Did you know that 70% of consumers prefer messaging a business and that text messages receive a 98% open rate compared to email at only a 20% open rate? Businesses that incorporate texting see better leads and more conversions. It’s that simple.

Texting has allowed consumers to ask specific questions, get quick answers, and easily set up appointments without ever needing to leave their homes or make a phone call. For businesses, texting cuts out a lot of the back and forth of phone tag and form submissions, so you go straight from initial contact to consultation and sale.

Business text messaging is the future, and Creekmore Marketing is here to help you meet the needs of today’s consumers! Here are our top tips for getting started.

Find the Right Platform

Set out to find the right platform for your business. It's best to consider your needs before committing to a platform. Whether your priorities are a personal account manager, one-on-one training, social media integration, or web chat capabilities, ensure your chosen platform meets your business's needs or offers flexible scalability. The right platform will also be priced competitively and provide specialized support when you need it.

Creekmore can help you capture and convert more leads with our Amplify + Interactions platform. This all-in-one platform lets you connect with customers through texting, live chat, video chat, Google Business Profile, and social media. And you'll always have access to our specialists, who are happy to answer your questions and provide any support.

Establish Best Practices

Once you've chosen a platform, it's time to establish some best practices to ensure your team and the platform work seamlessly together. Most platforms will offer one-on-one training; it's essential that all team members who will be utilizing the platform attend the training and can ask questions as they arise. 

Here are our top recommendations for establishing best practices:

• Ensure customers can opt-out
• Keep messages short yet personal
• Add appropriate calls-to-action
• Respond quickly and professionally
• Consider the timing

When it's time to get your team onboard, ensure everyone is current on best practices. Your team will undoubtedly learn as they go, so updating best practices every few months is okay.

Get Your Team Onboard

Next, make sure your team trains on the platform. Most business text messaging providers offer individualized training allowing your team to ask questions and get hands-on experience and ask questions.

Establishing a point person on your team for all things customer communication is optional, but it can be helpful. This designated team member has the opportunity to become an expert with the messaging platform and can help other team members troubleshoot. Alternatively, this person can be the customer's sole point of contact who answers questions and fields consultation requests to the appropriate parties.

However you get your team onboard, partnering with a local marketing agency is your best bet for managing all your marketing efforts in one place!

Business Text Messaging with Creekmore Marketing

Creekmore Marketing can help you reach more customers, generate leads, and beat the competition! Contact us to learn more about our business text messaging platform!             

Creekmore Marketing & Web Design is based in Lexington, KY, and works with businesses all over the U.S., Canada, and the UK. Get started with your free digital analysis today!