The US financial meltdown has greatly affected the economic ecosystem and no one can say for sure when this will be over. To avoid layoffs and closures, most companies have resorted to cut down on company expenses. Marketing budgets are usually the first one to experience such adjustments. Although this is not proven to be an effective approach, this area is easily targeted because it has the biggest fund allocation and can be adjusted easily without immediate effect on business revenue. Mobile marketing is a smart alternative, cost- saving solutionfor businesses in times of economic mayhem. To maximize the remaining advertising budget, companies should look into the benefits and key attributes of SMS advertising. Apart from Mobile marketing being an economical option, this can even be a more effective medium than using traditional media which tends to be very expensive.Here are more reasons why Mobile Marketing is greatly considered by businesses in tough economic times:
Convenient and Cost effective- a very timely marketing solution for businesses of all sizes, SMS advertising lets you promote your brand even if you have a small marketing budget, perfect for small and mid-sized business
Establish interaction and develop a one on one relationship with consumers that establishes consumer trust and loyalty
Permission based - Ability of consumer to opt in and opt out
Increase number of consumers realizing the value of Mobile Marketing during hard times , eg. Mobile Coupons
Can easily reach target audience anywhere anytime
Can easily be integrated to any existing marketing efforts, add SMS Marketing in your media mix and maximize the results
Turnkey solution in creating campaigns. Deploy SMS campaigns with ease.
Viral marketing, a plus to your business since most phones are capable of forwarding messages, it is most likely that your messages will be passed on to your clients’ contacts.
Track results of your campaign in real time, know which campaigns are successful . Learn from the unsuccessful ones
Enables you to run multiple text messaging campaigns at the same time
Be in control in creating, launching and managing your own campaigns, it is simple and easy to deploy, it doesn’t require any technical know how.
Mobile marketing is an innovative new dimension in the marketing mix. SMEs are catching up and are now heading towards the same direction as the big companies when it comes to promoting their business. Now with the financial conditions, large companies and SMEs share basic and equal opportunities in using SMS Marketing as an economical promotional medium to still carry out their advertising efforts despite budget cut-offs.
With all the promotional tools provided, Its up to the marketers to decide on how they will translate existing marketing plans into mobile campaigns. There are bunch of platforms, standard programs for different types of SMS promotion, you just have to look around, study your options and choose which works best for you.
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.
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.
