Is it Time to Debunk Texting as a Customer Communication Solution?
Let's face it: text messages may not really be the way to go when it comes to customer communication. Sure, it may seem like a convenient and easy solution for businesses, but it can quickly turn into a clutter factory.
What's the Best Route to Communicate Effectively?
Text messages are often left unanswered or forgotten about, which defeats the purpose of having a communication strategy in place. The customers' experience is also diminished by text messages, since they don't always get what they need from text conversations alone—sometimes they need more detailed explanations that text messages simply can't provide.
Clearly, text messages have continued to gain in popularity since the very first text message was sent by British engineer, Neil Papworth on December 3rd, 1992.
What Good Communication Involves
Is it time to say goodbye to text messages as a customer communication solution and hello to more effective methods? Clearly, business success happens by investing in the right tools and strategies. Unfortunately, when it comes to text messages there are several disadvantages, which TurboFuture points out. They include:
Going Beyond the Personal Computer and Non-Verbal Communication to Excel
- Misunderstandings
- Impersonal
- Expectation to Read and Respond
- General Distraction
- Text Messages and Driving
- Socially Disruptive
- Group Texts
- Obsessive/Addictive
- Limitations
- Sleep Problems
- Erodes Language Skills
- Cost
So, if text messages are not your go-to for customer communication, what should you do? As a small business owner, you should understand what great communication involves. For example, you might consider investing in other tried-and-true communication methods such as via apps like ProValet, or even telephone calls, video calls, writing emails, non-verbal communications, or even social media messages. They are often more likely to produce the desired outcome and help you attract more customers for your business on a cost-effective basis.
All these platforms and an additional few resources are great options for businesses looking to ensure that their customers get the best possible service and enjoy maximum success. With these channels, businesses can provide detailed explanations, solicit feedback, offer personalized solutions, handle billing and invoicing, provide updates on products/services, send the best possible message, show that you have a great process in place, solicit feedback, ensure a positive customer connection, employ the best research tools, understand what an important function involves, and create meaningful relationships with every ideal customer—all in one go!
With the right tools and strategies in place, it's much easier to focus on making sure your customers get the best possible service and ensure that your business is operating at maximum capacity. That's how good businesses thrive and present themselves to the public. Examples of techniques that go beyond nonverbal communication include written communication, face to face communication with great eye contact, writing notes, sending messages, and having employees access and talk to your clients. These are all prime examples of things that can help small businesses thrive and expand.
There are several other great ideas and systems that help make small businesses successful as you stay on course. Having knowledge of how many people you can reach via each method, considering each example, using your voice to connect with clients, expanding your internet presence, growing your network, doing the right research, making a strong connection with interested consumers, and similar processes will make your marketing a success as you continue developing your company in today's dynamic world.
To learn more about how to make your small business a success, contact us at 239-349-9400 or email hello@provalet.io. Provalet.io, a powerful and simple software that helps you run your field service company. With its user-friendly interface, you can manage your business without relying on pens, paper, or binders. Keep your business organized and running like a pro with Provalet.io.
This ProValet.io Blog Post is Part of a Series Designed to Help Small Business OwnersManage Their Field Service Software and Keep Their Business Running Like a Pro