How to Text Like a Pro with Your Old-School Landline

You're a solo lawyer, juggling court appearances, client meetings and piles of paperwork. Your clients prefer texting, but you don’t want to blur the lines between your professional and personal life by sharing your cell number. Sound familiar? It’s a common conundrum for solo and small firms.

Recently, a lawyer reached out to me with this dilemma: he wanted to keep his landline phone but needed a way to receive and respond to text messages. The lawyer was understandably frustrated with his options. He needed a reliable way to handle text messages without opening his mobile phone up to client texts nights and weekends. He also felt that many texting applications were too expensive for a solo firm or did not offer a straightforward way to incorporate the app with the firm’s landline. He wanted a simple and affordable solution that would allow him to text his clients from his existing phone number, without having to switch to a different device or service.

The rise of text messaging as a preferred mode of communication has placed additional pressure on solo lawyers to be constantly available. However, the solution is not to blur the lines between personal and professional life but to find tools that allow for effective communication while maintaining boundaries. This is where specialized texting applications come into play.

After researching various options, I found an interesting texting application that caters to this need: Texty Pro. Texty Pro stands out for several reasons, primarily due to its user-friendly interface and transparent pricing. This app allows lawyers to manage text messages from their landline numbers, ensuring that they can stay connected with clients without revealing their personal cell phone numbers.

Texty Pro: A Possible Solution for Solo Lawyers

One of the primary advantages of Texty Pro is its simplicity. The application is easy to set up and use, making it an attractive option for lawyers who may not be tech savvy. Additionally, Texty Pro is transparent about its costs, which are reasonable and clearly outlined on their website.

Features of Texty Pro

Texty Pro offers a range of features designed to meet the needs of solo lawyers.

• Text messaging from landline. Texty Pro allows lawyers to send and receive text messages from their existing landline numbers. This feature ensures that clients can communicate via text without the lawyer needing to give out their personal cell phone number.
• Web-based interface. The application provides a web-based interface that can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. This flexibility allows lawyers to manage their text messages from their office computer, laptop or even a tablet.
• Message archiving. Texty Pro includes message archiving capabilities, ensuring that all communications are stored securely and can be accessed when needed. This feature is particularly useful for maintaining records of client interactions.
• Group messaging. Lawyers can send group messages to multiple clients or colleagues at once. This feature is beneficial for sending out important updates or reminders efficiently.
• Scheduled messages. The ability to schedule messages in advance is another useful feature. Lawyers can plan their communications ahead of time, ensuring that clients receive timely updates or court hearing reminders.
• Auto reply. Texty Pro offers an auto-reply feature that allows lawyers to set up automatic responses to incoming messages. This can be useful for managing client expectations and providing immediate acknowledgment of their messages.
• Customizable templates. The application includes customizable message templates, making it easier to send consistent responses to common inquiries. This feature saves time and ensures professionalism in client communications.
• Integration with existing systems. Texty Pro can integrate with other business systems via Zapier, such as customer relationship management (CRM) tools. This integration helps streamline communication workflows and ensures that all client interactions are logged in one place.

Cost of Texty Pro

Priced at $25 per month, the Growth Plan includes 500 outgoing text messages per month. It also includes unlimited incoming texts. It also includes off hours auto reply and a “Text Us” widget for your website.

The Pro Plan costs $45 per month and includes a higher volume of messages. This plan also allows for scheduling text messages, introductory greeting auto replies and many other features.

At a higher cost of $99 per month, the Team Plan offers even more messaging capacity and additional features tailored to larger practices or those with significant messaging needs.

It's worth noting that some lawyers have opted to ditch their traditional landline phones in favor of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solutions like RingCentral. VoIP services offer a range of advanced communication features, including text messaging, voicemail-to-email and call forwarding, all integrated into a single platform. These solutions can be particularly appealing for those looking to modernize their communication infrastructure and enjoy greater flexibility.

However, for lawyers who prefer to keep their existing landline number and are looking for a straightforward, reliable texting solution, options like Texty Pro remain valuable. The ability to maintain a familiar landline while enhancing its functionality with text messaging capabilities provides the best of both worlds.

Best Practices for Text Messaging

While text messages can be a convenient way to handle communications, it is important to remember that text messages should be used for short exchanges. Long and confidential discussions should never take place over text. These types of conversations are best conducted in person or over the phone to ensure privacy and clarity. If a client insists on sending long messages, lawyers should inform them that this is not the best way to communicate and encourage them to use a more appropriate method for detailed discussions.

Solo lawyers must leverage technology to manage client communications effectively while preserving their personal time. Text messaging is an essential tool, but it should not come at the cost of personal privacy. Applications such as Texty Pro provide a practical solution that meets this need.