Optimizing SMS for Your Social Media – Always Stay Connected
Part of being social on networks like Facebook and Twitter means being available when your visitors are active. For some businesses, it could mean being wired at all hours of the night, and while it’s reasonable that you will want to save room for sleep, meals, and private time, you should consider the occasional moment to update fans and friends when you’re on the road. Using your cell phone, you can do just that through SMS.
SMS stands for short message service, and is the process by which you can send short missives from your phone to certain social networks that allow for SMS capability, so you can update your sites without having to sit at the computer. Anytime you feel the urge to share news or an idea with others, it’s as simple as sending a message and hitting send on your phone.
SMS and Updating Social Media
Depending on the service you use, you are capable of updating status, monitoring the status of others, and sending messages via social networks. This especially proves handy with two of the most popular – Twitter and Facebook – in that both are known to relay news as it happens. One might joke these days if you’re sitting on a bus and somebody tries to create a ruckus, rather than panic people will whip out their phone and tweet. The more accessible you are via SMS, the better in touch you can stay with potential clients and customers.
When setting up for Facebook Mobile, you will click a link from your profile settings that instructs you to send a message to Facebook’s general number. Immediately afterward, you’ll receive a verification code to use on Facebook which will connect your phone so you can read updates and send your own. Here’s a tip, too, for those using a different carrier than what Facebook lists – default to AT&T and try your number. Users with pay-as-you-go services like Tracfone should be able to manage.
Updating for Twitter works in a similar manner. When you log on, go to your settings and select devices. Set up your phone to receive a validation code, and you should be able to update Twitter status with ease.
SMS and Promotion
Once you are able to SMS updates to friends and well-wishers, you might think that’s pretty much the extent of the possibilities SMS provides. Not necessarily. With Facebook and Twitter, you have the opportunity to gain alert followers by convincing them to subscribe to your updates via SMS, too! Offer spontaneous specials, hold contests (first person to SMS wins a free item or dinner, etc.), and ask fans to report on an event you’re hosting in exchange for goodies. Post information to subscribe on your blogs, cross-promote on your social networks, and include SMS information on your business cards. The more you embrace this real-time communication age, the more you’ll find customers and clients are ready to listen, right now!
Kathryn Lively is a social media specialist whose expertise in travel social media services and Virginia social media services has aided many businesses and organizations around the country.
