Challenges Faced by Doers and Sellers in Professional Service Selling

One of the core challenges faced by Doers and sellers in Professional Services is the simultaneous demand to deliver high-quality services while actively engaging potential clients. This duality often leads to missed opportunities, as time spent on one aspect can detract from the other. Moreover, in industries like finance, education, and health & wellness, the stakes are high, and the nature of client interactions is crucial to the success of the service being offered.

To further understand the challenges, here are a few that we came across after talking to our clientele. 

• Dual Responsibilities – Balancing the roles of delivering services and selling them.
• Opportunity Costs – The risk of missed opportunities when focusing on one role over the other.
• Client Interaction Importance – Ensuring client interactions are optimal, especially in critical industries like finance, education, and health & wellness.
• Pressure of Quality Delivery – Maintaining high-quality services while being proactive in client engagement.
• High-Stakes Decisions – The weight of every client interaction, especially when the success of the service is directly linked to client satisfaction.

The Power of Integrated Messaging: Deep Dive

Multichannel Messaging – In an era where clients are omnipresent across various platforms, SMS-Magic’s omnichannel capabilities ensure that Doers and sellers in Professional Services can engage on any platform of choice, from SMS to LINE, ensuring no opportunity is missed.

Messaging and CRM Integration – Imagine the power of having a unified view of all client communications within the CRM you use daily. It’s not just about convenience but about harnessing data for more potent, personalized engagement.

Global Coverage – In our interconnected world, professional services aren’t bound by geographical barriers. With messaging support for 59 carriers across 190+ countries, SMS-Magic ensures doer-sellers can truly cater to a global clientele.

Compliance – Particularly for industries like finance or health & wellness, adherence to regulations is non-negotiable. SMS-Magic’s compliance features, which adapt in real-time to global regulatory shifts, are a boon. Whether it’s GDPR in Europe or TCPA in the U.S., compliance is ensured.

Case Studies Showcasing the Transformation

• Finance Industry – A leading financial advisory firm leveraged SMS-Magic’s platform to engage with potential investors. Through personalized messaging campaigns, they could generate inquiries for loans, insurance, and investments. The platform’s compliance feature ensured all communications were in line with regulatory standards, resulting in a 40% increase in conversions.
• Health & Wellness – A wellness center utilized the platform’s multichannel messaging capabilities to counsel and register new patients. With a  HIPAA-compliant solution, they could share health tips and ensure timely treatment follow-ups, resulting in a significant boost in patient trust and engagement.
• Real Estate – A real estate agency implemented SMS-Magic to drive open house promotions and negotiations. With CRM integration, all interactions were informed and tailored, leading to faster property turnovers and increased referrals.
• Education Sector – A premier university utilized SMS-Magic to enhance its student admission process. Through automated yet personalized messaging campaigns, prospective students received timely counsel, reducing admission drop-offs by 30%.
• Legal Domain – A top-tier law firm harnessed the power of SMS-Magic for client engagement. They implemented multichannel messaging to update clients about case progress, resulting in enhanced client trust and a 20% uptick in client referrals.

These are just a few examples of the transformative impact messaging can have across different industries.

Role of Messaging in Transforming Engagement

This is where the magic of messaging steps in. Founded over 15 years ago, SMS-Magic has been at the forefront of the messaging revolution, recognizing the unique challenges faced by doers and sellers in professional services. With features like 24×7 inbound messaging and omnichannel support, the platform ensures that professionals can maintain constant communication with their clients across various channels – be it SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or others.

Moreover, the integration capabilities with CRMs like Salesforce and Zoho ensure that these communications are seamlessly woven into the broader sales and service process. This means professionals can focus on what they do best, while the messaging system takes care of engagement.

Conclusion – Future of Doer and Sellers in Professional Services with Integrated Messaging

As we gaze into the future, one thing becomes abundantly clear: The line between service delivery and client engagement is blurring. For doer-sellers in Professional services, this intersection is where magic happens. With platforms like SMS-Magic, this magic is not just about enhanced communication but about crafting measurable client experiences.

In essence, the future for doers and sellers in professional services is not just about offering or selling, but about communicating, engaging, and resonating. And in this narrative, integrated messaging emerges not just as a tool but as a catalyst for change. SMS-Magic, with its vast array of features and dedication to continuous innovation, stands poised to lead doer-sellers into this brave new world of empowered communication.

