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In today’s dynamic financial landscape, information is king. Of course, everyone today is accustomed to having access to the very latest news and data, whether it’s from social media sites such as X or from more traditional news sources. When it comes to financial information, the stakes are especially high.
For investors, both seasoned and novice, having access to fast and accurate communication from their financial service providers is crucial for making informed decisions. This goes beyond just account statements; it encompasses real-time market updates, breaking news, and insightful analysis.
Let’s explore in more depth why clear and timely communication is paramount for financial companies. We’ll then examine some of the best methods for implementing a strategy that lets you accomplish this.
The Main Communication Challenges For Financial Companies
Here are some of the biggest challenges you need to address.
Empower Informed Decisions
The financial world is constantly evolving, with new regulations, technological advancements, and investment opportunities emerging regularly. Organizations that prioritize clear communication can keep their customers informed about these changes, ensuring they can make the most of new possibilities or navigate potential challenges.
Investors and people interested in learning more about financial markets are hungry for accurate and timely information. This need covers the entire spectrum of investing, from researching markets and industries to actually investing to deciding when to sell or transfer assets.
External events such as elections, political scandals, interest rates, natural disasters, and wars can all have a strong impact on markets. Similarly, new technologies and innovations can disrupt markets. In these cases, early adapters are often rewarded.
Investors need to react to market fluctuations and economic shifts. Stock trading platforms that provide up-to-the-second price quotes can provide swift adjustments to portfolios. The growth of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency markets is another factor that makes real time information critical. Unlike traditional markets, crypto trading is global and conducted 24/7. An event on the other side of the world can impact an investor’s portfolio. A delay of even an hour can make a huge difference.
Similarly, timely news on company earnings reports, government policies, or global events empowers users to assess potential impacts and adapt their strategies.
Build Trust and Reduce FUD
Clear and fast communication is also essential for building trust with your customers. Financial matters can be complex and often carry a degree of risk. Investors want reassurance and easy access to information. This includes customer service; in case the customer has a question or urgent issue.
When a financial advisor or platform communicates clearly and accurately, it fosters trust with the customer. Receiving transparent updates on account activity, investment performance, and potential risks builds confidence in the service and the decisions being made.
A popular term in financial markets today is FUD, which stands for fear, uncertainty, and doubt. While there will always be a certain amount of anxiety in financial markets, this can be exacerbated when communication is lacking
Financial markets are inherently volatile. Slow or inaccurate communication can breed confusion and anxiety, especially during periods of economic uncertainty. By providing timely updates and clear explanations of market movements, financial companies can help alleviate customer concerns and promote a sense of control over their financial well-being.
Boost Conversions
For businesses that rely on signing up new clients, getting registrations for either online or live events, building membership sides, or selling courses, conversions are challenging in a highly competitive industry. Fast communication is a key factor for conversions. You need to be able to send out information and reply to queries as quickly as possible.
It often takes many touchpoints and communications to convert a new prospect or to upsell an existing prospect (e.g. to another tier of your membership site or to buy a higher priced course). That’s why you need to be able to connect with people quickly and using platforms and channels that are convenient for them.
Enhance Customer Service
Customers in the financial sector are quite demanding when it comes to their expectations regarding customer service. Experience traders are accustomed to using the very latest and most efficient platforms. They want and expect to be able to get timely help when they need it.
New traders, meanwhile, often have many questions and need guidance as they test the waters and get comfortable with trading. So fast and helpful customer service is vital across the board.
The Need For a Multi-Channel Approach
Since people have different preferences, it’s best to offer them as many ways to stay in touch as possible. That’s why financial companies should embrace a multi-channel approach to communication, which includes the following:
- Online chat. Online chat options for immediate queries, and educational resources readily available can empower customers to stay informed and engaged. Chatbots are useful for answering FAQs and any queries sent outside of business hours. If possible, it’s best to also offer live online chat as well. Live agents are useful for answering personalized questions.
