Fanatical Military Recruiting

23Text Messaging

Sometimes I text the “wrong” person . . . on purpose. Just to start a conversation.

—Frank Warren, boxing manager and promoter

There is absolutely no doubt that text messaging is a powerful prospecting and communication tool in modern military recruiting. It’s fast and easy, and it’s the preferred communication tool for many of the prospects you engage. It’s not uncommon to make an outbound prospecting call on the telephone and have the prospect text you back with a question about who you are and what you want.

Text messaging is part of a balanced prospecting methodology. But there are some important rules. Rule one is that it must be used judiciously. Blasting text messages out indiscriminately can turn prospects off and hurt your personal brand. It can also get your number blocked—which means you lose both the text and phone channel for reaching the prospect.

People are averse to getting random text messages from people they don’t know—especially recruiters.

The people we text with are most often people we know. Text has become the go-to medium for communication with family and friends. People, including you and me, don’t want their text message in-boxes invaded by strangers. This is because it feels extremely personal.

Since texting is so personal, it can be a powerful channel for getting the attention of prospects. Because it so personal, though, your text messages can easily be interpreted as intrusions or violations of your prospect’s privacy. For this ...