One of the most common tips that I give all my clients is to ask all customers if they use text messaging. Although it’s the most common form of communication today, I still get push-back – even from Millennials and Generation-Z sales people. The idea of text messaging seems unprofessional to some people. I disagree. If you ask customers for permission to text them, or if they text you first, it’s not only professional, but it’s polite.
After getting my clients past that hurdle, the next question is usually: “What should I text them?” This is when I light up like Yoda after a young Jedi asks: “What’s with this Force thing?” (That never happened, but I try to compare myself to Yoda every chance I get.) I’ve seen contracts move from the bottom of an inbox to being signed within a few hours because of a texting conversation; I’ve saved hundreds of hours of wasted time because of text messaging; and I’ve scheduled appointments with three of my white whales with a text. So, how can a sales professional most effectively use text messaging?
Below I’ve listed six ways that a sales person should use text messaging.
