Big trend for 2011

If 2010 was the year when social media really took off, then 2011 is the year that mobile marketing will explode.

What is mobile marketing?

It is more than simple text messages sent by companies.  Sure, text is an important aspect but it is only one feature.

Mobile marketing can be many things to different people.

Being easy to find

For example, it could be as simple as making sure your website can be found when people search Google on their smartphone. This is valuable for businesses catering to tourists, business and personal like the hospitality industry or for emergency call out businesses such as car breakdown.

Mobile website

Many websites do not show on Smartphones and they all require the user to scroll around and stretch out the image to read it.  A mobile site is designed specifically for mobile screens and simply loads the key information.

Closing the deal

For others, it is can be using the smartphone to secure the deal for example by creating coupons or offers that can be used exclusively by the mobile user.

Build engagement

You can use mobile to engage with your customers via polls and surveys such as “Which brand of beer do you prefer?”

Stock clear outs

Over-stocked especially with short-life products, then send a text?

Business slow?

Text your top customers with a special offer good for the next 24 hours.

Communicate lots of information – easily with QR codes

If you have a barcode scanner on your phone, scan the block to the right.  It will load my business car details to your phone. You can then text it to other people.

Have your biz card QR code so you can text to people you meet.

Or if you have a complicated url for a web page, create a QR code and text it.

Huge advantages with mobile marketing

You can see results within minutes – you don’t have to wait for the local paper to be published.

It’s easy to track and measure and therefore improve your response.  You can run three campaigns before the next paper is printed.

It is not expensive. You can control the cost and ramp up as you see benefits.

It is laser targeted to people who have given you permission to contact them.

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