18 Ways To Use Two Way Texting For Business Effectively

With the rise of mobile technology, more and more people prefer to receive updates and information via text rather than phone calls or emails. Two way texting allows for real-time interactions between businesses and their clients through text messages.

In this article, we will discuss 18 ways to use two-way texting for your business effectively based on our experiences at DialMyCalls, a mass notification and 2 way texting system.

What Are The Benefits Of 2 Way Texting For Your Business?

• Instant Communication
• Cost-Effective
• Wider Reach
• Higher Response Rates
• Personalized Communication
• Improved Customer Service
• Time-Saving

Instant Communication

With two way texting, businesses can communicate with their clients in real time. This means your customers don’t have to wait on hold and you can answer customer questions wherever you are.

Cost-Effective

Text messages are more affordable compared to phone calls and other forms of communication, which can be especially true if you have customers globally.

Wider Reach

Almost everyone has access to a mobile phone, making it easier for businesses to reach a larger audience through text messaging.

Higher Response Rates

Text messages often have higher response rates than emails or phone calls. This makes two way texting an effective tool for businesses looking to engage with their customers.

Personalized Communication

Text messages can be personalized with the recipient’s name, making them feel valued and increasing the chances of a response. While text blasts are a great tool and easy to use, they can feel impersonal if they are the only form of communication (learn more about text blasts with our article How To Do A Text Blast).

Improved Customer Service

Two way texting allows for quick resolutions to customer inquiries or issues, leading to improved customer satisfaction.

Time-Saving

With two way texting, businesses can send messages to multiple recipients at once, saving time and effort.

18 Ways To Use Two Way Texting For Your Business

1. Customer Support
2. Appointment Reminders
3. Order Status Updates
4. Feedback & Surveys
5. Lead Generation
6. Payment Reminders
7. Product Launches & Promotions
8. Event Updates
9. Customer Loyalty Programs
10. Employee Communication
11. Emergency Alerts
12. Surveys & Feedback From Employees
13. Recruitment
14. Appointment Scheduling
15. Customer Birthday Wishes & Special Occasions
16. Product Support & Troubleshooting
17. Order Customization
18. Onboarding

Way #1: Customer Support

Two way texting can be a great tool for customer support. Customers can text their inquiries or concerns, and businesses can respond in real time. This allows for quick and efficient issue resolution, enhancing the overall customer experience.

Way #2: Appointment Reminders

Missed appointments are not only frustrating for businesses but also for clients. You can use two way texting to send appointment reminders, allowing customers to confirm or reschedule if needed.

Way #3: Order Status Updates

For businesses in the e-commerce industry, two way texting can be used to send order status updates to customers. This allows for a more personal touch and keeps customers informed about their purchases.

Way #4: Feedback & Surveys

Two way texting is a great tool for gathering feedback and conducting surveys. Instead of sending lengthy emails that may go unread, businesses can send quick text messages to customers asking for their opinions or feedback. This allows for a higher response rate and helps businesses improve their products or services.

Way #5: Lead Generation

Businesses can use two way texting to generate leads by sending out promotional texts with a call-to-action. Customers can respond with their information, such as email or phone number, which allows businesses to follow up and potentially convert them into customers.

Way #6: Payment Reminders

For businesses that offer services or subscriptions, two way texting can be used to send payment reminders to customers. This reduces the risk of late payments and improves cash flow for the business.

Way #7: Product Launches & Promotions

Two way texting can also be utilized to inform customers about new product launches and promotions. This creates a sense of exclusivity and encourages customers to take action, leading to increased sales.

Way #8: Event Updates

For businesses that host events, two way texting can be a great way to keep attendees updated with important information such as changes in schedule or location. This ensures a smooth and organized event experience for all participants.

Way #9: Customer Loyalty Programs

Two way texting can also be used to engage with customers and maintain their loyalty. By sending exclusive deals, discounts, or rewards via text messages, businesses can strengthen their relationships with their customers.

