Archive for the ‘Mobile Marketing’ Category

In the past three months, mobile access to internet sites has grown by 26%.  Mobile accesses tripled in the past two years.

A real mobile strategy today includes more than just text message marketing.  It also requires a mobile website and possibly an app or custom QR Code to engage the growing number of mobile users accessing your corporate or brand website.  Nowhere is this trend more important than in the vertical of restaurants.

Mobile browsers now account for 13% of all internet accesses.

FIGHT FOR THE PRESIDENCY: Romney and Obama can send you political text messages so long as they aren’t from an auto dialer.

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (TCPA) was written to address consumer concerns about telemarketing calls.  The TCPA covers sending unsolicited advertisements to fax machines (about the only thing we get here any more are just that), the use of auto dialers, and sending text messages to mobile phones.

The law is designed to protect consumers against unwanted solicitations which is why when it comes to text message marketing, you always need an opt-in from the consumer prior to sending out your text message marketing messages.

But, hold on, the same rules don’t necessarily apply to political messages.  Wonderful, how politicians carved out their own exemption from this rule when it is precisely their messages that most consumers would least like to receive.

So, now that we are in the throes of an election campaign, what are the rules for telemarketing when it comes to political candidates?

Under the rules of the TCPA, campaign volunteers may call voters on their landline or wireless phones.  What they can’t do, however, is use an auto dialer to leave a robocall on a mobile phone.

In  a nutshell:

• LEGAL — Calling a voter on a landline phone from an auto dialer to leave a robocall message without any prior consent of the voter.
• ILLEGAL — Calling a voter using an auto dialer to their cell phone without their prior written consent.
• LEGAL — For a campaign worker to send a text message to a voter’s cell phone.
• ILLEGAL — For a campaign to use an auto dialer to send texts to a voter’s cell phone without prior written consent.

Editor’s Note — 84444.com is not considered an auto-dialer.

We just talked about how our 84444.com site is getting texts from followers of the television show Glee which uses a similar 94444 short code.

Well, our short code isn’t getting mixed up with the short code being used by Katy Perry for her new movie, but it’s pretty cool that Katy is using a text message program to promote her new movie.  In fact, it seems like more and more movies are using a text message element to them in their previews when the movie is being released.

Now, Katy could have taken a little help from our staff when she advertised the text message program.  From looking at the advertisement, I really didn’t know what I was going to get from Katy.  After texting, I now know that Katy is going to “share my incredible journey.”  That’s good enough for me.

What’s even better, however, is that Katy loves me.  She said so right in the text.  “Xo. Katy”

When it comes to mobile device users, the wealthy are more likely to own smartphones.  Moreover, the higher the education, the more likely you are to be a mobile device user.  That also should come as no surprise to most of us.

If you are trying to reach upscale audiences, you will find less, at least percentage wise, on Android as opposed to iPhone an Blackberry.

The most interesting part of this study is that mobile device owners and smartphone owners are no less likely to also be print publication (newspaper and magazine) readers than any non-print readers.

We’ve talked about it before, but mobile clearly is not getting a fair shake when it comes to advertising dollars versus time spent on media.  That means opportunity for savvy marketers that understand mobile and decide to use mobile marketing as part of its marketing mix.

It all starts with text message marketing which is the pillar that holds up the mobile marketing building.

With 91% of consumers having their cell phone within reach 24/7, it’s no surprise that mobile marketing is on the rise.  In fact, according to Ask Your Target Market’s latest survey, 33% of consumers are interacting with text message marketing.

Text Message Marketing is on the Rise

Of those interested in mobile advertising, 29% said they would like to receive exclusive coupons, 18% would like information about in-store sales, 12% would like information about new products, 3% would like generally company updates, and 56% would like other information as a text message.

With 94% of all text messages being opened immediately upon receipt, text message marketing is easily the most efficient way to target consumers.

In today’s world of fast-paced rising technology, text messages may be the closest thing in the digital marketing world to a guaranteed read.  In fact, 94% of all text messages are opened immediately upon receipt.  Unlike cyberspace, the SMS world remains to be a spam-free marketing network.  Consequently, the average person responds to a text message within 90 seconds, even a promotional one, whereas e-mails take 90 minutes.  E-mail is just so yesterday!

Since consumers are more likely to read text messages over e-mails, you can’t ignore this one-on-one marketing medium.  Text message marketing allows you to send the right text to the right people at the right time.  These interactive SMS campaigns convert prospects to customers, which translates into profits.

First, your clients must choose to opt-in (receive your text messages).  Whether it’s through a contest, mobile coupon, or voting poll, patrons can quickly type in the keyword and short code, and voila!  In seconds, your consumers have your personalized message right there in their hands.

