March 10, 2025

The Overlooked Potential of SMS in Debt Collection

The Overlooked Potential of SMS in Debt Collection

In this episode of Credit Shift, Mark Oppermann and Graham Bragg chat about the often overlooked power of SMS in digital debt collection and customer engagement. While it might be one of the older technologies in the mix, SMS still has loads to offer – and many businesses aren't using it to its full potential.

They dig into how personalisation, automation, and AI can take SMS beyond the basics, helping businesses create smarter, more effective conversations. There’s also a reminder that compliance is key when it comes to messaging strategies.

With its broad reach and low costs, SMS remains a seriously effective tool, especially for the debt collection industry. Mark and Graham wrap up by sharing what’s next for SMS, including rich business messaging and other exciting updates on the horizon.

 

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https://youtu.be/DRe2tJbpf0s

Key Takeaways

  • SMS is still one of the most underused channels for customer engagement.
  • Younger generations? They’d much rather get a message than answer a phone call.
  • Adding a personal touch to your SMS can make a big difference in how people respond.
  • Automation helps keep those conversations flowing smoothly without adding extra work.
  • AI can take SMS to the next level—making it smarter and keeping things compliant.
  • It’s affordable, easy to use, and works on pretty much any mobile phone.
  • People aren’t as fed up with SMS as they once were—message fatigue has really eased off.
  • Hooking SMS up to your backend systems makes for a much smoother customer journey.
  • Real-time messaging means customers get what they need, right when they need it.
  • And looking ahead? Rich business messaging is set to make SMS even more powerful.


Tags
Debt Collection, SMS in Debt Collection, AI in Debt Collection, Digital Debt Collection, Customer Engagement, Conversational AI, Automated Messaging, AI-Powered Collections, Collections Strategy, Debt Recovery, Credit Management, Contact Centre Automation, AI Chatbots, AI Agents, Customer Communication, Omnichannel Engagement, AI in Finance, Customer Experience, Credit Shift Podcast, Webio AI,
AI and Automation

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to SMS in Digital Transformation

02:45 - The Power of SMS Beyond Basic Messaging

05:59 - Understanding Customer Engagement Through SMS

09:12 - Personalisation and Automation in SMS Communication

11:55 - The Role of AI and Compliance in SMS

15:06 - Future of SMS: Integration and Customer Journey

18:11 - The Cost-Effectiveness and Reach of SMS

21:01 - Conclusion and Future Trends in SMS Messaging