- SMS/text messages. Text messages are one of the most efficient ways to send information quickly. A good example is offering mobile apps with push notifications for price alerts. We will look at this in more depth in the next section.
- Phone support. Depending on the services you offer, customers may be able to order items or trade by phone. While it’s getting more common to use online trading platforms, some customers still prefer the phone.
- Email. An email newsletter is useful for communicating the latest news. Customers can also sign up for email alerts regarding financial markets.
- Educational resources. Giving customers access to guides and white papers helps to keep them informed on general matters and your company’s specific policies. This kind of content should be easy to find on your website.
- Social media. Send out tweets or messages on other social media sites.
The Advantages of SMS Services
SMS, also known as Texting, is often the fastest way to send an important message. People today rely on their phones for everything from research to making purchases. Compared to traditional methods of communication such as phone calls and email, text messaging is a fast and efficient way to stay connected with customers. Many investors use their phones for trading, as well as accessing market prices and the latest news.
Sending customers text messages works in a similar manner as email. Just as you need permission to send emails to customers, you need to get permission before sending text messages. Recipients can choose what type of messages to receive, such as notifications regarding certain assets.
Customers may also want to be informed when a company offers a new asset, changes its policies or rates, or offers a new service. Mobile messages are the fastest way to convey this and other relevant information.
Here are some key benefits of text messaging for delivering timely information:
- High open rates. Open rates vary by industry. However, while email open rates are usually around 20%, for text messages it’s closer to 98%.
- Texts are opened right away. Even when people open emails, it may take them hours. Text messages are usually opened within seconds.
- People carry their phones everywhere.
- Simple tracking. You can track engagement using short URL click tracking with all messages.
- Features for the trading industry. In addition to up-to-the minute alerts on market movements, you can set up over-the-counter alerts and zero day-to-maturity options updates.
As we already noted, it’s beneficial to use multiple touch points to reach customers. Mobile marketing actually enhances your other marketing efforts, as you can use text messages to point traffic to your website, landing pages, social media pages, and other targets.
How ProTexting Supports Better Communication
ProTexting serves a wide variety of customers, in many industries and businesses of all sizes. Mobile marketing services can be particularly useful in sectors such as finance, where customers depend on receiving information in real time.
Let’s look at some of the specific advantages ProTexting clients receive that are especially powerful for financial media, financial education, trading platforms, and other companies in the financial sector.
- Flexibility. ProTexting offers customized plans to fit your needs and budget.
- Speed. Our ultra-fast SMS services provide speeds of up to 1,000 messages per second! This supports your needs as your customer base grows.
- Many sending options. We offer Short Codes, toll-free numbers, 10DLC, and Long Codes. You can use one or more of these options for your campaigns, depending on your goals. We can advise you on choosing the right approach.
- Features and apps to fit any purpose. For example, you can set up SMS autoresponders, contests & sweepstakes, QR codes, and much more.
- Integrations. Our platform provides seamless integration with many other apps and services you’re using, such as: HubSpot, Shopify, Salesforce, Zapier, MailChimp, Constant Contact, Viral Response, and many more.
Why ProTexting?
ProTexting has been a leading provider in the text messaging sector since 2001. Our clients get direct contact with account managers, without having to interact with chatbots. Our platform can be used for many purposes, such as promoting any of the following:
- Online trading courses.
- Live events.
- Webinars.
- Trading chat rooms.
- Financial and trading education. For example, promoting courses.
In the fast-paced world of finance, clear, accurate, and timely communication is not just a courtesy; it’s a necessity. By prioritizing this aspect, financial companies can build trust, enhance customer experience, and empower individuals to make informed investment decisions that help them create a more secure financial future.
Download Our Free Guide
Want to learn more about how ProTexting’s SMS plans can help your financial company communicate more effectively with your prospects and customers? Download our free guide:
3-Point Guide to Leveraging High Speed SMS to boost Conversions
