People frequently ask us how SMS text messaging compares to email and phone calls. They want to know the clear winner.
But the frustrating answer is… it depends. You need both. They each serve a different purpose. A well-rounded conversational messaging strategy takes advantage of the benefits of texting and the benefits of email.
What is conversational messaging?
Conversational messaging is a patient-centric, personalized messaging strategy. It’s simple: talk to people like a real person. Your two goals are to 1) make marketing, sales, and service conversations feel as warm, friendly, and personal as possible and 2) open up the line of communication for patients to respond. 3 out of 4 patients get frustrated when they can’t respond or take action after receiving a message.
Patients want fast, easy, personalized, and responsive ways to communicate with you.
That’s why using both email and text messages will win loyalty, praise, and admiration! The best part is, it’s never been easier to communicate with your patients!
The difference between text and email is that email gives you more space to tell a more visual and convincing story. Email works great for long, in-depth patient communications, like sharing monthly newsletters, health education, care plan information, etc. Our new email drag and drop editor can help you create beautiful, branded emails to enhance your email marketing strategy.
Text message marketing is best for short messages, calls to action, and immediate engagement, like appointment reminders, out-of-office messages, sending links to fill out online forms, etc. Texting is a less obtrusive, more direct way to get an instant response.
This may not make sense given people’s supposed craving for more conversational experiences. But the powerful truth is:
People want conversations to occur quietly, in their own time, and at their convenience. That’s why text messages and emails are an effective part of your patient communication.
Book a demo to see how our features will improve your conversational messaging strategy!