Way #10: Employee Communication

With the rise of remote work, employee communication has become more important than ever. Two way texting allows for quick and efficient communication between employees and employers, making it easier to coordinate tasks, share updates, and address issues.

Way #11: Emergency Alerts

In an emergency, businesses need a quick and reliable way to communicate with their employees. Two way texting allows for instant notifications and updates, ensuring that everyone is informed and safe.

Way #12: Surveys & Feedback From Employees

Two way texting can be used to gather feedback and opinions from employees. This allows for a more efficient and convenient way to collect data, as most people have their phones on them at all times.

Way #13: Recruitment

Businesses can use two way texting to recruit potential employees. This allows for a more personal and immediate approach, as well as the opportunity for candidates to ask questions and clarify any doubts they may have.

Way #14: Appointment Scheduling

Appointment scheduling can be a tedious task for businesses, especially when it involves phone calls and emails. However, with two way texting, businesses can send out appointment reminders and confirmations to clients via text. This not only saves time but also reduces the chances of missed appointments.

Way #15: Customer Birthday Wishes & Special Occasions

Sending personalized birthday wishes and special occasion messages to your customers can go a long way in building customer loyalty. With two way texting, you can easily schedule automated texts for your customers’ birthdays or other special occasions.

Way #16: Product Support & Troubleshooting

Two way texting can also be used for providing product support and troubleshooting. Customers can text their queries or issues to a designated number, and your team can respond with solutions in real time.

Way #17: Order Customization

If your business offers customizable products, two way texting can be a great tool for order customization. Customers can text their specifications or preferences, and you can respond with confirmation and any additional details.

Way #18: Onboarding

The onboarding process for new clients or employees can often be time-consuming and tedious. With two way texting, you can send important information, documents, and updates to ensure a smooth onboarding experience. Clients or employees can also text any questions or concerns they have.

How To Setup Two Way Texting For Your Business

• Activate Your Long Code SMS Number
• Configure Your Settings
• Start Engaging Via 2 Way SMS

Step #1: Activate Your Long Code SMS Number

After you make an account with DialMyCalls, you’ll have the option to select your local Long Code SMS vanity number. This is the number your employees, customers, etc. will use to have conversations with you.

Cost

As noted in the image above, this number is included in the $14.99 monthly cost of DialMyCalls, as are unlimited inbound messages and 450 outbound messages ($0.045/additional outbound message each month).

Step #2: Configure Your Settings

DialMyCalls has a variety of 2 way SMS software settings that help you make sure you get your notifications the way you need. One especially important setting is where you receive notifications of a new message, such as email, text message, or push notification.

Step #3: Start Engaging Via 2 Way SMS

That’s it! You’re ready to start sending and receiving one-on-one messages from and to your new number. Make sure to let your contacts know about your new number and you’ll start receiving notifications when they send you a message.

Best Practices For Two Way Texting

• Use A Professional Tone
• Personalize The Message
• Keep It Short And Simple
• Include A Clear Call-To-Action (CTA)
• Use Proper Grammar And Spelling
• Avoid Using Industry Jargon
• Provide Opt-Out Options
• Don’t Spam
• Personalize The Sender ID
• Send Messages At Appropriate Times

Use A Professional Tone

When communicating with clients, it is important to maintain a professional tone in your text messages. This will help to build trust and credibility with your customers.

Personalize The Message

Addressing the customer by name and using personalized content can make them feel valued and increase engagement.

Keep It Short And Simple

Text messages have a character limit, so it’s essential to keep your messages concise and easy to understand.

Include A Clear Call-To-Action (CTA)

Whether you want your customers to respond or make a purchase, include a clear CTA in your text message to keep your customers active and engaged with your content.

Use Proper Grammar And Spelling

Double-check your messages for spelling or grammatical errors before sending them out to maintain a professional image.

Avoid Using Industry Jargon

Keep in mind that not all of your customers may be familiar with industry-specific terms, so avoid using jargon in your texts.

