Sending texts to parents for important messages is sometimes the better option – they’re faster than phone calls and have much better open rates than emails.
The concise and immediate nature of text messages can be a powerful tool.
Texts go straight to parents’ phones and they will have a ‘ping’ alert for any incoming texts. Parents will likely to open and respond to a text message quickly. Meanwhile, an email could remain unopened for hours, if not days.
Nine reasons why you should add texts to your communication approach:
1) Instantaneous communication: Text messages are typically opened and read within minutes of delivery. This makes them ideal for urgent communications such as school closures, delayed trip return times, or last-minute reminders, ensuring timely communication.
2) Mobile accessibility: Most parents carry their smartphones with them at all times. Therefore, they can receive and respond to a text quickly, regardless of their location. This accessibility ensures that important messages from the school will reach parents wherever they are, whether they’re at work, running errands, or attending to other responsibilities.
3) Higher open and response rates: It is a proven fact that text messages have significantly higher open and response rates compared with emails. While emails often get overlooked or marked as spam, texts are more likely to be read and responded to promptly. This ensures that parents receive and acknowledge important information from the school.
4) Concise and to the point: Text messages require brevity due to character limits, which encourages clear and concise communication. This format is advantageous for delivering essential information succinctly, without overwhelming parents with lengthy emails.
5) Less formal: Text messages offer a more casual and familiar mode of communication compared to emails, which can feel impersonal and formal. This informal tone fosters a sense of connection and engagement between parents and the school. It encourages open dialogue and facilitates easier communication on various matters concerning children’s education.
6) Personalisation: Personal data for each child can be pulled through, fostering a stronger sense of connection between schools and parents. Additionally, the brevity of text messages encourages concise communication, making it easier for busy parents to digest information quickly.
7) Reminders: Text messages can be used to send quick reminders about upcoming events or deadlines. This helps to ensure that parents are aware of and engaged in their children’s education.
8) Emergency communication: In situations where immediate action is required, such as unexpected school closures, text messages are probably the most reliable way to reach parents quickly. Emails or social media posts may not be checked until hours later. However, texts are typically read almost immediately, allowing parents to take the appropriate action for the situation.
9) Accessibility for non-tech-savvy parents: While email requires internet access and proficiency with technology, text messaging is more accessible. This is especially important for reaching parents who may not be tech-savvy or have reliable internet connections. This inclusivity ensures that all parents stay informed and engaged in their children’s education, regardless of their technological literacy.
In conclusion, sending texts to parents offers numerous advantages over emailing. Benefits include instant delivery, mobile accessibility, higher engagement rates, concise communication, informal tone, tracking capabilities, and accessibility for all parents. By leveraging the power of text messaging, schools can ensure effective communication with parents, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for their children’s academic success.
Check out our Communications module, to see if it will help with your parental engagement. Importantly, with this tool, schools don’t need to rely on the parent to login to the SCOPAY app to read texts. They go straight to parents’ phones and most parents will have a ‘ping’ for texts on their mobile phone. It’s worth noting, not everyone chooses to have an email app on their phones.
