I love Twitter. Matt Rains, of RETechBlog fame, sent me a private message on Twitter the other night, asking me to take a look at "something" he had built and to give him my opinion. That something was a text messaging widget and I liked it.
So, yesterday Matt and I met for the first time in a video conversation using Skype and he shared with me the reasons why he decided to create it. It made me smile, because his reasons for creating the widget are the same reasons why I sometimes create some tutorial videos. It's easier for me to make a video once than to have to explain something many, many times. Matt's widget creation logic followed a similar line of reasoning. He had been explaining how easily it could be done and finally decided it would be even easier for everyone if he just created a widget to do it. He was right. :)
Making it fit in the Active Rain sidebar.
So, in the conversation on Skype, I asked Matt if he wouldn't mind editing the widget a bit so it would fit nicely here in the sidebar on Active Rain. He readily agreed and a few hours later, voila, the Free Text Messaging Widget was ready to go. You can see it in my sidebar right now.
Why do I think it's a good widget?
First, it does one thing really well. It allows people who visit your page to send you a text message. That's it. Second, I know that the providing a variety of contact options will greatly increase the chance that someone will actually contact you. Communicate the way people like to be communicated with. It's that simple. Some people will pick up the phone, some will email and some will want to text message. Now you can give them that option.
You can get your free text messaging widget here.
Here's a quick video that will show you how to get it into your sidebar here on Active Rain.
Text Messaging Widget From Matt Rains from respres on Vimeo.
Matt, thanks for this great little widget!
Jeff Turner aka respres
Hey thanks to both of you guys for this great little widget. I love it, since I am teck junkie I will be going to my page right now to add to my page.
Thanks for another way to keep in touch!!
The more and more I am around AR and now Twitter, the more and more my inner geek is coming out. I am going to update my site now. I guess this will got straight to Twitter, or is that another widget I need to have?
Awesome little widget you have created, I will be putting it to immediate use asap. Thanks for bringing AR forward with new tech and gadgets
This looks like agreat tool, but I will have to succumb to pressures and upgrade to the Blackberry Storm before I implement a text messaging capability. ETA, whenver Verizon gets it available or I wait until May to upgrade.
I will give Texting a try but think it will slow down my response time since my fingers have enough trouble poking the right numbers.
All thanks goes to Matt. I'm just helping him get the word out and am happy to do so! :)
What a great widget - I'm simply amazed by the technology and ability to get and stay in touch with people. I mean even my parents are now sending emails and my mom text messaged me the other day - what is this world coming to? Jeff, as always, thank you for sharing and providing such great tools for us. ~Anne Marie
If anyone reading this puts it on their blog, please leave a comment here. Happy to test it for you. :)
I'm a bit in the dark as to how these programs function so my first beta test thought might be difficult to implement but it should read the message text and phone number line to make sure it contains data before sending.... Could drive a person nuts shooting blanks!
Dan, I'm not 100% sure what you mean, but I don't think people who send text messages as their preferred form of communication will react the same way. I could be wrong. I know Matt is having some good results from the widget, but only he can speak to those details. I just understand the psychology of the web surfer. I have preferred methods for communicating and like to use those options when presented. When they are not, I sometimes choose not to communicate at all.
No harm no foul. It's non-intrusive. It may work for you, it may not. If it doesn't, take it down. If it does... bonus. :)
Thanks everyone for your comments. I have been using this widget on my personal real estate site for about 6 months now and I am getting a great response. A lot of potential clients feel much more comfortable sending a text message over calling mainly because of the awkwardness of talking to a stranger for the first time. The great thing about the text widget is when someone sends you a message like I got recently "We're wanting to buy a home and are looking for potential Realtors" I was able to call them back while they were still at my website. To say the least we are now on the hunt to find them a home because all of the other real estate agents they contacted through e-mail got back with them hours or days later and I had already closed the bag.
