As soon as SMS gateway provider is performed utilizing viral connection, it is extremely cost effective. The expansion connected with short codes is obvious coming from the fact that 3 out of a number of sms gateway users get text commercials as well as respond to these questions in a constructive fashion. Text messaging marketing is the method wherein shops as well as marketers speak with their customers making use of SMS, digital advertising, and also networks. To obtain the preferred output of some sort of Text phone strategy, it becomes imperative for a firm to be able to make a similar kind strategy.
SMS marketing technologies have advantages above and beyond TWITTER and social marketing for several reasons, specifically for the reason that with Twitter, your customers is not able to select-into your campaign with their sms in the same moment, whereas with text message marketing technologies audience need not go online in order to create a Twitter account and/or then find your account and then subscribe to your feed. This truly is critical for the reason that this aspect TWITTER stops subscribers from opting in-store that the subscriber notices the announcement. SMS is considered as one of the preferred methods to gather feedback for customer service. Plus it may be described that many sms marketing people browse the text message alerts as well as answer all of them. This will help to the lenders to be able to generate greater income.
Text mobile consumer data management and shortcode client assistance facilitate the capacity to preload future notices more efficiently than other alternatives. The message marketing online marketing strategy in which the platforms to be used are effectively explained and successful. This suggests that marketing and advertising is aimed at having the desires of the consumers as well as setting up a product or service that this shoppers will be ready to purchase. Studies disclose that will buyers have a very "lean forward" procedure for this kind of marketing as opposed to the "lean back" approach that they can adhere to regarding classic promoting. The brief history as to shortcode as well as social Internet can be seen as new, and hot and moreover promises to be similarly notable for the future.
The simplest way to succeed in any sms gateway provider would be to be sure that the proper programs are employed achieve the focused consumers. Intended for this sort of study, your entrepreneurs have to gather several types of info in addition to evaluate it as for every the requirements of text messaging marketing. Once the industry have been studied and also assessed, the 2nd move is usually to formulate ambitions, analytical types and discover the various elements that may influence buyers that will text message codes is trying to focus on.
Researching the market intended for SMS promoting needs to be performed in a very combination of steps in order that the companies find yourself making products which meet the needs from the buyers and products that this consumer receives compelled to get. No doub it is the best way to realize shoppers within this cut-throat advertising world and to obtain a quantifiable and also swift reaction from them. Short code can be viewed as the duct tape that facilitates communication with with customers plus each customized marketing target market and campaign.
A awesome thing to notice on SMS promotion is undoubtedly that it reaches a 95% go over ratio in the moment that the SMS is sent. Almost all people find it easy to make use of many internet sites on the internet. The expansion regarding sms gateway throughout the world can be caused by online. SMS alerts ought to ensure that they could create a substantial client base and have to research a few developments about technology.
The initial step associated with text messaging marketing research is to check the opportunity industry and the clients until this way of marketing and advertising wants to reach. sms software by virtue of its label has the ability to reach numerous shoppers globally. Text marketing is viewed as an essential piece of the puzzle that's moving forward. The place where a big small business business offers many options in terms of marketing, a small business group incorporates a handful of possibilities. Collect feedback out of contact with customers and also benefit from providing an immediate customer need. This is consistent with a lead gathering device using surveys.
Just about any SMS software, to hit your objectives, would need to incorporate sms alerts tactics along with not for shortcodes approaches.
The recent developments as for Text message communication and social media are both short-lived, but hot and promises to be moreso in the future. When online marketers marketplace their products via tv, they must shell out a tremendous amount of cash when getting the optimum areas because these are generally areas that are considered by way of greater variety of clients. Text promotion tactics can be recognized as a boon investments for customers, staff, sales and stakeholders. New sms gateway provider tactics allow a company to manage client subscriptions, potentially allowing several simultaneous broadcasts with SMS promotion.
Provided take a look at some suggestions and help a business to develop state-of-the-art techniques throughout Text promoting that will make certain a higher rate of success. Once these types of requirements tend to be realized by the professional, mobile marketing gets even easier as well as an online marketer has the capacity to reach out to countless clients during a period. The transforming technological innovation provides nevertheless improved the way in which advertising is conducted nowadays and possesses generated the particular emergence regarding what is known as mobile marketing companies.
The SMS gateway provider approaches tend to be strategies that aim to sell services and products for you to be of assistance to shoppers using sms gateway. Any kind of Text strategy becomes successful as long as the actual advertising concept that's been coded in the strategy is able to inspire the target market. For this base, the particular promoting tactics of which organizations develop is usually generally grouped directly into sms alerts approaches in addition to no short code SMS approaches. SMS marketing programs create one's communications dynamic as well as efficient while increasing your followers.
Basically, email marketing is triggered by using access to the internet. Short codes ensures that the prospective market gets what it's all about. And so, shortcode can be viewed as one of the most feasible for an organization. Additionally, social internet marketing is cheaper in comparison to cellphone marketing and advertising.
The popularity of this service is clear from the indisputable fact that in Europe alone close to 75 million announcements tend to be sent out every month for marketing and advertising. Technology can be each rising in order to remain within the competitive industry, mobile marketers need to put into practice completely new tips properly. Several facets of the two text marketing in addition to social media marketing is always that customer controls the advertising campaign as well as market. Text mobile consumer database administration and sms alerts customer care facilitate the ability to assemble subsequent notices even more efficiently than other technologies.
This will help to the marketing experts to have high returns about opportunities produced. Short code is indeed the most popular and way of marketing which is often used by entrepreneurs nowadays and it is increasing a growing number of attraction to every single day. Smaller businesses are actually capable of increasing their particular businesses utilizing sms codes online marketing strategy. Another reason why for your victory of short code sms as a well known marketing idea is it really is equally fun along with regarding.
Understanding general market trend is an important part of SMS gateway provider online marketing strategy to ensure this particular marketing plan is successful. The increased utilization of this particular service creates it just about the most favorite means by which SMS solutions will be accomplished right now. Small communication program had been the primary means utilizing that suppliers along with online marketers achieved out to their clients. The actual adjusting engineering features however altered how advertising and marketing is done today and possesses generated the actual victory associated with what is called SMS software.
The Text online strategy which includes the ability to recognize and also fulfill the unfulfilled requires of shoppers can help a company pull through of course profitably with this reasonably competitive industry. Moreover, this type of advertising approach is actually inexpensive and also useful. Nowadays, SMS solutions means selling product or service on the active and also the customers through any kind of SMS system or a system.
