| Texting to Build Business | | | | SMS Coupons - if they come into your shop and |
| Most of us text our friends and family at LEAST | | | | show your text, give them a killer discount and |
| several times a day, without realizing what a | | | | another coupon. |
| powerful tool it can be for a business owner. Texting | | | | Things to Keep in Mind |
| isn't just a social activity. SMS, or text, messages can | | | | -DON'T be a nuisance or you will LOSE clients. This |
| be used to build, expand and retain your client base. | | | | includes keeping in mind which time zone your |
| There are a variety of ways that, as a business | | | | contact is in and making SMS contact only during |
| owner, you can use SMS messages to your | | | | appropriate times. Business hours only. Also, keep |
| advantage. | | | | messages short and simple, though. Limit your |
| 5 Things to Start With: | | | | messages to once or twice a week tops. |
| Contests - to get more opt-ins by offering a special | | | | -In order to do any kind of text mobile market |
| prize or discount for texting you their answer. | | | | campaign, you will have to either spend a lot of time |
| Polls - to elicit feedback on a recent offering or | | | | and money to do it all on your own, or you can |
| transition and show your clients that you care. Tell | | | | subscribe to any number of services that will give |
| your clients on your website, Facebook, and/or | | | | you an account and help you manage your campaign. |
| Twitter to text you with their vote. You could end | | | | Many even offer consulting and other services. |
| up adding people you didn't know weren't on your | | | | -Make it completely clear to people what they are |
| contact list. | | | | signing up for, if you will periodically tell them about |
| News/Updates - the simplest reason people use their | | | | products/offers, tell them. Don't advertise ALL the |
| mobile phones to do SO much is because they are | | | | time or even most of the time, people are much |
| busy. Let them know you appreciate that by keeping | | | | more likely to help you when you've been helping |
| them posted on important news or blog posts that | | | | them as well. |
| are relevant. | | | | SMS marketing can be a very effective tool, if you |
| Membership Sites - if you have a membership | | | | know how to use it the right way. If it is done the |
| website, you could make it so when a member | | | | right way, you can save everyone on your list time |
| signed up to receive your SMS, they got additional | | | | and money, while making more money yourself. That |
| benefits. | | | | sounds like a perfect opportunity... |