Are you going to conference or an event? How about using text message survey (SMS Survey) to setup appointments with potential clients?

How can I use Text Message Survey to setup appointments?

Create a text survey campaign using your TxtImpact account. You can provide welcome message, series questions such as their name, email address, preferred meeting time, best number to contact them, and have a closing message to confirm receipt of appointment request and provide any information for further interaction.

Don't forget to configure your email address, where you like to receive all appointment requests.

For complete instructions on how setup Text mobile survey online: http://mzone.txtimpact.com/mserver/help/info/How-to-setup-Text-Survey.htm

For more information on Text Message Survey

As Hurricane Sandy is approaching to east coast, which experts say could hit on Monday, Oct 29th. Many townships have activated a preparation plan that includes a text message alert system for residents and increased staffing and preparations at the police department, fire department, department of public work, and emergency response units.

Businesses, Churches, Public services will need to reach out to employees, staff, or members quickly to notify of any emergencies, close-out, contact volunteers. TXTImpact emergecny text messaging system allow you to send a text message to hundred or thousands people at once either using web or directly from your phone.

It very simple to use the system, it just takes 3 steps to step your emergency text message system:

1. Sign-up

2. Upload mobile numbers to be contacted

3. Setup Remote broadcast authorize mobile number (The person responsible of sending text message blast to the group directly from his/her phone in case of emergency)

Now, you're all setup to send text alert to group of people and make sure they're safe and prepare to handle the storm.

TXTImpact will keep their phone lines open for support during weekend, if you need any help with account setup or sending a broadcast.

Click here to learn about Mass text messaging system

To get started, click here http://www.txtimpact.com/pricing.asp or call us at 1-(800)-605-0280

SMS messaging is becoming a very popular way for business to communicate with its customers. There are services online that allow the business to schedule messages to be sent out to their customers. Most of these services are very affordable. This type of service can help save time for the employees of a business. Here are some of the ways this can be done.

1. Appointment reminders.
Text messaging can be used to remind clients or patients of scheduled appointments.
2. Confirm Appointments.
Some online reminder services allow the option of receiving responses to automated reminders. This can be used to confirm appointments.
3. Promotional advertising.
When used in conjunction with a coupon code, mass text messaging can be used to advertise a promotional offer to customers who have signed up to receive SMS messages. Mass texting can also be used to advertise new products.
4. Reoccurring reminders.
Reminders can be sent periodically to customers to remind them of reoccurring events, such as annual checkups, send birthday greetings or any other purpose.
5. Text message Surveys
When the reply option is setup, a survey could be entered, asking for a response in a given numerical range from the customer. Responses can be downloaded into a spreadsheet to allow for analysis of the survey results.
6. Reply to Order.
Utilizing the response system, customers can be reminded of an approaching order deadline, and given the option to send an order via SMS messaging.
7. Service requests.
Text messaging can be used by existing customers to request a service call or report a problem with equipment or services after hours.

Appointment reminders, mass texting advertising campaigns and customer surveys are just some of the ways that SMS services can be employed in business. These services can help save money and time. SMS messaging has shown to be one of the most effective ways of reminding customers of appointments. These types of services can be an effective tool for numerous types of businesses. Doctors can use SMS services to communicate with their patients that sign up for SMS reminders of their appointments, which can reduce the number of missed appointments. Repair oriented businesses can use text messaging to communicate with their customers and with their employees. For businesses that have employees go out to a customer’s location, once that employee is assigned the call, directions can be sent to a phone, or a link to a map. These are just some of the ways that mass text messaging can be used in businesses today.

Source: Brien M. Posey

I like to share an excellent article by Brien M. Posey the eight time Microsoft MVP. 

Believe it or not, not everyone has a smart phone. Fortunately, users without ActiveSync-enabled phones can still access Outlook 2010 information such as calendar summaries, reminders and email via SMS text messaging. Here’s how to set it up.

To begin the configuration process, click on the File tab in Outlook 2010, then click Options. When the Options screen appears, click the Mobile tab. Next, click the Calendar Summary Settings button. When you do, you’ll see a message stating that you need to configure a text messaging account before continuing (Figure 1).

 

 

 

Figure 1. You must configure a text messaging account to use Outlook 2010’s mobile messaging features.

 

Click Next, and you’ll see a screen asking you to enter a service provider URL, a user ID and a password. You must obtain this information from a messaging service provider, which is almost always separate from the user’s mobile carrier.

 

Figure 2 shows a dialog box with a link to help you find a text messaging provider for your mobile carrier. Depending on which carriers your employees use, you may be able to find a free account or at least an account that offers a free trial.

  

 

Figure 2. Configure Outlook 2010 to use a messaging service provider.

 

After entering the aforementioned service provider URL, user ID and password, click OK.