Short codes and how it can get into a more substantial number of clients depends on the technological innovation. In addition such an integration allows you touch base the purchasers simply everywhere in addition to at any time. Smaller businesses are in a position of increasing the operations by applying sms alerts online strategy.
SMS promotion is perceived as a major part of the game that's going forward. Mobile phone marketing can easily be achieved by utilizing mobile marketing companies. This is the reason why for a small business, short codes turns out to be the top medium to convey promotional mail messages to numerous clients.
With the modifying technological innovation, the ways connected with cellphone promoting are generally changing fast. Consumers are acclimated to receive information like stock quotes,hockey news and also national and local events by every so often scheduled intervals, so therefore consumers are similarly ready to receive news via mobile marketing companies tactics from a favorite sports team. We may have learned which mobile phone advertising works by using short code for talking with consumers.
Source: http://www.articlemayhem.com/Art/385494/138/Add-Prospects-with-SMS-Gateway.html by Frank Jameson on 13th September 2011.
Web SMS, 1-way Messaging, 2-way Messaging, SIM Hosting, Email-to-SMS, Developer (HTTP API & SMPP), White Label Reseller Program, HRL Lookup, Long Code Service, Non-premium Short Code, Industry Based Solutions etc. To know more about our products & services, visit our official websites: www.moceansms.com | www.bulksms.com.my | www.mocean.com.my
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Firms Need to Collaborate for Mobile Wallets to Become the Norm
Consumers, retailers, advertisers and banks must work more closely together if mobile phones are to replace wallets in an era of mobile commerce (m-commerce), according to a report by consultancy Booz & Company.
The report, m-Commerce Comes of Age: Collaborate to Succeed, said there is a “flurry of activity” among companies that want to launch m-commerce services. But the study warns that businesses wanting to offer mobile services should collaborate to reach the necessary scale to make it feasible. Mobile wallets can offer, for example, promotional offers and loyalty programmes on top of a enabling consumers to use a phone to make payments.
“Decade-long mobile commerce hype looks finally set to deliver. Developed markets are on the cusp of mass adoption, aided by developments in technology and changing user behaviour. Yet what was once seen as simply a new way to pay now has much broader relevance, adding value throughout the entire retail journey,” said the report.
Four trends are creating a tipping point for mass market adoption of m-commerce, said the report (see below).
It said that firms are offering m-commerce services to protect their core business and to apply existing capabilities to new areas: “But few will find themselves in a sustainable, value-accruing position. It is highly likely that a dominant scaled solution will emerge within each country. For most, the only way to win at scale is through collaboration in the form of as-yet-untried partnerships.”
The services being brought together are leading a diverse range of companies to bring mobile wallet propositions to market, including Google, eBay, Visa and Bank of America.
The report predicts that the next 18 months will be a critical time in the evolution of m-commerce as a variety of companies providing services strive to achieve credible scale.
“Our report highlights that while many companies are seeing m-commerce as a strategic priority, few will find themselves in a sustainable, value-accruing position,” said Michael Knott, partner at Booz & Company, “For most, the only way to win at scale is through collaboration. It is through collaboration across all elements that a mobile wallet proposition will come to the fore – one that can revolutionise the customer experience, facilitating a much deeper and more sustainable relationship with the end consumer.”
The four trends that could drive mass-market m-commerce adoption, according to Booz & Company
1 – Increased smartphone penetration and improvements in their performance have been pivotal in changing how users perceive and are willing to use their phones, with Apple’s iPhone acting as a catalyst. Already, 90% of mobile subscribers in the US and western Europe have a phone that can access the internet. Sales of new smartphones tripled in the UK between the first quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2011; in the latter quarter, almost half of new handsets sold were smartphones.
2 – Contactless transaction technology roll-out is well under way, with consumers gaining familiarity with it and merchants recognising its potential benefits. Near-field communication (NFC) technology, a short range wireless RFID technology, allows consumers to make contactless transactions using a mobile phone. Analysts predict that 40 million to 50 million devices enabled for NFC will be sold globally in 2011, and that more than half of new handsets will be NFC-enabled by 2015. Already, the ability to make contactless card payments has helped the roll-out of terminals to stores; the Orange/Barclaycard solution announced for the UK, for example, claims that 40,000 retailers will be able to accept the service when ready.
3 – Shifting consumer behaviour is supporting these technology deployments, with an ever-increasing willingness to access the internet and make transactions using a mobile device. In the US, 20% of adults who can access the web through their mobile devices use them to shop, and almost as many use them to make banking transactions.
4 – Take-up of mobile advertising is growing fast, with consumers willing to click through and sign up, thanks to the lure of highly targeted, personalised offers. In just over a year, for example, more than two million customers signed up for the mobile advertising service offered by O2 in the UK, and Groupon claims to have a global total of more than 80 million subscribers to its local deep-discount service. Overall, brand spending on mobile advertising is expected to grow from 0.5% of total ad spending in 2010 to more than 4% in 2015, with mobile advertising revenue more than doubling each year.
Source: http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2011/09/14/247894/Firms-need-to-collaborate-for-mobile-wallets-to-become-the.htm by Karl Flinders on 14th September 2011.
The report, m-Commerce Comes of Age: Collaborate to Succeed, said there is a “flurry of activity” among companies that want to launch m-commerce services. But the study warns that businesses wanting to offer mobile services should collaborate to reach the necessary scale to make it feasible. Mobile wallets can offer, for example, promotional offers and loyalty programmes on top of a enabling consumers to use a phone to make payments.
“Decade-long mobile commerce hype looks finally set to deliver. Developed markets are on the cusp of mass adoption, aided by developments in technology and changing user behaviour. Yet what was once seen as simply a new way to pay now has much broader relevance, adding value throughout the entire retail journey,” said the report.
Four trends are creating a tipping point for mass market adoption of m-commerce, said the report (see below).
It said that firms are offering m-commerce services to protect their core business and to apply existing capabilities to new areas: “But few will find themselves in a sustainable, value-accruing position. It is highly likely that a dominant scaled solution will emerge within each country. For most, the only way to win at scale is through collaboration in the form of as-yet-untried partnerships.”
The services being brought together are leading a diverse range of companies to bring mobile wallet propositions to market, including Google, eBay, Visa and Bank of America.
The report predicts that the next 18 months will be a critical time in the evolution of m-commerce as a variety of companies providing services strive to achieve credible scale.
