April 8, 2020 SUMMARY update
(Watch this section on YouTube here)
Globally, today, total cases of coronavirus reached over 1.5 million as deaths are nearing 90,000. (1,504,971 and 87.984).
In the US total cases of coronavirus surpassed 400,000. Deaths have surpassed 14,000. The Johns Hopkins CSSE dashboard is reporting 424,945 US cases and 14,529 deaths as of 4:00pm Pacific on April 8.
WHITE HOUSE CORONAVIRUS BRIEFING
Today President Trump shared at the White House coronavirus briefing that 11 million n95 masks have been delivered in just the last few days including 6.6 million to New York and New Jersey. He also gave a well-deserved call out to cashiers and clerks at grocery stores as being true American Heroes, putting themselves in harm’s way in order to help keep America running. He said that we can defeat the invisible enemy and save countless lives if we continue to focus on mitigation.
FACE MASK POLICIES
Face masks continue to be at the forefront of preventative measures. Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti issued an emergency order requiring employees working at “essential” businesses—as well as their customers—to wear face coverings to reduce transmission. Business owners are responsible for supplying masks for their employees. The order emphasizes that medical masks or respirators should be reserved for healthcare workers; instead, the coverings required in LA include cloth masks, scarves, or bandannas. Multiple other cities in California and elsewhere in the United States are also mandating mask use in the community so if this hasn’t happened in your area, it certainly might in coming days and weeks.
What you can do
Wear an effective D.I.Y. mask: HEPA furnace filters, vacuum bags, 600-count pillowcases and flannel pajamas are among the best household items to use, researchers say.
No sewing machine? The C.D.C. posted instructions for making easy face coverings using a T-shirt or a bandanna and coffee filter.
Coronavirus Resources: Text (SMS) Message Marketing
April 8 Topic
Texting your customers? Here’s 5 things to keep in mind
(Watch this section on YouTube here)
What should you send your customers?
- Get the word out and let your customers know you are an essential business and that you are open for business
- We created a FREE TEMPLATE that you can use on Canva
- Let them know what new changes or safety protocols your business has
- Deliver a first-look at upcoming products or services to customers. By doing so, you can start to build hype around a new product or service that makes certain consumers feel in-the-know. This may also help you build a network of word-of-mouth marketing
- Offer specials sales and discount codes or let them know they can buy gift cards at a special rate (ex. $50 buys you $100 worth of services)
What is the difference between SMS and MMS?
- SMS is your standard text
- MMS allows you to add images, they are usually more expensive to send but still cheap from a dollar perspective
There are laws and regulation around sending texts
- It’s up to you to do your due diligence and know the laws surrounding texting and business
- When it comes to sending out texts in bulk to your customers, you got to make sure they’re opted in
- Many texting softwares have this built in to easily get the opt-in from customers
Texting software to consider using
- EZTexting
- Skipio
- SimpleTexting
- Textedly
- Mozeo
- Google Voice (free but no mass text option)
- SlickText
What is a keyword?
A keyword is what your customers text to a short code to join your texting marketing list.
Q&A
(Watch this section on YouTube here)
- Is texting legal?
- Yes it absolutely is, BUT you have to make sure you are getting the customer’s opt-in
- Do texting companies have an app to download on your phone to answer responses quicker?
- Most of them should have a companion app. Some will need you to upgrade for different features like dedicated local phone number and then you can set up forwarding to your phone
- Should we use the dummy cell phone number (Custom SMS Number) tied to our Housecall Pro account or your own cell phone number?
- This would be a newly generated phone number because an already existing number is called spoofing and carriers block these.
- Let customers know who you are and what your company is in the first text and let them know that you have some coupons or support local etc… to encourage them to opt-in.
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Legal disclaimer
Housecall Pro is offering the Coronavirus Evening Update for Home Service Businesses for informational purposes only and to foster thoughtful communication and discussion regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; Housecall Pro is not offering advisory services or otherwise advising or representing any members of the group invited to participate. Housecall Pro is not offering legal, medical or other professional advice in the Coronavirus Evening Update and makes no representations or warranties regarding the content of the Coronavirus Evening Update. Participants should obtain independent advice relating to their businesses and their particular circumstances.