What are High-Stakes Services?

High-consideration services involve consumers making major decisions where they expect positive, or even life-changing outcomes. With so much on the line, these services must offer engagement that builds trust and meets individual needs. A few defining characteristics of these services are:

• Highly personalized to everyone
• Time-sensitive or urgent
• Require access to private information/records
• Decisions carry substantial consequences
• Frequently complex or emotionally charged

How Consumer Preferences Have Shifted

Rigid communication channels like email and phone calls restrict the ability to deliver personalized, convenient engagement.

• 73% expect transparent, honest communication from businesses.
• 68% want providers to inform them of the issues that may affect them.
• 62% are more loyal to providers who understand their specific needs.

Shortcomings of Email Communication – For High-Stakes Services

Email communication has notable drawbacks and constraints. The rapid accumulation of emails can lead to an inbox overloaded with information. Sifting through an abundance of messages can be a tiresome task that causes critical messages to get lost in the shuffle. Some examples are:

1. The sender can’t ensure messages reach recipients and get read promptly – A patient emails their doctor about unusual symptoms, but the doctor doesn’t see it for several days.

2. Inability to express subtleties and emotions when discussing delicate subjects – An attorney attempts to explain legal risks in an email, but the tone seems harsh.

3. Inconsistent hand-offs between departments create disjointed experiences – A client gets bounced between departments and must re-explain their issue each time.

4. Privacy issues with sensitive information – Financial details get put in an insecure email exposed to hacking risks.

Shortcomings of Phone Calls – For High-Stakes Services

Using a phone for business can be convenient, but it may also have many drawbacks. The biggest roadblock with phone calls is that the person being called must be available. If they are not available, we run into these problems:

The Growing Need for More Responsive Channels

The digital age has fundamentally transformed how consumers interact with businesses. With the rise of social media and instant messaging platforms, people now anticipate real-time responses. Traditional modes of communication like emails and phone calls, though still prevalent, are increasingly perceived as archaic for high-stakes services.

Factors Influencing Today’s Communication Standards Several underlying factors shape the current expectations:

• Instant Gratification: In an era where we can order food, hail a cab, or get answers to queries within seconds, waiting for responses via emails or missing phone calls can be frustrating.
• Shift to Visual Communication: With platforms like Instagram and TikTok dominating the digital space, people prefer visual and interactive communication over long text emails or auditory phone calls.
• Mobile-First World: Most consumers access services via their mobile devices. Emails and phone calls often disrupt the flow, whereas direct app-based or SMS-based interactions feel more seamless.

Evolution Beyond Emails and Calls

Text Messaging and Its Benefits Text messaging, particularly SMS and chatbots, has rapidly risen as a preferred communication method. Here’s why:

• Direct and Immediate: Texts get read, typically within 3 minutes of being received. This immediacy ensures that crucial information isn’t overlooked.
• Visual Aids: Modern texting allows for the incorporation of images, videos, and gifs, making communication more engaging.
• End-to-End Encryption: Text messaging can offer enhanced security measures ensuring the confidentiality of private information.

These factors show why legacy channels fall drastically short of meeting the engagement requirements of high-stakes services. Businesses and professional services need modern solutions to facilitate convenient, compliant, and trusted communication between providers and consumers. Companies that embrace text messaging to connect with customers on their terms will gain a substantial competitive advantage as we move deeper into the digital future.

Connect with us today to get your high-stakes conversations started. 

In an era where every transaction holds immense significance, understanding the intricacies of Customer Engagement in High-stakes Services becomes paramount. These services, encompassing sectors such as finance, healthcare, and real estate, don’t merely entail transactions but define crucial life choices with long-lasting impacts. The challenge lies in the paradox of their nature: while the stakes are astronomically high, customer trust and loyalty remain precariously fragile. 

Therefore, it’s about selling a service and ensuring a partnership rooted in trust, value, and mutual understanding. The subsequent intricacies of this engagement arena are often overlooked, potentially leading to missed opportunities and compromised relationships. Recognizing and addressing the unique demands of these high-stakes sectors is what this discussion intends to delve into, underlining why it’s absolutely essential to refine our approach and elevate the dialogue between businesses and their clientele.

Let’s explore why and how a sophisticated messaging strategy, such as SMS-Magic, becomes invaluable when talking about Customer Engagement in High-stakes services.