“Our report highlights that while many companies are seeing m-commerce as a strategic priority, few will find themselves in a sustainable, value-accruing position,” said Michael Knott, partner at Booz & Company, “For most, the only way to win at scale is through collaboration. It is through collaboration across all elements that a mobile wallet proposition will come to the fore – one that can revolutionise the customer experience, facilitating a much deeper and more sustainable relationship with the end consumer.”
The four trends that could drive mass-market m-commerce adoption, according to Booz & Company
1 – Increased smartphone penetration and improvements in their performance have been pivotal in changing how users perceive and are willing to use their phones, with Apple’s iPhone acting as a catalyst. Already, 90% of mobile subscribers in the US and western Europe have a phone that can access the internet. Sales of new smartphones tripled in the UK between the first quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2011; in the latter quarter, almost half of new handsets sold were smartphones.
2 – Contactless transaction technology roll-out is well under way, with consumers gaining familiarity with it and merchants recognising its potential benefits. Near-field communication (NFC) technology, a short range wireless RFID technology, allows consumers to make contactless transactions using a mobile phone. Analysts predict that 40 million to 50 million devices enabled for NFC will be sold globally in 2011, and that more than half of new handsets will be NFC-enabled by 2015. Already, the ability to make contactless card payments has helped the roll-out of terminals to stores; the Orange/Barclaycard solution announced for the UK, for example, claims that 40,000 retailers will be able to accept the service when ready.
3 – Shifting consumer behaviour is supporting these technology deployments, with an ever-increasing willingness to access the internet and make transactions using a mobile device. In the US, 20% of adults who can access the web through their mobile devices use them to shop, and almost as many use them to make banking transactions.
4 – Take-up of mobile advertising is growing fast, with consumers willing to click through and sign up, thanks to the lure of highly targeted, personalised offers. In just over a year, for example, more than two million customers signed up for the mobile advertising service offered by O2 in the UK, and Groupon claims to have a global total of more than 80 million subscribers to its local deep-discount service. Overall, brand spending on mobile advertising is expected to grow from 0.5% of total ad spending in 2010 to more than 4% in 2015, with mobile advertising revenue more than doubling each year.
Source: http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2011/09/14/247894/Firms-need-to-collaborate-for-mobile-wallets-to-become-the.htm by Karl Flinders on 14th September 2011.
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Indonesia - What an Indonesian Start-Up Can Teach Brands
Stream is one of the few events where you can see someone like Danny Oei, a 20-something Indonesian entrepreneur, chatting with senior executives from massive, global brands about his little start-up’s social media campaigns.
Of course, the global brand executives may have had more to learn from Danny than he had from them. Because frankly, there is nothing more important to global brands right now than what consumers are doing in places like Indonesia. Last year alone, consumer spending in emerging markets grew by US $1.7 trillion. And whether you’re a consumer packaged goods company, a pharmaceutical giant, or an automobile manufacturer, you know your future revenue and earnings growth will come not from North America or Europe, but from countries like India, Brazil, China, Russia, Indonesia, Colombia, Vietnam, South Africa, Mexico, and Egypt. Indeed, at Sunday’s Emerging Markets discussion, Martin Sorrell suggested we stop referring to these markets as “emerging” at all — they are simply the “faster growth markets.” Indeed, as he put it, “the only growth markets.”
As the CEO of a technology company that connects global companies directly to consumers in over 85 “growing market” countries via their mobile phones, I love this insight. The rapidly expanding purchasing power in these markets, coupled with the near ubiquity of mobile phones, presents a new and powerful opportunity for global organizations to engage directly with these consumers.
Of course, in developed markets, such direct or “targeted” marketing is completely commonplace. Ever since the Internet made it easy to reach out to consumers, and get answers back, no serious company has run ads without targeting them to very specific, research-identified, consumer groups. But in emerging markets, where, as Danny pointed out on Sunday, fewer than 15 percent of consumers in places like Indonesia have personal e-mail addresses and regular Internet access, such targeting hasn’t been possible. What to do? Billboards forever?
Over 70 percent of Indonesian consumers have mobile phones
No, mobile phones. As Danny also said, over 70 percent of Indonesian consumers have mobile phones, and that mobile phone penetration rate is about average across the countries I listed. Indeed, while there are well under a billion PCs in use in emerging markets today, there are 3.8 billion mobile phones. Moreover, emerging market consumers spend more than 10 percent of their annual income on mobile airtime. Together, these circumstances create a huge opportunity to use the mobile channel to connect emerging consumers to the brands so eager to know them.
I should note that I can relate to Danny on one more level. My company is not much bigger than Danny’s, so, like him, I felt really grateful for the chance to have peer-to-peer chats with some of the most talented senior marketing global executives in the world. In the last several years, I have been to literally dozens of global conferences, in both marketing and technology, and I have to say I have never seen such genuine engagement about shared problems across “rank” and job title. Creating a discussion between a young entrepreneur from Indonesia and a senior executive of a multi-billion dollar global brand is bold. But facilitating the discussion such that both parties are completely at ease, trading insights and learning from each other as equals — that takes a special type of gathering, which in my experience is unique to Stream. I expect we will see some extraordinary global collaborations emerge from such an extraordinary global event.
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nathan-eagle/what-an-indonesian-startu_b_960194.html by Nathan Eagle on 13th September 2011.
Of course, the global brand executives may have had more to learn from Danny than he had from them. Because frankly, there is nothing more important to global brands right now than what consumers are doing in places like Indonesia. Last year alone, consumer spending in emerging markets grew by US $1.7 trillion. And whether you’re a consumer packaged goods company, a pharmaceutical giant, or an automobile manufacturer, you know your future revenue and earnings growth will come not from North America or Europe, but from countries like India, Brazil, China, Russia, Indonesia, Colombia, Vietnam, South Africa, Mexico, and Egypt. Indeed, at Sunday’s Emerging Markets discussion, Martin Sorrell suggested we stop referring to these markets as “emerging” at all — they are simply the “faster growth markets.” Indeed, as he put it, “the only growth markets.”
As the CEO of a technology company that connects global companies directly to consumers in over 85 “growing market” countries via their mobile phones, I love this insight. The rapidly expanding purchasing power in these markets, coupled with the near ubiquity of mobile phones, presents a new and powerful opportunity for global organizations to engage directly with these consumers.
