Text messaging is a widely utilized form of communication for personal use, but it also holds value for businesses, including non-profits and educational institutions. As text messaging has evolved from just a social communication tool to a business and marketing strategy, it has become increasingly clear that SMS is essential for any modern business looking to communicate with its audience effectively. With its simplicity and convenience, it’s no wonder that SMS is a powerful tool for corporate communication. This article explores why it is vital for non-profits and educational institutions to leverage SMS in their corporate communication.
Quick and Efficient Communication
One of the primary advantages of SMS is its speed and efficiency. Unlike emails or phone calls, text messages are quickly received, read and responded to. This makes it an ideal channel for non-profits and educational institutions who need to communicate timely and crucial information. For instance, non-profits can send donation requests via SMS to their supporters, and educational institutions can send out quick updates to parents and students. Furthermore, SMS can be used to gather feedback through surveys and questionnaires.
Increased Engagement
SMS is a highly engaging form of communication. Studies indicate that 90% of text messages are read within the first three minutes of being received, and these messages are more likely to get a response compared to other forms of communication. This level of engagement can be valuable for non-profits and educational institutions, who rely heavily on audience engagement to meet their goals. For instance, non-profits can send updates to their donors and volunteers, while educational institutions can use SMS to remind students and parents of upcoming events and deadlines.
Cost-Effective Communication
SMS is a low-cost communication strategy compared to other traditional communication channels such as print or TV advertising. This makes it an ideal tool for non-profits and educational institutions, who are often operating on tight budgets. Additionally, SMS is a more reliable form of communication compared to emails, which may often land in spam folders.
Personalized Communication
Another advantage of SMS is that it can be tailored to suit the receiver’s interests and preferences. With tools like segmentation and automation, non-profits and educational institutions can create messages that are personalized to their audience, resulting in higher engagement and response rates. For example, non-profits can send SMS messages to donors based on their giving history and interests, while educational institutions can send messages to students based on their academic record.
Good for Emergency Communication
SMS can also serve as a useful channel for emergency communication. Non-profits and educational institutions can send important updates and alerts such as natural disaster warnings, school closures, or delayed events. SMS can provide a reliable method of communication for disseminating information during emergencies.
SMS is an essential communication channel for non-profits and educational institutions. It provides a fast, efficient, and cost-effective way of communicating with target audiences. With its high levels of engagement, personalization, and the ability to tailor messages to suit the receiver, SMS is a powerful communication strategy that can help non-profits and educational institutions meet their communication objectives. Non-profits and educational institutions can leverage SMS to communicate critical information, request donations and feedback, increase engagement, provide emergency updates, and much more. By incorporating SMS into their corporate communication strategy, non-profits and educational institutions can improve their reach and impact.
