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Posted on November 8, 2011 in Text Messaging by susan
SMS, text messages, text messaging
(Want to learn more about how to succeed in mobile marketing? Please download my free “Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing” video now)
SMS messaging is unsexy? Maybe but it is incredibly effective.
There are 5 billion users of mobile phones worldwide. An ABI Research study tells us that 60% of those users text message. 90% write and send messages within 3 minutes with 99% of text messages are read by the recipient.
Huge opportunity for marketers? Yes. Because SMS delivers what ALL marketers seek: effective one-on-one dialogue with their customer. Even better, it is affordable and really easy to use.
If you have a mobile phone, you have the capability to text (no downloads required!). Text messaging represents the biggest potential to drive consumers to the mobile web, the store or to an online site.
SMS is immediate and measurable too.
Click here to learn more about the Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing!
Posted on November 6, 2011 in Text Messaging by susan
mobile short codes, SMS, SMS marketing, text messages, text messaging
(Want to learn more about how to succeed in mobile marketing? Please download my free “Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing” video now)
If you have mastered the art of email marketing, you may want to consider adding a new powerful tool into the mix. 
SMS.
If you will, you can look at the mobile web as the glue between online and offline. So text messaging basically delivers an online experience for customers on-the-go.
SMS marketing is a potent tool in your marketing arsenal. There are many benefits. First, it’s simple. Second, most people view their SMS messages almost instantly. With SMS, you can not only target your audience perfectly, you can almost guarantee they will see your message.
SMS messages on average boast a 97% open rate. Even better, nearly 87% of messages are actually read within 15 minutes of their arrival. So not only do most people read your message. They will read it right away.
Despite all the power of SMS marketing, many business owners are confused where to begin.
Here are some tips:
1. The first step obviously is to build your list.
2. You will need to communicate to your consumers the benefits for receiving SMS messages from your brand.
a. Use a mobile short code to acquire emails (thus getting both emails and mobile phone numbers simultaneously)
b. Acquire mobile numbers through stores, events, billboards and TV ads
c. Keep track of where you got your numbers as well as any pertinent demographic information in order to target future campaigns.
3. Divide your SMS messages into time-sensitive communications, location-related communications and ‘first to know’ VIP communications.
a. Time-Sensitive is perfect for one-time offers, new product arrivals or account reminders
b. Location-based messages are good for customers within driving distance of a store, event or trade show.
c. A VIP communications gives the recipient an advanced notice of pricing, limited quantity offers or special events. This ‘first to know’ type of information makes the subscriber feel special as he can get a good deal before the rest of the crowd.
4. Use SMS ads to drive customers to your mobile website.
5. Make sure your purchase process is easy. Store account and payment information so your customer can have easy, one-click ordering. Use promo codes or short URLs for specific promotions to track mobile response to a specific SMS campaign.
Click here to learn more about the Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing!
Posted on November 4, 2011 in Mobile General by susan
location-based mobile marketing, mobile marketing, mobile websites, proximity marketing, QR codes, short codes, SMS marketing, text messaging
(Want to learn more about how to succeed in mobile marketing? Please download my free “Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing” video now)
Here are seven ways you can get involved in the Mobile Gold Rush:
1. SMS marketing. What is so great about text marketing is that every handset has a text messaging capability. No matter what your business, who your customers are or the size of your budget, you can get involved in the power of the text message.
a. Build a contact list by offering an exclusive discount in exchange for their phone number
b. Find a service provider that can send SMS messages to your list (you can find .05-.10/text deals easily)
c. Send messages ONLY when you have something important to say. Always conduct the personal litmus test and ask yourself if YOU would want to receive this message
d. Include a call to action, get people involved in a competition, or ask them to visit your website.
e. Make sure to include your name and contact in each text message.
2. QR codes. QR (Quick Response) Codes are two-dimensional codes that are very similar to the 1D codes you have been seeing in your supermarket for years. When the user scans a QR code they are taken to the ‘other side’ which could be a video, a website or a text message. So for example a real estate agent can print QR codes on their For Sale signs or a local ad and the person who scans the code will be taken to a video which is an in-depth tour of the property.
