Let me tell you an insane stat.
Let’s say you write the perfect email.
Subject line on point. Personalized. Compelling offer.
What are the odds it actually gets read?
25%.
That's 1 out of 4 emails. Pretty brutal.
Now what if you slide into their DMs on LinkedIn instead?
Your odds jump to 50%.
That’s a coin flip.
A lot better than email, but still not great.
Here’s where things get interesting.
What if you send a text instead?
90% chance it gets read – within 3 minutes.
That’s 9 out 10 messages.
Let that sink in.
You’re almost guaranteed your message is read instantly. Just by switching channels.
Why texting works (if you do it right)
Phones merge work and home life.
Texting with prospects puts you in the same digital space as their family and friends.
That’s prime real estate.
Why? Because…
It’s private: Way less crowded than their inbox or LinkedIn.
It’s hard to miss: The notification hits their screen instantly.
It’s frictionless: No logging in. No formality. Just tap and reply.
But there’s a catch.
The same reasons it works so well are the reasons it can backfire fast.
Texting is intimate. Screw it up and you’re violating their personal space.
How to use text in B2B sales
Not every situation calls for a text.
For instance, cold outreach via text is a surefire way to get blocked.
But there are situations where a well-timed text is the perfect nudge your deal needs.
1/ Inbound lead
The lead comes in, you call and leave a voicemail… crickets!
Time to follow up with a text.
“Saw your form come through. Got a few minutes to chat?”
2/ Right after your first conversation
The call ends, and your conversation is fresh in their mind.
Great setup to open text as a channel.
“Hey James, it’s Shawn from Apex. Great call today. Just emailed the info. Text me if you need anything else!”
3/ When email goes dark
Follow up with a text to revive the conversation.
“Hi Erica, I sent the ROI calculation on Monday. Can we review it tomorrow?”
4/ Update
Keep momentum alive with timely updates.
“Good news! Finance approved the discounts. I’ll have the final contract over to you by tomorrow.”
5/ After the deal
Keep building trust as their go-to advisor. Even after the deal is signed.
“Congrats on the launch!” or “Just checking in on how the onboarding is going.”
There you have it. 5 situations ideal for sending a text.
It’s that easy.
So on your next deal, don't limit yourself to the inbox.
Drop a text.
It makes a real difference.
