important sales conversations to phone calls

In Conclusion, Let’s Not Call It Upselling Anymore

Even if someone is ready to make a purchase, no one wants to feel like they’re being sold to. Your customers have challenges and problems. You have solutions. So let’s stop calling it “upselling” and start calling it “problem-solving.” (Yes, it’s a little corny 🌽) But remember, all of the steps in the process, even the ones where you’re not closing a sale, are important to growing your business and keeping your clients happy.

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Customer Service Business Texting Handbook https://simpletexting.com/guide/sms-customer-service-and-support/ Fri, 08 Mar 2019 14:49:28 +0000 https://simpletexting.com/?post_type=guide&p=9958 Introduction to SMS Customer Service On a given day at SimpleTexting, we get around 200 customer support requests. Some are simple questions and others require more in-depth guidance. No matter the complexity, we work (really) hard to keep a high standard of customer support. After nearly a decade of assisting customers, we’ve learned a lot […]

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Introduction to SMS Customer Service

On a given day at SimpleTexting, we get around 200 customer support requests. Some are simple questions and others require more in-depth guidance. No matter the complexity, we work (really) hard to keep a high standard of customer support. After nearly a decade of assisting customers, we’ve learned a lot about how to provide efficient, helpful support. We’d like to share some tips that will help you give your customers the level of service they expect (and deserve!).

First we’ll go over the basics of what makes good customer support. Some advice may sound like common sense, but just take it as a helpful refresher. Other insights may be new to you, in which case you can start applying them right away! After that, we’ll dig into the basics of how to use SMS messaging specifically to provide customer support tickets.

7 Commandments for Good SMS Customer Service

It’s never been easier for customers to share their opinions about your business. The internet is forever, and just a few bad reviews can ding your company’s reputation. But here’s the thing: the fear of a negative brand image shouldn’t be what motivates your customer service efforts! Instead, remember that each customer is a real-life human. They’re people with hopes, dreams, and in this case, questions! Treat them as such by having one-on-one conversations.

1. Treat Your Customers Like They’re People

You know, because they are. This is easy advice to follow. Just speak like you would to a close friend who you’re trying to help. Use first names, be kind and don’t sound like a bot. Keep things professional, of course, but just act natural! Empathy is key here. Ask your customers how they’re doing, and put yourself in their shoes. The more your customers feel like you really understand them, the more likely they are to reach out again the next time they have a question. And that’s exactly what you want: customers who see you as a partner, not a support agent.

2. Get Back to Texts as Quickly as Possible

Nobody wants to feel like they’re last in a long line of customer support tickets. You may not have an answer right away, but that’s okay. While you search for a solution, let your customer know that you’re on it. They’ll feel listened to, and you’ll have some extra time to find the correct response to their question. Be sure to enable desktop push notifications so you can navigate away from your dashboard without worrying about missing a message!

3. Make Every Message Unique

Like we said above, we get over 200 requests per day. But that doesn’t mean we send 200 cookie-cutter responses each day. Nope. Each question is unique, so each response should be personalized. No need to write a love letter or haiku for each question, but do go out of your way to customize your response for each situation. SimpleTexting’s templates are perfect for saving your frequently sent answers. Just make sure to tweak them a bit before you hit send.

3. Be Helpful, And Then Some

Really listen to the person on the other end of the conversation, and consider how they’d best be helped. Some customers may just need a link to a help center article, others may benefit from a video, and a few may need extra hand holding. Don’t be afraid to go above and beyond and jump on a call. With SimpleTexting, you can text and call using the same number. (We’ll go over this later.)

4. Honesty Is The Best Policy

Everyone makes mistakes. Yes, even us (gasp!). If you messed up, say so, then fix the problem. Don’t try to point fingers to vendors or user errors. Sometimes the best thing you can do is say sorry and find a solution. If you follow commandment number one and treat your customers like people, they’ll reciprocate and be equally understanding. The silver lining in being honest about your mistakes is that customers will learn to trust you. This trust has no price tag. It leads to better customer relationships and retention, both of which are invaluable.

