FASTSMS

d most important tngz R d hardest 2 sA, cuz wrds diminish dem...

Although Stephen King's view on Love doesn't seem quite so eloquent in 'text speak' it's not to say that SMS doesn't have a major part to play in the day of Love these days...

Whether you look forward to, or try to ignore the day of St Valentine there is no denying that primarily it is an opportunity for businesses to capitalise on a niche market (loved up couples) and make some money.

It is widely recognised that last year, Valentine's Day was the busiest day for SMS in the first quarter with well over 1 billion texts being sent. The average consumer will spend over £60 on the holiday - which opens the door for some highly targeted SMS Marketing.

Here are just some of the ways your business could be striking while it's hot to drive customers through the door...

1. A simple reminder: although important to some, it is not always a holiday that is at the front of everybody's minds. A simple reminder to your busy customers can make the world of difference to both your business and the recipient. E.g. "There are still 10 tables for 2 available for Feb 14th @ Luciani's - book now, call 020 XXXX XXX"
2. Love is in the air: a mobile contest is quick to set up and easy to run, and Valtentines Day does the hard bit for you - giving you a relevant theme and an appropriate prize. Already capitalised on by radio stations, it also works for shops, restaurants and events specialists - a great way to use viral marketing to gain new customers.
3. It's the thought that counts: who says cheap is bad, especially these days - although everyone says "it's not about the money" to the person who is paying, it usually plays its part. By sending out a simple real time mobile coupon, redeemable at point of purchase you can sway your potential customers towards you without them even shopping around - everyone loves a bargain!
4. It's just what i wanted: there is a common theme to Valentines gifts, and that is that they are usually things that nobody really needs, and that's fine - it's about what they represent. But what if when someone bought something they didn't need, that got something they possibly did - this is where the idea of a Free Gift can really work. Simply text your customers (assuming you know something about them) and let them know that when they buy a Valentines gift, you will give them something else for free.
5. If music be the food of love: a specialised romantic promotion, correctly timed can get customers through your doors in droves. Discounts and specials on dining and entertainment is the perfect way to catch the attention of those who are unsure of how to spend the holiday.

If you're looking to capitalise on the Love-fest using SMS - we can help.

Our Mobile Marketing Guide will show you just how simple it is to run your own effective campaign and see a genuine return on your investment.

For more information visit our site, email helpdesk@fastsms.co.uk or give us a call on 0800 954 5305.

Make New Year simple, schedule it

Every year in the U.K. in the half an hour before and after midnight on the 31st December literally millions of text messages are sent, so much so in a short space of time that the mobile operators can't handle it.

Most people will have some recollection of the trickle of texts that come through for the rest of the night that were sent in that timeframe. So what's the answer - you schedule it.

If you schedule your personal messages in advance for the time you want using NetMessenger they are guaranteed to reach their destination within a couple of minutes.

Not only that, but of course it is cheaper and easier than trying to type on your phone while someone is trying to get you involved in Auld Lang Syne.

Click here to login to NetMessenger and schedule your Holiday messages or for more information on our scheduling and mail merge features call us on 0800 954 5305 or email helpdesk@fastsms.co.uk

It's not too late to send those Holiday messages...

A year or so ago all people talked about was being green. We were all about recycling, using bio-degrabable products and being nice to woodland critters. Which is great, except that to be considered 'Green' seemed to cost considerably more than not to be.

Then, focus shifted dramatically to talk of 'recession' and saving money - and for many the expensive green option had to take a back seat for a while.

Enter the anomaly - SMS

Sending a text is not only greener than a phone call or SnailMail but is far cheaper too - appease your conscience without it costing the earth.

This is why this year, all of us at FASTSMS won't be sending any Christmas cards, but rather, Christmas texts - it gets the message across and is good for the environment.

Of course, we wouldn't recommend it as an alternative for a loved one (that could get you in some trouble) but we're inviting you to join us in replacing cards sent out to clients and customers, and even staff with the cheaper, greener option.

Its also great if like me you haven't managed to get any cards out yet - with SMS there is still time to at least wish someone your best over the Holiday season. Simply login to NetMessenger, upload your contacts, write your cheery message and away you go - you can even schedule them so they arrive on the day itself.