1. High Consideration
   Industries requiring heavy investments like finance and real estate need a holistic approach to communication. This is where omnichannel messaging can make a real difference.

SMS-Magic Advantage: We excel with our omnichannel messaging and 24×7 inbound messaging, ensuring customers have an avenue of communication anytime, anywhere.

2. High Value
   Higher education sectors are significant in terms of both investment and consequence. In such fields, personalized communication holds the key to successful engagement.

SMS-Magic Advantage: Our platform offers seamless, personalized communication, one-to-one whenever required, so you can help your service seekers make informed decisions. 

3. Impact on Self-image
   The healthcare sector is intrinsically linked to one’s well-being. Here, communication should foster trust and support, emphasizing the importance of one’s choices.

SMS-Magic Advantage: Our multichannel messaging system ensures that patients can always find timely advice and an empathetic ear, no matter the platform.

4. Consultative Selling:
   In legal or staffing sectors, it’s the expertise that’s for sale. Effective communication is about delivering the right insights, at the right time.

SMS-Magic Advantage: Our mobile application, which comes fully equipped with CRM integration, enables consultants to offer real-time advice, tailored to the client’s needs.

5. Time-sensitive Matters:
   In financial services, every second counts. Delays can lead to missed opportunities or escalating risks, highlighting the need for intelligent automation in communication.

SMS-Magic Advantage: Our platform incorporates intelligent automation, ensuring that businesses act swiftly and effectively in time-sensitive scenarios.

6. Long-Term Consequences:
   Education and financial decisions impact one’s future. The communication in these sectors should reflect this longevity, emphasizing continuous support and guidance.

SMS-Magic Advantage: With our customer lifecycle engagement approach, we promise a long-lasting relationship, providing valuable insights throughout the client’s journey.

7. Long Customer Lifecycle:
   Real estate is a long game, with transactions spanning months or even years. Such a prolonged customer lifecycle demands persistent, consistent, and informative communication.

SMS-Magic Advantage: Through CRM integration, we ensure that every engagement is informed, context-aware, and tailored, nurturing valuable long-term relationships.

8. Multiple Stakeholders:
   In sectors like staffing, the challenge is to ensure clarity among multiple parties. Effective communication should bring everyone onto the same page.

SMS-Magic Advantage: Our centralized messaging portal is designed to streamline interactions, ensuring synchronized and clear communication among all stakeholders.

9. Strict Regulations:
   The finance and healthcare sectors come with a slew of regulations. Navigating these while ensuring effective communication is a challenge in itself.

SMS-Magic Advantage: We excel in messaging compliance, ensuring that whether it’s HIPAA requirements or 10DLC registration intricacies, businesses remain compliant without the associated stress.

Charting Success in Customer Engagement in High-Stakes Services

The intricate nature of customer engagement in high-stakes arenas requires a strategic, versatile, and secure approach. SMS-Magic, boasting over 15 years of expertise, stands as a beacon for businesses venturing into these waters. From compliance to omnichannel messaging and CRM integrations, we’ve curated a platform that resonates with both the business and its clientele. In an era where a personal touch signifies distinction, SMS-Magic ensures every conversation is purposeful, timely, and impactful.

Key Takeaway – In high-stakes sectors, each interaction bears weight. Choose SMS-Magic – where every conversation genuinely matters. Because when it comes to Customer Engagement in high-stakes services, you do want perfection.

Get in touch with us today – And let’s get your conversations going!

SMS Marketing Myth 1: One Size Fits All in Messaging Solutions

Reality: Every car isn’t a Lamborghini, right? Initiated in 2008, SMS-Magic has never stopped evolving. Beyond traditional text messaging services, we focus on creating genuine engagement and fostering customer relationships. Our SMS platform prioritizes results, evidenced by clients experiencing a staggering 40% hike in conversions.

SMS Marketing Myth 2: It’s Just… Texting

Reality: Think of a master chef crafting a gourmet dish: whether they use secret ingredients or everyday food, they always deliver something fantastic. That’s how we view messaging! SMS-Magic elevates business text messaging into an art form. By prioritizing genuine, resonant content, we’ve become the go-to choice for high-stakes conversations such as finance and healthcare.

