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Do you want to communicate better with your clients? Make getting referrals and "Marketing" for new clients easier? Here is where you should be looking:
SMS & MMS Text Messaging: Do you Know the Difference?
Researchers anticipate that business text messaging and mobile usage is a force that's here to stay and not just a trend that will pass by. In fact, the next generation of text messaging is already upon us; it's called MMS messaging. But what's the difference?
WHAT IS SMS MESSAGING?
SMS is an acronym for "Short Message Service" and is the oldest, most widespread, and frequently used texting technology that is supported by every single mobile network and device today. In the U.S. alone, over 6 billion SMS messages are sent daily. These messages are limited to 160 alphanumeric characters per message (That's just a fancy word for both letters and numbers).
WHAT IS MMS MESSAGING?
MMS is an acronym for "Multimedia Message Service" and is most popularly used to send pictures or images. Can even be used to send sensitive data such as tax returns when encrypted properly.
You can send a .PNG or .JPG/.JPEG file up to 5 MB.
Common use cases include:
Upcoming Event Posters
Food Menus
Maps w/ Directions
Company Logos
Event Recap Pictures
Screenshots of PDF's
SMS VS. MMS: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
When deciding between SMS versus MMS, pinpoint your messaging goals and objectives:
Are you interested in sending text-only or visual messages?
Do your contacts engage and respond better with simple text messages or colorful imagery?
Does the character count limit your content and communication goals?
These are all things to consider when choosing between SMS and MMS messaging.
WHAT ABOUT PRICING?
MMS is more costly than SMS. However being able to send to text phones or other data can be a good way to get things cleared up to continue your workflow.
Options:
Pay as you Go
Monthly
WHEN TO USE SMS MESSAGING VS MMS MESSAGING
Just like consumers, businesses have the option to communicate with people via SMS and MMS messaging.
But both are used for very different reasons, and if you get one mixed up with the other you could be jeopardizing your text messaging campaign and have a bunch of confused customers on your hands.
SMS messaging and MMS messaging may be similar, but they're not interchangeable.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SMS AND MMS
Primarily, SMS and MMS differ from each other
SMS allows upto 160 alphanumeric characters
MMS allows text (up to 1600 characters) including pictures in PNG and GIF formats and other as well as video - perhaps a way to walk through your client on the go a procedure you need
Generally, SMS messaging is cheaper to send than the equivalent in MMS messaging, though the final cost does depend on your messaging provider.
WHAT IS BETTER: SMS OR MMS MESSAGING?
While both SMS and MMS messaging allow you to reach your customers at any time whether you're providing customer service or reaching out with the details on your newest tax promotion or maybe your services and other messaging.
WHEN TO USE SMS MESSAGING?
If you have an urgent need to send a sentence or two of information, you'll probably do better with an SMS.
SMS messages have a 98 percent open rate, and any cell phone can receive an SMS.
Things such as:
appointment confirmations ( your client needs to see you maybe)
reminders (I need that invoice to complete your year end financials)
adjustments - (your bill has increased due to non-compliance with my demands-lol)
are also ideal candidates for SMS messaging, as are system alerts and delivery tracking.
Basically, if you're dealing with an existing customer and you just need to provide a quick bit of information, an SMS is your best bet.
WHEN TO USE MMS MESSAGING?
Since MMS messaging allows you to enhance your messages with rich media and other elements, you'll have more opportunities to impress with MMS.
Whether it's with flashy graphics, a branded logo or even intricate artwork, MMS messaging goes a lot farther than SMS.
Not only do you have the ability to embed links and other rich media such as
videos and GIFs, - maybe a walk through how to download a new app to help clear up "Ask My Accountant"
but you can even customize the look of the message with certain colors and accents that you could never do with the lowly SMS protocol.
For Promoting your business:
Thank you cards - animated
Client Birthday Cards
Promotions you are offering - pay for 11 months and receive maybe the 12 month free (price accordingly however)
Thank you for that great referral - two tickets to "whatever"
even a coupon branded to your tax or accounting firm and have it scannable directly from your referrals device - reduce your printing cost
Your brochure (touting how great your practice is for your client) or What you did to save the neck of a past client.
About Text-Em-All
Text-Em-All's mass texting and automated calling service help organizations deliver important messages quickly and maintain better engagement with contacts.
Where do you access such a service?
There are many apps that can be used like DialPad and low cost of starting at $20.00 per month.
How much are you spending on Print for your cards and brochures for marketing?
This is the technology that it would be wise to learn or understand, because this where things are heading and as a virtual practice, you are in the right spot. Welcome to "tomorrow", today!