-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 Gina Carr on March 1, 2011 at 8:44am

Rick,

Great question. One of the beautiful things about TEXT marketing is that it is EASY OPT-IN and EASY OPT-OUT. The customer has to select that he or she wants to receive text messages Then, if they decide they no longer want to receive them, they just type STOP.

Permalink Reply by Gina Carr on March 1, 2011 at 8:47am

Text Marketing can be a great way to connect with your customers. Think of the power it adds to your existing print, radio or TV campaigns when you can ask them to voluntarily connect with you with just a few strokes for information that THEY WANT to receive about a particular car, promotion, sale, etc. I'd love to hear stories of how people are using it successfully in the field.

Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on March 1, 2011 at 9:40am

From the expert on this...Gina Carr! Thank you for answering Rick's questions....Inquiring minds wanted to know!

Gina Carr said:

Rick,

Great question. One of the beautiful things about TEXT marketing is that it is EASY OPT-IN and EASY OPT-OUT. The customer has to select that he or she wants to receive text messages Then, if they decide they no longer want to receive them, they just type STOP.

Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on March 1, 2011 at 9:42am

Gina! I am appalled that the major advertising companies who paid millions to post commercials on the Super Bowl, did not use short code texting as a way to get some measured ROI and followup feedback~ Did you think the same? I believe it is soooo powerful!

Gina Carr said:

Text Marketing can be a great way to connect with your customers. Think of the power it adds to your existing print, radio or TV campaigns when you can ask them to voluntarily connect with you with just a few strokes for information that THEY WANT to receive about a particular car, promotion, sale, etc. I'd love to hear stories of how people are using it successfully in the field.

Permalink Reply by Bob Jump on March 1, 2011 at 12:21pm

For those interested in a recent case study on the head-to-head effectiveness of oil change reminders -- using text messaging, email and direct mail, here is a link to one published at Mobile Marketer. More articles can be found at OILCHG's web site and clicking on "Newsroom"

In a nut shell, text reminders bring in more customers than email or mail. They come back quicker than those who get email and direct mail reminders. On top of that, customers spend more (Avg RO).

Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on March 2, 2011 at 10:07am

Great info Bob...Thanks! This is exactly the kind of thing I was looking for!!!!!

Bob Jump said:

For those interested in a recent case study on the head-to-head effectiveness of oil change reminders -- using text messaging, email and direct mail, here is a link to one published at Mobile Marketer. More articles can be found at OILCHG's web site and clicking on "Newsroom"

In a nut shell, text reminders bring in more customers than email or mail. They come back quicker than those who get email and direct mail reminders. On top of that, customers spend more (Avg RO).

Permalink Reply by Gina Carr on March 2, 2011 at 10:44am

Yes! I thought it was crazy that they didn't "capture" the contacts so that they could connect in the future - withOUT paying millions more. It is like looking at an ad today that doesn't have a website. Traditional media is great for INITIAL contact but customers need to go deeper - virtually and face-to-face. Great question. (I'm thinking "Text VADER to 90210 for news on how you can use THE FORCE to drive you to more success - or get great deals on a Volkswagon!" :-) I loved that ad. Finally - a really creative way to do a car ad. Kudos to the marketing team that put that together!

NANCY SIMMONS said:

Gina! I am appalled that the major advertising companies who paid millions to post commercials on the Super Bowl, did not use short code texting as a way to get some measured ROI and followup feedback~ Did you think the same? I believe it is soooo powerful!

Gina Carr said:
Text Marketing can be a great way to connect with your customers. Think of the power it adds to your existing print, radio or TV campaigns when you can ask them to voluntarily connect with you with just a few strokes for information that THEY WANT to receive about a particular car, promotion, sale, etc. I'd love to hear stories of how people are using it successfully in the field.

Permalink Reply by Jae Chang on March 3, 2011 at 9:48am

Most today have "smart-phones". I say text me that info, it is easier to save to the phone that way hence can sync that into the your contact list on your PC or Macbook for that matter.

A couple of my clients today communicate with me via Skype, that's been effective as well. Not as formal that way as gotomeeting etc...

I have teens as well, we at times text to each other at home. it's definitely better than yelling upstairs.

I still recall my college days with collect calls then calling cards.

"...times they are a changing..."

Permalink Reply by NANCY SIMMONS on March 3, 2011 at 7:58pm

Thanks Jae for your input! I have the dreaded droid...I say dreaded as I am married to it...have uploaded and activated just about every technological tool I use and more! Right from using the alarm clock to wake up each morning, to playing soft music at night that puts me to sleep...LOL... As always, I appreciate your insight...brilliant!

Jae Chang said:

Most today have "smart-phones". I say text me that info, it is easier to save to the phone that way hence can sync that into the your contact list on your PC or Macbook for that matter.

A couple of my clients today communicate with me via Skype, that's been effective as well. Not as formal that way as gotomeeting etc...

I have teens as well, we at times text to each other at home. it's definitely better than yelling upstairs.

I still recall my college days with collect calls then calling cards.

"...times they are a changing..."