A message in a bottle. Carrier pigeons. Sky writing. All ways to get a message across, but none of these are as effective as text messaging.

Communication is key to success and progress, whether to clients, vendors, employees, or wives. Unfortunately, imparting information in a clear, understandable manner is not as easy as it sounds. The recipient may be busy and not process the information, it may not be interesting enough or too lengthy to keep their interest, or they may think they understand the message when they completely misinterpreted it.

Organizational manager benefit greatly when they engage and apply a variety of channels in the communication process, and a fresh way to send a message is with SMS messaging. With the majority of consumers possessing smart phones, text messaging is a targeted, fast moving approach to communication. Here are nine ways to boost communication efforts with SMS messaging for business.

#1: Send time-sensitive news. Sometimes, later today is too late. With SMS messaging, opted in clients receive updates about product launches, updates, or events. This shows them you value them, because you want them to be the "first to know." These message create brand awareness and customer loyalty.

#2: Impart emergency information. Sending critical updates with SMS messaging is a quick way to pass on essential information. From natural disasters to a last minute event location change, SMS messaging is quick, easy, and reliable. Unlike that battery operated radio you dragged out of the closet during the last thunderstorm.

#3: Reveal tailored promotions. Messages, no matter the channel you send them through, are more powerful if they are personalized. For example, travel agents who utilize texts to their customer bases to highlight special offers and promotions. Send a message to clients with a redeemable discount code that is valid for a limited time. These SMS messages creates an incentive for the recipients to remain on the list for future, valuable messages.

#4: Announce contests. New product rollouts are a great time to run contests. Simply send a text asking your database to text back to register to win a free trial of the product. Conduct a drawing, and remember it's important to notify all entrants of who won, so they will register for future contests. Send a second text to all who entered announcing and congratulating the winner.

#5: Offer SMS coupons. Coupons or coupon codes build customer loyalty, because everyone loves to feel like they are getting a deal. A powerful strategy is to couple SMS coupons with in-store promotions. This cross channel promotion touches customers in different ways, and cements brand recognition and loyalty. Plus, texting coupons are far less costly than running an ad with the coupon in a newspaper or magazine.

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#6: Provide customer service. Sitting on the phone half an hour trying to get resolution to an issue only frustrates customers. Using landline text messaging, companies can offer a less stressful, easy way for customers to find help with a problem, as well as check on the status of an order, track their packages, or receive back order notifications.

#7: Promote events. Texting about events, parties, or meet ups to your database is a productive way to bring more people through the doors. Restaurants often utilize text messaging to promote special happy hours, special game nights, and many more. Texting is way to reach your entire database about pricing, start times, parking information, etc.

#8: Boost support for non-profits and causes. Rally volunteers to support your next cause or to join you in spreading the word through SMS messaging. In Spain on the eve of Election Day in 2004, demonstrations were banned 24 hours prior to an election. Instead, protesters rallied via text messaging, utilizing the country’s 94% mobile phone penetration rate in Spain. It worked for them, it can work for you, too

#9: Stimulate lead generation. The lifeblood of any business is gaining customers, and text messaging works with other modes of communication to attract and engage potential clients. Send your database new membership promotions, offer new product updates or enhancements. This is widely used by gyms across the country, who use mobile marketing to generate leads through stronger databases.

These are only nine ways to boost your company's communication efforts through SMS messaging, there are many more. No matter your business, your efforts to engage new customers and satisfy current ones can be enhanced with text messaging. Employing these tips into your marketing mix will increase communication, brand recognition, and customer loyalty. All of these will resonate positively in the bottom line.

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