 

Send Outlook 2010 calendar summaries via text

The Calendar Summaries option lets you send calendar information to mobile devices that don’t support Exchange ActiveSync. To do so, click the Calendar Summary Settings button. When you do, you’ll see a dialog box (Figure 3).

 

 

 

Figure 3. Outlook can send calendar summary information to mobile phones that do not have ActiveSync enabled.

 

As you can see, you have the option to specify what time of day the calendar summary is sent. You can also exclude specific types of events, such as all-day events, weekend events or events that occur outside of working hours.

 

I recommend choosing the option to send one text message for each appointment. Disabling this option reduces the number of text messages that are sent, which saves money. However, the text messages are a lot easier to organize when there is a separate message for each event.

 

Send Outlook 2010 reminders via text

 

You can also configure Outlook 2010 to send mobile reminders. To do so, click the Mobile Reminder Settings button. You can base reminders on how your name appears on an item, as well as on the item’s category (Figure 4).

 

 

 

Figure 4. Configure Outlook 2010 to send reminders via text messages.

 

Isn't it easy to just send text message directly from email client such as outlook or your gmail to any receipent any where in world.

This feature allows you to extend Text messaging to your desktop. By using your email client to send SMS's you can easily communicate with one person or groups of people while using a familiar interface.

As this is a 2way platform, responses to the SMS will be sent to your email account. When you respond to these reply emails they will automatically be converted back to an SMS and sent to the responder's phone.

For business communication, it's very simple and easy way to stay in touch with your employee, field sale and support, customers, etc.

Some of the businesses using Email to Text service:

• Fleet & Transportation company to notify trucker of changed planed route, schedule notification while they're driving and they're not in front of their qualcomm systems.
• Lawyers communicate can send text message to clients for follow-up information and vice versa. Note all communication is documented.
• Accounts, Mortgage professsional stay in touch with clients without leaving their desktop work enviroment.

You don't have to launch another website, login, and send text message.

It's as simple as sending emails.

Visit Email-to-Text message service offering for more information. Text message pricing starts from 2 cents a message.

Receive Email notification whenever someone text your business

You need to setup a keyword on a short code receive text message as email.

1. Anyone text a predefined keyword such as your business name "KevinLaw" to 27126 e.g "KevinLaw we're looking for an lawyer to represent us in court for DWI violation"

2. The message will be forwared to company defined email address "info@kevinlaw.com"

3. Optionally, you can have that message sent to your mobile phone as well.

Also, you can reply back to that email, the reply will be forwarded to mobile phone as Text message.

This feature allows you to extend Text messaging to your desktop. By using your email client to receive and send Text messages you can easily communicate with one person or groups of people while using a familiar interface.

As this is a 2way platform, responses to the SMS will be sent to the email account of your choice. When you respond to these reply emails they will automatically be converted back to an SMS and sent to the responder's phone.

A HEALTH trust has been successfully piloting a text messaging service to remind patients of upcoming appointments.

Since July 2011, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which provides specialist health and social care services for people with a learning disabilities, mental health issues, and drug or alcohol problems, has been piloting the SMS text messaging reminder service for outpatient appointments.

Each year, hundreds of service users miss their appointments simply because they forget when it is and each missed appointment costs the Trust £160, on average.

Text reminders have been tested by other NHS organisations around the country and have been proven to substantially reduce the number of missed appointments.

Trust business manager for general adult mental health services, Martin Vokes, said: “Sending out text reminders has proven to be a great way of reducing the number of missed appointments for other NHS organisations.

“Reducing the number of missed appointments can reduce service user waiting times as cancelled appointments can be reallocated to others. By reducing the number of missed appointments, waiting times for appointments can be reduced too, as cancelled appointments can be reallocated to others.”

The service is currently being tested with two areas of service and will be evaluated in March before a trust-wide roll out is agreed.

We have recently added option to receive Replies directly to your text message broadcast using Group Texting or Broadcast text message feature.

How it work?

• Reply option applies to Text message broadcast and Group Texting features only
• Should you have Reply options configured and enabled, all replies from recipients to any text message sent from Broadcast or Group Texting tools, will be forwarded to configured email and mobile phone.
• Text message credits will be deducted for all messages forwarded to your mobile
• All replies will be available online in Received Messages regardless of forwarding option

How to enable Reply Forwarding to Mobile and/or Email?

• Logon to management console using your credentials
• Click on Reply Settings menu.
• Enter mobile number and/or email where you like to receive replies.
• Press "Save"
• Should you like to receive replies to email or mobile only, then enter only email or mobile number.

How to disable Reply Forwarding to Mobile and/or Email?

• Logon to management console using your credentials
• Click on Reply Settings menu.
• Enter mobile number and/or email where you like to receive replies.
• Press "Disable"; Disable option only available if you had configured the forwarding options.

Though not seen much on the campaign trail, mobile strategy is expected to be important for attracting younger voters.

