pinkiesup

Texting a prospect?

Hey everyone,

So lately my team and I have been thinking of new creative ways to connect with prospects because the phones have had a super low connect rate lately. I actually got a DM at Hulu to text me back yesterday and booked a meeting following up on an email with a text today (2 diff scenarios).

Due to the spam filters and low connect rates it seems like text may be a really useful medium. Obviously it's super ballsy but I've been trying to keep it short and sweet and it's working! A teammate of mine also booked a call texting a DM.

Just wanted to share this in case it helps you or if you'd just like to drag my ass for doing it.

📞 Cold Calling

🔎 Prospecting

👑 Sales Strategy

30 comments

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dwightyouignorantsale

Politicker

Account Executive

Cold texting is one you have to be verrrry careful with. Depending on where you’re located and where your prospects are located, there are a handful of business texting laws in place. Meaning that most of the time, a person would need to “opt in” to receive texts. Without that, you and your org could get in some sticky situations.

pinkiesup

Catalyst

Great point! I did not even know that. I will look into this. Thank you!

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

Rolling 20's all day

Yeah, I 100% agree you need to look into this. I had some good connect rates with this within a week of prospecting (I was not mass blasting) and then discussing with my leadership they brought this up.

pinkiesup

Catalyst

When you say not mass blasting, does that mean ur texts were personalized to your prospect? That's what I was doing. I feel like straight up cold outreach w/no personalization might be setting myself up to be chewed out

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

If you have their permission go for it. If not, I wouldn't do it.

UrAssIsSaaS

Arsonist

SaaS Eater

Im in the process of ordering a new truck and much prefer to txt with the sales person than talk on the phone. That being said I asked them to txt me and let them know that was my preference. A cold text would have been a big no go for me.

Thats all on top of understanding the legality of it so do your HW before going all in there.

Kinonez

Celebrated Contributor

War Room Enthusiast

I had mixed results with this. Some prospects have voicemail or email message where they mention you can reach them that way, then yes, do that. Cold texting... has not given me good results at all. I have not done this enough though.

hh456

Celebrated Contributor

sales

Not a fan of texting.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

I never text unless I have permission from the prospects (either directly or in the form of an auto-responder email). I did once and it hit me back badly. Lesson learnt there.

AutoSmiler

Arsonist

Account Executive

^^^ Have to piggyback here. Only time I have used text successfully was after being given permission in some form. Also, there are so many text scams going on right now, it might be hard to differentiate your text from that sort of clutter so if you're texting for cold outreach, make sure the message hits home, especially without permission.

pinkiesup

Catalyst

Yeah I didn't have permission - quite frankly I don't for any contacts to my knowledge. I figured that if the text is personalized and not pushy they're not going to freak out and try and sue my company. I will definitely be careful though - thanks!

AutoSmiler

Arsonist

Account Executive

Yes, I mean if they are the type of person that would sue you over a text message, then from my perspective, I wouldn't even want to do business with this person. Harping on the call connect rate, is your team using cell phones for calls or are you using direct/office lines only?

RealPatrickBateman

Politicker

🔪Amateur Butcher🔪

Texting a "Prospect" is not advised, unless they texted you first. I text "Clients" and "Partners" with the same logic (if they have reached out that way previously). It's just a little weird and definitely too casual if its your first touch point.

sellingsellssold

Politicker

SDR

That is an interesting approach, I am curious to see what the response rate will be. Please let us know how this goes! Hope it works out well for you.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

Welcome to the future!

goose

Politicker

Sales Executive

As a rule, I'm open to texting prospects if I received their phone number in a legitimate way. "Hey Chad, we met at the ball game..." or whatever. If you are texting numbers from Zoominfo then I'd be careful.

happyhunter

Politicker

spittin' sunshine

I don't text unless there is somewhat of a relationship going initially. Once relationship is established, I text all the time. Cold texting in many states, as @dwightyouignorantsale mentioned, is illegal unnless they've opted in so be careful

Do.it.for.the.checks

Politicker

Account Executive

Cold texting = never

Texting after first engagement = always

There's very definitive stats out there about this. A Cold Text kills deals, but if you've engaged in some manner then incorporate texts, the close raise sky rockets

DrunkenArt

Politicker

Sales Representative

This is a read the room situation. You're not going to want to text Bob who has been with the company for 40 years and still has a Nextel flip phone. If you're reaching out to Bradington who loves being on the phone and social, then go for it. It's a fine line you'll have to walk and the only way to find out if it works is to give it a shot

ragnarlothbrok

Politicker

Key account manager

not a fan, but I do use it when all other communication methods fail. tbh it does have a good response rate too, Im just too stuck in my ways to use it more

Makarium

Politicker

Sdr

texting is kinda annoying, normally you don't receive answer when sending them and also nobody likes that because at least for me it feels kinda intrusive .

FormerStartupJobHopper

Tycoon

If they initiate it then 100%. Otherwise 0%. Sometimes I'll call a prospect on my cell to switch it up or if I'm dialed into a Zoom already. If they text me, I take that as a green light. But use it sparingly

Beans

Big Shot

Enterprise Account Executive

I tend to only introduce texting after some phone tag.

It's invasive for some.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I only text prospects, customers, or partners who want to communicate with me that way. Some will volunteer that it's the best way to reach them; I'm in.

I've never cold-texted anyone, and personally would be put off by it.

cw95

Politicker

Sales Development Lead

The last time I text someone was to ask them when they’d be around to reschedule the meeting - they responded with ‘I think you’ll have to ask boris Johnson and see when he is going to sort out this pandemic’. Safe to say I did not reply nor ask the prime minister.

LordBusiness

Politicker

Chief Revenue Officer

Texting can work, but the laws around it are different than email and phone. Do your research.

Jewcan_Sam81

Politicker

Account Executive

Honestly, for me, if something seems ballsy and crazy, nobody is gonna know if it blows up, but nobody is gonna complain if it works. Try things out. I create imaginary departments in my organization to removing culpability and blame during sales negotiations to make myself look more like I'm the prospect's side of the equation, and some of these shadow departments are absolutely bonkers

Njanack

Good Citizen

SDR

Depends, if you have a good relationship with them then yes

Lhatem

Opinionated

BDR

I think it really dependents on the market.
1- because of GDPR / laws around it
2- culture: I cover the Middle-East region and everyone is OBSESSED with Whatsapp. I can do a full qual on Whatsapp following a "cold text"

Flippinghubs

Opinionated

Account Executive

grey area but im out on this

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pinkiesup

Texting a prospect?

30 comments

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