3. Short Codes and Competitions. Have your consumer enter a short code which will take them to a competition to win. You can also combine this with your overall SMS plan which you give them an opportunity to ‘opt-in’ to your list so they can take advantage of future mobile-special offers.
4. Location-Based Deals. Foursquare and Facebook Places are the top two location-based services. The principle behind both is that people can ‘check-in’ to locations (based on their GPS locations) and leave tips. A user can accumulate visits and if he visits the place the most he can earn badges, get special deals or even become “Mayor” of a particular location. As the establishment, you can give a 20% discount for your Mayor which will increase competition. Or you could offer a special deal to every 20th person that checks-in or to someone who has checked-in 5 times in a month, etc.
5. Proximity Marketing. Proximity Marketing (which is essentially Bluetooth marketing) is when you blast messages within an area of 200 meters. Of course, in order to receive your message, the mobile device will have to have its Bluetooth capabilities turned on. You can send a text message, a coupon, a picture or even a video.
6. Mobile Websites. A mobile website is an absolute must. Over 50% of all social media is now occurring on mobile and in less than 2 years, people will spend more time browsing the internet on a mobile handset than a personal computer
7. Mobile App. A mobile app provides a rich user experience and can encourage brand loyalty. It is not the easiest way, however, to get into mobile and the development costs can be expensive.
Click here to learn more about the Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing!
Posted on November 1, 2011 in Text Messaging by susan
small business text messaging, text messages, text messaging
(Want to learn more about how to succeed in mobile marketing? Please download my free “Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing” video now)
Small business owners can benefit greatly from adding mobile to their mix. Mobile marketing –and in particular text messaging—will allow you to deliver exclusive offers, coupons and invitations to your customers in seconds. Nearly any message you send will enjoy a near 100% open rate and text coupons enjoy an amazing 10-30% redemption rate.
To begin, you will want to create a mobile site (in addition to your already existing PC site). After you have done that you will want to start a test message marketing campaign. Text messaging works on every phone. Text messaging is direct, personal and cost-effective and a great way to communicate as well as increase sales.
You can start text messaging for as low as $10/month, a price point any small business owner can afford.
However there is a ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ way to text message. Since the mobile phone is such a ‘personal’ space, people are hyper sensitive about the messages they find acceptable. If you send boring messages that provide no value, you will do serious damage to your brand. Make sure everything you send out is timely, relevant and value-driven.
So, you could send out a message saying that Happy Hour begins at 4 pm. (Boring). Or you could invite them to a special event at 4 with a known author or a wine-tasting expert. (Not boring). Make your customer feel special.
Text messaging will ultimately be the backbone of any small business marketing plan. Why not start now when it is still a fresh concept and get an edge on your competitors?
Click here to learn more about the Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing!
Posted on October 28, 2011 in Mobile General by susan
Mobile devices, mobile phones, text messaging
(Want to learn more about how to succeed in mobile marketing? Please download my free “Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing” video now)
I think a lot of us have forgotten that ‘once upon a time’ phones were made for talking.
Despite the upsurge in mobile phone sales (particularly) smart phones, we are apparently talking less on the phone than ever before.
To be precise, according to J.D.Power, a consumer research company, Americans talk over an hour less per month than in 2009. So what are we doing instead? Text messaging, emailing and video chatting. And texting is the clear winner. Wireless customers send/receive over 500 text messages a month. And when it comes to teens and young adults, the numbers rise enormously.
According to a 2010 Nielsen survey, teens send an average of 3,339 text messages each month and 646 minutes per month talking, a 14% decline between 2009 and 2010. Why? Because young adults find texting to be much ‘easier’ and ‘faster’ than a traditional phone call. Someday soon, people are going to forget what their phones were once designed for phone calls.
Click here to learn more about the Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing!
Posted on October 26, 2011 in Mobile General by susan
charities text messaging, text messaging
(Want to learn more about how to succeed in mobile marketing? Please download my free “Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing” video now)
In the UK, text messaging is now being applied to a worthy charitable cause.
