Ten Businesses That Can Profit from Text Message Scheduling

Text message scheduling is one of the newest and most powerful marketing tools. People are moving away from landline usage (especially with capped mobile phone plans that are cheaper than traditional line rental). In some cases, people are reluctant to provide landline phone numbers to businesses to reduce the number of telemarketing and research calls they get, so provide mobile numbers instead. The fact is that they are an untapped resource for many businesses -- we look at ten businesses that can use text message scheduling and bulk messages to communicate with their customers for increased profit.

• Dentists: Dentist appointments are often booked weeks in advance, and you probably find a high no-show rate, simply due to forgetfulness! Text message scheduling can help reduce the number of no-shows in your dentistry practice.
• Mechanics: Car services and inspections are two regular activities that all cars need. You can send out six-monthly reminders for your customers that their service is due, or let them know when they are required to have the car checked out.
• Tattooists: Another business where appointments are often booked quite a while in advance, tattooists can help decrease the number of no-shows with text message reminders.
• Insurance companies: Your customers' policies will expire at regular intervals throughout the year. While most companies send a paper bill for renewal, why not combine that renewal date with a special offer to increase your business? Offer a package deal on home-contents and car insurance, or a discount for people insuring a bike at the same time they renew their car insurance.
• Hairdressers: The shorter delay between making an appointment and fulfilling it for hairdressers means that no-shows aren't as frequent. However, you typically know how much of your week is taken up on a Monday. If it is looking a little quiet, send out a special promotion to your regulars, offering free foils with a cut, or product discounts. You can also use text message scheduling to remind people to get a trim or have their roots done.
• Pizza shops: You will probably have a rich and full database of mobile phone numbers, with the new standard practice of taking a phone number for an order. Why not use these to tell people about a daily discount or special offer?
• Veterinarians: Immunization scheduling offers a great reason to get in touch with your customers and remind them when treatments are due.
• Cinemas: Online bookings have become more and more common, as people prefer not to stand in line at cinemas. Use text message scheduling to confirm bookings -- provide your customers with a confirmation number in the email.
• Restaurants: You can use text message scheduling to tell people who have made a booking what to expect at your restaurant. You may want to let them know to take a seat and they'll be with you, or come to the counter and order, as well as for any special offers you have going.
• Doctors: Just as with veterinarians, there are a wealth of medical procedures that need to be made at regular intervals. Child immunizations, pap smears and mammograms are good examples of opportunities for text message scheduling.