by Textmaxx Pro | Jan 8, 2020
Should I Use Texting?
The short answer is, of course. Think about it. If you leave your place of business for lunch, you’ve likely texted a family member, friend, associate or business before you return home. If you’re doing it, so are your clients and your prospects. It’s a very personal means of communication, and nearly 90 percent of your outbound texts are seen by the recipient within just three seconds. Texting allows you to quickly receive feedback from your clients through replies, immediately deliver your message, and get hundreds of link clicks within minutes.
The open rate for an SMS message is about 98 percent, with a 3-second response rate. Texts lead to higher engagement rates and return on investment. In addition, brands that use SMS marketing typically reach 95 percent of targeted users.
You Had Better Do It Right!
It is vital to implement permission-based marketing. To be compliant with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, you must get permission to send your clients SMS messages. If a prospect engages you through your website via text, you can engage them, but you must soon get their permission to text. This can be done by having them text a specific number via a form on your website, or engagement campaign. You must also provide clear instructions on how they can opt-out (i.e.- texting the word ‘Stop’). Our system will not allow anyone who opts out of text via our platform, unless they opt-in again themselves.
Limits on Number of Characters
The character limit of most text messages is 160 characters, so keep your messages short and to the point, but with a CTA for the fan to take action. Some platforms allow for longer messages, but as a rule, keep them short and use commonly used shorthand for some messages. BRB for Be Right Back, and TY for Thank you. You know this.
Fresh is Good, and Show Respect.
You don’t want to send boring, confusing, or old texts. Don’t use common expressions or marketing clichés. “We carry a full array …” “We provide a wide variety of services …” Contact us today, to get the best pricing on 65-inch TVs this year!” Create a sense of urgency, and get to the point. Don’t be disingenuous. If you’re saying it’s a great deal, be sure it is! You can make texts more engaging by using media like MMS picture messages, emojis, calendar invites, and interactive content like polls and surveys. Polls and surveys work well, but be sure you let them see the results of the poll without having to enter contact information first. Experts agree texting between 8 am and 9 pm work best. You don’t respond to business text while you are at work, and neither to your clients. Send out CTA texts before and after work.
Add Value to the Equation
When you’re creating a text, ask yourself, what’s in it for the recipient. Is this text about what you want or need, or is about what they want or need. Recipients who get texts to offer them exclusive value or important information hold much greater value for the recipient. Texting your clients with SMS-only offers is a great way to make them feel like a VIP. In fact, call it a VIP program, or other value-laden name.
Yep, This Is Personal
Better results occur when you personalize the message, rather than sending our generic messages. Use the recipient’s name, or provide information about an event that’s local to them. Create customized audiences and them messages specific to them.
Do you need assistance? Would you like even more best practice information. Please contact use for a free consultation on how to set up an easy-to-use, fully compliant platform for your clients and prospects!
Not sure where to start with SMS marketing? Contact us for a free consultation on how you can implement SMS campaigns within Tradable Bits to your fans.
by Textmaxx Pro | Nov 26, 2019
Synopsis: Textmaxx Pro, a leading text message platform based in Sarasota, Fla., announces integration with ComSoft, an automotive retail software provider, based in Raleigh, N.C. The texting service will now be available through ComSoft’s software to its dealer clients.
SARASOTA, Fla. (Nov. 15, 2019) — Textmaxx Pro, a national text message communication platform, has integrated its services with Commercial Software, Inc. (ComSoft), a dealership management and marketing software solution company based in Raleigh, N.C.
Textmaxx Pro’s state-of-the-art business-to-business and business-to-consumer communication services will be directly available through the ComSoft dealership management software giving thousands of users the ability to use texts to communicate with their customers for sales and service promotions, advertising, marketing, payment reminders, collections, and any other services.
“We are proud to be able to integrate with Chip Cooper and the ComSoft DMS platform,” said Chris Leedom, Textmaxx Pro CEO. “ComSoft has used Textmaxx Pro with its dealer clients since our company’s inception, and now their dealers can better communicate with their clients via the most effective form of communication today – texting.”
ComSoft is a total dealership management and marketing software solution for dealers of any size and has served thousands of dealerships across the country. In addition to dealership management software, ComSoft also offers dealership websites, marketing feeds, integrated partners, and a mobile app.
“Our dealer clients are very familiar with the Textmaxx platform as we’ve used it for several years to communicate directly with them,” said ComSoft President Chip Cooper. “We’re very pleased to make Textmaxx Pro available to our clients following a brief, but intense 60-day integration period.”
David Leedom, Textmaxx Pro brand manager, said texting has become the preferred method of communication for nearly every demographic in the U.S. and beyond. Some 292 million people in North America, about 80 percent of all residents, use text messaging daily. Despite having a phone in their hand or pocket, people will respond more quickly to a text message than a phone call or voicemail, he added.