Again, thank you very much for the comments and if anyone ever has any trouble please let me know at info@retechblog.com. Just so everyone knows we are trying to build a Canadian version soon.
-Matt Rains
www.RETechBlog.com
Thanks, Matt. That's a perfect example of why this widget has value.
What a great thing...with your wonderful video I am sure I will be able to get it on my active rain now I hope I can figure out how to do it on my wordpress blogs:)
Chris... on Wordpress, go to Design>Widgets. Then add a "TEXT" widget to your sidebar and paste the code into that widget. Should work fine.
Jeff,
Much thanks to you, and to Matt Rains. This is very useful!
Mike in Tucson
great widget! very useful. I will be adding it to my blog shortly. Thanks for sharing it with us Jeff.
Best,
Scott
Mike... got your text. :) Calling you now. See how easy that was?
Jeff... I agree it offer a great option for people to contact us. When I tested mine I was curious if there was any error trapping so I just hit the send button on the widget a few times and received a few blank text messages. My thought was from a programming end you would normally do some simple error checking and not send a completely blank text message. I'll shoot you a blank or two now....
Dan,
Good Call. I'll insert some basic error catches.
-Matt Rains
How cool is that... Jeff - I've just added Matt to my reading list! Thank you for spreading the word.
Dan,
I added the Error Trapping. Not to complex but very quick. Let me know what you think. There shouldn't be anymore blank messages or blank phone numbers allowed.
Thanks,
Matt Rains
Jeff, This is an awesome tool. WOW.
Have you put it to test yet?
Does standard text messaging fees aplly?
Jeff looks like a neat tool. I am wondering how many people would actually use this method of communication though?
Matt... Nice Job and quick response with the error trapping modification.
Mana... It is easy to insert and works fine but it can eat up your nickels if your plan doesn't include unlimited text messages.
I've seen some text messaging widgets before and I've used them, but I like the clean look of this one and how nicely it fits the A/R sidebar. AND it is important to offer different methods of communication.
Funny thing Mr. Aparatoso is that I saw @nik_nik's twit last night about it and immediately went over and added it to miamism and then twitted about it and 4 people tested it on the spot and it works like a charm. (between you and me....it's not very pretty....put we can't have it all can't we) ; )
on another note - I tried the chat widget for a while and that one did not work - I see more power in short TXT messages - this one should be a winner.
What a great idea, Matt discovered. I think many folks will appreciate this. Especially if they have a quick question about what they post. Thanks Matt, thanks Jeff for posting it.
How incredible! Thanks Matt!
And Thanks Jeff - for getting the word out. I can see all kinds of benefits to having this on a blog.
You guys are tops!
Jeff,
We successfuly put it on our A/R blog !!! Thanks !!! Please feel free to test it !! Is great all the cool things we learn and can take advantage of on here. You rock !
Jeff,
Thanks for the post. We can always count on you to introduce technology that helps to enhance our business. Thank you.
Jeff - thanks for this information and I have bookmarked your post!
Thanks Jeff, THANKS MATT, just installed it on my blog!!
This is a great find Jeff. Thanks for asking Matt to make it fit AR.
Jeff - As always, you can be counted on to bring cutting-edge tools for us all. Great stuff! I may need to add this one, too.
Jeff, this is great. I have one question though.
I'm assuming that it can be put on multiple sites without a problem, right?
Jeff... a really cool widget... thanks for posting it.
Gena... again, thanks goes to Matt.
For those who have not figured it out. The default time is EST and it is displayed in the code you will copy like this:
sms_widget.cfm?time=1
For Central use this:
sms_widget.cfm?time=12
For Mountain use this:
sms_widget.cfm?time=11
For Pacific use this:
sms_widget.cfm?time=10
Just replace the "1" with "12", "11" or "10"
Jeff and Matt,
Nice tool, thanks, put it on took 2 minutes and then tested it and boom, worked fine.
List and Sell (and capture customers on the first TXT) Gary @ RentonHomeFinder
This is so cool! Thanks!
