Why messaging is winning
Messaging is the dominant communication channel today. Here’s why it delivers advantages for local businesses.
I was calling a friend the other day and this was his voicemail greeting, “Hi! This is Brian, please don’t leave a voicemail because I don’t listen to them. Just text me and I’ll get back to you.” My reaction? Brilliant.
Text messaging is infinitely more efficient for communication and increasingly just as effective for personal connection. I had already arrived at the same conclusion long ago and the truth is that most everyone in the world has as well. It’s not like we all made a conscious decision to start messaging more. It’s come about so naturally as a result of qualities unique to messaging.
Here is why messaging is the dominant communication channel today. And why it delivers advantages for local businesses.
Messaging is asynchronous.
We don’t have to catch each other in real time to connect as we do in meetings and phone calls. When the thought or need arises, we can send off our message and whomever we texted can answer when practical for them. Your customers aren’t inconvenienced and your staff can still be efficient.
Messaging is fast.
We dash off quick questions and one-word answers. We’re not going to pick up the phone, say “yes,” and hang up. Messaging encourages an economy of words. It’s appropriate to get right to the point rather than exchange pleasantries and more in a phone call that could last 1 to 10 minutes.
Messaging is personal.
We send emojis that convey delight, sympathy, laughter, and love. We all know what :] and LOL mean. We arguably are more expressive in the micro-moments of messaging. And research shows that businesses that use emojis with messaging create greater engagement with their customers.
Messaging is efficient.
We send and receive messages on our phones (or desktops) while in meetings or on the train or in line at the supermarket. Whether scheduling an appointment or reading a message, customers can do so while not interrupting their work or personal activities.
Messaging is persistent.
The conversation history remains for both parties to scroll back through. So conversations can last for days and still stay on track. Forgot a detail? No worries. Just scroll back. Different staff can handle the same conversation simply by reading the past few exchanges. Messaging also creates a record so there is less room for error in communication.
Messaging has identity (at least in native mobile apps).
You know who you’re talking to from the get-go whereas many customer interactions on the phone or in the store can leave you with no customer identity or record of the encounter at all.
Messaging has changed the way we communicate in our personal lives (iMessage, WhatsApp, Snapchat to name a few apps). It’s also changing how we communicate at work (Slack, Hangouts). We’re here to bring a dedicated messaging platform to local merchants and their customers so that we can enjoy the same convenience and experiences within our communities.
Tell your friends and favorite businesses about HeyNearby.
