Database capture

Every text message you receive is potentially useful in your business. At the simplest level, you can analyze calls by location, by time and by message content. The Interactive Messaging system also contains provisions for replying to users, managing subscriptions, and even exporting databases.

All incoming messages are tagged with information including the caller's mobile phone number, nickname, message and date/time. You can use this information in four ways:

1. Analyze general marketing information

You can export the incoming call record, and use this database for general marketing and information purposes:

2. Immediately reply to callers (2-way messaging)

When a text message comes in, you can reply to it. This can automatically be sent to everyone ("Thank you for voting"). Or, the system moderator can send a custom message to an individual ("That was a really good suggestion -- thanks!"). By using the Bulk Messaging feature, you can send a message to all callers, or to a selected group: 
   

 
 3: Sign up callers for opt-in subscriptions

Callers may want to get recurring information from you:

It's easy to set this up, with IMU's "Subscribe" feature. Callers send you a special code word such as "SUBSCRIBE". IMU then automatically adds them to the subscription database, and immediately sends back a welcoming confirmation text. This text also contains information on the code word necessary to unsubscribe.

This is an excellent marketing tool. You are communicating with people who specifically indicated they wanted to "opt-in" and receive your text messages.

4: Run directed marketing and promotions

SMSGHs’ IMU system can output a database with the incoming cell number, nickname, message, date/time, etc. This can be used to send text messages or even voice calls to users at a later time.

For example, you could run an ad saying "Text 'DRIVE ME' to 1415, to get a free test drive of the new “SMSGH SUV". You capture the incoming phone numbers; later, salespeople call by voice to set up appointments.

Caution: This option should be used with care. Not all users may want to receive the message. If it is heavily sales-oriented or they did not give "opt-in" permission to be contacted, they may consider it to be "SMS spam".