Mobile Marketing… Creating a Mark

During the not-so-long ago days, we used “mobile marketing” to refer to any moving advertisement or billboard we see around the metro. But, with all the advancement in technology, marketing and handy phone experts gave a new meaning to “mobile marketing”, making it the new face of global promotions and advertising.

With the popularity of mobile phone usage particularly in North America, Europe, and Asia, experts came up with campaign techniques, using mobile phone as promotions gateway, SMS or texting as promotions tool, and mobile phone users as specific target campaign receiver.

Having global recognition for being one of the most effective endorsement instruments, mobile marketing is currently being used by different businesses, groups, and organizations as campaign platforms.

Besides using SMS mobile marketing in different income- generating promotions, text platforms are also being used by non-profit organizations in their crusade to collect donations and pledges, as well as to disseminate important news and information.

When launching an SMS mobile marketing campaign, there are certain factors to consider.

First, it is important to consider trends and current events. Taking advantage of the latest happenings can be one great contributing factor to the campaign’s success, since everybody is after fresh reports. One good example is the Olympics SMS campaign that brought significant Olympics highlights to sports fans.

Second, you should know your target. If you are trying to sell concert tickets, or gather a big crowd to attend a movie premier, mobile marketing might work for you since your target are GenY-ers, who are heavy cell phone users.

Third, have a good campaign objective and concrete message. A good example is the Obama mobile campaign, which aims to have all Obama supporters to go out, support, and vote Obama for President.

With mobile marketing’s involvement in different sectors’ promotion efforts, expect that SMS technology is here to stay.

Mobile Marketing Hits Mainstream

With tons of blogs, news feeds, conferences and webinars on mobile marketing, isn’t evident that mobile marketing already found its niche in the business and entertainment industry? Or you perceive all these attention as indicators that mobile marketing is still on its seed stage and waiting for the perfect era to establish itself as the alternative, better yet, the preferred marketing media?

As mobile phone companies continue to develop different cell phone models, the more mobile marketing is reinventing itself to adapt to these gadget’s advancements. Thus, giving birth to mobile marketing via Infrared, mobile marketing via Bluetooth, In- Game mobile marketing, mobile marketing via MMS, mobile marketing via mobile downloads and of course, the most common mobile marketing campaign, via SMS or texting.

With these variety of mobile marketing techniques, the subject of mobile marketing’s current state and what holds in the future lies on its two main stake holders- the businesses and organizations, and the market. With tons of mobile marketing firms offering their expertise, it’s up to these companies to be bold enough and integrate it in their existing mix. As for the buying and consuming public, they have the power to embrace or refuse whatever this new marketing and advertising technology will feed them.

Living Under the Influence of Mobile Marketing

SMS mobile marketing continuously affects our lifestyle. Since becoming one of the most powerful tools intended for direct interaction with the market, more and more companies and organizations are integrating it in their existing mix.

Different mobile marketing campaigns are currently being used by artists and major record labels to influence music fanatics’ listening behavior. Sony BMG, EMI, and Universal Music Group are some of the major music labels who partnered with a mobile marketing firm or content providers to find its niche in the music and mobile market. Some artists launch SMS campaigns to keep followers aware of their tour dates, or simply to stay connected with them.

Mobile marketing also gives non-government and charitable institutions an alternative tool of sending and getting message of support to and from interested donors. Non-profit organizations may choose among different SMS platforms available to keep the donations coming in. This kind of SMS crusade is starting to create buzz in the entertainment business. In fact, there’s a lot of music personalities, like Ms. Keys, who supports SMS campaigns intended for good cause.

At present, the most influential mobile marketing tool is SMS or texting. So powerful that a USA Today published a crossword puzzle designed after mobile phone keypads.

Whether we accept it or not, we are all living under the influence of mobile marketing, changing the way we shop, listen, watch, and even the way we read.

SMS Mobile Marketing, Anyone?