“Despite this acceptance among consumers, only 14 percent of businesses use texting to communicate with their clients and prospects,” Dave Leedom said. “Automotive retailers who utilize a strategy to communicate using texting will definitely have an edge over their competitors in the marketplace.”
Textmaxx Pro has integrated with a number of automotive retailer software platforms including Frazer Dealer Management Software and CDK Global. Chris Leedom said the company expects to complete at least 15 other platform integrations in 2020. Textmaxx will offer its services to ComSoft’s dealers on a month-to-month subscription basis with no long-term contracts.
About Textmaxx Pro
Textmaxx Pro is a national firm based in Sarasota, Fla, and provides businesses with an automated, compliant, easy-to-use, web-based, text messaging solution that enables them to reach their clients and prospects via text. It provides a full-service platform that is easily integrated into any CRM or other software application and is fully compliant with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
About ComSoft
ComSoft is headquartered in Raleigh, NC and provides independent dealerships with management software and offers marketing solutions including dealership websites and third-party advertising feeds. Integrated partners continue to be a focus providing dealers the tools they need in order to succeed.
Contact Contact
Chris Leedom Chip Cooper
CEO, Leedom Group President, ComSoft
Phone: 941.371.7999 Phone: 919.851.2010
Email chris@leedomgroup.com Email chip.cooper@comsoft.com
Text: “CHRIS” to 95000 Text “CHIP” to 95000
by Textmaxx Pro | Nov 15, 2019
Texting is the preferred means of communication for consumers who wish to interact with a business — any business. Across all demographics more and more people rely on text communication to get a business’ location, hours, product information, pricing, and to comparatively shop. Therefore, it’s incumbent on the business to communicate effectively with their customers and prospects.
Here are a few best practices businesses should use.
Use the Right Attitude
Keep your texts simple and direct and short. This doesn’t mean using text shorthand like adding an “lol” or an “omg” in the message. Be professional. Use simple sentences, common vocabulary. Remember, if the business is a comedy club, texts may have a different tone than those sent by a car dealership or veterinarian office.
Emojis
These clever pictures communicate many words, attitude, and emotions. They are also prevalent and easy to send. Text messages are and should be short, and emojis communicate a feeling in an instant. Recent surveys show that notifications with emojis generate far more engagement that those without. As with anything, don’t overdo it.
Be Succinct
Text message are by design to be used on the fly. They must be read within seconds. Responses should be able to occur within seconds as well. Most SMS are limited to 160 characters, but you can send longer messages. Resist the temptation. Be short and concise.
Check Your Spelling
Reading news on the Internet or seeing posts on social media today would drive most English teachers and editors crazy. Spellcheck and predictive spelling can lead to misspelled words or wrong words being used to communicate. Poor spelling will reflect on your business and those that prepare the messages. Proof your texts before you hit send.
Use Common Vocabulary
Using “obfuscate” when you can say “hide,” may result in fewer people engaging with your message. You won’t get points from dazzling someone with your vocabulary skills.
Be Timely
If your text thanking someone for a visit comes three days later, it’s likely no longer relevant. If you text someone that the service on their vehicle is complete after they have arrived to pick it up, you’re not adding value to their experience.
Use a Texting Platform
Having employees use their personal mobile phones for business is not a good idea.They can use their phones, but should do it through a texting platform app, like Textmaxx Pro. This helps with proper messaging, allows them to text from desktop computers, and landlines. Most importantly, it makes your business compliant with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Non-compliance can be an expensive headache. To learn more, look at our platform!
by Textmaxx Pro | Nov 15, 2019
Everyone texts today. If you go out to lunch, you’ve likely texted multiple people before you get back to work. Texting prospects and existing customers is essential for business success. However, there is good news, but there’s also GREAT news.
First, only 14% of business have text message strategy for marketing, advertising, and communicating with customers. So putting a text strategy in place will put you ahead of your competitors. The GREAT news is, Textmaxx Pro has a low-cost, totally compliant platform to assist you in maintaining an advantage in the marketplace. Remember, 99% of text recipients get the message, and 90% read the text within three minutes!
At Textmaxx Pro we can help you think through and adopt the best texting practices and strategies for your business — and we mean any business. Call or text us for a free consultation. We will assist in:
• Text enabling your business landline
• Stopping employees using personal phones for business texts
• Text marketing customers with the right message
• Engaging business prospects and converting them into buyers
• Positioning your SMS texting strategy to deliver results with measurable ROI
We have built SMS/MMS strategies for all types of business across the country. Call 866.367.6889 or text “PROS” to 95000. One of our SMS Strategy Specialists will arrange a free consultation for you.
by Textmaxx Pro | Nov 6, 2019
We are all presented with more information on a daily basis than ever before. Given all the new devices pushing information to cloud-based services from smartphones, televisions, computers, refrigerators and cars, more data has been generated in the past three years than in all of human history, according to a recent study.