A UK mobile marketing company Txtlocal has teamed up with SAFE@LAST, a charity offering services for young people who have run away. SAFE@LAST provides services ranging from prevention to crisis intervention, but with a text messaging twist.
The partnership allows young people to text to the helpline. Txtlocal has a control panel which lets its users text thousands of people in just a few minutes. SAFE@LAST advertises a keyword and a short code that young people who need help can use. The youth can then text SAFE to 60777 and the charity will reply to them via text and offer advice.
This is a great idea because young people are very familiar and comfortable with text messaging and yet it still has certain anonymity to it
Click here to learn more about the Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing!
Posted on October 24, 2011 in Mobile General by susan
restaurants text messaging, text message, text messaging, text messaging restaurants, Text2Sit
(Want to learn more about how to succeed in mobile marketing? Please download my free “Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing” now)
Restaurants are one of the types of businesses that stand to benefit greatly from mobile. A recent software called Text2Sit was created that just underlines this potential.
Text2Sit allows a restaurant to text message their customers when the table is ready. Beyond that, the customers can immediately begin receiving promotions of In-House Specials or more via text.
The software can run on any Wi-Fi device.
It offers convenience to the customers who no longer have to sit and wait for their table.
Text2Sit (text2sit.com) works with Yelp.com to give customers the ability to give feedback right after dining.
Click here to learn more about the Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing
Posted on October 19, 2011 in Text Messaging by susan
(Want to learn more about how to succeed in mobile marketing? Please download my free “Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing” video now)
According to ABI Research, 5 TRILLION SMS messages will be sent in 2011. According to Singlepoint, of the 5 billion mobile users in 2010, 60% use text messaging and 90% of all messages are written and sent within 3 minutes. The best news of all? 99% of all text messages are actually read.
In sum, SMS is a huge opportunity. It delivers what every marketer on earth wants- a direct one-on-one conversation with their customer.
And it’s so easy! If you have a mobile phone, you have the ability to text. And it’s immediate. A marketer can start with sending a text and then optimize their text messages by including a link to video, audio or a phone call so that users take an action. You can even send a link to an entire mobile site which is packed with graphics, images and forms from an SMS.
The text message with a link is a great way to begin your mobile marketing program. It is cheaper and faster than building an app or a site and the success of your SMS can be measured immediately.
Click here to learn more about the Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing!
Posted on October 8, 2011 in Text Messaging by susan
Constant Contact, text message, text messaging
(Want to learn more about how to succeed in mobile marketing? Please download my free “Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing” video now)
If you are a small business or nonprofit, doing text/email messaging just got easier with Constant Contact’s Text-to-Join.
Text-to-Joni allows customers to sign up for subscriber lists right on their mobile phones. This means you can capture that information at the moment your customers (or donors) are the most engaged. It makes it super simple to capture a contact in real-time and even reward them right away with a coupon or free gift.
Text-to-Join is very easy to use. The business or non-profit organization just selects a keyword and then they are assigned a ‘short code’ which will then be associated with that keyword. (A short code is simply a short phone number that prospects can send text messages to from their phones).
Another feature that Constant Contact is making available is a video creation wizard. While it is still in beta, you can try it out at Videomail.constantcontact.com Mobile video is now catching on and it is a great way to create a connection with your subscribers. Video is known to increase conversion rates by as much as 50%. You can use it to send a greeting, announce an event or demonstrate a product.
Click here to learn more about the Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing!
Posted on October 4, 2011 in Mobile General by susan
Mobile devices, mobile marketing, mobile phones, text messaging
(Want to learn more about how to succeed in mobile marketing? Please download my free “Secrets to Successful Mobile Marketing” video now)
According to a Pew Research study, Americans use their mobile phones for the following reasons:
1. Finding information quick
2. Helping in emergency situations
3. Staving off boredom
4. Using as an excuse not to interact with others!
Mobile phone users also reported the following frustrations:
1. Slow download times
2. Difficulty reading websites
3. Difficulty entering text
Here are some more results showing how people use their phones:
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