SMS mobile marketing, more popularly known as texting, has become the most exploited mobile marketing tool in terms of its usage, purpose, and target.

For businesses, SMS mobile marketing is being utilized as campaign tools when launching a new product or service, as well as to intensify brand loyalty among existing customers. The most popular SMS promotions which brand, radio, television, and print use are SMS Alert and Instant Feedback Messaging.

SMS Alert is a subscription type of mobile campaign, which requires double opt-in. Meaning, a mobile subscriber who’s interested in getting the latest news and updates from a company must confirm his intention to be part of the alert subscription list, twice. Usually, an SMS Alert subscriber gets one SMS update a day. To stop receiving message alerts, subscribed parties must key-in a stop or cancel command. Businesses apply this SMS method to keep buyers updated on the latest product or service offerings.

On the other hand, Instant Feedback or Message is the simplest texting campaign, which is the reason why it is the most commonly used SMS platform.

This is when a client sends comment regarding a purchased product or give suggestions about the experienced level of customer service in an establishment. Companies use this promotional tool to directly interact with its customers, turning new consumers to repeat clients.

For income-generating organizations to be at par or to stay on top of the competition, they should go with the flow to where trend and technology will lead them. And that is SMS, the present and future of marketing and advertising.

When Sending SMS Becomes Spammy…

SMS mobile marketing has become the preferred tool by businesses and organizations when they want to launch new promotional campaign for any of their products or services. Recognizing that the most accessible and personal way to reach target is through mobile phones, even non-profit organizations are considering texting as medium to call for more donations.

Since more and more institutions are engaging on SMS mobile marketing, mobile marketing experts are starting to find ways to avoid spammy text messages reaching mobile subscribers’ handy phones. Because unwanted text messages might ruin the entire industry.

The argument on SMS spamming is this: When do we consider SMS campaign a spam? Followed by more questions such as— “Who will determine if a text message campaign should not reach mobile subscribers?”, and “Is this move by the mobile marketing experts against the freedom of expression?”

From a mobile marketer’s point of view, both business establishments and mobile marketing companies should work together to take good care of this vast growing marketing phenomena. Mobile marketing benefits businesses since it allows them to directly interact with its target, as for mobile marketing companies, it allows them to fund future endeavors.

As for the argument on spammy SMS, as long as it’s not violating any of the standard rules and guidelines, as well as the campaign is not in conflict with the industry’s best practices and companies running the text promotion are engaging themselves in ethical and healthy competition, then there’s no reason to shut any SMS mobile marketing campaigns.

SMS Alerts, The Fastest Way To Go

During the late 90’s, the easiest way to stay connected with the latest news and events from your favorite online and print publications, groupies, radio and television programs is thru newsletter. This is when you register your email address to become a member of their mailing list, and in return, are expected to receive timely updates from the newsletter publishers. As organizations and businesses find means on how to keep clients, advertisers, and employees up-to-date, they opted for SMS mobile marketing to continue what they started with online newsletters.

SMS mobile marketing is mobile marketing’s answer to businesses’ viral marketing needs. Since SMS messages are sent to interested customers who provided their mobile numbers, it means you are sending significant advisories to well-targeted market only. Knowing this, more and more companies are beginning to switch to, or if not add SMS as part of their add-on service to keep clients within the circle.

For instance, Chicago Tribune’s move of embracing mobile marketing by launching their SMS-based classified systems. It allows job hunters to get detailed job listing in an instant, using their mobile phones. They might not be the first publication to offer such service, but it’s a good and immediate solution to cope up with trend and competition to attract readers and advertisers.

Let’s Face it. A large percentage of today’s market are mobile users. These mobile users look for convenience when buying or making queries about products and services they find interesting. To be able to beat the competition, companies should be willing to integrate SMS mobile technology into their campaigns.

Bringing Mobile Marketing to the Academe

It’s about time that academic institutions are beginning to recognize mobile marketing as one of the most effective tool of our time. SMS mobile marketing in particular, has become the most reliable and one of the most effective channels to reach specific markets.