If you need any help setting this up give us a call on 0800 954 5305 or email helpdesk@fastsms.co.uk

FASTSMS Use Case: Letting Agents

When SMS is introduced into any sector it often brings with it unique uses that would rarely be used in any other situation and in the case of Letting Agents this is no different...

SMS gives Letting Agents and Property Management Companies the opportunity to manage all their communications with their tenants directly from their desktop as well the means to market properties to prospective clients in a way that really gets them to take notice.

These sectors can now communicate with tenants in a direct and cost-effective way through SMS. With over 80% of adults owning mobile phones, text message has become the preferred medium of communication for many due to its unobtrusive nature. In the past property managers often had to ring a tenant several times to get through or waited days for a response to an email. Using SMS gets their message directly into the hands of their tenants at any time of the day. The following are just some of the ways Letting Agents are already using SMS to their advantage.

Reminders: sending all tenants a message at the same time informing them that their rent is due

Fault Reporting: tenants text in when there is a problem with the property that goes directly to a PC

Alerts: tenants are informed of scheduled viewings or when a repairman is coming round to do some work

Many Letting Agents are using FASTSMS to market their properties effectively to prospective clients. SMS Marketing is currently the most effective way of getting the details of latest properties directly into the hands of prospective clients - and it offers redemption rates far greater than traditional advertising & promotions. Studies show that people are much more likely to read and respond to a text message than any other medium. The following are just some of the ways this can be done.

Campaigns: clients text a property code to the system and an automatic reply contains details of that property

Promotion: prospects are sent information about new properties, upcoming open days and special offers

Competitions: used to gather opted-in subscribers for mailing lists to be used in future SMS promotions

Enquiries: a 'textline' is published with other contact details, extending office hours

This is just another instance where FASTSMS can make a real impact in the way communications are improved through the incorporation of text message into a business’s strategies.

For more information on how FASTSMS is working with various sectors to save them money and increase sales, click here

FASTSMS Use Case: Housing Associations

Recently we have been doing a lot of work with UK Housing Associations, so I thought it was time to share with you a little about the type of service they are now using...

Housing Associations of all sizes, share many of the same day to day challenges. They need to keep levels of arrears down whilst maintaining occupancy rates; they need to be mindful of staffing costs whilst being responsive to requests from tenants; and they need to be able to access properties for inspection and maintenance at short notice without getting too many broken appointments.

Many have found that text messaging is the best way to communicate with their tenants, colleagues, workmen and waiting list. Mainly because it's universal - nearly everyone has a mobile phone; it's instant - messages are delivered in 10 seconds or less; and it's reacted to by most people, more so than letters, emails or phone calls.

So they are texting their waiting lists with details of newly available properties; inviting prospects to open days, viewings and other events; and sending SMS reminders for rent arrears, appointments for visits as well as general news broadcasts.

It's working the other way too - tenants are texting in problems with the property, issues with other tenants and even just general queries that are then routed to the right person avoiding clogging up switchboards.

As it has been so popular, we have developed our HousingText service specifically for housing associations, for more information click here or give us a call on 0800 954 5305

FASTSMS Use Case: Estate Agents

With major changes in the national housing market, estate agents are among those who have to find new ways of doing things, many of which who have already turned to FASTSMS. Estate agents have seen major benefits since incorporating SMS into their communications - helping them to coordinate their team by sending them appointment details by text as well as marketing their properties to prospective clients in a way that really gets them to take notice.

Coordinating staff directly from your PC

Communication is key to having an organised, effective and above all efficient sales force. With staff spending a lot of time tending to prospects, whether through scheduled viewings or consultations they need to make sure that they always know where they need to be and what they are doing.

With appointments being arranged and changed at short notice they need to be able to send their team (or often themselves) information such as name, address, file number and contact number and they need to be sure they get it - with SMS they enjoy a facility that is direct, concise and immediate going straight into the hands of their staff.

