Whereas the thought of getting a textual content from a gross sales skilled could appear a bit of out of the extraordinary, the rise of distant and hybrid work means gross sales reps are turning to textual content messaging greater than ever. 

And, because it seems, there are some very actual advantages to utilizing textual content as a part of your prospecting technique.

Certain, being ghosted by your prospect is definitely a risk. However on the very least, it will get your message learn — and quicker than if it had been despatched through e-mail. 

Advantages of Chilly Texting

In a latest ZoomInfo ballot on LinkedIn, 65% of respondents mentioned they cold-text prospects — and gave some compelling causes to think about the observe: 

• Textual content reminders for upcoming conferences might help to extend present fee 
• Extra probably your message will get learn in a well timed method
• All people has their mobile phone at residence — and usually tend to examine it no matter how chaotic their work at home days are
• Texts make it simpler for shoppers to get ahold of you once they have your cell quantity and may merely shoot you a textual content if they’ve a query or concern

However what about greatest practices? Is there a rulebook for this form of factor? The place will we stand on using emojis? Textual content outreach is a complete new ballgame, and we’re simply beginning to determine the foundations.  

How To not Chilly Textual content Your Gross sales Prospects

Texting definitely permits you to be extra informal together with your outreach, however that doesn’t imply it must be full of flame emojis or “OMG” shorthand. Listed below are a couple of no-no’s with regards to contacting gross sales prospecting through textual content message: 

• Don’t Write a Novel: Hold it brief.
• Don’t be Overly Informal: Although the tactic is extra informal, you need to try to take care of an expert strategy. Possibly there’s a time and a spot for a smiley face, however don’t get too cute. 
• Don’t Use Textual content Shorthand: brb, lol, numbers as an alternative of phrases — this sort of lingo can come throughout as unprofessional or spammy. 

The right way to Chilly Textual content Your Gross sales Prospects 

Now that we all know it’s A-okay to ship texts to your gross sales prospects, it’s time to begin fascinated about some greatest practices for the method. 

• Observe the KISS Mannequin: “Hold it easy, silly.”
• Hold Texts Clear and Concise: The entire good thing about texting is that it’s a faster, extra environment friendly method to attain prospects.  
• Be Conscious of Space Codes and Time Zones: Similar to with a telephone name, be sure you aren’t reaching out exterior of enterprise hours. It’s probably that somebody is out of “work mode” once they get your late-night textual content, and received’t reply in any respect. 
• Put Your self in Their Sneakers: How would you prefer to be chilly texted by a salesman? Consider the sorts of messages you’d be extra probably to reply to reasonably than those you’d instantly ignore.
• Ask for Permission: If that is your first time texting, introduce your self and provides them a method out. Texting ought to all the time be opt-in. Ask if it might be OK to contact them through textual content after you’ve established a good rapport. 

Texting is stronger after already connecting over the telephone. Utilizing texts as a reminder for a demo, or different softer touches, is a optimistic expertise. 

Most individuals reside on their smartphones, so to get a response from a prospect we have to perceive what they see — it’s in all probability a one-line preview on the lock display screen.  Make the primary sentence rely, each time.

So, Ought to You Textual content Gross sales Prospects?

Pre-COVID, texting gross sales prospects could have been an enormous fake pas. However now, gross sales reps are singing its praises. 

With regards to gross sales, realizing that change is all the time taking place is essential. For those who don’t, you threat getting left behind.

So the subsequent time it’s worthwhile to ship a reminder to a prospect about an upcoming demo assembly, suppose twice earlier than selecting up the telephone.

Do your homework first — and possibly shoot them a textual content.