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What is SMS or Text Messaging?

By: Timothy S. Hillebrand, Ph The use of SMS (short message service) also known as text messaging has been well-ensconced in Europe and Asia for some time now. Teens have enthusiastically embraced it in the United States. But, it has only begun to emerge in the United States as a marketing tool because of all of our competing phone companies with differing technologies. Most people are unaware that SMS can be used to get instant information, send money, make money, and to save money.

Sending a text message consists of two elements. First, you have to send it to either a mobile phone number, email address, or a short code. A short code is usually five or six numbers used for non-personal or commercial messages for convenience so that you don't have to remember or key in a long phone number.

Personal SMS

Texting is the communication method of choice among teens in the U.S., and it has many advantages. It is fast and efficient. Unfortunately, SMS has been used for cheating on tests, and for that reason some schools tend to frown on cell phones in class.

To text someone, go to the messaging area of your phone's functions and select SMS or Text Message. Enter the recipient's phone number in the To: field and then type your message in the message field. Select Send, and off it goes.

Some phones display a character count. Some more sophisticated phones offer a popup menu with canned text with phrases such as "On phone," "Call me later," "Want to do lunch?" You can created your own phrases too. Some devices also offer a popup grid full of graphic emoticons, which are fun.

The 160 character limitation and the laborious task of entering text using a phone keypad have combined to produce an evolving character-efficient text talk with new words and abbreviations. For example, 2GTBT=too good to be true; 143=I love you; 404=I don't know. For a comprehensive list, go to www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/textmessageabbreviations.asp. Check out the emoticon chart too.

There are many advantages to texting over email and phone calls. The human mind can assimilate the information from text messages much faster than listening to speech and all the social amenities involved. You can archive text messages and search them for relevant information. An SMS message is never cut off by bad reception nor misunderstood because of line noise. Texting reaches recipients instantly, even if when they cannot talk on the phone or get to a computer to do email. You can send links on Web enabled phones with maps. Texting is terrific for noisy environments and for people finding one another in crowded places. Texting is great for casual flirting and for building good karma with thoughtful messages and reminders. Busy people can become more efficient through SMS.

Commercial SMS

We are only beginning to see the emergence of SMS marketing in the United States. For instance, TV shows such as American Idol have used it successfully for voting. The millions and millions of responders are evidence of its popularity and acceptance. Unfortunately, voting was only open to AT&T customers. The problem is that all the different carriers in the United States have competing and differing technology. Fortunately, there are companies like Synergetics (www.synergetics.org/sms) that make it possible to bridge the gap across platforms.

Think of the power of SMS with respect to marketing. There has never before been such a powerful means of marketing. Almost everyone carries a mobile phone these days. People don't leave home without them, and they are your constant companion. Accordingly, a marketer has the opportunity to reach customers at anytime any place.

Unlike email in which must despised SPAM has become widespread, SMS is not subject to SPAM. That is because the receiver must request the information and can instantly opt out by simply texting back the word STOP.

I will discuss the applications of commercial SMS more fully in a future article.

Conclusions

SMS is an amazing technology that goes far beyond personal communications with its commercial marketing possibilities and as a platform for information retrieval. You can use SMS for making money, sending money, and saving money. I will explore all of these possibilities in more detail in future articles, so stay tuned. Texting is the future of personal marketing. The future is in mobile technology. Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, has predicted that mobile phones will shape the future, not laptops, not PDAs. It seems that Apple believes this too with the release of its new iPhone.

Article Source: http://www.lifeweightloss.com

About the author: Timothy S. Hillebrand, Ph.D. is a retired archaeologist who has a newfound passion for mobile technology and has published hundreds of articles on the subject. His most recent passion is SMS. To find out more about text messaging for fun and profit, visit his SMS Blog.
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