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 | Feb 6, 2019
By Christopher Leedom
CEO, Textmaxx Pro
How many of you reading this article are frustrated by the volume of voice mail—both left and received—during the average workday? Whether it is for sales, service or collections, your staff leaves dozens—if not hundreds—of voice mails every day. It has probably become one of the biggest drains of productivity and labor—but nevertheless necessary—until now. Do I have you scratching your head a bit?
First, let me issue you a challenge. Identify one employee in your business that interacts with your customer base on a daily basis—for instance, a salesperson, a collector, or a service representative. Next, identify twenty customers that you need to communicate with that particular day. If you are a working with a collector, pick twenty accounts that just became delinquent. If you are in sales, pick twenty customers that need follow up. Now, take ten of these customers and send them an SMS message initiating communication with them. Sales, service, or collections – it doesn’t matter. Then, take the next ten customers and call them, if you do not reach them, leave a voicemail initiating communication.
By the time you get done calling the ten “phone call” customers, chances are 50% of the SMS customers will have already texted you back! Why? It is because 93% of SMS messages are read within ten minutes and a return text is usually sent within twenty minutes. How does that compare to the voicemails—no contest. You probably will connect with two or maybe three of the outbound phone calls and will likely leave seven or eight voicemails.
I have observed this exercise with countless operations. Our organization has worked with thousands of companies over the past twenty years. When we started Textmaxx Pro four years ago, I could not have predicted the impact on productivity. We see it across virtually every industry vertical we serve. In today’s world everyone returns an SMS message well before returning a voicemail. There are countless studies that prove this.
So how do you optimize your SMS messaging strategy? First, think of it the same as your phone system. You need a tool that is proprietary and resident to your business that will serve your SMS communication needs, and ensure compliance. I hear too many dealers say, “My employees are really good at texting, they use their personal phones.” When I hear this, I cringe. Think about it, would you utilize your employee’s personal phone number when advertising on the web or in television commercials? Would you give each employee a copy of their entire customer activity when they leave your company to work elsewhere? That is precisely what you are doing if you do not have a product that allows you to store, monitor, and control all SMS activity. It doesn’t matter whether it is sales or collections. You need to retain and control those conversations for a host of reasons, none the least of which is compliance, but that is a topic for an entire article itself.
So, if you want to eliminate—or at least greatly reduce—the wasted time and effort of phone tag, implement a well-thought-out customer contact strategy where SMS communication is your first form of communication. You will be amazed at the impact it will have on employee productivity. It is an incredibly effective way to communicate with your customers. In my opinion, it is even more effective in collections or service where you already have a relationship with the customer. Today, studies show SMS messaging to be the preferred method of communication of most customers across virtually every demographic. It is hands down the most efficient mode for just about every conversation.
If you would like a deeper dive into this topic, sign up for an exclusive demo with one of our sales representatives by visiting www.textmaxxpro.com for more information.
Chris Leedom is the CEO and Founder of the Leedom Group. The Leedom Group includes Textmaxx Pro, a complete SMS messaging solution for small to medium business with a custom design for sales, service, collections, account management, and client retention communication. The Leedom Group is based in Sarasota, FL. You may reach Chris at chris@leedomgroup.com.
by Textmaxx Pro | Mar 6, 2018
1) Your Clients Prefer Texting Over Calls, Voicemails and Emails
We all text our family and friends much more than we call or email, and studies show a strong preference by clients to text the service professionals they hire. Instant, real-time, asynchronous, easy — it’s no wonder we all prefer it! And the younger your client, the more texting may be the only way to reach them.
2) You are NOT getting your clients text messages
Clients are already sending texts to your firm, and if your business number is not text-enabled, you won’t receive them. Once we text-enable your line, typically a flood of old texts flow through and the business quickly realizes not answering texts is like not answering the phone!
3) Risk Management
Using a personal cell phone to text clients about business violates TCPA rules because you don’t have written consent to communicate via text. This can result in the same fine as an unsolicited phone call. Worse, the text conversation history between employee and client has no record. Likely your business has invested heavily in email archiving to comply with FINRA guidelines, but texts — the preferred way to communicate — aren’t similarly archived?
Are you ready to communicate with your clients the way they prefer? Easily, instantly and compliantly. Start now, Textmaxx Pro is available to you with absolutely no software to configure or install. Our dynamic and nimble texting solution can be accessed via web browser, EasyConnect email integration and mobile app available for iPhone and Android. Included in all plans is a 10-year message archive for recording all message history and written consent for text communication. Messages histories are fully downloadable and searchable by user, cell, and keyword.
Textmaxx Pro text-enables any number of landlines, activates any number of users, and accommodates any texting volume. All client cells can be uploaded for one-time opt-in notification, and messages replies can be automated and customized to meet any need.
Easy, customized and affordable is why Textmaxx Pro is the Text Messaging Service Leader for Professionals.
by Textmaxx Pro | Feb 13, 2018
We have found our clients are very enthusiastically text-enable their landline with Textmaxx Pro and quickly opt in their current customers. But what happens to all their new and perspective customers? How will they know they can text your business?
We have put together six sure fire tips that will let everyone your business communicates with know that their texts will be received and answered.
Google:
Google is making it easy for you to communicate with your customers via text with their text extension available both through their Google Local business listing and Adwords campaigns. With one click, a key prospect or customer can text your business.
Check out our blog on how to set up the message extension feature on your Google profiles and Adwords campaigns.
Website:
Your website is the first place most consumers engage with your business. Let them know you are welcoming and easy to contact with “Call or Text” and your phone number at the top of your web page where people can instantly tap to call or text your business.
Keep the “Call or Text” verbiage through your website and place special significance to it on your contact page. See an example below:
Email/Business Cards:
Once you have had that initial contact with a prospective customer or client, keep them engaged by being accessible to them via phone, email and text. By adding “Call or Text” to your business card and email signature you are showing them you value their business and are ready to connect with them in the way they prefer.
Social Media: Facebook/Twitter
Similar to your website, Facebook and Twitter offer a space at the top of your business pages where you can place a timeline or cover banner in addition to your profile logo/photo. This location is an ideal place to promote your “Call or Text” plus phone number feature. It is also a great place to promote your keyword to your text-enabled number to entice customers to opt in to two-way texting with your business.
Check out our blog explaining all mysteries behind keywords here:
Also, adding a “Call or Text” call-to-action message at the end of certain posts will increase responses from your customers and clients. See an example below:
Advertising:
As you are marketing your business to prospective clients and customers, remember to include “Call or Text” or promote your keyword with text-enabled phone number as part of your advertising campaigns placed on local radio, TV, print magazines/newspapers and in direct mail. See an example below:
Marketing and Sales Email Blasts:
Your marketing department is pushing emails out every week with sales and specials – why are you only using click-thru links, landing pages and forms to track their success. Start the conversation instantly by including “Call or Text” with your phone number, or a text in keyword to your text-enabled phone number the top and the bottom of the email.
Pro Tip: type the your phone number into the email vs inserting a linkable image, so mobile phones can click to directly to call or message your business.
Questions? Are you looking for more marketing assistance? Email lindsey@textmaxxpro.com with any questions. To learn more about our managed services programs email Dave Leedom at dave@textmaxxpro.com.