5. The Customer Is Always Right

People have been saying this since businesses have had customers, so we know you’ve heard it before. But we’ll say it once more: they’re always right. Okay, yes, sometimes there are customers who are particularly difficult and struggle with seemingly simple tasks. But the point is, they’re trying to use your product, so you have to be both grateful and helpful. If a customer finds something complicated, agree with them then offer to show them step-by-step how to accomplish what they’d like to do.

6. Ask If There’s Anything Else You Can Do

Leave it up to your customer to decide if their request has been resolved. Don’t exit or end a conversation until your customer says goodbye. Some questions lead to more questions, so always ask if there’s anything else you can do to help.

Why Use SMS Messages for Customer Service?

There are a lot of channels for customer support. Email, phone and third-party messaging services, among others. The six tips above can be applied to any of these. Still, not all service channels are created equal. Here’s why sending text messages to your customers with our SMS customer service platform leads to a better customer experience.

You Can Text and Call on the Same Number
It’s possible to text-enable long codes, just like your existing 10-digit business phone number. Yes, even if it’s a landline or VoIP number! Make your communication tools work together. Give your customers the options to text or call on the same number.

Simple to Add to Your Website
According to Statista, 52.2 percent of all website traffic worldwide was generated through mobile phones. Improve your mobile experience by adding a textable number to your website. A bit of HTML is all you need to create a Click to Text button.

Faster and Easier
Texts are instant. You send a message, and your customer gets a notification right away. They don’t even have to unlock their phones to see your messages. Most of the time they can view them from the lock screen.

It’s Asynchronous
Phone calls and video chat are great tools, but only if both parties are available at the same time. Texting lets your customers reply whenever they find a convenient time to.

Native to Every Cellphone
Every cellphone ships with a messaging app that can handle SMS at the minimum. Your customers don’t have to login to a special platform or download any apps. Think of texting like live chat that works directly on your customers’ phones.

Texts are Easy to Reference
When you provide customer support via SMS, you’re never out of the loop. Threaded conversations means there’s always of record of everything that was said. This makes it a breeze for one agent to step out and another to jump back in.

SMS Customer Support Features That Make Your Life Easier

When you invest in a business texting platform, pick one that has features which will be useful to your team. There’s a reason that thousands of large and small businesses go with SimpleTexting. Our SMS support platform is designed to make providing customer service over text as easy as possible.

Templates
We’ve touched on the importance of making your customer interactions feel personalized. But don’t take this to mean that you should waste time rewriting the same text messages. Templates help you create saved replies for common inquiries.

Conversation Filtering
When you’re dealing with a high volume of requests, it’s helpful to have a system to stay organized. Our inbox allows you to filter conversations by time waiting or most recent. Use this to prioritize the most pressing questions and requests.

Mark Conversations Resolved
Keep your inbox tidy by marking conversations as resolved. This will hide them from your inbox. Don’t worry—the next time the customer sends a message, it’ll automatically be reopened so that your team can reply quickly.

Notes
Your customer support is always better when your agents work together as a team. Internal notes let you discuss questions and make suggestions behind the scenes. Let your team know if a conversation has been resolved or if there are details other agents should know before replying.

Closing Thoughts on Good Customer Service

If you follow the tips we covered above, you’ll likely allocate a good chunk of resources towards customer service. And while business text messaging is affordable, some costs are inevitable. Think of good service as an investment in retention. A support team that’s dedicated to providing value and pleasant experiences goes a long way in reducing churn. If you’re ready to try SMS for your customer service needs, sign up for a 14-day free trial today. Still need more info?  We’ve got you covered with this article on how to use customer service texting.

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Business Texting Handbook for Sales https://simpletexting.com/guide/business-texting-guide-for-sales/ Mon, 11 Feb 2019 16:12:48 +0000 https://simpletexting.com/?post_type=guide&p=9753 There was a time where endless email chains and back-and-forth phone calls were a regular part of the sales process. Waiting a day or two to reply to a lead was normal, if not expected. Not anymore. Today, customers expect sales people to meet them where they are—instantly. Business texting, also known as 2-way text […]

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There was a time where endless email chains and back-and-forth phone calls were a regular part of the sales process. Waiting a day or two to reply to a lead was normal, if not expected. Not anymore. Today, customers expect sales people to meet them where they are—instantly. Business texting, also known as 2-way text messaging, allows sales teams to do just that.