SMS Marketing Myth 3: Platforms are Too Complex

Reality: Ever tried assembling a 5000-piece jigsaw puzzle? Daunting, right? But with SMS-Magic, the experience is more like snapping together Lego bricks. By designing a user-friendly interface, we let businesses focus on what they excel at, leaving the SMS intricacies to us.

SMS Marketing Myth 4: Compliance is a Constant Battle

Reality: Imagine a world where you can set-and-forget rules and regulations. Welcome to the SMS-Magic realm! We actively monitor and adapt to regulatory updates and changes , ensuring your SMS campaigns remain compliant. Say goodbye to those tedious manual updates.

SMS Marketing Myth 5: Integration Nightmares Await

Reality: Imagine effortlessly blending paint on a canvas so every color is clear, bright, and tells a story. That’s the integration experience with SMS-Magic. Whether you’re using Salesforce, Zoho, or other CRM systems, our seamless integration ensures fluidity in your communication processes.

SMS Marketing Myth 6: Setting Up is Like Climbing Everest

Reality: With us, it’s more of a walk in the park! Begin your SMS marketing journey with SMS-Magic in a day. Should you encounter any challenges our top-notch support team is just a call away.

SMS Marketing Myth 7: Termination Equals Data Loss

Reality: Consider us the guardians of your digital memories. Even post-cancellation, your data is safely and securely maintained, ensuring your hard work and customer interactions aren’t lost to the void.

SMS Marketing Myth 8: Texts Play Second Fiddle to Emails

Reality: In our digital age, timeliness is the name of the game. While emails sit unread, SMS messages boast a jaw-dropping 98% open rate. Makes you wonder: Who’s truly leading the customer engagement race?

SMS Marketing Myth 9: Bulk Messaging Equals Spam

Reality: We believe in quality over quantity. Rather than bombarding users, our personalized SMS strategies ensure that each message feels personalized, leading to a whopping 75% of users feeling more connected to brands.

SMS Marketing Myth 10: SMS Lacks Engagement Power

Reality: If engagement was a dance, SMS would be leading the Conga Line! Brands that weave SMS into their strategies witness a soaring 30% uptick in engagement. It’s time to join the dance!

SMS Marketing Myth 11: Serious Businesses Don’t Text

Reality: Think of professional SMS communication as the modern-day briefcase: sleek, efficient, and indispensable. From appointment reminders in healthcare to transactional updates in finance, secure business messaging has become a keystone in professional communication.

SMS Marketing Myth 12: SMS Isn’t ROI Friendly

Reality: Here’s some economics 101: for every dollar channeled into SMS campaigns, businesses often see returns exceeding $40. It’s an investment that truly pays dividends.

The prowess of SMS marketing isn’t just about numbers or open rates. It’s about resonance. It’s about conversations that matter. Dive deep with SMS-Magic and watch your business narratives turn magical, one message at a time. After all, in this age of fleeting attention spans, it’s not merely the message, but the connection that counts. Stay ahead, stay engaged, and remember: Magic is just an SMS away! 

At Dreamforce, Salesforce’s main event, the SMS Magic and Conversive Team will reveal Conversive, the ultimate AI-powered messaging platform. It is something revolutionary. But why should this event be on your radar? Let’s delve right into the buzz!

Amidst the fast-paced digital evolution, Dreamforce has consistently stood as a beacon for progress and innovation. This year, it promises an even more exhilarating experience. With the convergence of AI and CRM messaging, businesses are poised at the brink of a transformative leap.

What this means is not just smarter messaging but also enhanced customer relationships. Imagine a scenario where every interaction is tailored, every message is insightful, and every response is driven by understanding the intricate nuances of your customer. It’s about crafting a user journey that’s not just efficient but also deeply personal. This is the magic that the fusion of AI and CRM messaging promises. And at Dreamforce 2023, you’ll witness this future unfolding as we are bringing it to you.

Why Are We at Dreamforce 2023?

Simple! To bring forth the future of digital communication.