Of course, in developed markets, such direct or “targeted” marketing is completely commonplace. Ever since the Internet made it easy to reach out to consumers, and get answers back, no serious company has run ads without targeting them to very specific, research-identified, consumer groups. But in emerging markets, where, as Danny pointed out on Sunday, fewer than 15 percent of consumers in places like Indonesia have personal e-mail addresses and regular Internet access, such targeting hasn’t been possible. What to do? Billboards forever?
Over 70 percent of Indonesian consumers have mobile phones
No, mobile phones. As Danny also said, over 70 percent of Indonesian consumers have mobile phones, and that mobile phone penetration rate is about average across the countries I listed. Indeed, while there are well under a billion PCs in use in emerging markets today, there are 3.8 billion mobile phones. Moreover, emerging market consumers spend more than 10 percent of their annual income on mobile airtime. Together, these circumstances create a huge opportunity to use the mobile channel to connect emerging consumers to the brands so eager to know them.
I should note that I can relate to Danny on one more level. My company is not much bigger than Danny’s, so, like him, I felt really grateful for the chance to have peer-to-peer chats with some of the most talented senior marketing global executives in the world. In the last several years, I have been to literally dozens of global conferences, in both marketing and technology, and I have to say I have never seen such genuine engagement about shared problems across “rank” and job title. Creating a discussion between a young entrepreneur from Indonesia and a senior executive of a multi-billion dollar global brand is bold. But facilitating the discussion such that both parties are completely at ease, trading insights and learning from each other as equals — that takes a special type of gathering, which in my experience is unique to Stream. I expect we will see some extraordinary global collaborations emerge from such an extraordinary global event.
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nathan-eagle/what-an-indonesian-startu_b_960194.html by Nathan Eagle on 13th September 2011.
A Guide for Small Businesses Setting Up a Mobile Marketing Campaign
Many business owners in a reactionary response to less affluent economic times can sometimes completely suspend all marketing activities. However with each consumer euro being fought for even harder than before its essential that businesses continue to market their product or service. In truth all business owners should be re-focusing their marketing efforts and not simply slashing them for the sake of reduced costs. In short they should be concentrating on getting the maximum possible ROI for every marketing and advertising euro spent.
Many businesses went through the boom years not knowing which of their marketing activities were working the best. They had a designated marketing budget, they spent it on a number of activities and customers were a plenty… times were good. All they knew was that something was working so it didn’t really matter which.
These days it’s crucial that business owners know exactly who they’re marketing to and how successful that marketing effort it is being. They must keep themselves front and centre of their ‘perfect prospects’ more consistently and nurture that relationship as it is these ‘perfect prospects’ that will get a business through tougher times.
So who are these ‘perfect prospects’?
Is it the people in the car passing by the neon billboard ?
Is it the person listening to their radio while at the gym?
Is it the guy muting the adverts during the nightly news?
Or is it the girl scanning through her favourite glossy magazine?
Truth be told, it could be any of these people but then again it generally never is. It is however the people who have given you permission to personally market to them, through the medium of their most on hand possession – their mobile phone.
By running a mobile club business owners are marketing to their ‘perfect prospects’ 100% of the time. These are people who are giving you permission to market to them with special offers and insider deals. What other marketing medium can offer a business this level of targeted marketing to such a captive audience?
According to the 2011 Trend Watching report one of the emerging trends of 2011 will be Price Pandemonium. This means that increasingly, consumers will demand to be a part of exclusive networks and groups that receive special offers. So in 2011 consumers are going to demand value like never before and joining special offer clubs will become as common place as being a member of a social network. Businesses need to be at the forefront of this trend and not rowing in behind their competitors when it’s already an established practice.
The following are the basic steps to starting and growing a mobile marketing club for your business:
1) Chose your mobile marketing agency carefully. They will need to be experienced with running text campaigns and offer you advice on all aspects of the process.
2) Secure and maintain a database of opt-ins. This is a highly important step and is the process of gathering the mobile phone numbers of the customers who have consented to receive marketing texts.
Real World Example – A pizza business placed a flyer inside every pizza sent out for delivery with instructions printed that allowed the customer to enter a competition to win “FREE PIZZA FOR LIFE” if they texted in and agreed to join their mobile club.
3) Always calculate your ROI before running the campaign, this will allow you to sculpt your offer around the potential response rate. Any mobile marketing agency worth its salt will be able to guide you on the expected response rate based on the perceived value of the offer.
4) Ensure a clear opt-out process is available. Customers must feel that they are in control and can opt out at any time. In a recent survey 70% of UK consumers said they were happy to receive mobile marketing messages if they were incentivized and in control.
5) Be creative, be original and be memorable. Use humor where appropriate and try to reflect the qualities and characteristics of your brand.
6) Be reactive and use the medium in and around events of national or local interests.
Real World Example – On the day of the 2010 budget a Dublin restaurant offered every member of their mobile club a free bottle of wine with any meal for two to “Drown out the sorrow”.
7) Always include an offer and avoid bland run of the mill advertising. Opt-in’s only want to hear about special deals and discounts that only members of the club can receive. They will opt out very quickly if they feel they are not getting real value.
There are more people with a cell phone than a television, computer, internet or any other media you can think of! So to not use this medium to speak to your customers would seem like a missed opportunity. A good mobile marketing agency will be able to have you up and running with a SMS campaign for a very modest outlay. Added to this the very low cost of text messages when bought in bulk, it really is the most cost effective form of marketing you are likely to ever experience.
Need to cut your marketing and advertising costs? Need to concentrate on your target market? Want to maximize your ROI for every marketing euro spent? Want to nourish the relationship with your existing customers by offering them discounts and special deals? Mobile Marketing through a mobile club is the perfect vehicle for all of this.
So don’t wait around while your competitors steal a march on you. Start accumulating those opt-ins today and see the real difference it will make to your bottom line – You won’t be disappointed.
Source: http://www.bt8j.com/a-guide-for-small-businesses-setting-up-a-mobile-marketing-campaign/ by Brian Stephenson on 13th September 2011.
Many businesses went through the boom years not knowing which of their marketing activities were working the best. They had a designated marketing budget, they spent it on a number of activities and customers were a plenty… times were good. All they knew was that something was working so it didn’t really matter which.
These days it’s crucial that business owners know exactly who they’re marketing to and how successful that marketing effort it is being. They must keep themselves front and centre of their ‘perfect prospects’ more consistently and nurture that relationship as it is these ‘perfect prospects’ that will get a business through tougher times.
So who are these ‘perfect prospects’?
