Every where you go, you can see someone using their cell phone. Many times they are not using it to talk, but to search the Internet, download an application or use a social networking site. Why not use that knowledge to grow your business? Here are some mobile marketing tips that are sure to get you going.
Push messaging through mobile marketing efforts like SMS messages can be incredibly powerful. Consider pushing discount codes or coupons to customers who have opted in order to receive updates from your business. This increases the value of your mobile marketing and increases the likelihood customers will find value in all the information you provide.
Make your messages fun. Remember that mobile can also be used as a source of entertainment. Make your messages interesting and exciting, while providing the subscriber with either meaningful information or entertainment. When subscribers are doing something or just waiting for something somewhere, they will look to mobile as an exciting or enjoyable distraction.
Tie your marketing to big events or holidays. Special occasions can make your marketing really work. Give special vouchers to ladies only on Mother’s Day. Hold contests on big sporting event days to give your brand a presence. Give your clients a short code number where any person who send in a text message has a chance of winning.
Always try to keep your mobile messages succinct. People on the move need messages that cut to the point quickly and decisively. Mobile phones also have relatively small screens so it is essential that you tailor your messages to reflect this limiting factor. By following this tip you will be able to reach more people with a more efficient message.
Unless it is absolutely necessary, avoid large files such as photos in your mobile marketing message. When including a link in the message, make sure to use a URL shortener. These steps will help you keep your message short and concise, which greatly reduces loading time and helps to keep your customer interested.
Avoid anything in mobile marketing that seems too easy. If it seems like it may be really easy to implement, you can be sure that something’s wrong with it. Of course, we’re talking about mobile-specific things here, like apps and formatted sites. A lot of ads and email techniques are universal, so don’t fret on that front.
Use proper grammar even though a lot of the mobile world doesn’t focus on it. Using abbreviations and net speak like “LMAO” is just not how you want to conduct business. Be the consummate professional here and always work on using good grammar instead of slang or acronyms in your content.
The mobile market is not slowing down at all, but that doesn’t mean you need to get in for the sake of getting in. Sure, you should at least have some type of mobile marketing, but getting into the market because you feel you must leads to sloppy campaigning. Make sure it’s something you want to do.
If you’re going to get involved in mobile marketing, make sure your sites and communications are optimized for a mobile screen. If you want to know what your customers are dealing with, try out the phones that they are using.
Get permission before starting to add cell phone numbers to your database. Getting permission means you have found someone who is interested in your service or product. If you fail to get permission, you are sending messages that will likely never even be read. Sending messages without permission can also be a great way to ruin your reputation.
Don’t forget to include links to your social media accounts on your main website. Your customers usually will not search for you at random on a social networking site, as much as they will search for you if they realize you are on it.
Include audio and video in your mobile marketing strategy. Mobile marketing is more than text messages and e-mails. Today, with faster mobile download speeds, audio and video are key components to any successful strategy. Consider offering audio or video podcasts, short audio interviews or live, on-the-scene video to your media mix.
Perform usability testing for your campaign. Enlist your friends, family and co-workers to help you by receiving messages and responding to them. Ask for feedback on ease of use and enjoyment. They should like what they see on the display and report that it was clear and easy to follow.
Check out the competition. Find out what mobile messaging is like from their perspective. Compare the quality of your messages to theirs and find out if you need to make changes in your strategy. Chances are, they are probably watching what you are doing with your marketing efforts as well.
Send mobile messages out at different times of the day. Find out which time of the day gets the best response. Since you are sending messages to people with different lifestyles, some people may be getting to work or going to sleep when you send your messages. By timing your messages right, you increase your chances of success.
If you are using mobile marketing to inform customers of events and happenings, send them a reminder about the event. Make your reminders timely, a couple of hours before the event, not two or three days before it for best results. People have busy schedules and sending reminders too early does not work.
Do not aim for an elaborate marketing strategy if you use mobile marketing. People will want to know why you are sending them a message and which advantages they could have access to. Do not simply send a picture and ask people to go to a link to learn more.
You realize how many people are using cell phones, blackberries, or any type of mobile device and how much you can use that to help your business grow. Apply all the advice that you have learned in this article to really make your business launch quickly to the next level. Use the mobile market to save your business.
