Following the post about using SMS to create to do lists last week, my thoughts began to run into what other ways we can use text messaging to improve our productivity. Here are some ideas. Let me know what you think or add yours in the comments.

1. Email – instead of entering the number in the ‘To’ field, just enter an email address. I think this is a super quick/easy way to send tasks to assistants or yourself especially when the idea hits you in the middle of the little ones’ ball game.
2. Time tracking – Not sure what other time management application does this but I heard HourDoc.com allows you and your staff to clock in/out via SMS among other things.
3. Find out the ZIP code you’re in. Don’t you just hate it when you’re asked to enter the ZIP code in a mobile application while you’re traveling? How in the world do I know what ZIP I am in? I don’t even know the ZIP for the town 50 miles down the road. Thankfully, Google can help. Text to 466453 (Google) enter the town name, state and a common business like hotel or gas like “happyville, ny gas” you’ll receive search results with address and ZIP you can use.
4. Check your PayPal balance, pay your assistant or bill a client. Funny how you sometimes remember the bill you forgot to pay but you’re out of the office or on a road trip. If you’ve registered your phone in your PayPal account ahead of time, you can pay the bill using SMS. Full instructions here. I must say though, please make sure you put in place any security mechanism on your phone if you plan to use this often. Or, get signed up for PayPal’s security key for an added layer of protection.
5. Currency conversion – great stuff when traveling abroad send 1 dollar in pound or 3 USD in GBP to 466453 (Google)
6. Track your favorite web sites – I’m not sure I’ll personally use this too much. I have enough unread posts in my feed reader as is. However this is really good if you’re reporting some news or tracking conversations. Web-Alerts (I think part of the Feedm8 network) allows you to track any web site. I like that you can add keywords so that you’re not bugged by every single update only the ones you’re interested in. Other services along this line are: Yahoo Alerts and ZapTxt.
7. Web site down time alert – one of the oldest uses in the book. Tech workers have been using text messages to track network up and down times for a while now you can too with AreMySitesUp.
8. Check your snail mail box – If you’re a UPS store customer, instead of making the trip to check the mail box, they’ll send you a text message when packages arrive. I like this saves time and gas. Only wish there was a UPS store near me.
9. Voicemail alert – I really wish my phone company offered this one. Thankfully I use GrandCentral and it does send me an SMS message whenever there’s new voice mail in my inbox.
10. Calendar – but of course. I use Google Calendar as well as Airset. Both will remind me of my appointments and also allow me to add events to my calendar quickly.

Photo by linusb4 at SXC.hu