Is it the people in the car passing by the neon billboard ?
Is it the person listening to their radio while at the gym?
Is it the guy muting the adverts during the nightly news?
Or is it the girl scanning through her favourite glossy magazine?
Truth be told, it could be any of these people but then again it generally never is. It is however the people who have given you permission to personally market to them, through the medium of their most on hand possession – their mobile phone.
By running a mobile club business owners are marketing to their ‘perfect prospects’ 100% of the time. These are people who are giving you permission to market to them with special offers and insider deals. What other marketing medium can offer a business this level of targeted marketing to such a captive audience?
According to the 2011 Trend Watching report one of the emerging trends of 2011 will be Price Pandemonium. This means that increasingly, consumers will demand to be a part of exclusive networks and groups that receive special offers. So in 2011 consumers are going to demand value like never before and joining special offer clubs will become as common place as being a member of a social network. Businesses need to be at the forefront of this trend and not rowing in behind their competitors when it’s already an established practice.
The following are the basic steps to starting and growing a mobile marketing club for your business:
1) Chose your mobile marketing agency carefully. They will need to be experienced with running text campaigns and offer you advice on all aspects of the process.
2) Secure and maintain a database of opt-ins. This is a highly important step and is the process of gathering the mobile phone numbers of the customers who have consented to receive marketing texts.
Real World Example – A pizza business placed a flyer inside every pizza sent out for delivery with instructions printed that allowed the customer to enter a competition to win “FREE PIZZA FOR LIFE” if they texted in and agreed to join their mobile club.
3) Always calculate your ROI before running the campaign, this will allow you to sculpt your offer around the potential response rate. Any mobile marketing agency worth its salt will be able to guide you on the expected response rate based on the perceived value of the offer.
4) Ensure a clear opt-out process is available. Customers must feel that they are in control and can opt out at any time. In a recent survey 70% of UK consumers said they were happy to receive mobile marketing messages if they were incentivized and in control.
5) Be creative, be original and be memorable. Use humor where appropriate and try to reflect the qualities and characteristics of your brand.
6) Be reactive and use the medium in and around events of national or local interests.
Real World Example – On the day of the 2010 budget a Dublin restaurant offered every member of their mobile club a free bottle of wine with any meal for two to “Drown out the sorrow”.
7) Always include an offer and avoid bland run of the mill advertising. Opt-in’s only want to hear about special deals and discounts that only members of the club can receive. They will opt out very quickly if they feel they are not getting real value.
There are more people with a cell phone than a television, computer, internet or any other media you can think of! So to not use this medium to speak to your customers would seem like a missed opportunity. A good mobile marketing agency will be able to have you up and running with a SMS campaign for a very modest outlay. Added to this the very low cost of text messages when bought in bulk, it really is the most cost effective form of marketing you are likely to ever experience.
Need to cut your marketing and advertising costs? Need to concentrate on your target market? Want to maximize your ROI for every marketing euro spent? Want to nourish the relationship with your existing customers by offering them discounts and special deals? Mobile Marketing through a mobile club is the perfect vehicle for all of this.
So don’t wait around while your competitors steal a march on you. Start accumulating those opt-ins today and see the real difference it will make to your bottom line – You won’t be disappointed.
Source: http://www.bt8j.com/a-guide-for-small-businesses-setting-up-a-mobile-marketing-campaign/ by Brian Stephenson on 13th September 2011.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
UK - Mobile emerges as key advertising channel in UK
Mobile and online video are increasingly gaining traction as advertising channels in the UK market, according to latest data released by comScore.
Over the past two quarters, mobile advertising has seen a steady increase in reach: 5.4 million UK smartphone subscribers (25%) recalled having seen ads through a mobile browser or app in the quarter ending June 2011, representing a 28% increase from three months prior. In addition, nearly 8% of smartphone users recalled seeing ads at least once a week (up 28%), and 7.5% recalled seeing them almost every day (up 52%).
The company’s analysis also found that in June 2011, 21.2 million (63.1% or nearly 2 out of 3) online video viewers in the UK were exposed to video ads. In comparison, 95.3% (40.0 million) of fixed line Internet users were exposed to online display advertising.
“Over the past few years, video and mobile have emerged as important channels for advertisers seeking to reach digital consumers,” said Mike Shaw, director of comScore Marketing Solutions. “While the penetration for video and mobile advertising has not yet reached the level that it has for online display advertising, it is likely that the penetration for these will only grow as mobile advertising continues to increase and more advertisers incorporate video as an integral part of their marketing strategy.”
ComScore also noted in a demographic analysis of people exposed to mobile advertising that 15-24 year olds are more exposed to smartphone ads. In June 2011, 31.6% of UK smartphone users age 15-24 recalled having seen ads on an app or browser, the highest penetration among age groups. With an index of 125, 15-24 year olds were 25% more likely than the average smartphone user to recall exposure to mobile advertising. Meanwhile, 45-54 year olds and those 55 and older showed a significantly lower likelihood than average of recalling mobile ad exposure.
“The penetration of mobile and online video advertising market shows greater variation across age groups, compared to the online display advertising market which already reaches an equally high percentage of users across all ages,” added Shaw. “This indicates an opportunity for advertisers looking for ways to efficiently target younger audiences, who are heavier online video viewers and mobile users. These audiences are likely to carry these behaviours with them as they mature, underscoring the future potential for video and mobile advertising.”
Nearly 70% of 15-24 year olds were exposed to at least one online ad video in June 2011 – approximately 7 percentage points higher than the total Internet audience. 15-24 year olds were also 10% more likely than the average video viewer to be exposed to video ads, while 25-34 year olds have the second highest penetration and were 4% more likely than average to be exposed.
Source: http://www.smartgorillas.com/?p=5541 by Anne Morris on 6th September 2011.
Over the past two quarters, mobile advertising has seen a steady increase in reach: 5.4 million UK smartphone subscribers (25%) recalled having seen ads through a mobile browser or app in the quarter ending June 2011, representing a 28% increase from three months prior. In addition, nearly 8% of smartphone users recalled seeing ads at least once a week (up 28%), and 7.5% recalled seeing them almost every day (up 52%).
The company’s analysis also found that in June 2011, 21.2 million (63.1% or nearly 2 out of 3) online video viewers in the UK were exposed to video ads. In comparison, 95.3% (40.0 million) of fixed line Internet users were exposed to online display advertising.
