MNREM business texting

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MNREM Broadband for Business Webinar Series

Minnesota Renewable Energy MarketplaceAs part of the Minnesota Rural Intelligent

Communities (MIRC) Project


This webinar series is sponsored by MIRC – Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities in partnership with the MNREM - Minnesota Renewable Marketplace and the Blandin Foundation. MNREM is a project partner in the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities initiative. MIRC is a coalition of 19 statewide partners and 11 demonstration communities funded in large part through an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant. The work of the coalition focuses on bringing the full promise of broadband technologies to rural Minnesota communities, businesses and people. Blandin Foundation serves as the project administrator. More about MIRC is available www.blandinfoundation.org

http://www.blandinfoundation.org/


Business Texting:6 Good Uses

Ann Treacy broadband.mnrem.com

http://www.broadband.mnrem.com/


Internal Uses


Use 1: Quick Messages• It’s quick• You’ll have a record

of the transactionIt’s secure, fast and reliable, plus with only 140 characters you must be brief and to the point.


Use 2: Send Photos• Send pictures to

tech support• Ask customers to

send you pictures to describe problems

A picture is worth 1000 words (or 140

characters)


Use 3: Multitask• On a conference call (or webinar)• Get a call• Text back to get/give vital info


Use 4: It’s Quiet• Send a message that you might not want to

share with everyone in a meeting or presentation

• Use sparingly!


Bonus: Internal Business Text Tips• Spellcheck & don’t use acronyms• Don’t be the first to text• Don’t check text during meetings• Be concise• Sign your text• Don’t text and drive!


External Uses


Use 5: Bulk Email• Last minute specials• Schools closing• Special events• Get feedback

• Several services that will send/manage campaigns for you (Club Text has a free trial)

Why use text?• 4.5 billion text messages are sent daily• 96% of all text messages are read


Bulk Text Lists

• Anyone with a cell phone can sign up

• High read rate

Twitter• Free• Follower can respond to all• Archive online• SEO aspect of links


Know the Law (FCC)• FCC rules prohibit sending unwanted text messages to your

wireless phone number if they are sent using an autodialer, or if you have placed that number on the national Do-Not-Call list.

• Even if you have placed your wireless phone number on the national Do-Not-Call list, the TCPA does not protect you from receiving commercial messages sent to that number if:– you have given your prior consent to the sender, or;– you have an established business relationship with the sender.

http://www.fcc.gov/guides/spam-unwanted-text-messages-and-email

http://www.fcc.gov/guides/spam-unwanted-text-messages-and-email


Use 6: Automated Texts• Provide texts to answer FAQS– Customer texts HOURS to a number, the hours are

automatically sent to them• Provide live customer support via text– Some text providers will allow you to access texts

via web site


Bonus: External Business Text Tips• Use Opt-In services• Provide something of value• Capitalize on time, location other info you

know about customer/product/transaction• Don’t overdo it


QUESTIONS?If you have an interest in further training on SEO (search engine optimization) in your area, please let us know.

broadband.mnrem.com



Next Steps• Future sessions– Next webinar Thurs., April 5th “10 Reasons to

Blog for Business”• Join us online

broadband.mnrem.com Blog address – mnrem.com/blog


http://www.mnrem.com/

http://www.mnrem.com/

Technology

MNREM business texting