We all get hundreds of messages in a day, right? From promotional offers to notifications, there is a lot of information flowing daily. Little do we realize that sending an SMS requires you to follow certain etiquettes, otherwise it could be perceived as offensive. Depending on the purpose of sending the message, you should also 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 business SMS. While there is no rule book that will 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 does not 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’re 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 most likely to read the SMS. Also, strictly avoid sending your SMS at unearthly 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 misunderstand this acronym and end up sending very long messages from their mobile. We recommend that you refrain from submitting 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 call you for more information on the topic, if they have any further queries.
3. State a clear action point
The people who read the SMS do not have free time to analyze its text and identify the key message. Therefore, it is recommended that the message be short and simple. Also, always conclude with a trusted point of contact or gesture call-to-action 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 with any queries related to the details mentioned in the message.