“Over the past few years, video and mobile have emerged as important channels for advertisers seeking to reach digital consumers,” said Mike Shaw, director of comScore Marketing Solutions. “While the penetration for video and mobile advertising has not yet reached the level that it has for online display advertising, it is likely that the penetration for these will only grow as mobile advertising continues to increase and more advertisers incorporate video as an integral part of their marketing strategy.”
ComScore also noted in a demographic analysis of people exposed to mobile advertising that 15-24 year olds are more exposed to smartphone ads. In June 2011, 31.6% of UK smartphone users age 15-24 recalled having seen ads on an app or browser, the highest penetration among age groups. With an index of 125, 15-24 year olds were 25% more likely than the average smartphone user to recall exposure to mobile advertising. Meanwhile, 45-54 year olds and those 55 and older showed a significantly lower likelihood than average of recalling mobile ad exposure.
“The penetration of mobile and online video advertising market shows greater variation across age groups, compared to the online display advertising market which already reaches an equally high percentage of users across all ages,” added Shaw. “This indicates an opportunity for advertisers looking for ways to efficiently target younger audiences, who are heavier online video viewers and mobile users. These audiences are likely to carry these behaviours with them as they mature, underscoring the future potential for video and mobile advertising.”
Nearly 70% of 15-24 year olds were exposed to at least one online ad video in June 2011 – approximately 7 percentage points higher than the total Internet audience. 15-24 year olds were also 10% more likely than the average video viewer to be exposed to video ads, while 25-34 year olds have the second highest penetration and were 4% more likely than average to be exposed.
Source: http://www.smartgorillas.com/?p=5541 by Anne Morris on 6th September 2011.
Asia Pacific - 836mil handphones to be shipped in Asia-Pacific by 2016
Asia-Pacific mobile-phone shipments will hit 836 million units in 2016, driven by growth in emerging markets and the proliferation of broadband-enabled handsets, market researcher Ovum has predicted.
The region’s mobile-handset market is set for steady growth of 2.8 per cent over the next five years, with shipments increasing by more than 128 million from 2011 to 2016, the firm said in a new forecast.
Globally, Ovum forecasts growth of 2.5 per cent in the period, with shipments growing by more than 230 million to 1.77 billion by 2016.
“Much of the growth in [Asia-Pacific] will be fuelled by mobile connections in the emerging markets, where the number of mobile phone users continues to steadily increase,” Ovum principal analyst Adam Leach said in the forecast.
“Within the region, the big three markets of China, India and Indonesia will continue to be the growth engines for global mobile connections and handset shipments.
The arrival of cheaper smart phones into these markets is boosting smart phone penetration and data ARPU [average revenue per user] for operators, while feature phones continue to remain attractive in rural communities in China, India and Indonesia.”
However, operators switching to 3G and 4G mobile broadband networks will also play a key role, according to Ovum, which forecasts that shipments of broadband-enabled handsets in Asia-Pacific will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 16.7 per cent to reach 372 million units in 2016.
“Increasing consumer appetite for smart phones is a major factor in driving the growth in the market for mobile broadband-enabled handsets. However, smart phones are not the only story and there will still be growth in non-smart broadband phones, particularly in the emerging markets,” Leach said.
Source: http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Science%2Band%2BTech/Story/A1Story20110825-296166.html by The Nation/Asia News Network on 25th August 2011.
The region’s mobile-handset market is set for steady growth of 2.8 per cent over the next five years, with shipments increasing by more than 128 million from 2011 to 2016, the firm said in a new forecast.
Globally, Ovum forecasts growth of 2.5 per cent in the period, with shipments growing by more than 230 million to 1.77 billion by 2016.
“Much of the growth in [Asia-Pacific] will be fuelled by mobile connections in the emerging markets, where the number of mobile phone users continues to steadily increase,” Ovum principal analyst Adam Leach said in the forecast.
“Within the region, the big three markets of China, India and Indonesia will continue to be the growth engines for global mobile connections and handset shipments.
The arrival of cheaper smart phones into these markets is boosting smart phone penetration and data ARPU [average revenue per user] for operators, while feature phones continue to remain attractive in rural communities in China, India and Indonesia.”
However, operators switching to 3G and 4G mobile broadband networks will also play a key role, according to Ovum, which forecasts that shipments of broadband-enabled handsets in Asia-Pacific will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 16.7 per cent to reach 372 million units in 2016.
“Increasing consumer appetite for smart phones is a major factor in driving the growth in the market for mobile broadband-enabled handsets. However, smart phones are not the only story and there will still be growth in non-smart broadband phones, particularly in the emerging markets,” Leach said.
Source: http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Science%2Band%2BTech/Story/A1Story20110825-296166.html by The Nation/Asia News Network on 25th August 2011.
Asia Pacific - Asia-Pacific leads the World in Mobile Penetration
There is no doubt that the Technology and Mobile market is growing rapidly in Asian countries. But, a recent study done by Google and Ipsos found that Asia-Pacific leads the world in mobile usage and penetration, surpassing even the U.S. market.
The report titled Smartphone Research on Mobile Internet and Market Trends, studied 30 markets globally and 11 markets in Asia-Pacific. The region as a whole was found to have the highest mobile phone penetration in the world and mobile users were more willing to use their mobile phones to shop and play.
Here are some of the interesting findings of the study:
- All 11 of the Asia-Pacific markets studied had higher overall phone penetration than the US.
- 4 of the 11 Asia-Pacific markets surveyed had a higher smartphone penetration than the US (31 per cent). These markets included Singapore (62 per cent), Australia (37 per cent), Hong Kong (35 per cent) and urban China (35 per cent).
- Consumers in Asia-Pacific (except Australia and Malaysia) found their smartphone more interesting than TV surpassing those in the US.
- Japanese, Korean and Singaporean consumers use their smartphones more intensely than their US counterparts. They email more, search more and share more videos. However, other markets in Asia are still lagging behind the US in terms of their smartphones usage to search, social network and share videos. This may, however, change in the future as more and more mobile users shift to high-end smartphones.
- Mobile users in Southeast Asia are the most avid online shoppers. Those in Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia are more likely to have made a purchase on their phone than US users.
- Mobile users in these developing countries were also found to use more apps than those in developed countries across the world. The study reveals that 39 per cent of US and UK consumers, and 45 of Japanese consumers, intend to use more apps in the future, whereas over 60 per cent of Malaysian, Thai and Indian consumers, and 59 per cent of Indonesian consumers, intend to do so.