Effective marketing solutions from FASTSMS

SMS marketing is currently the most effective way of getting details of latest properties directly into the hands of prospective clients - offering redemption rates far greater than traditional advertising and promotions. Studies show that people are much more likely to read and respond to a text message than any other medium making it great for letting people when new properties come on the market.

The following are just some of the ways our estate agent customers are already using SMS to market their properties...

• Campaigns: Clients text a property code to their system and the automatic reply contains details of that property (great to put on for sale signs or in the property pages)
• Promotion: Text prospects about new properties, upcoming open days and special offers
• Competitions: Gather opted-in subscribers for a mailing list for future SMS campaigns
• Enquiries: Many have taken advantage of a FASTSMS Virtual Mobile Number, which gets published with their other contact details as a 24 hour 'textline' extending their office hours so prospects can request call backs and specific information when they want to.

Because so many have been benefiting from these sort of uses, we are now offering a FREE 1 month SMS keyword campaign worth £99 to all estate agents who want to try it out for themselves.

For more information on FASTSMS click here or give us a call on 0800 954 5305 and we'll talk you through your options.

FASTSMS Use Case: Sales Managers

As we did last week with service managers we'll be using car dealerships as a basis for a common use of the FASTSMS system - sales managers...

SMS Marketing is currently the most effective way of getting your latest offer directly into the hand of your prospective client - and it offers redemption rates eight times greater than traditional advertising & promotions. The following are just some of the ways car dealers are already using SMS to bring in those much needed sales...

• Promotion: Texting prospects about upcoming open days, launches, events and special offers
• Competitions: Used in such a way as to gather opted in subscibers for mailing lists to be used in future promotions
• Enquiries: By publishing a 'textline' with their contact details dealers have been able to extend their office hours for potential customers.

With over 80% of adults in the UK owning mobile phones, text has quickly become the preferred method of contact for many. It really is a great way to quickly easily and cheaply get an effective marketing message directly into the hands of your prospects.

"We were delighted with the FASTSMS campaign we ran recently, when we sent a message on a Friday evening to existing customers to advise them of a special short term offer we had available on a number of new cars. The response was amazing and by 4.00pm on the Sunday we had sold 5 new cars and by the Tuesday this had risen to 9 as a direct result of the SMS invitation. Stunning ! Thank you!"

Rob Haylett - Marketing Manager, Payne's Ford Dealerships

For a limited time only we are giving away a FREE 1 month SMS keyword campaign worth £99 to all sales managers who open a new account.

To find out more about campaigns available from FASTSMS call us on 0800 954 5305 or click here to visit our dedicated site.

FASTSMS Use Case: Service Managers

Now there are many instances where the applications detailed here can be applied to a wider range of businesses and services, but for the purpose of this use case we will be using a car dealership as an example...

When providing customer service how communication is carried out is key, it needs to be non-intrusive, practical and most of all effective. Studies have shown that with emails being ignored and phone calls often seen as an annoyance, receiving a text message is rapidly becoming the preferred method of contact. This is supported by the fact that now over 80% of adults own a mobile phone, the message gets right into their hand, its direct, concise and they can read it in a couple of seconds without breaking their stride.

When you apply these characteristics to a car dealership's service manager, some of the most popular uses are as follows...

• Reminders - Texting customers to let them know when their next MOT or service is due, securing their custom
• Fault Reports - In the case of a recall campaign, customers can be segregated and contacted immediately with warnings and instructions saving time and money
• Customer Alerts - When a customers car is ready for pick up or there has been a delay, a quick text to let them know will do wonders for customer relations

With a little imagination the uses here can be applied to everything from dog groomers, to solicitors to childrens nurseries - infact anything time bound where customer satisfaction is paramount. All of this can be managed through the FASTSMS system, NetMessenger - to find out how to improve your communication and increase customer loyalty give us a call on 0800 954 5305 and we'll talk you through your options.

FASTSMS Use Case: Armed Forces

People often think that online text messaging providers such as FASTSMS are just for those large corporations and broadcasters who want to send hundreds of texts at a time, and in many cases they're right!

In our time in the SMS industry we have seen online texting grow from people looking for a free way to text their friends to a widely recognised method of communication used by big business; however we have made sure we never lost site of the individual, personal user.

