Pop Quiz: Which of the following are you more likely to respond to immediately?

a) An unsolicited email from a company you’ve worked with in the past.
b) An unsolicited voicemail from a company you’ve worked with in the past.
c) An unsolicited text from a company you’ve worked with in the past.

If you’re like many people today, your answer is most likely “C”. In a world where more and more professionals include their cell phone numbers on their business cards and email signatures, texting is fast becoming the preferred method of communication.

Active texting to current and potential customers can be a game changer for your business! Not only is it fast, but it also gives you a higher percentage chance of receiving a response. According to Textrequest.com, the majority of texts are read within 5 seconds of being sent and have an average response time of 90 seconds – making it a great way to have fast, efficient communication with your clients.

In addition to being faster than other options, texting is also more personal. Many business owners believe the false narrative that texting is impersonal. However, compared to any other mode of communication, a message sent through texting often has the highest likelihood of reaching its recipient. Calls are often intercepted; voicemails and emails are often deleted in bulk without ever being reviewed. But when was the last time you deleted a text without first scanning its contents? Even if you don’t know the sender, you give him or her a few moments of your time. That is the essence of personal communication.

The biggest reason that texting can change the future of your business is that it allows you to remain completely mobile! In today’s busy world, we are almost never without our cell phones. According to a study by Time magazine, people in the United States across all age groups check their phones 46 times per day. This means that you can reach your customers or potential customers anytime, anywhere – a fact that brings with it staggering opportunity for any business.

Although once the domain of young, casual chatters, texting has evolved to become an accepted – and even expected – mode of business communication. Its convenience and accessibility often provide a chance for you to get your business in front of customers who otherwise can often be impossible to reach. It is a personal tool with incredible business applications.