Running a service business requires the utmost attention to your customers' wants and needs in order to deliver the consistent level of service that will keep them loyal to your brand. It is tough to maintain your customers' loyalty in a competitive world. The Internet has opened up even more competition as consumers learn to search online for products and services. How can you engage your customers and prove that your company is steps above the rest? One answer is by using SMS text marketing to stay in touch with your customers and offer them personalized service.

What makes SMS marketing a valuable tool in reaching and engaging your customers?

SMS marketing has the unique factor of having high open and conversion rates as well as being available to a broad range of people. SMS texting is available to anyone who owns a cell phone whether it is a smartphone or a standard phone. Customers will see your text messages, open them and respond to them quickly, giving you the opportunity to keep your brand in the forefront of their minds on a regular basis.

Making SMS Marketing Work for You

In the business world, every dollar you spend on vendor products and services cuts into your profitability. SMS text marketing is extremely affordable, meaning that you can reach more people with every message. Its instant deliverability offers a high ROI each time you send out a message. It is reliable, has limitless market potential and can be used by anyone with a cellular device. It can be used in several ways for your service business. One of the most common ways SMS texting is used for service companies is to send appointment confirmations and reminders to customers. With just 160 characters, you can remind your customer about their appointment time the day before, increasing your chances that they will come in for your service.

Benefits of SMS Marketing

There are several benefits of SMS messaging in addition to the low cost. SMS comes with an automatic opt-in and opt-out feature. Customers are required to opt-in to use SMS and they can opt-out at any time. Customers that receive a text from you are aware that they have agreed to opt-in to the service which in itself opens them up to your message. If the messages are useful and relevant to their needs, they will be happy with SMS and continue to use it.

• SMS has a high open rate. Customers read and respond to SMS messaging more often than they do any other marketing channel including email and social media. You can also use SMS marketing in conjunction with your other channels. For instance, you can text reminders to customers to open their latest email newsletter or join in on your most recent Facebook contest.
• SMS messages are short, 160 characters or less. Reading a text message takes just a few seconds, and customers are used to responding to texts quickly. The message alerts them on their phone. All they need to do is pick up the phone, take a quick look and respond.
• Texting is cool. Everyone is doing it including the youngest family members. Young adults and teens use SMS texting as their main communication channel, therefore adding your personalized texts is second nature. Working adults use texts to remind them of work appointments, meetings and other valuable information. Texting is being adopted by companies across the U.S. to converse about urgent matters with their vendors and customers.
• SMS marketing saves you money by being a green technology. As you increase communications with your customers via SMS, you can reduce paperwork, mailed newsletters and other internal and external costs.
• SMS can be automated, sending messages when you aren't available, even when you are asleep.
• And, lastly SMS marketing is easy to use. Since just about everyone is already familiar with texting, training on SMS is minimal. It takes less time away from other important functions such as sales and service.

SMS in Use by Service Companies

Simply Green Recycling Service (Morganton, NC)

This service company has combined SMS with email to notify residents and businesses of upcoming collection days with great success.

Sol y Luna Tanning (Casselberry, FL and Metrowest, FL)

Sol y Luna uses text messages to inform their customers about deals and promotions, driving traffic to their stores. They have cut down on their no-show appointments by sending a text reminder to customers the day before their appointment.

American Freight (City of Industry, CA)

This furniture warehouse in southern California keeps their customers updated about layaway payments via SMS.

Statewide Remodeling (Texas)

Statewide Remodeling uses texting to inform prospective clients about quotes on remodeling services and to send out new leads to their own sales reps.

The Parent's Union (Seattle, WA)

This online community dedicated to improving the relationships between parents and children sends out inspirational messages containing links to their blog for tips and advice.

Knights Marine (Pascagoula, MS)

Knights Marine, an industrial contracting service for ship repair, welding and more, uses SMS messaging to let prospective employees know about job openings and opportunities in their area.

Design Your Own Messages

With SMS text messaging, you can customize your messages to fit your companies marketing needs and your customers' requirements. By sending people messages with value, you will strengthen your relationship and keep your customers coming back. Send SMS messages to customers who need them without bombarding all of your customers with too many texts. Find out more about how you can use SMS text messaging to improve your marketing strategy by contacting Trumpia.

Free SMS ROI Calculator