This study comes as good news for mobile companies in Asia and speaks about the countless opportunities that western companies have in this region. With more and more internet users shifting to mobile platforms, mobile advertising is also expected to grow and advance over years.
Source: http://www.buzzom.com/2011/09/asia-pacific-leads-the-world-in-mobile-penetration/ by Swati on 4th September 2011.
The report titled Smartphone Research on Mobile Internet and Market Trends, studied 30 markets globally and 11 markets in Asia-Pacific. The region as a whole was found to have the highest mobile phone penetration in the world and mobile users were more willing to use their mobile phones to shop and play.
Here are some of the interesting findings of the study:
- All 11 of the Asia-Pacific markets studied had higher overall phone penetration than the US.
- 4 of the 11 Asia-Pacific markets surveyed had a higher smartphone penetration than the US (31 per cent). These markets included Singapore (62 per cent), Australia (37 per cent), Hong Kong (35 per cent) and urban China (35 per cent).
- Consumers in Asia-Pacific (except Australia and Malaysia) found their smartphone more interesting than TV surpassing those in the US.
- Japanese, Korean and Singaporean consumers use their smartphones more intensely than their US counterparts. They email more, search more and share more videos. However, other markets in Asia are still lagging behind the US in terms of their smartphones usage to search, social network and share videos. This may, however, change in the future as more and more mobile users shift to high-end smartphones.
- Mobile users in Southeast Asia are the most avid online shoppers. Those in Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia are more likely to have made a purchase on their phone than US users.
- Mobile users in these developing countries were also found to use more apps than those in developed countries across the world. The study reveals that 39 per cent of US and UK consumers, and 45 of Japanese consumers, intend to use more apps in the future, whereas over 60 per cent of Malaysian, Thai and Indian consumers, and 59 per cent of Indonesian consumers, intend to do so.
This study comes as good news for mobile companies in Asia and speaks about the countless opportunities that western companies have in this region. With more and more internet users shifting to mobile platforms, mobile advertising is also expected to grow and advance over years.
Source: http://www.buzzom.com/2011/09/asia-pacific-leads-the-world-in-mobile-penetration/ by Swati on 4th September 2011.
Monday, 12 September 2011
The Benefits of Mobile Marketing and Why You Should Consider It
Advertising plays a very important role in any business; however, this depends on the mode of communication and strategies used. The success rate depends on how well you the message get to your target audience; mobile marketing makes an efficient communication model since you get the message across as fast as possible. Generating messages is easy and delivery is immediate, which potentially creates a higher response from your target clients.
Advertising can be costly, and businesses need lower cost ventures that add value. Mobile marketing involves a simple service charge and most businesses can negotiate better rates when there is need to send out higher volumes. Using the mobile as your campaign tool makes it more affordable and the business will always remain certain that the message got to the intended recipients. Businesses can lower advertising costs and at the same time gain a wider reach. This is an area where small enterprises can benefit most due to the low costs involved.
Unlike other advertising channels, mobile ad campaigns take a more personal approach. Messages can be customized to reach selected people. It also remains certain that your addressees will get the message since most people carry their mobiles and take time to go through their gadgets severally. Businesses do not have to work with certain possibilities that potential customers will drive past a billboard or read posters.
Mobile marketing helps businesses attract and retain customers by maintaining close relationships. Mobile communications makes it easy for companies to personalise and interact with clients, thus, creating dependability and reliability. Organisations can use mobiles for constant updates, which keeps clients informed and up to date. Customers who grow with you company remain loyal. Customers also feel confident when dealing with you given that they can reach you for queries; mobile communications also make it very easy to respond to your customers seeing as you can respond to them immediately.
Businesses can also use voice-messaging services; addressees become more comfortable know that they are dealing with humans and not just messages originated from machines. It also accommodates people of other age groups who are less receptive to text messages.
With increased technology, mobiles make it easy for organisations since they offer a wide range of advertising options. This exposes entities to a wider variety and makes then more innovative. Advertising campaigns leave a better impression when you use creativity.
In general, it is easy to measure results is easy when using mobile adverts and get prompt response from clients due to the personal nature of this form of advertising. Businesses can also benefit with the fact that most individuals share messages, which is another form of lead generation or recommendations from your loyal clientele.
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Benefits-of-Mobile-Marketing-and-Why-You-Should-Consider-It&id=6540984 by Sam Whitstone.
Advertising can be costly, and businesses need lower cost ventures that add value. Mobile marketing involves a simple service charge and most businesses can negotiate better rates when there is need to send out higher volumes. Using the mobile as your campaign tool makes it more affordable and the business will always remain certain that the message got to the intended recipients. Businesses can lower advertising costs and at the same time gain a wider reach. This is an area where small enterprises can benefit most due to the low costs involved.
Unlike other advertising channels, mobile ad campaigns take a more personal approach. Messages can be customized to reach selected people. It also remains certain that your addressees will get the message since most people carry their mobiles and take time to go through their gadgets severally. Businesses do not have to work with certain possibilities that potential customers will drive past a billboard or read posters.
Mobile marketing helps businesses attract and retain customers by maintaining close relationships. Mobile communications makes it easy for companies to personalise and interact with clients, thus, creating dependability and reliability. Organisations can use mobiles for constant updates, which keeps clients informed and up to date. Customers who grow with you company remain loyal. Customers also feel confident when dealing with you given that they can reach you for queries; mobile communications also make it very easy to respond to your customers seeing as you can respond to them immediately.
Businesses can also use voice-messaging services; addressees become more comfortable know that they are dealing with humans and not just messages originated from machines. It also accommodates people of other age groups who are less receptive to text messages.
With increased technology, mobiles make it easy for organisations since they offer a wide range of advertising options. This exposes entities to a wider variety and makes then more innovative. Advertising campaigns leave a better impression when you use creativity.
In general, it is easy to measure results is easy when using mobile adverts and get prompt response from clients due to the personal nature of this form of advertising. Businesses can also benefit with the fact that most individuals share messages, which is another form of lead generation or recommendations from your loyal clientele.
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Benefits-of-Mobile-Marketing-and-Why-You-Should-Consider-It&id=6540984 by Sam Whitstone.
Mobile More Effective Than Print, TV and Web Ads
Mobile marketing may be more effective than other forms of advertising, according to data from an InsightExpress study.
The research points to mobile as more effective than more traditional channels such as print, television and online advertising. In fact, mobile is moving forward in such a way that it is a powerful standalone marketing channel.
