Two decades ago, texting seemed like a strange afterthought, somewhere between an email or a voice message.

Texts were expensive and infrequent before the days of unlimited text plans. They were hard to send, wayyyyy back when cell phones had numerical keypads instead of letters.

But texting is now a preferred method of communication, whether it’s a one-to-one correspondence or one-to-many messages. It’s the latter group where businesses can really shine. By sending a message out to all your subscribers/supporters at once, you can reach them anywhere – and odds are, they’ll be so trained by their phones that they’ll check every time there’s the chime or buzz of an incoming text.

Businesses can now easily send mass SMS to letting followers know there’s something special going on. Here are 10 ways to get started.

1. A coupon. People like saving money and getting deals almost as much as they like getting texts. They can feel exclusive if they know that only a portion of the total customer base –those who have opted-in to texts/joined a mailing list -- will receive the discount/promotional opportunity. You can provide an easy link to a coupon landing page. But make sure the coupon can be redeemed electronically, either by showing their phone or by providing a certain phrase/keyword.

2. New products or services. If you’re a retailer or a food service business there are always new items to mention. Even if you don’t have anything recent to promote, you can still talk about something you do – some of your customers/followers may not know you offer it.

3. Polite reminders. In retail, it’s the clerk saying “I’ll be here if you need anything.” Let people know that you’re here and ready to help them. They’ll hopefully recall that you’re the one who reaches out to them occasionally.

4. Discuss a contest. The easiest way to participate would be a link to a landing page with details about it and a spot to enter, plus a link to the rules. You’ll likely be promoting it on your site, blog and social media, but some phone owners may not check these areas all the time, but would check a text.

5. Useful tips. Besides selling your own products or services, you can tell people ho w to get good use out of them. A lawnmower company can send text with suggestions on how to use it well or common challenges with easy solutions. A food retailer can include suggestions on what to eat or drink with it.

6. Information about an upcoming event. “Save the date” notices aren’t just for weddings. If your store is having a party, or involved in some other public endeavor, let people know about it in advance so they have time to plan. This could even be a fun local campaign for a countdown, either by day or by hour.

7. Ask for help. A group of customers who already generally like you can become a great focus group on proposed items like a new logo, new product descriptions and other marketing materials. You get good data for your choices, and customers enjoy assisting.

8. Take a survey. It could be purely for fun, or it could be seeking info about different aspects of your organization. If you combine with another incentive – “let us know what you think and enter to win ____ ” you may get more volunteers.

9. Customer alerts. If you received an email or a snail mail about “changes to your terms” you’d toss it in a hurry. But a text might make you curious enough to click to a landing page that describes what’s happening and any required legal text.

10. Something fun. Link to a video or a photo gallery. Maybe the last company party. Maybe a happy customer. Something the staff is cool to personally invite people to check out.

Texting is a perfect way to get the word out about your company, and invite the recipient to be part of the fun. Whether it’s promoting company information or sharing super deals, you want to make sure your list of recipients appreciates being included. Once your message is created, Trumpia can assist you with the tools to start texting.

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