Conversive is our brainchild – a top-tier AI-assisted conversational messaging platform set to redefine the way businesses communicate. We are among the Dreamforce 2023 performers and the Dreamforce 2023 dates to get on a face to face demo are from 12th of September to 14th of September. But that’s not all. Here’s what attendees can anticipate at Booth #117:

• Experience AI x Messaging: The intersection where AI meets messaging is mesmerizing! It’s not just about sending texts and emails. It’s about AI-driven conversations that enrich and redefine your bond with customers.
• Exclusive Preview: Get a sneak peek of Conversive, our customized solution to enhance online interactions. Be one of the first to experience it.
• Networking Opportunities: Mingle with the best! Rub shoulders with industry messaging titans, forward-thinking leaders, and fellow innovators. We’re creating the future of CRM, and we guarantee you’ll want to be involved in that story.

Why is Dreamforce 2023, Booth #117 a Must-Attend?

Dreamforce is not just another tech event; it’s THE event! Still contemplating? Here’s why Booth #117 should be your ultimate destination:

• Engage with Experts: Ever thought of harnessing AI x Messaging for your Digital-First Service Businesses? This is your chance! Come by and RSVP for our panel discussion and insights from industry veterans.
• Play, Win, and Celebrate Tech: Yes, technology can be fun! Try your luck at our raffle and walk away with exclusive goodies.
• Elite Networking Sessions: Connect, brainstorm, and share innovation thoughts with your peers and partners.

Dreamforce 2023 – It’s Now or Never!

Dreamforce is approaching and we are the Dreamforce 2023 performers that you should visit, remember booth #117, and the countdown has begun! Again it’s from September 12-14, make sure you’re in San Francisco. This is your chance to understand the important role of AI-assisted Messaging in your CRM Messaging strategies.

Don’t miss out on this chance to elevate your digital communication strategies and maximize your customer engagements. . Conversive is ready. The question is, are you?

Gear up, and let’s make Dreamforce 2023 a memorable milestone! The future beckons!

📅 Mark Your Calendar: September 12-14 in San Francisco

Exclusive Offer Just For You! Eager to experience the power of Conversive first-hand? We’re offering an exclusive opportunity for institutions and professionals:

Book Your Personalized Demo!

Experience innovation. Feel the transformation. Witness Conversive in action tailored to your organization’s unique needs. Dive deep into how Conversive can redefine your CRM messaging, ensuring you stay ahead in this digital era.

RSVP NOW to secure your spot

Dreamforce 2023 is not just another event—it’s your opportunity to be part of the digital communication revolution. Make sure you’re not just a spectator but a game-changer.

Stay ahead. Stay innovative. Let’s co-create the future at Dreamforce 2023!

And just to remind you, we have also been recognised as the 2nd Smartest App on Salesforce AppExchange, to know more click here.

Becoming a Category Leader with Salesforce AppExchange Partners From the very onset, our aim wasn’t just to be another entity on the Salesforce AppExchange. It was to redefine how businesses connect with their audience. Texting, in its essence, is immediate, personal, and direct. To harness its potential, we had to delve deep, understanding the nuances of businesses and the expectations of customers, especially when aiming to be among the top 5 smartest apps on Salesforce.

Unparalleled Features – Our Cornerstones of Success on Salesforce AppExchange

Compliance – In today’s digital age, data privacy and regulations cannot be an afterthought. Recognizing this, we’ve been proactive. By integrating TCPA, GDPR, CCPA, and CASL compliance mechanisms, we’ve provided businesses with a safe platform free from the worries of unintended regulatory breaches.

Omnichannel Connectivity – The digital consumer is omnipresent, spanning various platforms. Our solution ensures that businesses can meet consumers wherever they are. Be it SMS, MMS, Facebook, Chat, WhatsApp, or Line, the promise of conversational messaging remains unbroken.

Analytics – Data drives decisions. Our robust analytical tools provide detailed insights, helping businesses fine-tune their strategies and foster more meaningful customer interactions.

Global Text Messaging – Conversations know no boundaries, and neither do we. With our global text messaging capabilities, we’ve erased geographical barriers, bringing businesses and customers closer.

SMS Delivery – It’s not just about sending a message; it’s about ensuring it’s received. Our commitment to robust delivery mechanisms remains unwavering.

SMS Templates – We understand that in business, time is of the essence. Our advanced SMS Templates not only speed up the communication process but also ensure that every message sent is impactful and aligned with the brand’s voice.

Conversational Messaging – Building and maintaining customer relationships is at the core of any successful business. With our Conversational Messaging feature, businesses can now have meaningful two-way conversations, deepening trust and enhancing customer loyalty.