Provide Opt-Out Options

It’s important to give customers the option to opt out of receiving text messages from your business if they wish.

Don’t Spam

Be mindful of how often you send text messages to customers, as too many texts can lead to annoyance and possible opt-outs. There are also laws against spam in the US (learn more in our Guide To Mass Texting Laws In The United States).

Personalize The Sender ID

Use a recognizable name or number as the sender ID to increase open rates and avoid being marked as spam.

Send Messages At Appropriate Times

Consider your customers’ time zones and send texts during business hours to ensure they are received at an appropriate time.

What Business Types Work Best For 2 Way Texting?

Two way texting can be beneficial for all types of businesses, including small businesses, large corporations, and non-profit organizations. However, some industries may find it particularly useful due to the nature of work.

1. Customer Service: Businesses that rely heavily on customer service can benefit greatly from two-way texting. It allows customers to communicate with the business in real time and get their queries resolved quickly.
2. Retail: Two-way texting is an excellent tool for retail businesses as it enables them to send promotional offers and alerts directly to their customers’ phones.
3. Healthcare: In the healthcare industry, two-way texting can be used for appointment reminders, medication alerts, and communicating with patients in case of emergencies.
4. Education: Schools and universities can use two-way texting to send important updates to students and parents, such as class cancellations or reminders for upcoming events.
5. Real Estate: Real estate agents can schedule property viewings and send property listings directly to interested clients’ phones with two way texting.

No matter what type of business you have, two-way texting can be a valuable tool to enhance communication with your clients and customers.

How To Choose The Best 2 Way Texting Platform For Your Business

• Understand Your Business Needs
• Research Different Platforms
• Consider Integration Options
• Evaluate Security Measures
• Check For Customer Support
• Test The User Interface
• Look For Automated Features
• Compare Pricing Plans
• Ask For A Free Trial Or Demo

Understand Your Business Needs

Before choosing a two way texting platform, it is important to understand your specific business needs and goals. This will help you select the right features and pricing plan for your company.

Research Different Platforms

Take the time to research and compare different two way texting platforms available in the market. Look for reviews, testimonials, and demos to get a better understanding of their services.

Consider Integration Options

If you use other software or tools for your business operations, make sure that the two way texting platform can integrate with them seamlessly.

Evaluate Security Measures

Data security is crucial when it comes to business communication. Look for a platform that offers secure data storage and transmission.

Check For Customer Support

A reliable two way texting platform should offer 24/7 customer support in case of any technical difficulties or questions.

Test The User Interface

The platform’s user interface should be easy to navigate and use, both for your team and customers.

Look For Automated Features

Some two way texting platforms offer automated responses to common inquiries, which can save your team time and effort.

Compare Pricing Plans

Consider the cost of the platform and compare it with its features to determine if it fits within your budget.

Ask For A Free Trial Or Demo

Most two way texting platforms offer free trials or demos, so take advantage of these opportunities to test the platform before committing to a purchase.

Other Common Questions On Two Way Texting For Business

Are There Any Costs Associated With Receiving Or Sending Texts?

At DialMyCalls, there are no additional costs for receiving texts. Our mass notification system includes two way texting as part of its package, but there is a monthly quota of 450 texts sent. If you meet that quota, you will have to pay a very minimal additional fee per text ($0.045).

How Does Two-Way Texting Work For Customer Support?

Two-way texting allows for real-time communication between businesses and their customers. When a customer sends a text message, it is received by the business through an online platform or app. The business can respond to the customer’s query or concern immediately via text.

Setup Two Way Texting For Your Business With DialMyCalls

Two way texting is a powerful tool for businesses to improve communication with their clients. With DialMyCalls, you can easily set up this feature and reap its benefits in no time. Our reliable services and user-friendly platform make us the best mass texting service provider on the market.

So why wait? Sign up for DialMyCalls today and take your business communication to the next level!

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