Text Messaging - SMS Marketing

[greg11223]

Sorry for repetition...

Greetings,

Through this post, I just want to get opinions of professionals in real estate field. I don't mean for this post to sound like self-promotion, therefore I will not provide any names or addresses.

I'm looking into launching a service that will be utilizing "text messaging" (also known as SMS) on mobile phones to provide information on behalf of real estate agents about specific properties, and at the same time capture people's phone numbers (the ones who requested information).

It would work like this:

1) Potential homebuyer sees a sign (regular "for sale" sign), on which it says:
Text BLAH-BLAH to 55555 to get instant information.

2) Homebuyer sends a text message as specified above, and receives instant information (not too much: whatever can fit into the screen with 160 characters)

3) Real estate agent, moments after, receives an email saying that somebody requested information with such and such phone number

Problems:
1) 160 characters is not enough, so why not use (if somebody wants to) answering machine service
2) Can real estate agent ruin the potential sale by calling him/herself? Is it ethical in general?
3) Do people really know how to use text messaging?


All opinions are appreciated.


Thank you

[OregonLO]

I like the idea, being a younger individual I use text messaging alot and I know a great deal of people who do. I think it is more popular than most people seem to realize. The owner of my company sends me text messages so it is very popular overall.

I'm sure you'd have to check into restrictions on how people would be able to call them after the text is sent. But yes, the problem could be the 160 characters, its really not that much info to put in...

Interesting idea.

[543LISTguy]

I like the idea also. As for texting in general i dont like it. I was working overseas a few years ago and had to use text as a primary means of communication. When i came home i was so glad to done with text...even though i was good at it...that i refused to have it. Well a couple of months ago i had to go and have it activated. I learned that i get a better and faster response by using text with my younger clients as well as younger mortgage brokers as opposed to leaving a message on their cells...so i guess i will learn to like it or go broke!

[greg11223]

Thank you for your opinions. Additional comments would be greatly appreciated.


Greg