Copyright: antonioguillem / 123RF Stock Photo
Texting really shouldn’t have caught on.
After all, it had its start as something that we’d call ‘geeky’ today – research engineers and technical developers in England in the early 1990s simply trying to figure out ways to send digital words back and forth.
Why did they want to do this? The answer would likely be the same if it was asked today: a shrug, and “because we wanted to see if we could.”
According to TheWeek.com, 22-year-old Neil Papworth sent the first text message to fellow engineer Richard Jarvis in 1992 saying “Merry Christmas.” Nothing particularly novel or earth-shattering, and certainly without any inkling that in less than 25 years, most of the planet will prefer texting each other, and also interact less using established old-school communication methods like phone calls, email, or even talking face to face.
On their surface, texts seem especially limiting. You only have 160 characters to work with, so can’t get too wordy. Unless you’re sending an MMS (multimedia service) with photos or videos, you have to rely on words or emoji to share your message. And unless you have good data plan, too many texts can make phone bills downright painful.
So why is texting increasingly popular, especially at the business level? There are several theories.
- It’s easier. Maybe it’s laziness. Maybe it’s efficiency. Maybe both. The point is that all you have to do for a simple interaction with another person is to type in a few characters on a phone – or less (has anyone ever sent or received a text saying ‘K”?) In comparison, if you had a phone call, you’d have to talk and respond to a longer conversation, which could be tough if you only had one question. Or if you had an email, you’d have to open the browser, then the individual email then the reply box.
- Texts get seen quickly. A text message can be seen and responded to within minutes. In comparison, some emails may take hours to be opened, if at all. The sense of immediacy can be a good reason.
- Texting is adaptive. If you don’t have access to your smartphone, or don’t want to use it -- out of cellular range or out of minutes -- you can use your laptop or desktop to create and email texts that look like they’re coming from the phone. Likewise, not all of your audience will be able to receive texts, but can see them as emails.
- Texting is all about you. This is a conclusion of Forbes writer Neil Howe, who said some millennials prefer SMS since they quickly take priority over anyone else’s messages. Even if you have extended conversation with texts, it’s essentially “here’s me, then you.” The fact that a text message can make phones ding or shake when they arrive can interrupt whatever someone is doing and attract attention.
- Texts bring people together. This opposite line of reasoning is theorized by TechCrunch writer Nic Denholm, who said that text messages help cement bonds between friends and family members. Families may use a variety of tools to alert each other to what they’re doing with their day-to-day tasks and activities, but texts are the easiest and fastest.
- Anyone can text. You don’t have to worry about Droid/iPhone or PC/Mac compatibility or if you have the right drivers or video cards. Though some video/photo attachments may be blocked on some people’s devices, basic texts are simple to send and receive.
- Texting can leave you hanging. Though people often will text you back instantly, they don’t have to. It’s the opposite of a voice or Facetime/Skype call, where you’re obligated to finish a conversation instead of walking away or stepping away. Even with chats you can chat “brb/Be right back.” But with texts, it’s assumed that you’ll text back when you get the chance. (and hopefully not while driving.) This can be handy for businesses who want to offer customer service via text – “I’ll look into that right now.”
- It’s where the people are. From a marketing perspective, if you want to reach people, you go where they are. And if more people are using texting and smartphones and abandoning other older media, then you should figure out that world too. (However, you also shouldn’t turn your back on the dwindling audience who may not be ready for texting either. They may appreciate someone who wants to focus on them as well.)
- Texting is part of our culture now. Over the 20-plus years, certain types of acceptable behavior, dialect and protocol for texting has evolved. Whether it’s abbreviations (turning “for” into “4,” or “I’m laughing out loud” into “LOL,” texts are something that everyone can play.
For more information about using texting to connect with your customers and business prospects visit Trumpia.com.
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