What Do You Think About Text Messages As A Marketing Tool?

Now days most of us know what text messaging is. And pretty much any cell phone created in the last 2 years has had the ability built in. AND most cell phone plans now have texting as part of it without any separate extra charge.

So of course now the world is trying to figure out how to use it for marketing.

I will be honest, this is not something I have looked into much. Not as a marketing tool. I text. I have a teenager so of course I text. And I have done the things where you text a certain word to a certain number to vote at a sports game or to get a coupon for something.

But I am starting to see more and more people talk about using text messaging as a way to market their business.

The first time I ever experienced true useful texting in a business environment was at a conference here in Arizona. When we got there they asked everyone to “register”. It wasn’t required, but it was talked about so much all morning that you kind of felt left out if you didn’t.

I figured, why not.

But I thought how they used it was actually pretty cool.

A few minutes before each session started back up they would text you to let you know. A the end of short breaks and at the end of lunch.

And they have a vendors area at this event. Throughout the weekend each vendor did a give away. To enter the giveaway you would text a specific code to the number. Then they would text you back when it was time for the drawing. You had to be present to win…

But you didn’t miss the drawings because they told you when they were having them.

And they didn’t have to interrupt the event to make these types of announcements. Only the interested people knew about it because they were the ones that had “opted-in” or entered the drawing in question.

Some of the speakers also used the system to send out addresses where you could go to download extra tools or free stuff.

I actually found it really useful. And like I said this was the first time I had ever seen text messaging used to this extent in a business setting.

Now the contact management system that we use in our business has teamed up with another provider and they have integrated text messaging technology into the system. So I can set up my followup campaigns to not only include emails but also text messages.

But I am still not convinced….

I understand that in other countries texting is how they survive. And it is getting closer to that here in the US.

I also like the way that they used text messaging in that specific setting during the conference.

But I have to admit that I might get annoyed if I was still receiving text messages from the speakers now that it is 4 months later.

So I pose the question to you…

What do you think of text messaging as a marketing tool? Have you seen a good use of it that you found to be helpful in that situation? Would you “opt-in” to receive text notices about blog updates or newsletters being available? In what situation can you imagine text messaging being helpful to you from a marketing standpoint Incoming or outgoing)?

Please share your thoughts…really…I want to know….

About The Author:
Cindy Clemens is a mom, author, speaker, marketing consultant and Co-Founder of Your Marketing University. Her goal is to teach marketing in a simple easy to understand format that businesses can use to help gain marketing ideas & market their businesses to boost sales.

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