Fed up with Extended Sales Cycle? Shorten it with 10 Effective Text Messages

With the right tools and medium, you can control the message completely, and sales are no exception. Sales messages can be easily misconstrued. The way you communicate with your customers deeply impacts your sales figures.?

So, no matter at what stage of the sales cycle a customer is, effective communication is crucial. You can make them simpler and clearer with text messages.

Text messages provide an effective tool to communicate with your prospects reliably, simplify communications, and win more deals, ditching multiple phone calls and emails.?

How to Use SMS for Driving More Sales

#1) Set up Automated Greetings

It's not always your sales pitch that influences product sales. Instead, customer relationship is also a driving factor for sales.

Greetings play a major role in relationship building and also help you get noticed by customers, improving brand recognition.

So, your sales teams can automate greetings for events like birthdays, anniversaries, festivals, etc., and nurture their bond with customers to drive repeat sales.?

Besides, you can send exclusive offers and discounts to make their life events extra special and increase sales.

Example:

"Greeting text

Happy Birthday, Jenny!

Here’s your birthday gift.

Enroll now for yoga sessions and get a flat 30% discount on the registration fee.

Team,

Mind and Soul Company"

#2) Automate Acknowledgment After an Inquiry?

After dropping an inquiry, customers look forward to a quick response.

The longer they wait, the more they get irritated.?

This may cost you a loss of business opportunities.?

With text automation capabilities, you can trigger instant acknowledgment. You can ensure customers that they will receive a response within a defined time.?

This would help you keep your customers posted and give them a reason to wait patiently.

Example:

"Acknowledgment text

Hey,

Thanks for your interest in DK University.?

We have received your inquiry. Our education counselor will call you within 24 hours."

#3) Automate Follow-up Texts

Missed follow-up is one of the key factors contributing to lost opportunities.?

Follow-up helps you get noticed when several other competitors are competing to win the same customer.?

This nudges customers to buy a product.?

Thus, you can count on SMS to follow up with customers.?

Also, you can schedule a series of follow-up texts and automate the process to avoid missed follow-ups and opportunities. With SMS, you can follow up with new website visitors for an intended action like scheduling a call or getting a survey form filled by them.?

Also, you can follow up if customers have availed of new offers and discounts you sent earlier.

Example:

"Follow-up text

Hi,?

We have received your quote request.?

We’re keen to discuss your requirements in detail to send you a more accurate quote.

Kindly fill up a quick questionnaire here: http//abenterprises/hdiheuhdgkh"

#4) Send Request-based Quotes?

Another way to use SMS for sales is to send quotes.?

Sales teams can automate 'Quote' text when a client requests it.?

This would save time and effort.?

Besides, sales teams can use SMS to send quotes manually in the event of an incoming request for a speedy process.

Example:

Quote SMS with MMS

Hi Eva,

Here’s the quote you requested for. PFA of the quote.

<Attachment>"

#5) Send an Invoice through SMS

An innovative way for sales teams is to send an invoice through SMS instead of emails.?

SMS open rate is high compared to emails, which helps with sure-shot information visibility sent through SMS.?

As a result, it shortens the sales cycle, simplifying the invoice sharing and viewing process and adding convenience to clients.

Example:

"Invoice SMS

Hi Sam,

Here’s the invoice for project Cliff. For any questions, text? HELP at 45456. Hoping to work together again.

TG Enterprise

<Attachment>"

#6) Share Payment URL for Faster Payments

Apart from sending invoices, your sales teams can use SMS to send on-brand payment URLs.?

This would help reduce navigation for customers while making a payment and add convenience to them.?

Besides, on-brand URLs help win customers' confidence adding a brand's trust and eliminating second thoughts before making any payment by clicking the URL.

Example:

Payment URL text

Hi Eric,

We are glad that you’re interested in our Yoga sessions.?

To start your membership, click here to pay http//mindandsoul/pay/biehfkih"

#7) Update Data through texting

Targeting inaccurate email addresses, phone numbers, etc., brings no results because the intended information does not reach customers.?

So, sales teams can count on SMS to update data without much effort. They can send customer information they have with them through texts and seek confirmation.?

In case of any change in details, customers can text the desired keyword and get details updated.

This way, teams can maintain their data health and pursue real-revenue opportunities.

Example:

SMS to update data

Hi James,

We came across your profile. Here are a few details we want to confirm.

Email- [email protected] and Current CTC- $80000.

Reply YES to confirm and UPDT to update at 77777"

#8) Collect Customer's Opinions after Sales?

Lasting concerns after sales help to strengthen customer relationships and build a loyal fan following. Make your customers feel that they are important even after purchase.?

To do so, you can automate feedback texts for clients' opinions and purchase experiences. Further, you can send a URL redirecting to the survey page for detailed feedback.

Example:

Feedback and review text

Hi Eric,

We’d like to know about your experiences with GK fitness in detail to serve you better. Here’s a quick survey-http//gkfitness/hfoihoiefio"

#9) Send Reminders for Meetings and Appointments?

Meetings and appointments are crucial to take the ongoing sales process forward, whether it is meetings with realtors, health professionals, or any other.

No-shows at the meeting and appointments can extend the sales cycle.?

So, to avoid no-shows, sales teams can send reminders and confirm the client's presence at the meeting.?

In case of client non-availability, sales professionals can reschedule meetings with other clients and make the best use of available time.

Example:

Reminder SMS

Hi Eva,

This is just a gentle reminder. We have an appointment scheduled on 09/09/22 at 11:00 A.M. Reply, YES to confirm, or RES to reschedule at 78787.

TR Dentists"

#10) One-On-One Interaction through SMS

Sales teams do not always have to get on a call for one-on-one interaction.?

Instead, they can interact with clients one-on-one through SMS.?

This method of communication gives enough time to prepare your responses and converse meaningfully. You can resolve customers' queries much faster.?

In addition, you can collect essential customer details for profiling and updating your database.

Example:

"Customer

Hi

Agent

Hi, How can I help you?

Customer

What is the last date for application submission?

Agent

It’s 8 August 2022.?

Customer

Thanks"

Some Surprising Results

Here are some interesting results encountered by our clients after using SMS for sales. The results are based on the customer's and sales professional's interviews.

• Overall sales increase by 40% because shorter sales cycle. Now sales teams can focus on more sales deals.
• Sales agents' productivity increases by 30% due to fewer phone calls and automated text

Wrapping up

Texting and automation provide an easy and convenient way to reduce workload and capture the immediate attention of customers. This helps the sales team to save time and crack more deals by shrinking the sales cycle. Also, brands can win customers' loyalty which helps to drive repeat business.?

Now that you understand the importance of SMS for sales, you can start texting to save time and close more deals.