According to The Local Project, in America alone, over 6 billion text messages are sent daily. With 81% of Americans texting regularly, and 90% of text messages are read within 3 minutes or receiving it.
These statistics represent the ever-growing demand for an easy and immediate form of communication, with more and more law firms using text messages to communicate with clients. Although lawyers have become accustomed to emailing as their main form of communication, phone calls and emails are out. With its affordability, speed, and convenience, many potential clients prefer this rapid form of negotiation over others. Law firms and attorneys should definitely consider making the switch to text communication, with the various benefits that they could receive.
Below, we’ve outlined 5 reasons why law firms should start using text messaging as their preferred form of communication with their clients.
Clients already have their phones in their hands
According to the Pew Research Center, some 94% of smartphone owners carry their phone with them frequently and 82% say they never or rarely turn their phones off. Additionally, the average American spends 3 hours and 10 minutes a day on their cell phones, many of these working, as well as shopping or using social media. When time is of the essence, text message ensures the client or attorney receives the message in the fastest possible manner to ensure your recipient sees your communication. Providing text communications for law firms allows clients to ask quick questions without the hassle of phone calls or emails.
- Statistics show that smartphone users frequently have their phone on them and powered on.
- Text messaging allows for a faster delivery of communication compared to phone calls or emails.
Clients prefer texting over phone calls and emails
The Business Wire states that 52% of people reported that they preferred texting over other forms of communication. The research proves that there is a strong interest by clients in using text to communicate messages, illustrating the emerging opportunity for law firms to increase client satisfaction through text. Moreover, the average open rate for text messages is 98%, an unheard-of achievement with email messages. Within the legal industry, the average open rate for emails is only 18.30%. As a result, response rates for text messages are much higher than emails. The instantaneous nature of business text messages allows both client and law firm more freedom in responding.
- Clients reported that their preferred method of communication is messaging via text.
- The average open rate for text messages is significantly higher than that of emails, and in turn, higher response rates.
Texting is fast and efficient
With faster delivery comes faster response times. The average response time for text messaging is just 90 seconds, and 95% of texts are read within 180 seconds of being received. According to a Google study, messaging etiquette says waiting more than 20 minutes to respond to a text can be seen as rude. With CloudLex’s Client Messenger, you can send texts from within the platform. Making it efficient to ask a client a question by text, while you do not even have to reach for your phone if you are working from a computer.
- Delivering a message via text is the fastest way to ensure the client sees your communication.
- CloudLex’s Client Messenger allows you to reach your clients through text messaging, including documents, pictures, and videos, while keeping your number private.
Texting offers multimedia messaging services
Multimedia messaging services (MMS) is the feature that allows you to attach files, images, videos, emojis, or even a website link to your text message. Text communication for law firms provides the ability to share images, videos, documents, and even PDF files. This useful function helps both parties gather necessary information instantaneously, which can help you reach resolutions efficiently. As a lawyer, you need prompt answers to your questions, with MMS, you can also easily send court date reminders, share documents, and schedule appointments between you and your client.
- Multimedia messaging services (MMS) is offered from text messaging, allowing you and your client to share files, images, videos, and more.
- MMS is useful as a lawyer to receive prompt answers from your clients to gather necessary information.
Texting provides a written record
Throughout your client communications, you might need to refer to older conversations. A text message service provides a written record that can help new team members understand the history of communication.
With CloudLex’s Client Messenger, everything is confidential. This plaintiff personal injury case management software provides easy retrieval and ensures that important case or contact information, such as court dates or phone numbers, doesn’t fall through the cracks. Your conversations will also be organized into matter-specific threads, complete with timelines.Try it for yourself today—book a free CloudLex demo here.