In recent years as more and more young men and women in the armed forces have found themselves stationed overseas, we as a communications provider, have been finding ways to help them stay in touch with friends and family back home.

Now you may be thinking they already have phone, email, letters and Facebook - which we agree are all great, and invaluable to them and those still in the UK. However there is still that percentage of people they would like to contact who won't have Internet access, so that rules out email and Facebook.

With over 80% of adults in the UK owning mobile phones SMS is often the only method of contact for many individuals. With a FASTSMS Armed Forces account they can text friends and family back home for the same cost per message (if not less) as if they were in the UK themselves.

To find out more about our specifically tailored Armed Forces package click here or call us on 0800 954 5305 for a FREE demo

FASTSMS Use Case: Schools

Now more than ever, people with financial responsibility are looking for ways to reduce outgoings whilst maximising income. The trouble is how to do this in a way that doesn’t compromise the quality of service, and in this respect, schools are not exempt.

Although the majority are government funded, and we may think employees of educational institutions aren’t feeling the pinch, they too are feeling the pressure from above to cut costs. Many of which have been coming to us at FASTSMS looking for solutions to get the most out of their communications – the following is a brief outline of just some of the ways schools are now using SMS to save money, time and ultimately improve the way they go about communications in their institutions.

Our schools customers have reported that their outgoing phone calls have been reduced by up to 40% since adopting SMS and their communications with staff, parents and students has never been better, here’s how...

 

Administrators – saving money for their institution

Those in positions of administration, more than any other in educational institutions have to look at their school as a business, it is the only way it can function in a way that creates the funds and opportunities for the students to get the education they deserve.

Recent Studies have shown that calls to find absentee children and calls to find supply teachers at short notice account for up to 40% of a schools telephone bill (Lancashire County Council). Those working in receptions and offices have found that through SMS they can disseminate key information quickly, simply and effectively. Here are just some of the ways the FASTSMS system can be used to this effect...

> Absentees: send a text to the parents of absent students individually or to those of all that were absent at morning registration

> Illnesses: alert parents instantly if a child falls ill at school even if they are unable to answer their phone

> Supply Staff: contact supply teachers instantly to check their availability without having to chase each one up individually

> Urgent Notices: broadcast important information to staff, parents and students instantly such as severe weather warnings

These are tried and tested ways that schools are using SMS right now, but it’s not just about saving money when running a school, you are placed in a position of trust and responsibility – trust that pupils are getting everything they deserve, and a responsibility to keep parents informed of goings on with the school in general as well as specifically to their child. The following are just some of the ways teachers have been able to improve their communications with students and parents alike, creating new channels of discussion and the means to motivate pupils to do their part in their education...

Teachers – getting the most out of their students

Teachers are often the only point of contact students have in their school, and are therefore in a unique position to monitor progress on a daily basis. Parents often have to wait for the one off of parents evening and end of year reports to find out how their child is performing and are often shocked, one way or the other and want to know why this is the first they have heard of it! In recent times schools have tried email to keep parents up to date, but with this being dependent on the parent not only having a PC, but checking their email regularly, SMS has quickly become the favoured medium.

In general texts are read and responded to a lot more quickly than emails and with now over 80% of adults owning mobile phones they are the ideal mode of communication where there is a sense of immediacy involved. In an educational environment communication is key, by incorporating SMS into their practices teachers have seen students arrive more promptly to lessons, a reduction in unauthorised absences and seen parents take a more active role in their children’s education.

> Truancy & Lateness Reports: alert the necessary individual if a student is absent from or is persistently late to any lesson

> Detentions: advise parents and remind students if they have a detention to attend outside of school hours

> Performance Reporting: inform parents not only of bad, but of good performances in classes

> Reminders: remind students about training, clubs, rehearsals - or if there has been a cancellation

Feedback from our customers over the years has led to creation of our schools package, to learn more about how SMS can benefit you and your school or FASTSMS in general feel free to call us on 0800 954 5305 email info@fastsms.co.uk or visit http://www.fastsms.co.uk/packages/schools.html