FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is SMS (What is a Text Message?)
• What are the benefits of text messaging? (Why use SMS?)
• Only young people use text messaging?
• Can I buy groups of numbers?
• What is TextByNumbers.com?
• I don't have time
• It's hassle downloading the software
• It's too expensive
• It's not a proven medium
  
  

• What is SMS? (What is a Text Message?)

  SMS stands for Short Messaging Service. "Text message" is slang for one SMS. It allows a person with a mobile phone to send a written message to another mobile phone. The first SMS was sent by Vodafone in the UK in 1992, however it wasn't introduced until the late nineties (1999 in Ireland). Since then its use has exploded to the point where nearly a billion SMS are sent every day around the world.

• What are the benefits of text messaging? (Why use SMS?)

  1. Massive User Base

     Mobile phone penetration has hit 79% of the population in Ireland. In comparison, Internet access stands at just 34%. On top of this, over 1.5 billion text messages were sent in Ireland last year. That is an average of 512 SMS per mobile phone. The figures speak for themselves. No other medium can boast such penetration. Visit the Office of The Director of Telecommunications Regulation (ODTR) website for more statistics and trends regarding the usage of mobile phones.

  2. Easy to use

     It is easy to send bulk SMS messages. All you need is Internet access, and you can pre-programme when different messages are broadcast.

  3. Save time and money

     SMS (text) messages are delivered almost instantly. At between 5 and 10 cent (Euro) a message, communicating with people is less than a quarter of the price of a one minute mobile call. Unlike telephone calls, with SMS you never get the engaged tone. SMS can be read when convenient to the recipient and sent when convenient to the sender - everyone saves time and avoids delay.

  4. Directly Effective

     When SMS text messages are received, they are received in full, even in areas of poor reception. No more lengthy conversations spelling out simple facts. More time can be devoted to the things that really matter. The written nature of text prevents verbal misunderstanding. The 160 character limit on message length prevents waffle. When you have to get the message across quickly, SMS lets you do it. No waiting for the person to pick up their voice mail, check their e-mail or phone their assistant. As soon as the information is available, it is sent to the phone and is ready for the recipient to read.

  5. Target Accuracy

     SMS can be used to great affect as a targeted permission marketing tool. SMS allows you to send personalised messages to any mobile. Well executed marketing campaigns will be spam free because by law people must positively opt-in to receive messages. Please click here to see more information on this. This increases the advert's potential. For a small fee, you can also check which of your numbers are operational, thus ensuring that your messages are reaching their target.

• Text messages are intrusive

  Considering over 75% of the Irish population have a mobile phone, and that over 4 million text messages are sent per day, it is safe to say that text messaging has established itself as an accepted communications medium. Further to this a person must "opt-in" to receive information from you to their mobile phone. This eliminates spam and means that people will only ever receive text messages of interest to them. Whereas they may get notified immediately upon receiving your message, a person can read it whenever it suits them.

• Only kids use text messaging

  Younger people are always first to adopt innovative technology. They saw how convenient, unobtrusive and cost-effective text messaging was from its introduction in 1999. 56% of the 19-34 age group now use SMS at least once a day. The older demograph is beginning to use it more - increasing by about 3% per annum: 44% of 35-64 year olds have used SMS in the past month. After face to face conversation, text messaging is the number one communication channel between parents and their children. Older people are finding that they need to start using text to stay in touch with the world.

• How do I collect numbers?

  If you have not already collected a list of mobile telephone numbers, we suggest you do one of the following:
  
  
  • Set-up a Target Number, where you can receive text messages from other people. When they send you a message, you have their number. To maximise the efficiency of this, publicise this number on all your promotional material.
    
    
  • Alternatively, you could get people to write their numbers on a form or a sheet and leave it at your place of business. If you were nightclub you could hold a competition on certain nights were people give their mobile phone number in order to enter. These numbers could then be inputted to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet or directly into our Group Management system.
  
  There are many ways of collecting numbers, if you would like advice or help in how to collect a list of customers/students/potential customers' numbers in a way that would suit your particular line of business, please contact us.

• Can I buy groups of numbers?

  This is not a good idea. You may only send bulk SMS to people who have "opted in" to receiving messages from you or your business. As with Email, it is illegal to spam people. Therefore it is better to collect your own numbers. More on this is available at http://www.dataprivacy.ie/

• What is TextByNumbers.com ?

  TextByNumbers.com is Phorest's simple, easy to use service that allows its subscribers to send and receive small or large volumes of text messages or SMS (Short Messaging Service) directly to mobile phones from the Internet.

• I don't have time

  Yes you do. You're lying to yourself and you're lying to us if you think you don't! The reality is that you should have introduced SMS in to your marketing and communication schedules yesterday. If they are not already, your competitors will be using it shortly. If you don't, they will see the return for money and time invested is unparalleled. If time is such a pressing issue that you think you can't free up an hour or two to implement this system - we will do everything for you. We'll integrate the system for you. We'll even get a database of your customers for you. If you find time is a pressing issue email us and we'll develop a time-effective package for you. idonthavetime@phorest.com

• It's hassle downloading the software

  There is no download time for our software. It's all on our secure website www.textbynumbers.com. This is as usable as any other software with the advantage that you can use it anywhere - whether you're in the office, at home or on the move using you mobile pc.

• It's too expensive.

  No it's not. Text message marketing or communication is the most cost effective method of contacting anyone be it a customer, Joe Public or a colleague. We can send messages for as little as 5.9c (and this number is dropping daily).

• It's not a proven medium.

  Yes it is. Response rates to mobile phone marketing are the highest. Higher than Television, Radio, Print, Email and the Internet - there's nothing more effective. Expect response rates between 15-35% for marketing campaigns. Be sure your message is getting through if you use us for communicating purposes.