Integrating Marketing Automation Tools With Sales Message

Standalone CRMs are dead, which is why marketing automation is the name of the game, and has been since Salesforce dropped over one billion dollars to buy an email platform and a process automation platform back in 2012.

Now, the number of marketing automation tools you can waste time and money on has exploded, which is why I created The CRM Sushi Podcast to help you look under the hood of the best technology that can work with your CRM to help you grow your sales without growing your staff.

In this conversation, I catch up with Chris Brisson, founder of Salesmsg, the "Gmail for SMS," who has well over a decade of integrating marketing automation tools such as calling and two-way SMS to help professional salespeople, sales managers, business owners, and entrepreneurs sell more, faster, at higher margins, with less stress, more predictably, while having more fun doing it.

We get into the evolution of Sales Message, which is a platform designed for two-way SMS communication, which most CRMs and marketing automation tools don't do.

We explore the dynamics between SMS and iMessage, the necessity for specialized SMS platforms, and the integration of SMS with CRM systems.

Chris highlights the importance of two-way communication, engagement strategies, and the challenges of modern communication, particularly in relation to younger generations' preferences for texting over phone calls.

We also share some funny stories of engaging children in sales activities, the lifecycle of text messaging in business, and how to effectively capture and connect with leads as well as the shift towards SMS communication in B2B settings.

Since this is The CRM Sushi Podcast, we get into the integration of SMS with CRM systems, and the use of templates and playbooks to enhance messaging strategies, as well as best practices for mobile communication, tracking engagement through links, and the challenges of branding in the messaging space.

• Sales Message started as an idea in 2016 and evolved into a platform for two-way texting.
• RCS aims to modernize SMS communication, enhancing user experience.
• Businesses need to be approved by Apple to use iMessages for SMS.
• Sales Message is tailored for larger companies with sophisticated messaging needs.
• Two-way communication is essential for effective customer engagement.
• Shared SMS numbers can lead to lost communication opportunities.
• SMS engagement rates are significantly higher than email.
• Speed to lead is critical for converting new leads into customers.
• Younger generations prefer texting over traditional phone calls.

"Gmail for SMS, what does that even mean?"

• Companies must train employees in interpersonal communication skills.
• Engaging kids in sales activities can foster entrepreneurial skills.
• Text messaging is a crucial part of the customer lifecycle.
• Businesses should capture leads through various channels, including SMS.
• Integrating SMS with CRM systems enhances customer engagement.
• Templates and playbooks can streamline SMS communication.
• Multimedia messaging can improve engagement and conversion rates.
• Mobile apps are essential for sales communication on the go.
• Tracking engagement through links provides actionable insights.
• Branding challenges can arise from the use of abbreviations in names.
• Regular check-ins can strengthen professional relationships.

"Bigger teams, longer sales cycles, more B2B."

"SMS is simply the way to engage."

"Speed to lead is crucial for engagement."

Watch Previous Episodes of The CRM Sushi Podcast

GUEST INFO:

• Guest Site: https://www.salesmessage.com/
• Guest Twitter: https://x.com/chrisbrisson
• Chris Brisson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbrisson/
• Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/salesmsg/

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