POWER Texting: Engaging YourEmployees via Text Messaging

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9:14 AM Phone call from vendor

9:16 AM Email from supervisor

9:18 AM Email from co-worker

9:21 AM Email from key client

9:30 AM Meeting with team

10:01 AM Phone call from co-worker in London

The life of a typical corporateemployee on a daily basis...

The life of a typical corporateemployee on a daily basis...

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And that’s just deskbound employees!Consider jobs in retail, manufacturing, sales and other fields and you’ll see even more messages for employees to process mentally!

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So how do you breakthrough the noise?

Consider text messaging!

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Quickfacts

onSMS

Here are the steps smart organizations use to start text messaging employees:

1. Find an SMS Provider

2. Gather Employee Data

3. Integrate SMS into yourcommunication strategy

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First, choose a tool or vendor partner.

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First, choose a tool or vendor partner.

1. Find an SMS Provider

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1. Find an SMSProvider

Because the requirements of the partner you choose may vary, first consider how you will deploy (send) text messages.

Some popular options include...

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Twitter Fast Follow

Sharing non-confidential information

Organizations without IT support

Desire to integrate with employees’ personal social media

DescriptionMost

Suitable For Estimated Cost

1. Find an SMSProvider

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A creative way to use the social network Twitter via text message -- even for people who do not have a Twitter account

Free

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The social media platform Twitter has another use beyond tweeting.

Trumpia 1. Find an SMSProvider

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FREE

DescriptionMost

Suitable For Approx. Cost

Specializes in mass & targeted messaging and audience segmentation

Offers picture messages, email to SMS, keywords, SMS surveys, and many other features

Mid-to-large organizations

Sending large volume of text messages at once

Targeting messages based on behavior

Advanced features and reporting

Starts at

$689 monthly

trumpia.com

Visit Trumpia.com to learn more.

Mozeo 1. Find an SMSProvider

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FREE

DescriptionMost

Suitable For Approx. Cost

Simple, dashboard based system for sending and reports on SMS

Providing to multiple communicators with no training or strategy required

One-off text message campaigns

$.03

mozeo.com

Visit mozeo.com to learn more.

per outbound message

After you determine the technology you will use...

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Decide where to store your employee’s information.

2. Gather Employee Data

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2. GatherEmployeeData

You must have the employee's:● Cell phone number● Consent to send text

messages

Data Requirements

An employee providing his/her mobile number in the company system is NOT consent to use it for texting.

Corporate-owned devices are NOT exempt from this requirement.

2. GatherEmployeeData

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Do you already have employee mobile phone numbers?

2. GatherEmployeeData

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● If YES, skip to slide 23.

● If NO, see next slide.

2. GatherEmployeeData

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Collecting employee phone numbers

Where will you store employees’ mobile phone numbers?

● Text messaging provider’s system

● HRIS system

● Employee profiles/directory

● Benefits portal

● Other system you may already use

2. GatherEmployeeData

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Can employees update information on their own?

If your legal department is nervous about this communication method, create an electronic record for affirmative consent.

● Employees need to update periodically, so the information is accurate

● Avoid administrative burden: offer employee self-service

2. GatherEmployeeData

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Do you have consent to send SMS to their mobile?

● If YES, you are all set!

● If NO, see next slide.

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2. GatherEmployeeData

Creative approaches to obtaining consent

2. GatherEmployeeData

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Have employeestext to sign upProvide a short code and have employees send a text to that short code to sign up.

2. GatherEmployeeData

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People might not be motivated to take action just to sign up for text messages from the company.

Consider doing a campaign on another topic and as a part of that process, obtain the consent to text.

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2. GatherEmployeeData

Run a communication campaign

Include in another processMake providing consent appear (“pop-up”) as a part of another mandatory system process.

NOTE: If you provide smartphones to employees, include a request for consent prior to receiving the device.

2. GatherEmployeeData

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Now, you’re ready to text employees!

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3. Integrate SMS into your communication strategy

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3. IntegrateSMS into your

communicationstrategyTell them what

Disclose upfront:● What you plan to

send — the types of messages

● How often

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you’re going to send

Don’t send sensitive, privileged, confidential or inflammatory information via text.

Practice discretion 3. IntegrateSMS into your

communicationstrategy

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Keep it simple, simple, simple...

Have you ever gotten into an argument with your spouse, partner or friend via text? If so you know how things can escalate quickly!

Tone is hard to gauge on text. Keep your messages easy to interpret.

3. IntegrateSMS into your

communicationstrategy

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Aim for twice a year to remind employees to review and update their information.

Remind employees 3. IntegrateSMS into your

communicationstrategy

to keep info updated

Don’t go

● Texts can’t take the place of regular business communication

● They are a supplement

● Ideal for:○ Urgent messages (office closings,

natural disasters, etc.)

○ Deadline reminders

○ Announcements (new business wins, company press mentions, etc.)

○ Short blurbs that lead to a web page or email with more detailed information

3. IntegrateSMS into your

communicationstrategy

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overboard

You Ready?

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We hope you found this helpful to get you on your way to using SMS for employee communication!

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Hop over and join the conversation with other internal communicators about how they’re using text messaging!

Strategic Internal Communication Network, (SIC)n on LinkedIn

Visit our blog

Breaking Through Via SMS

If you need consulting support, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Chief Employee Communication Enthusiast, Tina Hawkins!

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