This man reads every text sent to his phone

SMS promotions allow you to increase traffic to your company by providing consumers with text messages informing them of your discounts and/or specials.  Lucky for you, most Americans always have their cell phones nearby, even when they’re sleeping, so you are able to reach them no matter where they are.  Compared to other marketing strategies (radio, TV, or print ads), text message marketing will deliver a better return on your investment.  In addition, this easy to use program allows you to test out different messages daily to see what works best.  Selling a product or service to 18-29 year olds?  They’re the hardest to reach by e-mail, yet 95% of them are texting on their cell phones.

Think about it.  How often do you leave your cell phone behind?  Most likely, never.  Do you know anyone who doesn’t have a cell phone?  Some employees even have two – one for work and one for personal use.  As a result, there are currently more cell phones than people in the U.S.

As the growth of mobile continues to explode, so does your opportunity to reach this vast audience of consumers.  Convert them into your customers with text message marketing that targets only qualified prospects – those who have chosen to receive your message.  These savvy consumers are using mobile to shop, access mobile coupons, do price comparisons, book reservations, and more.  Smart shoppers require smarter marketing.  Text message marketing allows you to deliver information to patrons they way they want it – fast and easy.

A leader among text message marketing companies, Advanced Telecom Services is your one stop mobile shop delivering a program tailored to meet you and your consumers needs.  Try out our do-it-yourself text message marketing solution at www.84444.com or take advantage of our concierge service where we put our expertise to work for you.  Whether you want to implement an interactive text message campaign, mobile website, custom QR code, or mobile app, ATS has the experienced media professionals you need ready to get you started immediately.

(Sources: CTIA.org 2012; Pew Research 2011)

Over the past weekend, American Eagle Outfitters’ aerie used text message marketing in order to drive more sales.  After achieving one million “likes” on Facebook, aerie sent out an SMS to consumers that included a free shipping mobile coupon.  Those who had not already “liked” the company on Facebook were encouraged to connect with the retailer online in order to receive the weekend long offer.

Aerie's Text Message Promotion

The text message sent to opted-in patrons read, “Whoa!  1,000,000 likes!  A million thanks isn’t enough… be our friend on Facebook and get free shipping on everything through 5/13!”  The message also included a link to aerie’s Facebook page.

This marketing tactic of combining mobile and social media allowed aerie to send out a time-specific deal to a targeted audience that increased the company’s social media presence while also encouraging more sales on their website and mobile site.

Tim Miller, expert in the mobile marketing industry explained that every company should pursue collecting SMS opt-ins.  These mobile opt-ins encourage sales during certain times of the year when your company may need a sales boost.   Having a list of interested consumers allows you to access them whenever you’d like.  “It is like having your own TV or radio station with all of your customers tuned in all the time,” Miller stated.

Interested in doing this type of campaign for your company?  Connect to 84444.com where a team of experienced professionals are ready to get started with your mobile marketing program!

In today’s world of fast-paced rising technology, text messages may be the closest thing in the digital marketing world to a guaranteed read.  Unlike e-mails, SMS remains to be a spam-free marketing network.  According to the New York Times, 97% of all received text messages are opened, 83% within the hour they were received.  So if consumers are more likely to read text messages over e-mails, why not promote the specials and discounts offered at your restaurant through an SMS instead?

Woman Receives Discount with Mobile Coupons

84444.com allows you to market your business through the use of a text message.  Patrons can opt to engage in mobile marketing and receive special offers by sending a keyword to a particular short code.  Imagine walking in to your favorite restaurant and seeing a sign that says, “Text PASTA to 84444 and receive 20% of any pasta entrée.”  Would you do it?  With text messages being so quick and easy to produce, most likely the answer is yes.

After the consumer chooses to receive your mobile coupon, their cell phone number is now stored on your mobile marketing list on 84444.com.  You can use these lists to send out a broadcast message to all or a select few of your customers promoting your drink specials, half-priced entrees, or reservation openings.

In addition, you can also choose when you would like the message to be sent.  Imagine sending a free drink during happy hour to your opt-in list.  The restaurant would immediately flood with thirsty customers.

Moreover, paper coupons are easy to forget.  Around 5 billion people own cell phones and most carry them with them at all times.  With a coupon stored on your mobile device, it is almost impossible to forget to use when out at dinner.

Case and point, 84444.com offers the marketing assistance your restaurant needs to reach your customer base and successfully promote your specials how you want and when you want.

When it comes to coupons, more and more Americans are gravitating to a preference for digital coupons.  Print’s long-time stranglehold on couponing is waning as now 33% of consumers prefer print distribution as opposed to 27% that prefer digital distribution; 40% have no preference or prefer both equally.

With mobile access to the internet continuing to increase, mobile coupons simply make more and more sense to users.