Aside from including the significance of SMS mobile marketing campaigns in school text books and curriculum, it is also relevant to expose the students to actual case studies, standards, and best practices to be able to cope up with the trends of the marketing industry.

Being the future marketers, it is just right for the students to already be involved with the ins and outs, if not the basics, of mobile marketing as early as possible. And besides, this was supposed to be done way way back. So that by the time they are already the actual practitioners and experts, they are already aware of the basic campaigns – from simple message alert campaigns to mobile polls and surveys up to…who knows where SMS mobile marketing will lead us.

Why SMS Mobile Marketing Is the Best (Alternative) Option

Mobile marketing continues to become the most preferred marketing and advertising tool for most companies today. More and more businesses are acknowledging the effectivity and efficiency of SMS as the alternative, if not, their preferred new promotional medium instead of the conventional avenues, mainly because of the stiff advertising competition.

More advanced companies are taking advantage of new marketing tools in their promotional efforts because they know that it will let them tap more and well-targeted consumers. Also, because they are aware that conservative companies, which is still big in number, are still hesitant in adopting mobile marketing as part of their campaign efforts.

These conventional companies should start doing their research to know what the advantages they are missing. In fact, an online survey conducted with 800 mobile phone users as respondents revealed relevant figures that might serve as wake up call for businesses to integrate SMS mobile marketing in their marketing mix. It shows that 24 percent of the respondents actually took advantage of mobile offers.

If you’re one of the “not really into changes” companies who are still iffy why you should consider SMS as your campaign medium, here are some of the many reasons why you should:

• It’s a paperless campaign, You’re helping the environment by sparing thousands of trees for paper coupons, perfect for corporate social responsibility campaigns.
• Well- targeted audience. When you push a single SMS mobile alert to target, the receiver of your information are the actual recipients you want.
• Hassle-free because there are tons of mobile marketing companies that are willing to provide their expertise, and some even offer it for free.
• SMS mobile marketing is a good viral marketing tool. You can always forward text messages to other mobile users.
• It’s portable. Your market’s mobile phones are your movable advertisement wall.

There’s nothing wrong with traditional marketing, but if you want to be ahead or at par with your competition, it would be better to embrace new technology and go where the market is leading.

SMS Mobile Marketing says “Your pizza has been sent!”

Companies, through the help of mobile marketing experts, are starting to integrate SMS or texting in their organizations as add-on service to customers. These businesses are starting to acknowledge the importance of interacting with clients to create and maintain brand trust and loyalty.

A worldwide company by the name of DHL, recently added SMS mobile marketing in its services. DHL clients will be informed via SMS if their document or package was delivered safely to the right recipient. Now clients won’t be left wondering (or worrying) anymore during the delivery period.

Come to think of it, DHL’s new SMS campaign is also applicable to other service-oriented industries such as the Flower and Gift Shop business and for the Food and Beverage companies.

Wouldn’t it be a better place if you’re tummies won’t be left rumbling and wondering what time are you going to get your pizza, or if the delivery guy is already on the road with your pizza? After all, a pizza should just be a text away.

Mobile Marketing For Your Brand Loyalty Needs

With lots of players in the industry, companies are battling each other out to get the most percentage of their market’s loyalty, as well as turn first time clients to repeat customers. As a result, most big businesses opted for mobile marketing to keep patrons away from competitors.

Recently, big multinational companies such as Estee Lauder and IKEA chose mobile marketing to keep frequent buyers coming back in their stores and purchase more of their products. Both company’s mobile marketing campaign aims to intensify brand loyalty among shoppers through mobile alerts and mobile coupons.

It’s one smart move for these popular brands to launch their respective SMS campaign. Embracing marketing trends will keep them ahead among rivals. At the same time, they are aiming at a well- targeted segment of the market- the mobile subscribers who are at the same time, their regular customers.

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