Lots of businesses have started using text messages to keep customers informed about special deals and to creatively enhance the customer service experience. This article on Inc.com shares the ways businesses can use texting effectively. When implemented with control and purpose, texting can be a boon for business.
But if you’re a solopreneur, incoming texts from customers can be a distraction.
In his blog post, “Another Tax Season Down — 2014 Tax Season Recap,” Jason Dinesen of Dinesen Tax & Accounting, P.C. shared some notable challenges with texting that I suspect other solopreneurs are experiencing, too:
Clients sending excessive texts and clients sending texts when they should be communicating via other means.
I find texts from clients acceptable and helpful when they’re sharing they’re running behind schedule for an appointment or if they want to see if I’m available for a quick, unscheduled call. But texting beyond that can become problematic.
If you present clients with a service agreement that lists your policies and procedures, you might consider adding verbiage to address text messaging. If you don’t have such an agreement in place, you can try explaining to clients that you’d prefer them to contact you by email (or call or whatever you prefer).
Another option: ignore the text initially. Don’t text back. Pretend that the text was actually an email, and then send an email (not a text) with the subject: “Following up on your text message.” Make sure that the timing of the email response is in line with how long it would have typically taken you to respond to your client had she sent an email in the first place. Then, of course, mention corresponding by email works best and ensures no important information will get overlooked while you’re working together.
You might find it challenging to keep texting with clients under control, but ultimately your actions will set the precedent for how you communicate with your clients. The key is to be clear about how you want to communicate, and stay consistent in how you communicate and how you respond (or don’t respond) to clients’ text messages.
Your turn! What’s your take on accepting text messages from clients?
By Dawn Mentzer
Another Insatiable Solopreneur™ post
I view my role as more than an independent contractor for hire — I become a part of your team. You’ll find that I dig into the details to understand what’s important to you — and your customers. I embrace collaboration, communicate openly, and craft content to help you achieve your marketing and business goals. Read More...
Great post Dawn! I’m glad that my post could provide good fodder for you. 🙂
I typically don’t mind texts. But this tax season I reached my limit. The texts that I included in my blog post are paraphrases of real texts I got. Over and over again.
For some reason, I find texts to be far, far, far more disruptive (and annoying) than email or calls. Maybe because of the seeming need for an instant response. The biggest advice: the “You’re in control” part of your post. This is a hard thing for many of us solopreneurs to come to terms with, especially if we started as a part-time business where we could be “free and easy” with how we operated. We are in control and we set the ground rules for our clients.
So much more to say. I may have to do my own blog post about it….
Hi Jason! You were my inspiration! So glad we had an opportunity to talk about this topic, and that you included mention of it in your post. You make a good point that although texting may not be a problem for solopreneurs when they are starting out, when uncontrolled it becomes a huge issue after a solo-business becomes more successful. It’s absolutely up to us to set the ground rules and expectations. Being accessible and available, doesn’t have to mean being willing to drop everything whenever a text rolls in.
Great points Dawn and Jason! I only used my cell phone in the early years of my business so only a few long-term clients have it. I eventually got a business phone number that runs through my internet connection so I can take it with me on my laptop. When I want it off though, it’s off. I don’t love communicating by text and prefer to keep it in the “I’m running late” genre of messages.
Hi Michele! Not sure how I missed your comment from last week. So sorry about that. Thanks for sharing your solution to the problem. Great idea!! Have a wonderful weekend!