Texting for hospitality businesses makes a lot of sense -- after all, there are countless times you need to communicate with guests, but you don’t have unlimited resources. In addition, texting is the preferred communication channel for increasing numbers of guest.
Using a service like EZ Texting means you can automate your texts online just like you do with email. You don’t need any extra equipment or technical know-how, and you also don’t have to send messages from one of your employees phones!
This article will explain how SMS texting can help you in the days and months leading up to the summer vacation season. You’ll also see how will it help your business – and improve guest satisfaction.
1. Lay the Foundation - Ask Guests to Opt-In When BookingText messaging is a permission based communication channel. That means your guests need to give you explicit permission to text them. You can easily ask for their permission and include a checkbox on your registration form. It’s not enough that you have their phone number. They need to actively say they want your texts.
Another great way to add guests to...Read more
There are numerous companies out there that will shorten your URLs for you, but EZ Texting’s is a great option if you are using text marketing. Why? The EZ Texting tool is contextual within the Send Message flow – meaning you don’t have to go to a separate tool to get your URL when you compose your message.
Tracking Who Clicks on Links in Your Texts In addition to the convenience, the EZ Texting URL shortening function in the send message flow allows you track in who click on your links. Other tools may just give you basic traffic numbers. Having individual data can help you build personalized message streams, such as drip campaigns. Track Link Across Tactics Including Social Media If you want to use a shortened link in other areas, such as Social Media, you can go into the tools section of your account...Read more
Can text marketing help you go green for earth day? It may sound like a bit of stretch, but text marketing can lessen your reliance on paper goods by connecting to your audience through their phones. Here are three ways you can cut down on cutting down trees with mass texting.
1. Advertising Your Business with TextInstead of printing out a batch of mailers to let opted-in customers know about a sale or special, consider sending a mass text instead. In the message, include necessary details and link to your website for more information. Since texts have an open rate above 98%, you can be sure your message won’t end up in the recycle bin.
2. Appointment and Billing Reminders with Text
Some businesses send reminders and confirmations on paper. You don’t have to do this! Services like EZ Texting allow you to schedule reminders via text . Again, unbeatable text open rates insure that your audience will receive the message. Imagine how many fewer missed appointments you’ll see or late notices you’ll send!
3. Text Polls and Surveys
Want instant feedback on a new product, service quality,...Read more
Tax Day is quickly approaching, and that means your tax preparation franchise is in its busy season! Trying to gain more customers while also bringing back customers you helped last year can be time consuming! EZ Texting can help your tax preparation franchise share promotions, send one-to-one scheduling messages, and coordinate training and staffing information for employees! Here are a few ways text marketing for can help your tax preparation business:
Send Out Text Promotions Whether you are a tax professional or a manager at a tax preparation franchise, promotions play an important part of tax season. Trying to catch the eye of potential clients while also bringing back last years clients can be pretty time consuming.
Emails are easily looked over, but a text promotion is a great way to grab their attention! Send a message to your contacts that will be sure to motivate them to look to your franchise for help. "This week only - Switch to EZ Tax and get $200! Give us a call or visit our website to get started on your taxes!"
One-to-One Scheduling Text Messages During tax season, tax professionals spend their work day...Read more
The best Keywords should be simple, memorable, and will by definition, be unique to your short code. Most often, Keywords are used for opt-in campaigns to grow your subscriber list. That’s why you should make them visible on billboards, flyers and other marketing collateral.
Keywords can also be used for other basic functions. For example, you might use STOP or HELP for people who wish to opt-out or who have questions respectively. If you run a...Read more
When you send an SMS message, you only have 160 characters of text and emojis to work with. It's a great way to deliver a specific message or alert, but it's not the best for telling a long, in-depth story. So, think about what you can do that will make a big impact:
Send a special offer or coupon Let subscribers know about an upcoming event Remind them about a new opportunity
Remember, the best goals...Read more
Text marketing works because it cuts through clutter to reach your target audience.The impact made by text messages is reflected in these numbers:
Texts are responded to in 90 seconds or less 31% of consumers prefer texting to calling Over 50% of customers would prefer texting customer support vs. any other methodCheck out the basics of mobile marketing with texts, and see how it can strengthen your relationship with your customers:
Keywords and Short Codes for Growing Your ListA short code is a five- or six-digit number used to send a text messages instead of 10-digit phone number. Sharing short codes can make it very cost-effective to send bulk text messages. But, with clients sharing numbers, how does EZ Texting insure that text messages end up in the right mailbox?
Keywords are 2-12 digit phrases composed of letters and/or numbers that companies advertise and contacts use in their texts to short codes. While shared short codes are used by multiple businesses, keywords can only be used by one company at a time. EZ Texting auto-sorts new contacts based on the keyword they use.
For example, a business...Read more
If you're trying to get the word out about an upcoming event, text marketing may not be the first thing you think of. Most organizations rely on emails, social media, phone calls, and direct mail to drive traffic. Texting is different, and complements, each of these tactics by providing the highest ( 98% ) and the fastest ( 90% under 3 minutes ) open rates. So why rely on one outreach tool, when you can make a bounce with texting.
Here are some ways make texting work for you and your event:
Increase Attendance with a Reminder TextText reminders are both easy to set up and very effective. With a mass texting service like EZ Texting, all you have to do is upload your opted-in contacts, write a message and hit send. You can also make recurring messages if you want.
Encourage Guests to Arrive on Time with Text Incentives
Encourage attendance by offering a special gift or prize to the first guests who arrive at your event. This motivates your audience to show up on-time! You can offer a discount, giveaway or special seating depending on what kind of...Read more
Want to drive traffic (and sales) during the off season, or make sure your big sale really pops? Sending a promotional text can make a big difference. Consider these kinds of promotions:
New product announcements Invitations to exclusive sale events Special offers and coupons
You can schedule several promotional messages at a time for a long-term marketing campaign, or you can send out a message immediately. These messages help you to build customer loyalty as well as boosting revenue.
Send Targeted Text Messages to Specific AudiencesCreate groups based on their sales history or interest area in order to maximize sales. SMS platforms like EZ Texting make it easy to create audience segments for your targeted text sends....Read more
March Madness is the best time to watch college basketball, but it can also be the best time for your hospitality business! Sports fans travel to the 14 different host cities to watch their favorite team play in the tournament. This means they will need a place to stay. And with a 24% increase in chicken wing orders, they’ll also need a place to grab a bite to eat with other fans! How can your hotel or restaurant bring March Madness fans through your doors with text messages?
Create a Smooth Experience for Your Guests
March Madness is a great opportunity for hotels. WalletHub also expects 71,000 people will travel to San Antonio for the Final Four, and all the other host cities will likely see a large amount of visitors. Create a smooth experience for your guests to really set yourself apart from the competition with text reminders.
Prompt your guests to sign up for text reminders when they make their reservation. Then, send a reminder message when their reservation is coming up soon. Include their reservation date and time, the address of the hotel, and and special amenities that you want...Read more