Each feature aligns with our goal of being the smartest app on Salesforce, ensuring that when businesses talk, customers listen. Whether it’s adhering to compliance standards, enabling omnichannel connectivity, providing robust analytics, offering global text messaging solutions, ensuring SMS delivery, or crafting impactful SMS templates – each element of our service is meticulously crafted.

Salesforce AppExchange Partners: A Journey of Trust and Innovation 

Integration with platforms like Salesforce is not just a feature – it’s a commitment to excellence. Our partnerships with Salesforce AppExchange partners and others like Zoho elevate the CRM experience, making it more insightful and enriching. Our Conversational Messaging Hub is a culmination of years of learning and innovation, and our reviews on platforms like Salesforce and Zoho bear testimony to this commitment.

Voices of Trust – The true Measure of our Success on Salesforce Appexchange

Feedback from our esteemed clients who have discovered us through the Salesforce AppExchange underscores the value we bring to the table. Words from pioneers in various industries only further our belief in the transformative power of our solutions.

2nd Smartest App on Salesforce AppExchange: Crafting Trusted Conversations

At the heart of our journey is an unwavering commitment to facilitate meaningful interactions. It’s not just about being a smart app on Salesforce, but about enabling businesses to have conversations that matter.

And the rise of our company is not just our rise, as this recognition makes us aim higher, and thus we welcome you at the Dreamforce 2023, as we will be unveiling the future of Messaging Solution. 

Join Us at Dreamforce by Salesforce

As we pen this journey, we’re thrilled to announce our latest venture in the world of AI x Messaging. If you’ve been keeping up with our recent emails, you’ll know that something groundbreaking is on the horizon. We’re unveiling our latest innovation at Dreamforce, organized by Salesforce. As partners and patrons of SMS-Magic, this is your chance to get a sneak peek into the future of conversational messaging.

To ensure you don’t miss out on this revolutionary unveiling, Register with us now and be part of the conversation that reshapes business communication.

As we look to the future, we’re excited about the countless conversations and transformative stories waiting to unfold. SMS-Magic is more than just a tool. It is a revolution in conversational messaging for businesses, crafted with passion, driven by innovation, and trusted by the best.

What makes conversational messaging such an effective way to connect with potential customers? Text messaging improves the quality, speed and relevance of your interaction with leads. When you use it effectively, your connection and conversion rates can skyrocket.

Transform Your Communication: From Sporadic To Consistent

One challenge most tech companies face is the need to connect with leads who are busy, distracted and often unavailable. They’re likely to let phone calls go to voicemail, and they probably won’t prioritize a call from an unfamiliar number. Their inboxes are probably overflowing, and they’ll quickly move past marketing emails.

When you do get their attention, it’s a best practice to follow up consistently for a period of time. By using text messaging, you increase the likelihood that your lead will read and respond to your outreach. Messaging allows for short and sweet responses that can keep the conversational ball rolling, even when your lead needs some time to fully respond. Here’s what a typical follow-up conversation might look like:

Agent

Hi, I saw you requested more information about our product on our site. When can we talk? Thanks, Jack.

Lead

Hi Jack. I’m in a meeting right now, but I could chat around 2PM. Is that ok? Thanks, Emily.

The average open rate for text messages is around 98%. Using conversational messaging, you’ll ensure that your leads not only see your outreach, but feel empowered to respond on a timeline that works for them.

Reduce No-Shows With Automated Reminder Texts

Product demos are often essential to winning leads in the tech industry. Arranging product demo meetings, however, can be frustrating and time-consuming. If one of your leads doesn’t show up for a scheduled product demo, their dedicated time slot is wasted.

Automated messaging can increase efficiency by reducing no-shows. You can easily schedule text reminders to go out the day before the demo and then 30 minutes or an hour before a scheduled appointment. If a lead needs to cancel or reschedule, they can let you know in seconds.

You can set up alerts so that reps are instantly notified by text and email, so they’ll have time to rearrange their day. They can reach out to other leads to fill the slot or dedicate the allotted time to another task. With automated appointment reminders, your reps can spend less time waiting and more time connecting.

Answer Leads’ Questions In The Moment

When leads are evaluating their options, they may have questions for your reps at any time of day. If they ask a question but don’t get a response, they’re likely to lose interest and move on. Your reps, however, can’t be available 24/7. How can you avoid missed opportunities to answer questions and provide valuable information? Automated text messages combined with personal text messages are the answer.