Social networks played an important role in the last U.S. presidential election, but the explosive growth in smartphone usage and the introduction of tablets since 2008 could make or break the candidates for president in 2012.

As the Republican primaries heat up, the major contenders show on their official websites a strong recognition of social networking and connecting in digital ways via desktop computers. But the GOP and President Obama's campaigns are not yet making many mobile-specific connections to supporters via smartphones or tablets, analysts noted.

Some campaigns have special links on their websites for getting updates via SMS to a phone, but they don't appear to have candidate-specific downloadable mobile apps on Apple's App Store or the Android Market so far.

"Smartphones and tablets are much more mainstream now, and these devices are literally driving the Occupy movement and the revolutions in the Middle East," noted Rob Enderle, an analyst for Enderle Group. "The ways we connect to one another have changed quite a bit in the last couple of years. Candidates need a good social media campaign to win, and social media done right includes mobile, because mobile allows candidates to loop in supporters in the moment and stay in touch and respond in real time. Mobile makes social networking more important."

Click here to Read More

 Smartphones, and what I call my “dumb” phone, are an underused method for communicating with customers. Text messaging is like soccer: bigger everywhere in the world, but the USA. That is changing however, and because of that, mobile marketing is entering a new phase of acceptance and adoption.

No doubt you’ve heard that 2012 will be the year mobile takes off. Umm, it was also the year of mobile in 2009, 2010, 2011… Never mind all the prognostication. Just make sure that you open this door if your customer wants to keep up with you via mobile. The following 11 text messaging solutions may help you earn a new sale or keep an existing customer happy.

1. GroupMe. GroupMe is a completely free mobile app. If you have a small set of people you want to send a group text message to, this may be the ideal tool. You don’t even need a smartphone or mobile phone of your own to make this work.

2. Signal. Signal is a significant player in the mobile marketing space because that’s not all they offer. Their platform allows you to manage all your customer communications in one dashboard. E-mail, Facebook, interactive promotions (think surveys, geo-location stuff) are all in one place. Plans start at $30/mo.

3. Fanminder. I’ve mentioned these guys a few times. They combine the power of Facebook with Mobile. You can send social and mobile messages to your fans. The 0-100 Fan package is completely free.

4. TellMyCell. TellMyCell lets you upload existing contacts/customers via .CSV (spreadsheet) file and then create groups. You can schedule messages to go at specific times. It offers pay-as-you-go pricing, then bulk plans start at $29/mo.

5. TxtImpact. I like the simple way TxtImpact has designed their site. When you click on Text Message Marketing, you get a simple chart that shows the different ways small business owners can use it: Text-2-Join (build your list), SMS voting/polling (ask your customers for their opinions), and so forth. Free trial, then plans start at $25/mo.  

6. Trumpia. Trumpia makes it clear what you get in each plan. I like that they have a way to tie a QR code (that bar-code like technology that is growing in popularity) to your mobile marketing. Their appointment reminder option looks like a great one for many small businesses. Basic plans as low as $15/mo with annual prepayment.

7. EZ Texting. EZ Texting doesn't charge for incoming messages, so if your customer responds, you’re not paying for that additional message—many plans offer this, too, by the way. You can send a message from your phone or from the Web app. I like that you can send a voicemail broadcast, too. Starter plans begin at $29/mo.

8. Mobivity. Mobivity looks to be more of a full service shop with a team to help you develop a custom app and mobile marketing process at your company. Their basic plan starts at $79/mo and offers a limited free trial.

9. Clickatell. Clickatell offers a robust and detailed mobile marketing solution. You can get a dedicated two-way number that allows you to engage with your mobile customer. They have a clear message pricing calculator if you want to add specific options. Plans start at $9.95/mo.

General note: Some mobile marketing services offer you only a shortcode, which is not two-way—meaning you can’t start a conversation with your mobile customer—but often you don’t need that if you’re sending a coupon or one-way offers. 

10. Txt180. Txt180 has a simple, yet elegant service. It is flexible to the point that they even have an alternate opt-in message you can send to your customer. All mobile services, like many e-mail services, are required to send a message allowing the customer to opt-in or out (permission-based). Txt180 makes this easy and seamless. Plans start at $9.95/mo.

11. CallFire. CallFire is more than just text messaging. They are a full-service VOIP (voice over internet protocol) provider and have interactive voice responders, voice broadcasting and a cloud call center in addition to SMS marketing services. Pricing starts at $.03 (meaning 3 cents) per message, pay-as-you-go. I like that they break down their offering by industry, too, so you can see how others like you are using it.

To close, mobile marketing via text message (SMS) is not about spamming your customer base. It is only going to work on a permission based philosophy. You don’t need to listen to the hype around mobile marketing being the next big thing; that doesn’t really matter. The question is only can you share something via text message that serves your customers. If the answer is yes, then jump on the mobile marketing train.

Source: OpenForum