Studies Show Text Messaging is the Best Channel for Corporate Internal Communications
Text messaging is hands down the best channel for corporate internal communications. Not only is it more effective than other channels because text messages get opened and read almost instantaneously, but studies show people prefer it. It’s the obvious choice for urgent notifications like inclement weather warnings, but it’s also perfect for corporate announcements and reminders. Multiple studies back this up.
Most Americans have Mobile Phones & They Check Them Frequently
An April 2021 study by the Pew research Center found that 97% of American adults have a mobile phone and 85% have a smartphone. And, not only do people HAVE mobile phones – they are USING them frequently. An August 2019 survey sponsored by the global tech care company Asurion found that Americans check their phones nearly 100 times per day. That works out to once every 10 minutes during waking hours. Since American employees have mobile phones they check frequently, it stands to reason that urgent corporate alerts and general announcements sent via text are getting read.
People of All Ages Use & Prefer Text
As noted above, all but a small fraction of American adults have mobile phones. And let’s not forget that all of these mobile phones have text messaging built in. Not only does everyone have a phone and text messaging, but they prefer text messaging! Research by the global tech care company Asurion found that text messaging is the preferred method of mobile communication across ALL age groups. This even holds true for Baby Boomers who are seven times more likely to text than speak in-person and who are twice as likely to send a text as they are to make a call. If people prefer text, it stands to reason that employees prefer text as a corporate communications tool.
Most Americans Prefer Getting News on Their Mobile
Americans love their mobile devices. In fact, a July 2019 Pew research survey found that US adults get their news through mobile devices more often than through desktop or laptop computers. About six of ten (57%) frequently consume news on their mobile, compared with 30% on a computer. If people prefer getting their day to day news on their mobile, it stands to reason that they prefer getting their corporate news on their mobile as well. Text messaging is the perfect way to provide employees with the experience they want.
Text Messaging is Ideal for Emergency Communications
When you need to get people’s attention immediately there is no better tool than text. It’s quick, it’s ubiquitous, and it commands attention. Text messages are delivered and read almost immediately – 90% are read within 3 seconds. This makes text messaging the obvious choice for emergency communications impacting employee safety such as imminent dangers, inclement weather, and facility evacuations and closures.
A 2014 Public Health Report found that “Short message service (SMS) text messaging can be useful for communicating information to public health employees and improving workforce situational awareness during emergencies.” Part of this report focused on a January 2012 winter storm during which 250,000 households and businesses were impacted over a five-day period with many losing electricity at some point. Many public health employees who received text messages updates during this period reported that they were helpful. A typical comment was, “Since I had no power and was unable to access my e-mail or Internet, I really appreciated the text messages.”
As the studies detailed above illustrate, text messaging is the best channel for internal communications because:
- Almost everyone has a mobile phone.
- People check their phone constantly.
- Text messages are delivered and READ almost instantaneously.
- People prefer text over other methods of communication.
- People like to get their news on their mobile devices.
- People appreciate text updates in emergency situations.
For a real world example, read about how Blattner Energy Uses Text Messaging to Streamline Communications, Enhance Safety, and Control Costs.