Why Use Business Texting for Sales?

Unlike text blasts, which enable a business to send out thousands of messages at once, business texting is designed for personalized, 1-on-1 conversations. By text-enabling your business’s existing line, or getting a new dedicated number, you’re connecting with customers through a channel with a 99% open rate. That level of engagement can’t be found in any other form of communication.

Here are a few other reasons that texting should be a tool in your sales team’s arsenal:

  • Increase your open rates with each interaction. Email open rates hover around 20% compared to a text open rate of 90%
  • Field inbound requests faster. 95% of texts are read within 3 minutes.
  • Sales prospects who are sent text messages convert at a rate 40% higher than those who are not sent any text messages. Some of the businesses we’ve spoken to have reported a conversion rate of over 100%.

So how can your business inch closer to to that 100% mark? The key resides in the four T’s: timing, topic, tone, and total.

Best Practices for Driving Sales With 2-Way Text Messaging

When it comes to SMS and sales, there are a few guidelines that, with a little tweaking for your situation, will pay dividends.

1. Timing – When Should You Send a Text?

People generally don’t give out their cell phone numbers without careful consideration. And, on average, Americans check their phones once every 12 minutes. Moral of the story, texting is personal and it’s engrained into our everyday routines. To make sure your business respects those considerations, it’s best not to text a new prospect as your first line of contact.

It can feel slightly invasive to receive a text from someone who you didn’t personally give your number to. So unless a client has given permission to text to your business, or you have previously established rapport, it’s best to tread lightly with SMS “cold calls.”

Additionally, despite the 24/7 availability that texting creates, it’s always best practice to keep your business text messages within typical business hours.

Not only is this a courtesy, it’s also practical. You want to send texts at a time when people can take action—buy your product, schedule a meeting, etc. They can’t do that while they’re sitting on their couch catching up on Netflix at 9 p.m. So stick to the universally accepted best times to send a text.

2. Topic – What Should You Be Texting About?

Sales is all about building relationships and creating a strong customer experience. Your texts should anticipate customer needs and always add value. But striking the balance between friendly and direct is delicate.

While you don’t want your messages to sound like a chatbot, there should always be a “so what” aspect to your text. In other words, before sending a text, ask yourself, “What action do I want this person to take?” Here’s a good example:

Hi Steven, how’s your free trial going? Are you available for a quick call today? I’d love to show you some premium features that you may find useful.

Notice the beginning of the messages. A good text should always incorporate personalization, even if it’s just someone’s name, as well as your own identification. It should also demonstrate value (answer the “why I’m reaching out” question). However, a well-written sales text message doesn’t make the customer feed badgered.

Imagine if the text had said:

Hey Steven, are you available for a demo of our premium features today?

While this option may be briefer, it comes off as abrasive. Offer value, make yourself available, include a call to action, and speak to your customers like humans. If you do that, you’re bound to see success with business texting.

3. Tone – How Should Your Text Sound?

Business texting is not mass advertising. Your messages are being sent to specific individuals, not to entire groups. You want to avoid generic ad language lacking personalization. Treat each exchange as a conversation and your audience will respond. Deepen the conversation with the interpersonal information you’ve gathered about the client, and use that insight to drive sales.

*Hey Susan! Hope you enjoyed your vacation! If you’d like we’d be happy to schedule another product demo for your whole team. Just let me know when you’re free.*

4. Total – How Many Texts Should You Send?

How many texts you send to your customers completely depends on your situation. There’s no magic number, but there is some data to help support the successful trends in how often you should be connecting with your clients.

Research has indicated that sending three or more purposeful text messages after contact has been made with a prospect can increase conversion rates by 328%. In general, it’s regarded as best practice to stay relevant to your audience, so regular texting is encouraged so long as clear value is communicated each time.

