When it comes to mobile marketing, text messaging provides a wonderful opportunity for you to easily connect with your residents and prospects. With 98% of text messages being opened and read within minutes of receipt, you can feel confident in your decision to incorporate texting into your marketing strategy. Whether you’ve already tried communicating with customers via text messaging or you’re considering it, here are some “Best Practices” that you should follow:

1) Advertise! It’s critical for you to promote your text messaging program in order to gain subscribers. Post your property keyword and short code in plain sight and on your social channels with a call to action, so everyone will know about the program.

2) Provide value. Subscribers opt-in to text messaging programs because they expect to receive exclusive news and offers. Be sure that all messages that you send are relevant and provide valuable information to your residents or prospects.

3) Avoid spamming. Send messages infrequently. Two to four times per month is plenty, and as mentioned above, be sure those messages are providing valuable information! You should also review legal information from the Mobile Marketing Association and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

4) Timing. Be considerate of your subscribers – don’t send a text late at night or too early in the morning. Not only will this frustrate them and lead some to unsubscribe, but it’s less effective to send messages at times when users are not likely paying attention their phones.

5) Stop means STOP. When a user opts out from your text messaging program, the FCC requires you to remove them from your list immediately.

6) Use proper grammar. Keep it professional – texting in abbreviations might seem like a good idea, but it can be confusing! Make an effort to say what you need to say in a short, succinct format.

7) Create and use templates. This is a useful way to stay organized, and it allows you to easily plan and schedule your messages and promotions ahead of time.

Incorporating a text messaging program can assist you in building relationships within your community and give you a platform from which to share news or valuable savings with your residents and prospects. Texting is a great way to engage with your community!