Phone calls, voicemail, email, mail, and a constant stream of information presents itself at least every hour of every day, if not more. Technology has fundamentally changed the way human beings communicate with each other and our things. Businesses who advertise and market to consumers are now faced with the challenge of getting noticed against the constant flow of information to the clients and prospects they want to reach, especially because these people are constantly on the move.
Here are some stats: Some 88 percent of business calls go unanswered. Only 18 percent of people listen to voicemails from phone numbers they don’t recognize, and only 33 percent listen to voicemails of business contacts. Of the 200 billion emails sent every day, 84 percent are considered spam, and 55 percent of all email users say they don’t open and read messages regularly or for business.
Texting, however, has caught up with face-to-face conversation. In a face-to-face meeting, people respond to a question within fractions of seconds. Texting is now a far-closer second than any other form of digital communication. 93 percent of SMS messages are read within 10 minutes and a return text is usually sent within 20 minutes.
Businesses have been slow to react to this powerful communication transformation. Only 14 percent of businesses employ a texting platform to communicate with clients and prospects, and with their own employees. Developing a fully legal and regulatory compliant strategy to use this powerful communication tool will give a business a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Textmaxx Pro has helped hundreds of businesses across North America to put this technology to use with an easy-to-use, customizable platform with no long-term commitments. Call us at 866.367.6889 for more information, or shoot us a text to the same number! You’ll get a quick response!
by Textmaxx Pro | Aug 29, 2019
Synopsis: Textmaxx Pro, based in Sarasota, Fla., continues its string of industry accolades in 2019 by being named to two lists of top vendors to the automotive retail industry.
SARASOTA, Fla. (August 29, 2019) — Textmaxx Pro has been named to two prestigious lists of top vendors to the automotive retail industry, boosting its already strong performance and recognition throughout the country in 2019.
A national, top-tier texting platform for business-to-business and business-to-consumer communication, was named to Subprime Auto Finance News’ Special Finance 175 and Auto Remarketing’s Power 300 lists of the nation’s top vendors.
The Special Finance 175 is a list of the top vendors in what has grown into a $1 trillion special finance marketplace. Members of the Special Finance 175 provide critical auto financing for consumers and help to support companies and dealerships with sound guidance and tools to navigate ever-changing regulatory demands and potential buyer tastes.
The companies listed and profiled in the Power 300 are the major players in the used car and remarketing worlds. Some are well-known anchors of the business; others are starting to make waves. These companies have each made the list for different reasons, but they have all made a significant impact.
“We have really worked hard this year to continually improve our product since inception,” said Chris Leedom, Textmaxx Pro’s CEO. “We believe it is our responsibility to make sure our clients are using the best, fully compliant texting platform in the country. It’s a tribute to the efforts and emphasis on customer service to be named to such stellar groups of suppliers to the automotive industry. I’d like to congratulate everyone on the Textmaxx Pro team for a well-done job. We have accomplished a great deal since we launched our product three years ago.”
Textmaxx Pro has seen double-digit client growth in 2019, bolstered, in part, by earning Digital Dealer 26’s Tech Tank Award in Orlando, Fla., this past spring. Leedom took part in the Digital Dealer’s Tech Tank competition, which pitted his company’s products and services against five other technology-based firms. Audience members voted for Textmaxx Pro, via text, to win the distinguished honor.
Leedom said he’s not surprised that Textmaxx Pro is turning heads in the automotive retail sector and other verticals. The main value proposition for the platform is the ability to communicate effectively in near real time with customers. While 88 percent of business calls go unanswered, the opposite is true of text messaging. About 93 percent of SMS messages are read within 10 minutes, and a return text is usually sent within 20 minutes.
“If you’ve kept up with Telephone Consumer Protection Act and its legal and regulatory compliance issues, you know the value of having a platform that is fully compliant,” Leedom said. “If you are texting your prospects and customers without following the law and its requirements, you could face stiff, possibly business-ending fines. We help alleviate that risk by providing a fully-compliant platform.”
Textmaxx Pro was one of the first texting platforms that was fully vetted by one of the nation’s top law firms when it comes to automotive retail compliance.
While awards and recognition help a lot when growing a business, they only go so far. Leedom noted that the attention to the customer is what pays dividends.
“We, of course, must be seen as a company that responds quickly and communicates effectively with our clients,” Leedom said. “We can’t afford to be late, someone will come in, text our clients, and our lunch will go elsewhere! We help our clients by providing the same real-time, cutting-edge communication ability for them.”
About Textmaxx Pro
Textmaxx Pro believes communication is the No. 1 priority in business. All businesses should have the tools necessary to save time and money while still maintaining constant communication with their existing and potential customers. The Textmaxx Pro technology platform allows for ease of communication with existing customers to provide excellent support to enhance customer satisfaction, and provide information about products, services, discounts, and promotions. The fully compliant platform, is easy to use for businesses across an array of industries and sizes.
Contact
Chris Leedom, CEO
Textmaxx Pro
Homepage
5250 17th Street, Suite 115
Sarasota, FL 34235
EMAIL: chris@leedomgroup.com
