Text messages are a helpful tool in HOAs and Condos, boards and managers can use them to communicate efficiently with residents. Find out why they can make a big difference to your communication, what you need to include and how you can use Neigbrs by Vinteum for text messaging.

Why use text messages in your Condo/HOA?

There are 4 main reasons to use text messaging in your community association.

1 – They’re fast

Unlike emails, your website, or social media, text messages reach people very quickly. So if the water will be shut off, or someone’s dog has run away you can let a large majority of your HOA know fast. 

According to 60% of consumers, they read texts within 1-5 minutes after receiving them. That is much faster than other channels, meaning that texts are useful for time-sensitive information.

2 – They’re efficient

As well as sending quickly, and being checked shortly after being received, it also doesn’t take long to type a text message. For busy board members and managers, it saves time as you can send a quick, efficient message out to all homeowners and tenants. Then you can rest easy knowing that the open rate for text messages can be as high as 98%. That means almost everyone in your community association should read your text message.

3 – Use text messages in emergency situations

Since text messages can be typed and sent quickly, opened, and read fast they’re ideal for emergency situations. 

If you live in an area that is at risk of hurricanes, you can use text messages to remind residents of emergency procedures. They are your best communication method during a tense situation, whether it’s a natural disaster or something else.

4 – Text messages can be used for automatic notifications

So far we’ve been talking about text messages that you can send manually. However, if you use text messaging software, you can set up automatic messages. So for instance, if a parcel arrives for someone they can get a text to pick it up at the front desk or to remind them that they booked an amenity. Text messages are very useful reminders to residents, they help to improve community living.

How to make text messages great in your HOA/Condo

To get the most out of sending texts to homeowners and residents, you should 3 simple steps.

1 – Include who the text is from

People don’t tend to trust messages coming from unknown numbers, so make sure to always sign off with your community’s name or Board Community Name. That way they know they can trust you and they’ll add the number to their contacts.

2 – Send short messages

Text messages aren’t meant to be used for long complicated messages. It’s better to send an email if you need to send a long message. Use texts for short, to-the-point information that you want people to read quickly.

3 – Use texts for a purpose

Remember that when you send a text, your message is landing in residents’ hands through their phones. Don’t overuse that attention, send texts for specific issues. These might be a car blocking someone’s entrance, a power outage, or a weather warning. If you use text messages too much you’ll lose people’s attention. Ensure that they know that when they get a text message from you, it’s important. 

Use Neigbrs by Vinteum to send text messages to your HOA/Condo

Neigbrs by Vinteum is an award-winning communication software, and one of the features offered to improve your community association’s communication is text messaging.

This feature can be used to set automatic text message notifications for maintenance requests or new notices. It can also be used to remind residents that they have an upcoming amenity booking so they don’t forget.

As well as that it can be used by the board or manager to send residents messages about important information. Our clients use it to let their members know if an event was canceled or to remind them about an event. They also send texts if their water or electricity will be shut off or a road is closed, among other things.

As our client at Riverwoods Plantation told us, “Everything goes out to the owners via our website. Usually, through the email notices, I only use the text and phone notices if there’s a major emergency. So that’s the biggest thing that we really have grown to appreciate with Vinteum.  I don’t want to see any hurricanes! But in the event of a hurricane or a tropical storm. It’s an excellent tool for us.”

Wrapping Up Text Messages

Sending text messages to residents in your HOA or Condo is useful. It’s a quick way to let them know about what’s going on. Especially for time-sensitive topics, it can be a lifesaver as a fast, efficient way to communicate.

Neigbrs by Vinteum can help you to improve your communication with our text messaging, smart calls, emails, and chat functions. Book your free demo to find out more about how we can help you help your community.