5 Examples of 2-Way Sales Messages

In addition to making your business available to consumers via text, there are several approaches you can take to initiate the conversation and engage consumers at various stages in the sales cycle.

1. Follow-Up Texts

Beginning with the basics, follow up texts are a great way to quickly connect with your audience. They can be used to ask questions, solicit feedback, or nudge an on-the-fence buyer with additional information or deals. Creating a sense of urgency is a classic sales tactic, but sometimes a limited time offer can cause people to freeze up on the phone or in person.

With over 95% of text messages being read within 5 minutes of receipt, texting is the perfect avenue for limited time offers. Especially because customers have a moment to think of and draft their response before they type back as opposed to having to form the perfect response the first time. As a result, the response rates from SMS are 209% higher than phone calls when it comes to “available only…” offers.

Hey Ron! You mentioned your office was looking new cleaning service. Mary’s Maids is offering 20% off your first month, available this week only!

2. Reminder Texts

Staying ahead of contract renewals or refinancing deadlines is key. Let your customers know their business is prioritized by reaching out to them in advance of these deadlines with encouraging nudges to stay with your product or service. Reminder texts are similar to a “checking in” text by nature, but the added value is clear: we need to you do “x”.

Danny, your WorkHub membership is reaching its renewal. We’d love it if you stuck around for another year! What can we do for you to move ahead?
Could you send me info about annual pricing?

3. Warm Touch Texts

Think of this as the evolved, SMS-adapted, version of the cold call. A warm touch is a method for contacting a lead after some connection is established. Perhaps after connecting on LinkedIn, post-networking event, or following a virtual introduction.

Russ, it was nice connecting with you at the PRSA luncheon today. I’d love to get a lunch on the books so we can talk some more about your HR software needs.
Thanks Meghan. Are you available this Thur at 1?
Yes, I’ll see you then.

4. Relationship Building Texts

Relationship building texts often times begin with, “Hey, just checking in!” The SMS sales community is split on the efficacy of these texts, mostly due to the question of how much value they add for the customer. We believe the decision should be yours, and based entirely on what’s best for your customers. That’s why our business texting platform has a notes feature on each conversation. Write comments, visible only to you and your team, about if a client would be the type of person who appreciates the occasional drop in!

5. Action-Oriented Texts

As demonstrated above, there are plenty of approaches to take when making a sale. However, one of the most direct approaches involves action-oriented offers, or “asks.” One common example is a Text-to-Pay link. Just remember that recipients always have to give you permission to text them before you reach out. Otherwise, you risk getting blocked and creating a negative brand image as “spammers”.

Carol, I came across your RFP and I would love to discuss what Carl’s Canteen can offer as far catering contracts go. Would you be interested in learning more?
Definitely interested in hearing about your menu/rates per person.

📕 Check out this resource for 100+ sales text message examples and templates you can copy/paste and edit.

Transitioning your sales team to business texting is seamless. There are few easy and initial steps we’ll walk through that will get you off and running. For some extra help, our support team is available seven days a week to assists! Following along will not only give you the chance to try out the platform for yourself. It’ll also help you better understand how business texting works. So, let’s get started!

  1. Begin by signing up for a free trial account. Test drive the platform for two weeks with no cost and no commitment.
  2. After upgrading to a SimpleTexting plan, decide how you’d like customers to contact you. We can even text-enable your existing 10-digit landline or toll-free number or help you register a new local number or verify a new toll-free number. (Learn more about choosing a number.)
  3. Start connecting with your customers! As we mentioned before, you need to have permission to text someone. Since you are communicating one-on-one vs. sending a mass text message, the concept of compliance is handled a little differently. A member of our team is happy to walk you through the concept, but as a rule of thumb just be sure to only add contacts who have provided their number with the intention of receiving information.
  4. Begin to manage your conversations. In order to help you stay organized, SimpleTexting has created features that allow you to mark conversations as resolved, schedule messages, and even prioritize conversations based on time received or time waiting.

In an increasingly noisy world, it’s crucial to rise above the masses. Our platform makes it easy to be heard.

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