What is SMS or Text Messaging?

The use of SMS (short message service) also known as text messaging has been well-ensconced in Europe and Asia for some time now. Teens have enthusiastically embraced it in the United States. But, it has only begun to emerge in the United States as a marketing tool because of all of our competing phone companies with differing technologies. Most people are unaware that SMS can be used to get instant information, send money, make money, and to save money.

Sending a text message is a quick and simple procedure. You can send a message to a mobile phone number, an email address, or a short code. Short codes are usually five or six digit numbers used for mobile marketing convenience so that you don't have to enter a long phone number.

Personal SMS

No wonder the younger generation has already enthusiastically embraced texting as the preferred means of communication over phone calls and email. SMS is fast and efficient. Of course, there's the down side too, and SMS has been used for cheating on tests so that some schools frown on their use. Another negative aspect is the cost of per text messages. Warning: if you plan to text, get an unlimited plan.

To text someone, go to the messaging area of your phone's functions and select SMS or Text Message. Enter the recipient's phone number in the To: field and then type your message in the message field. Select Send, and off it goes.

Text messages are limited to 160 characters maximum. Some phones display character counts. If you go over 160 characters, some phone will split the messages and automatically create sequential messages. Some phones have canned text with phrases you can select such as "email me," "wanna do lunch," "on phone." You can edit the list to create your own phrases. Some phones have a table of emoticons or smiley faces you can select.

The 160 character limitation and the laborious task of entering text using a phone keypad have combined to produce an evolving character-efficient text talk with new words and abbreviations. For example, 2GTBT=too good to be true; 143=I love you; 404=I don't know. For a comprehensive list, go to www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/textmessageabbreviations.asp. Check out the emoticon chart too.

Texting has many advantages over email and phone calls. Brief text messages can be assimilated quickly by the human mind compared to processing phone conversations with all the extras and social amenities. Text messages can be archived and automatically linked for easy review on more sophisticated phones. Text messages are never dropped or cut off because of bad reception. Messages are transmitted instantly and can be used in situations where talking on the phone would be awkward, such as in meetings or in public places. You can send links or URLs to Web enabled phones. Texting if fun for casual flirting and for building good karma with thoughtful messages and reminders. Busy people can become even more effective using SMS.

Commercial SMS

Texting in the United States for commercial purposes has just begun to emerge. Perhaps you have noticed texting first on TV shows such as American Idol. You can text your vote using your cell phone-if you are an AT&T customer. Even though limited to a single carrier, the show receives millions and millions of votes showing that it is a well-received and popular activity. The problem of competing technologies of all the different characters has been overcome and the gap bridged by companies such as Synergetics International SMS (www.synergetics.org/sms) so that it is now possible for businesses large and small to take advantage of this technology for marketing purposes.

Think of the power of SMS with respect to marketing. There has never before been such a powerful means of marketing. Almost everyone carries a mobile phone these days. People don't leave home without them, and they are your constant companion. Accordingly, a marketer has the opportunity to reach customers at anytime any place.

Unlike email in which must despised SPAM has become widespread, SMS is not subject to SPAM. That is because the receiver must request the information and can instantly opt out by simply texting back the word STOP.

I will examine the possibilities of commercial SMS in more detail in a future article, so stay tuned.

Conclusions

SMS allows people to communicate quickly and concisely under conditions where it may not be possible otherwise. You can use SMS to send and receive information, make reservations, make contributions, send money, receive money, make money, and save money. We will elaborate on each of these topics in future discussions and show how SMS is a highly effective means of reaching a targeted market. Most consumers are enthusiastic about texting and find it fun. I predict that SMS will soon become the future of marketing. This back just a few years ago when most people didn't have a clue what www meant. Now, if a company has no Website, it has no credibility.

Article Source: http://www.article-heaven.com

About the author: Timothy S. Hillebrand, Ph.D. is a retired archaeologist who has a newfound passion for mobile technology and has published hundreds of articles on the subject. His most recent passion is SMS. To find out more about text messaging for fun and profit, visit his SMS Blog.
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