Matt and Jeff: This is really cool! Thank you for creating it, posting it & giving great directions...As a relative newbie, I have a question. How can I put it on my outside blog, as well?
Thank you thank you!
Jennifer
Jeff
sms_widget.cfm?time=12
also works for central time zone
Excellent, it's on my Blog!
Hey everyone,
Just so everyone knows about the time it only takes positive numbers. Change time=10 or 8 or whatever your time zone requires.
Also, you can add the same code to as many websites, blogs or A/R accounts as your want. There is no limit to the number of widgets you can insert into your websites and you can use the same code in all your pages.
Thanks Everyone,
Matt Rains
Matt... well, it works with negative number for me without a hitch. :) The widget here on this post uses -2 and displays just fine.
Jeff your posts are addictive, thank-you...
"Addictive"... I like that. Thank you!
{SVW Hubba}
Too late I already took my meds and now I'm loopy. I'll have to come back in the morning so you can teach me something else I'm sure I need to know :)
TLW...ROAR!
Jeff thanks for sharing this new widgat. It does give people yet another option to get a hold of us.
This is great. I love it so much. Thank you Jeff. By the way, do you get any spam messages?
Jeff, thank you so much for sharing this great tool that Matt has kindly shared with us. I am always reading your posts Jeff-so incredibly helpful to us!
Huiting... I have not received any spam yet, but I can certainly see it as a potential.
Very easy to set up and use! Thanks Matt and Jeff for another great and productive tool.
Thanks to Matt for developing this great tool, and thanks to Jeff for sharing it with all of us. Jeff, you always have wonderful stuff to share, and it is much appreciated!
What a great idea. I can see where this would work. I don't have text messaging on my phone, perhaps I need to look into adding it???
Jeff,
I am thinking that this will work great on my website too. Thank you sir for the information.
Nice that this community shares. Good POA.
Nice work. I had a text box on our site but yours is much better. I'll be changing over now!
This is great information! It's definitely something I'll keep around for reference in the future!
DM
Awesome and a great way for RETech to collect our emails and cell phones! Sweet!
I must need additional help here because I could not do it when I went to my settings and then the box that the video mentioned.... I copied and pasted the code I received, but when I put it in the blog description box and pressed update - it stripped it and never allowed the widget. Below the blog description box it says: limited to 100 words, not counting html tags and it also says below blog description text: limited to 100 words, text only. HTML and/or Javascript will be stripped. This is what I have in my blog description box: Raised in a real estate family that has been investing in the Myrtle Beach area since the early 1950's. Work with a home-town REALTOR. Pam Guthrie. Licensed for more than 25 years. Current Resident of Pawleys Island.
http://PamGuthrie.com
Jeff & RETech- Wow what a quick install!! I have been wanting one for months!
Thank you Thank you!
I vote this as the best new thing of the week, Thanks for sharing and I will definately try it out.
Jeff, thanks again for sharing Matt's work. I will try to place my widget on my email and other websites. the test text worked without any trouble.
Jeff, thanks for sharing. Matt, thank you for creating this widget, and communicating this to Jeff. This is just another reason why I enjoy AR. I know this will be worthwhile when I get it up and running.
Jeff and Matt - Kudos for sharing. Great tool. You're both terrific POAs.
Would you mind sharing your some video secrets Jeff, re the "how to" video you posted? Looks like you used your embedded camera, how did you capture the desktop action, what did you use to get the "zoom" effects" and did you have to edit or was it a one take movie?
Thanks in advance. K
Hey Jeff,
I can't wait to set this up on my side bar.
Many thanks to you, many thanks to Matt, and many thanks to the helpful commenting AR folks who have done some troubleshooting for the rest of us!
Take care, Laurie
How easy was that! I just installed it, but first I watched your video on installing widgets! Got two birds with one stone on that one.
If I were Jeff Turner, I would put a link to these videos in his side bar somewhere. ;)
Jeff, I emailed you about a question, btw.