You can set triggers for automated messages when your reps can’t respond within several hours. For example, when a lead contacts a rep by text after business hours, an automated message can let them know when the rep can respond. When a lead asks for more information through your website, you can send an automated message with a link to the information they need. You can write automated text messages beforehand, and they can display your normal tone of voice and friendliness.

Automated messaging solutions can also help to quickly field questions from leads. Using keyword responses, your leads can get instant answers to commonly asked questions. If a lead needs a more personalized conversation, a live rep can seamlessly step in to take over.

Or when a lead asks a question and the rep is in a meeting or deep in another conversation, but can respond within an hour, they can send a quick personal message, even if more follow-up is needed later. Multimedia messaging solutions (MMS) even empower your reps to send multimedia files. These can provide extensive information while costing minimal time and effort.

Follow Up By Sharing Special Offers

After an initial interaction with a lead, your rep may not have closed the deal. Even if a lead isn’t open to another phone call or face-to-face meeting right away, your rep can use messaging to reach out and share a special offer that might move the needle. Leads are less likely to feel pressured by text messages than by other forms of outreach. That’s why follow-up texts are often well-received, where other methods would be unwelcome.

The Bottom Line

When your tech company leverages conversational messaging with automated or personal messages, you can convert more leads while freeing up valuable time for your reps. Messaging enjoys a 40% response rate, so you’ll get more feedback from text messages than emails can deliver. Combined with your existing communication channels, messaging can help you and your prospective customers connect in respectful, convenient ways – serving their needs and growing your business.

To get started with SMS-Magic, contact our customer support team to experience a demo or a free trial!

These results are exciting, but they can also be overwhelming. A sudden surge in sales presents your business with brand new challenges. If you rise to the occasion, you’ll take your business to the next level. However, if you’re unable to handle the rapid influx of orders, your business could crash and burn.

These keys to success can help you successfully navigate your sales surge:

1. Don’t expand too quickly

Watching your profits soar and your client base spread is invigorating. Many business owners get so excited by sudden growth that they overextend themselves. Opening new storefronts, stocking up on popular items, and hiring new staff are all natural steps to take as your business grows, but be sure to keep growth sustainable and err on the side of growing too gradually, not too quickly. 

You’ll likely need to add to your sales team, but aim for controlled growth. Since messaging adds efficiency to your sales processes, you may need fewer agents per lead than you did when using traditional outreach methods, like phone or email.

2. Listen to your employees

Your sales agents are on the front lines of managing your widening base of sales leads. If your business has doubled its sales leads, thanks to the power of conversational messaging, your employees’ day-to-day workload is changing. Messaging offers powerful automation tools, empowering each agent to successfully manage more leads. However, the transition to managing twice as many leads will require your agents to adopt different workflows, procedures and mindsets. 

Check in frequently with your team and listen to their feedback while the transition is underway. Share your vision and discuss big-picture goals with your whole team. This is also the perfect time to implement incentives. Short-term goals with tangible rewards can keep your team motivated and excited.

3. Nurture leads effectively

If your sales leads have recently doubled, you currently have the chance to nurture them into engaged, long-term customers. Don’t let the window of opportunity close! Conversational messaging can help you establish initial sales leads quickly, but it also gives you the tools to build ongoing, meaningful relationships over time.

The key to nurturing leads is creating personalized, relevant conversations. The more you know about each lead, the more your messaging can be targeted and relevant to their needs. Customer feedback surveys are a great way to learn about your customers, and with messaging, they’re easy to manage. Gather personal data and use it in meaningful ways, so that your business becomes a natural part of your customers’ lives. If you ask for a customer’s anniversary date, you can send a reminder message with some gift ideas as it approaches. If a customer loves a certain type of product, message to let them know when a new model is hitting the shelves.

Offering relevant, useful information is a smart way to nurture passive leads. A lead may not need your product or service today. However, if you regularly send helpful information related to your field, they can use this quality content in their day-to-day lives. If you can establish yourself as a trustworthy expert over time, your lead will remember you when they’re ready to buy.

