-idk.omg.wtc.lol.btw.g2g...Let's Get Textual!

Does anyone answer the phone any more? Remember when "conversation" was the original IM'ing? It seems that in this country, everyone over the age of 12 has a cell phone and uses texting as their #1 means of communication! A tweenager I met the other day was wearing as T-shirt that said, "I am Textually Active!" I was actually speaking on the phone with someone just this morning and when I tried to relay a number to him, he said, "Just text it to me!"... I wanted to say... "Hello... I am talking to you right now...Can't you just write it down?"...but that would surely be not only rude, but also showing my age!

As I watch certain reality shows that require the country to judge the competition and instructions of a simple short code texted to a certain number to record the votes is issued, I marvel at how far mobile has come in just the past few years! However, are we at the dealership level taking full advantage of texting our customers? It seems that acquiring cell phone numbers today, is as important as obtaining the customers' email addresses of five/ten years ago!

My question to you is this...Are we looking at texting as a serious means of communicating with our clients, via texting over phone calls? Are we considering mobile as a primary means of advertising via blast text marketing messages, short code texting to obtain coupons incorporated in traditional advertising, billboards, commercials, print ads?

What are your thoughts on this?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Craig Lockerd on February 28, 2011 at 3:19pm

I think you are spot on and we need to do more with communicating with our clients that way!

Permalink Reply by Craig Darling on February 28, 2011 at 3:28pm

With the complexity of the "opt-in" rules, you have to love the new technology. When one opts-in it is easy to market to them. For example during the write up the manager will tell the salesperson.. have them text for a coupon. Example: text "zoo viralmarketplace" to 99134.

Once they have the coupon you can honor it, if you can't close the deal you can still market to them even after they leave.

We provide a campaign coach to help. Text marketing is just another thing offered at http://www.viralmarketplace.com/Mobile.html

About .04 per text.

Permalink Reply by Rick Sheppard on February 28, 2011 at 3:29pm

I think it is the best way to reach more customers, but how do you get their approval to send them text messages. I have also found that a lot of customers cell phone numbers are listed in the database under the home phone number.

Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on February 28, 2011 at 3:30pm

I would love to see the national averages, Tree! Thanks so much for your response to this...You are smart to keep up with the times, while your competition just keeps leaving messages on the land-line voice mail recorder, you can contact your clients wherever they may be!

Tree King said:

Yes this is the way of the world. Several months ago I started asking my customer how they want to be contacted via phone, text or email. To my surprise 20% say leave a message on my home phone, (who really checks their messages on their home phone today?) 40% say call my cell or text. 30% want an email. I had to get a phone that had a keyboard so I could text better! Today's technology we have to keep up!

Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on February 28, 2011 at 3:30pm

Yes, and to reach them 24/7 wherever they may be!!!!

Craig Lockerd said:

I think you are spot on and we need to do more with communicating with our clients that way!

Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on February 28, 2011 at 3:33pm

Thanks Rick...I believe Craig Darling answered your questions just before you posed it...Don't ya just love social media???

Rick Sheppard said:

I think it is the best way to reach more customers, but how do you get their approval to send them text messages. I have also found that a lot of customers cell phone numbers are listed in the database under the home phone number.

Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on February 28, 2011 at 3:35pm

Love this Craig Darling!!!! We ask them to opt in or out for phone calls, traditional mail, and emails...should this be a separate question? I knew you would be the expert on this!
Craig Darling said:

With the complexity of the "opt-in" rules, you have to love the new technology. When one opts-in it is easy to market to them. For example during the write up the manager will tell the salesperson.. have them text for a coupon. Example: text "zoo viralmarketplace" to 99134.

Once they have the coupon you can honor it, if you can't close the deal you can still market to them even after they leave.

We provide a campaign coach to help. Text marketing is just another thing offered at http://www.viralmarketplace.com/Mobile.html

About .04 per text.

Permalink Reply by Thomas Ieracitano on February 28, 2011 at 3:50pm

As our friends from across the pond would say 'You are Spot On!'

Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on February 28, 2011 at 4:00pm

Thank you Thomas!!!! One might say..."Good day, dear chap!"

Thomas Ieracitano said:

As our friends from across the pond would say 'You are Spot On!'

Permalink Reply by Bobby Compton on February 28, 2011 at 6:31pm

Great share Nancy!

No question, YES on mobile marketing done the right way.

I have to admit that during the holidays this past year is when it really hit home for me, even friends of close texted me happy holiday messages. The forms of communication are always evolving, I think it's best in business to have multiple forms of communication available for a client to choose from.

Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on February 28, 2011 at 7:34pm

Well, I have a 23 year old daughter and 16 year old son...If I want to keep the doors of communication open, I better get used to texting...sad but true! Thanks Bobby for your comments as always!!!! Shared your facebook fan page on my wall today...very intriguing!

Bobby Compton said:

Great share Nancy!

No question, YES on mobile marketing done the right way.

I have to admit that during the holidays this past year is when it really hit home for me, even friends of close texted me happy holiday messages. The forms of communication are always evolving, I think it's best in business to have multiple forms of communication available for a client to choose from.

Permalink Reply by Bobby Compton on March 1, 2011 at 12:13am

I can relate, my son is a text machine. Thank you for sharing my page, you're as genuine as it gets Nancy, and on top of it an Industry leader with so much to contribute! I truly enjoy your wisdom, you're one rare Superstar car gal... Always a pleasure.....

NANCY SIMMONS said:

Well, I have a 23 year old daughter and 16 year old son...If I want to keep the doors of communication open, I better get used to texting...sad but true! Thanks Bobby for your comments as always!!!! Shared your facebook fan page on my wall today...very intriguing!

Bobby Compton said:
Great share Nancy!

No question, YES on mobile marketing done the right way.

I have to admit that during the holidays this past year is when it really hit home for me, even friends of close texted me happy holiday messages. The forms of communication are always evolving, I think it's best in business to have multiple forms of communication available for a client to choose from.