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.
Keep setting expectations and keeping yourself safe, legally. After a person opts-in, or even during the process, inform them of how often they can get text messages from you. Also, give them an “opt-out” option if the messages are too frequent or if they want to avoid possible message charges. Always include the line, “standard rates may apply.”
Use dedicated short code. The can be pricey, but they insure that you keep your brand intact. Avoid shared short codes if you are a larger company. Not only because you want people to recognize your own code, but there may be some legal consequences if the other company sharing the same code abuses the system.
Add a sense of urgency or value to your mobile marketing campaign efforts. In most cases, customers following a mobile link or advertisement expect to receive information quickly and in short, segments. Rather than trying to put a large amount of content or information through a mobile channel, focus on short bursts designed to provide customers with enough information to pique their interest.
Never copy someone else’s mobile strategy. Just because they may be doing well does not mean it is the right method for you. Customers like innovation, and if you are sending out similar messages or styles as your competitor, they may not be interested in making a change to you.
Although slow to the start, mobile marketing is a great way to bring customers to your products. So do not panic. It just takes a little while longer to gain the trust of an on-the-go user since they don’t typically follow links all day long.
Successful standalone mobile platforms need a home base. Your efforts should include driving new folks to your home base and staying in touch with folks that already use it. Your business should not rely on a mobile platform alone.
Social media is not a buyer’s market; it’s essentially a large, ongoing conversation that you will need to participate in as a mobile marketer. You cannot be the proverbial salesman here. Instead, you really have to be a mobile user much more than a marketer. This means you need to focus more on communication and less on being authoritative.
You might know that you should be using mobile marketing to drive people to your main site, but you should also use your main site to drive people to mobile marketing. The idea here is to retain customers and to keep in contact with them while they’re using mobile devices.
Make your messages concise. This isn’t the time to worry about perfect spelling, as you are limited in the number of characters you can use. If you choose “B” instead of “be”, or “2” instead of “To” you will save characters, and potentially cost. There are some great texting translators online which can help with this.
When you email your customers, you want to specifically ask them for their cell phone number. Tell them that if they give this information you will be able to text them discounts, news about a product and any other important announcement that your company has going on. If they consent to this, they will give you their number.
Be sure to send text messages. People usually have a ringer that will go off whenever they receive a text. They also tend to check it right away. Just make sure to send small files such as photos of a new product that you have available, thus allowing the customer the option of receiving texts or not.
Consider adding advertising to your website that specifically built for the mobile environment. Your traditional web banners are not going to cut it on a mobile device. In fact, if you have optimized your site for a mobile experience, those banners are no longer even visible. There are a lot of great mobile advertising platforms out in the market, including AdMob, iAd and MobClix. Investigate them and choose the right one for you.
Use your mobile QR codes everywhere you can. They are links to mobile devices, but the can be used in print advertising too. Any kind of advertising that your business produces should have your mobile QR code on it, even your business cards. Put it on your store signs, brochures, television ads, and catalogs.
You should make it easy for people to unsubscribe from your distribution list. Most companies include a few commands at the end of their messages: for instance, a customer can unsubscribe by texting back ‘stop’. You should use a simple command and provide clear instructions about unsubscribing from your mobile campaign.
Let your customers opt out. It is understandable that you want to keep all your contacts, but you have to give your prospective customers a way to stop receiving your texts. Give opt out instructions at the end of your texts or provide a link they can click on to stop future messages. This simple step can help to build respect for your business.
Purchase dedicated short codes rather than sharing them. It may be pricey, but you can link them to your brand. Sooner or later people will recognize your short code and link it to your company. The price is more than justified because it allows you to sidestep costly legal battles. You can get in trouble if the company that you are sharing codes with takes advantage of the system.
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.
