| At the start of the 2010 year an extensive UK | | | | reference, and respondents considered they were |
| mobile survey was carried out by Dialogue | | | | generally more reliable then the post. Others reasons |
| Communications with some positive results for the | | | | included being more environmentally friendly, and - |
| future of text messaging in business. Some findings | | | | with smartphones - easier to sync and update their |
| were: | | | | calendars there and then. |
| - Over 67% of mobile users would like to receive | | | | Is SMS good for me and my business? |
| reminders or alerts by text for everything from | | | | Okay, so our customer wants to receive text |
| medical appointments to bill payments | | | | message updates, but is SMS good for our business? |
| - 60% would choose to opt in for the text reminder | | | | In a one word answer, yes! |
| service. | | | | To begin with if you are doing something your |
| - Only a tiny 3% of people currently receive | | | | customer wants, and we all know when we do |
| reminders by text | | | | something our customer wants, the benefits always |
| - However, a staggering 83% are sent through the | | | | come back to us in word of mouth, customer |
| post. | | | | perception and loyalty. Secondly, what about the |
| To help us understand what these figures mean in | | | | bottom line? How much does it cost you to currently |
| real life, they also shared the reasons behind the | | | | send out a reminder in the post? You have the |
| answers from the participants. | | | | paper, the ink, the packaging and don't forget the |
| The major reason why people wanted to move | | | | postage cost as well. These all add up pretty quickly. |
| away from postal reminders towards SMS message | | | | However, with a text message at from anywhere |
| reminders was that it was more convenient. With the | | | | from 10p -12p (depending upon your provider, and |
| majority of people keeping their mobile phones with | | | | only 8p from CLIM8.NET) the cost is very low, you |
| them most of the time text messages are a good | | | | still get your message across and you can even say |
| way of communicating a short reminder as the | | | | you are being more environmentally friendly by doing |
| message will then be stored on the phone for future | | | | so. |