We all get hundreds of messages in a day, right? From promotional offers to notifications, there is a lot of information flowing in on a daily basis. Little do we realize that sending an SMS requires you to follow certain etiquette, otherwise it could be perceived as an offense. Depending on the purpose of sending the message, you also need to define the do’s and don’ts of the SMS. This may not apply to all personal messages that occur on a regular basis. But, you have to practice etiquette when it comes to sending commercial SMS. While there is no rulebook to give you proper guidance, we can surely help you with some suggestions.
1. Check the time
The SMS will reach the intended recipient in a matter of minutes. However, that doesn’t allow you to send the message at any time of the day. Ideally, you should send the SMS at a time when your recipient is most likely to read it. Don’t get us wrong, we are not asking you to predict the time your recipient reads the SMS. Instead, you need to identify the generic time period when mobile users are relatively free and therefore more likely to read the SMS. Also, strictly avoid sending your SMS at supernatural hours otherwise people are guaranteed to blacklist you.
2. Do not send long messages
The very name SMS suggests that it is a short messaging service. However, people tend to misinterpret this acronym and end up sending very long messages from their mobile. We recommend that you refrain from sending such practices. Simply convey the gist of the story by highlighting all the important details, and your work is done. Once you’ve piqued the recipient’s interest, he or she will be happy to give you a call for more information on the subject, if they have any further questions.
3. State a clear action point
The people who read the SMS do not have free time to analyze their text and identify the key message. Therefore, it is recommended that the message be short and simple. Also, always end with a trusted point of contact or call-to-action gesture where you can provide a representative’s phone number or website address. This will ensure that people who read your SMS can easily contact you for any queries related to the details mentioned in the message.