4. Don’t overwhelm your leads

A common mistake when sales leads double is trying too hard to capitalize on every opportunity. If you frequently message your leads with generic content, they’ll be quick to unsubscribe. Message strategically, only when you have something compelling and relevant to share. Adopt a less-is-more approach until you have a solid understanding of your sales base. Some customers may welcome frequent texts from your business, especially if you’re sharing time-sensitive promotions or events they don’t want to miss. However, it’s best to assume, at the outset, that texting more than once or twice a week will annoy your leads.

With these guidelines in mind, your business can effectively scale up to handle the sales lead explosion you’ll achieve through conversational messaging!  Ready for exponential growth?

Are you ready to switch to conversational messaging? Our customer support team would love to show you how to boost your leads with SMS-Magic. Contact us for a demo or a free trial!

Long codes are essentially phone numbers, complete with an area code. Short codes are generally five or six digits. Keep reading and we’ll give you some great information about short and long codes to help you make decisions for your campaign.

Characteristics of Short- and Long-Codes

Let’s start with short codes. As we said, short codes are generally five or six digits. They are fixed and easy-to-remember, and they must be registered with your carrier. Think of a short code as your mobile marketing address. For example, Burger King’s is 287437.

Most companies create short codes to drive their messaging strategy. They combine short codes with related keywords and automated responses to deliver specific content or answers to keyword responses and questions.

For example, a pizza chain may prompt you to text the word “PIZZA” to a 6-digit short code by offering a coupon or discount. When you text, they reply by immediately sending a link to a coupon. The response is generated automatically.

Here’s a drawback to using short codes: short codes can only be used to send either SMS or MMS messages. You can’t use them to send faxes or make calls.

Here’s the upside: short code delivery is usually faster than long-code delivery, the margin of error is smaller, and carriers don’t tend to mark messages using short codes as spam as often as they do with long codes.

By contrast, long codes are 10-digit numbers and are tied to specific area codes. They can be used to send and receive texts and faxes, as well as to make calls. Toll-free numbers also can be used as long codes.

The choice of short or long codes depends on several variables. Here are the five most important:

1. Speed of sending/receiving text messages

• SMS long codes have a limit of one message per second; therefore, long codes are used primarily for person-to-person communication.
• Short codes can be used to send 40 messages per second. They work better than long codes when a high-volume response is expected, such as voting during a television program.

2. Inbound-to-outbound message ratio

Carriers limit inbound long-code messages to one for every four outbound messages. Short codes don’t have a limit – you can send and receive as many as you’d like.

3. Difference in use cases

Typically, long codes are used by courier companies, banks, airlines and other service sectors for customer-service communications. Here are a few examples:

• A courier company could use a long code to inform a customer that their package is out for delivery.
• A bank could message clients their account balances every month.
• An airline could reply to a passenger’s seat preference request.

Short codes are used by companies for marketing and security or to disseminate urgent information. Short codes examples include:

• Marketing promotions. Use short codes to send coupons, sales alerts, and other promotional information. If your company is US-based, it’s mandatory to have a short code for all marketing messages.
• Two-factor authentication. Since a message sent via short code can be delivered quickly, short codes are preferred for these applications.
• Alert notifications, including hurricane warnings or flight delays. These notifications are urgent and important. They are effective because of fast, reliable delivery.

The following table shares an overview of the key aspects concerning short and long codes.

4. Acquisition Process

You’ll need to have long- or short-codes before your campaign launches. Depending on your choice, it could take months to acquire the codes you need. Here are common time requirements:

• Long codes. You’ll have your code within a day after you complete an online form or make the call to your carrier.
• Short codes. May take six to eight weeks to attain. Short codes must be registered with the US Common Short Code Administration (CSCA) and carriers, and they all must approve your registration.

We recommend you keep a set of short codes available for campaigns. At SMS-Magic we keep

pre-approved short codes available for our customers.

5. Coverage Around the World

• Long codes. You’ll use the same long code across the globe.
• Short codes are country specific. They provide delivery receipts, which are needed in cases such as two-factor authentication or when message delivery is critical.

Let SMS-Magic Help You

The SMS-Magic team helps clients with short- and long-code decisions every day. We would be excited to share our experience and help you decide which one is best for you. Or if you’re already sure which would be best for you, we can help you implement your choice.

Does the SMS-Magic team sound like the partner you’ve been looking for? We hope so!

Contact us to set up a demo or to start your free trial. Let us show you how SMS-Magic can help you build and automate your messaging campaigns!