Texting

As popular as texting is these days, it's so easy to utilize this as a way to reach out to our prospects. I'm curious though, if any of you that may already be using texting - how or what method to you use to send the messages? We obviously don't want our people to use their own personal mobile device. I'm familiar with the the message/chatting features on many email providers, but are there other texting services that you have found that work well that do not require knowing an individual's cell provider?

While texting seems to be new to multifamily industry, the mobile industry is already on to the next generation of SMS known as MMS - Multimedia Messaging Service. It allows for delivery of pictures (think floorplans and flyers) within text messaging - SMS. It requires no apps, downloads or smartphones. The icing: MMS is part of the regular text messaging service plan as well as Generation Y's communication method of choice.
There are a few SMS providers out there: Property Solutions , IRIO , or even ForRent has a manual email to mobile service. But I know of only one MMS provider.

Hi Heather! I'm not sure if you have seen the latest article in the March Untis Magazine, but here is a lot more information from a few others on how they are using texting to residents...including myself!

If I could add something else to this article it would be the best practices for using text are first and foremost about your residents! When you make it about them, offer incentives or announcements they will benefit from or passing along useful information they want to know is when you will have a successful texting campaign. I think too many are wrapped up in the concept that texting is only about one-to-one conversations, but many industries specifically retail have gained raving fans from texting campaigns that have nothing to do with conversations. What we do here at University Village is to keep reaching and seeking trends outside of our industry that we know our residents already focus on. Our purpose for our Mobile Club is to communicate immediately about information, deals, promotions or events we know they want to hear about. If we only made it about us, sent reminders that your rent is due, or pictures of the floorplans I am sure we would have more of our mobile club users opting out as well not gaining any new members into the club. The biggest benefits we have found from our mobile club program is how easy it is to send out mass messages to our fans, reduced cost in printing/payroll to distribute flyers and most importantly eliminating the time delay in sending and receiving information to our residents. The important question to ask yourself before embarking upon a texting program is what kind of information will I be sharing and do they want to hear about it? Start with these steps and soon you will have raving fans beyond Facebook. Finally these texting programs are very affordable. I have looked around at platforms available and have found many offer a valuable product for under $100 per month. The time saving as well as cost savings from printing flyers for your residents is worth looking into texting programs.
Units Article: www.naahq.org/publications/units/2011/03...tsGetsaThumbsUp.aspx

Hope this helps!

Kim Cory wrote:

Hi Heather! I'm not sure if you have seen the latest article in the March Untis Magazine, but here is a lot more information from a few others on how they are using texting to residents...including myself!

If I could add something else to this article it would be the best practices for using text are first and foremost about your residents! When you make it about them, offer incentives or announcements they will benefit from or passing along useful information they want to know is when you will have a successful texting campaign. I think too many are wrapped up in the concept that texting is only about one-to-one conversations, but many industries specifically retail have gained raving fans from texting campaigns that have nothing to do with conversations. What we do here at University Village is to keep reaching and seeking trends outside of our industry that we know our residents already focus on. Our purpose for our Mobile Club is to communicate immediately about information, deals, promotions or events we know they want to hear about. If we only made it about us, sent reminders that your rent is due, or pictures of the floorplans I am sure we would have more of our mobile club users opting out as well not gaining any new members into the club. The biggest benefits we have found from our mobile club program is how easy it is to send out mass messages to our fans, reduced cost in printing/payroll to distribute flyers and most importantly eliminating the time delay in sending and receiving information to our residents. The important question to ask yourself before embarking upon a texting program is what kind of information will I be sharing and do they want to hear about it? Start with these steps and soon you will have raving fans beyond Facebook. Finally these texting programs are very affordable. I have looked around at platforms available and have found many offer a valuable product for under $100 per month. The time saving as well as cost savings from printing flyers for your residents is worth looking into texting programs.
Units Article: www.naahq.org/publications/units/2011/03...tsGetsaThumbsUp.aspx

Hope this helps!

Good links and ideas!

Some our our apartment clients are using text signs and riders now, in addition to the weekend directional; signs we place.



One has 140 cell numbers captured!

You can get a free trial with Trumpia , insert sold as the promo code for double the freebies.

I am looking for suggestions for companies that help leasing folks text prospects after they leave from a tour. Like a follow up to their visit to encourage them to come back. Is anyone else out there doing this? Any feedback, comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

There are times when we use the maintenance cell phone to utilize texting. It has beens uccessful when used. :blush:

I dread the day my residents and prospects have my cell phone number...

For a large property with an office cell, texting could be a great marketing tool!

My local coffee shop sends me text coupons frequently and it does remind me to buy there.

If you know the cell provider; you can send a SMS via email. For example, I use tmobile and my phone's email address has the following syntax:

[email protected]

The x's are my 10 digit phone number.

I do have a cell phone for after hours maintenance; but that is all it is for. I also forward calls from the office line to my cell after hours and check voicemail often.

We are actually looking into this. We believe that texting rent reminders would be a good way to increase collections on the first week of the month. Just like on your cell phone bill or your car insurance, when you receive a friendly reminder about 5 days from the due date or when a new bill is available. I think it would be a great addition to the real estate industry.

Pedro, you are right, texting or emailing reminders or even the initial billing to tenants or association members would be a great tool to increase collections, especially during the first week of the month. How about if the text or email included a link to the electronic payment solution chosen by the peoperty, allowing you to pay your rent while waiting at Starbucks, etc.?

Thanks for sharing all this info! Which service did you go with?