•:*¨¨*:• Joe & Colleen Lane •:*¨¨*:•
Our ActiveRain Blog
Jeff - This is amazing, thank you for sharing yet another great widget. I would not have thought of a messaging system but it makes great sense and would be something that can be utilized in a powerful way! Thanks again
Hey Jeff and everyone else,
I just wanted everyone to know I am creating a new account under the name RETechBlog. I'm currently moving old blog posts into the account so don't mind those if you get into that area.
I should have it up and running fully in about a week. I would love some contacts so let me know how much your liking the widget and don't forget to come to my live show at www.RealEstateTechnologyOnline.com/live.
I'll have some more cutting edge widgets out soon so stay in touch.
Thanks,
Matt Rains
RETechBlog.com
Texting is a bit tedious, but unescapable.
Hi Jeff and Thanks Matt! I just added it to my sidebar. My kids have taught me the importance of texting--quick, easy and efficient. I could get along with clients like that! Cheers, Harley
thanks Matt and Jeff. I think this is absolutely great!
Jeff and Matt - thanks to you both. I just set up the text messaging widget on my blog and I'm excited about it. Another one of the many things that makes AR so great!!!
Okay Jeff, I am stalking your blog so I can soak up all that knowledge in your brain. I am completely overwhelmed so I've had to start bookmarking. :)
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Jeff:
Do you think that between you and Matt, you can add a couple of canadian carriers? I belong to Telus, but unfortunately it is not an option. Also, I like your visitor's widget, where can I get one?
Thanks. Just added it to my Active Rain Blog.
Thanks. I love tech tools like this.
Jeff -
Thank you for telling us about the tool but thanks most of all for your complete and detailed (easy to follow) instructions about how to put it on the AR page. I find that sometimes folks assume that users know more than they actually do and thus instructions are hard to follow. Thanks again and Happy New Year!
Mary, it's truly my pleasure. So glad this was helpful.
Jeff, just read Anne's post on this and referencing back to your post. This is going on my blog tomorrow!
Hi Jeff,
Thank you for sharing this with us. Thanks Chris for such a wonderful gadget for our websites. As a real estate virtual assistant I have shown it to most of my clients and they are all over it.
Having problems loading it on a WordPress blog, but was a snap with Active Rain and RealPro Systems.
When Jeff talks - people listen.
Jeff, thanks for sharing this and thanks Matt for creating it. Can't wait to add to the blogs I manage :-)
I have been meaning to put a text me widget on our site and have had some trouble with a couple of ones. Thanks for sharing yours!! Looking forward to getting lots of leads!!
I have been meaning to put a text me widget on our site and have had some trouble with a couple of ones. Thanks for sharing yours!! Looking forward to getting lots of leads!!
Thank you guys for taking the time to show us how to do this.
Unbelieveable! What a great tool! Thanks for sharing this with us, will be putting it on shortly!
I ran across this widget on Trulia a few months ago and have found it to be a great tool. Thankyou for sharing it with everyone. I love a good freebie!
Thanks for this - a great idea. A little to late to play with tonight, but I have bookmarked and hope to get back tomorrow.
Thanks again,
Awesome - what a great addition to any site... Thanks Matt! and thanks Jeff, for posting it.
You are my hero. I had this widget and was playing around with my HTML and lost it. I could not remember where I found it and Googled different terms. Sure enough there it was your blog. AR to the rescue.
Thanks also Jeff. That is so cool and I can see great uses for it.
Thanks for info, I definately will be checking this out further, I love to add little extras
Hi Jeff - I've seen this widget before (may have even done a blog about it). It was brought to my attention by one of my clients. I added it to my AR blog site. I haven't been texted through the widget yet but at least it's another convenient was for clients and prospects to reach me.
this is pretty cool
Hey, thanks for sharing, this is great! (and pretty cool too). Wish all techie stuff was this much fun!