SMS E-signature is a new feature for SMS text messaging applications. It is a service provided by SMS service providers to enable end users, business enterprises and other organizations to create unique digital signatures that can be recognized by cell phone senders and read at the receiving end. E-signature adds another layer of security for messages sent through text message devices, making them less susceptible to tampering and hacking. It also enables business enterprises to track and trace messages and records to help in decision-making process and improve employee productivity.
In a nutshell, an SMS E-signature is a short key phrase or code used as an embedded value within a message that is sent by an SMS communication device. It can be an identification number, a series of alphanumeric characters or a specific message that is exclusive only to the receiver of the message. As a sender, the only way you can know that your message has been successfully read and recognized is to validate it with the recipient’s E-mail system or through the mobile phone’s WAP application. This will allow you to determine if the message came from the intended contact or if someone else misread it accidentally. To help you out, here are some quick tips on how to set up your own custom e-signature for various SMS communication goals:
Marketing/ Advertisement: If you want to make sure that your upcoming commercial is well-received, then you should always have a good, memorable and easy-to-remember e-signature that your target clients/audience can easily recognize. Take note that having a memorable and easy-to-pronounce signature will help increase the likelihood that your message will be read – regardless of who may be reading it at the time. Some common choices of e-signature are the familiar & easy-to-pronounce “A” – “A#” and “B” – “B#”. You may also consider including a few numbers that represent the length of the message to personalize it for your target audience. Some recommended numbers include 200, 900, etc.
Customer/Prospects: If you’re trying to close a deal or close a sale, it’s important to have an effective way in which you can let your prospects know that you’re willing to close a deal or sale. SMS is the perfect tool to do this. You can use SMS as a form of pre-selling, if you’d like. SMS’s ability to pre-sell will give you the opportunity to engage the prospect long before they decide that it’s time to make the decision to buy your product or service. For example, you could send them a short SMS just before they call to make a reservation, or just before they reply to your initial inquiry.
Follow Up: Another great reason to have a SMS e-signature is the ability to follow up with customers. This is done by sending them back a short SMS thanking them for their business and asking what they’d like to do next. You could then send them a formal SMS, asking them for confirmation that they are booking a reservation (for example), or asking for their credit card number so that you can process the reservation online. By using a mobile text message for follow up, you not only save money on costs such as postage and manpower, but you also save time on running around to book reservations and collect credit cards. The e-signature is especially useful for companies where a single phone call is all that’s needed.
As you can see, there are many ways to benefit from SMS e-signature. Apart from being able to track your leads and messages, you’ll also save money, time and energy. This means you can spend more time concentrating on other aspects of your business, such as marketing and customer support. SMS marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways of marketing a business these days, and you can reap huge benefits by having your business linked to this convenient method of communication. So what are you waiting for? Go get yourself an SMS e-signature today!