“Mobile is leading the charge of most effective channel in all metrics except brand favorability, including more than print and TV,” said Joy Liuzzo, vice president of InsightExpress, Stamford, CT.
“I’m not saying that the others are ineffective, but mobile is something that is powerful by itself just as a media channel,” she said. “It is even more effective than combinations of media channels.”
This data is compiled from InsightExpress’ quarterly Digital Consumer Profile.
Mobile is king
When determining marketing effectiveness in single channel marketing efforts, mobile marketing led the pack above print, online and TV advertising in the metrics of unaided awareness, aided awareness, message association and purchase intent.
The only area that it was not ahead was in brand favorability
However, when multiple channels were used to advertise, a single mobile marketing effort still stood out amongst multichannel efforts.
For example, mobile marketing was more effective in unaided awareness than combined print, TV and online marketing and combined TV and online marketing.
Furthermore, a single mobile marketing effort was more effective in message association than combined print, TV and online marketing, combined TV and online marketing and combined print and TV marketing.
“This component is still holding its own across combinations of channels,” Ms. Liuzzo said.
“The biggest thing to take away from this is that if you haven’t integrated mobile, you’re losing out because this media channel is increasing significantly,” she said.
Crunching numbers
The most-measured demographic in the study by InsightExpress was smartphone users.
Approximately 50 percent of smartphone users are saying that they will spend more than most owners this holiday season.
Furthermore, approximately 60 percent of smartphone users claim that they intend to make more in-store purchases than on the Internet.
Marketers would do well to integrate these two channels to combine traditional and modern advertising.
Most consumers use smartphones in-store to send a picture of a product to someone, search for the item in a different location, search for an item to find reviews or scan a bar code.
“About 33 percent of consumers are taking a picture and sending it to someone for our opinion, but no marketer has yet to take advantage of this behavior,” Ms. Liuzzo said.
In fact, 40 percent of all smartphone users are willing to make a purchase from their mobile devices in-store.
Furthermore, many male smartphone users are more likely to use their mobile phones in-store to check reviews, look for related products and research product features before asking a sales associate.
This means that brands would greatly benefit from having a mobile-optimized site or application so that consumers can easily access information.
Fifty percent of smartphone users believe that having an optimized site is either important or very important, according to the study.
Furthermore, consumers are more likely to visit a third-party site than a retailer using their smartphones, but 67 percent of users use both resources for information when in-store.
“Consumers are starting to shop for the holidays now, and only a few are taking advantage of this,” Ms. Liuzzo said.
“If you need to process your payment system or something like that, you need to start doing it now.”
Source: http://blogs.terrapinn.com/telecoms/2011/09/11/mobile-effective-print-tv-web-ads-insightexpress/ by Harriet on 11th September 2011.
The research points to mobile as more effective than more traditional channels such as print, television and online advertising. In fact, mobile is moving forward in such a way that it is a powerful standalone marketing channel.
“Mobile is leading the charge of most effective channel in all metrics except brand favorability, including more than print and TV,” said Joy Liuzzo, vice president of InsightExpress, Stamford, CT.
“I’m not saying that the others are ineffective, but mobile is something that is powerful by itself just as a media channel,” she said. “It is even more effective than combinations of media channels.”
This data is compiled from InsightExpress’ quarterly Digital Consumer Profile.
Mobile is king
When determining marketing effectiveness in single channel marketing efforts, mobile marketing led the pack above print, online and TV advertising in the metrics of unaided awareness, aided awareness, message association and purchase intent.
The only area that it was not ahead was in brand favorability
However, when multiple channels were used to advertise, a single mobile marketing effort still stood out amongst multichannel efforts.
For example, mobile marketing was more effective in unaided awareness than combined print, TV and online marketing and combined TV and online marketing.
Furthermore, a single mobile marketing effort was more effective in message association than combined print, TV and online marketing, combined TV and online marketing and combined print and TV marketing.
“This component is still holding its own across combinations of channels,” Ms. Liuzzo said.
“The biggest thing to take away from this is that if you haven’t integrated mobile, you’re losing out because this media channel is increasing significantly,” she said.
Crunching numbers
The most-measured demographic in the study by InsightExpress was smartphone users.
Approximately 50 percent of smartphone users are saying that they will spend more than most owners this holiday season.
Furthermore, approximately 60 percent of smartphone users claim that they intend to make more in-store purchases than on the Internet.
Marketers would do well to integrate these two channels to combine traditional and modern advertising.
Most consumers use smartphones in-store to send a picture of a product to someone, search for the item in a different location, search for an item to find reviews or scan a bar code.
“About 33 percent of consumers are taking a picture and sending it to someone for our opinion, but no marketer has yet to take advantage of this behavior,” Ms. Liuzzo said.
In fact, 40 percent of all smartphone users are willing to make a purchase from their mobile devices in-store.
Furthermore, many male smartphone users are more likely to use their mobile phones in-store to check reviews, look for related products and research product features before asking a sales associate.
This means that brands would greatly benefit from having a mobile-optimized site or application so that consumers can easily access information.
Fifty percent of smartphone users believe that having an optimized site is either important or very important, according to the study.
Furthermore, consumers are more likely to visit a third-party site than a retailer using their smartphones, but 67 percent of users use both resources for information when in-store.
“Consumers are starting to shop for the holidays now, and only a few are taking advantage of this,” Ms. Liuzzo said.
“If you need to process your payment system or something like that, you need to start doing it now.”
Source: http://blogs.terrapinn.com/telecoms/2011/09/11/mobile-effective-print-tv-web-ads-insightexpress/ by Harriet on 11th September 2011.
SMS Weathers Instant Messaging Threat
While the rise in mobile instant messaging (MIM) has been heralded as the end of the SMS, a closer look shows this actually increases the SMS’ value in the corporate space.
According to a recent Juniper Research study, SMS has one distinct advantage over MIM services – its ubiquity.
“With an SMS, I know I can reach almost any handset in the world, if I have its number. While IM services have some advantages, such as real-time communication and apparent absence of cost, the market is fragmented by different services that cannot communicate with each other,” says Daniel Ashdown, research analyst at Juniper.
The research firm says within the SMS market, revenue from
application-to-person (A2P) SMS will exceed $70 billion by 2016, overtaking person-to-person during that year. A2P messaging – defined as those messages that are sent to or from an application – has a wide variety of use-cases, including financial services, ticketing, and any other service involving sending or receiving a large number of messages, Juniper Research adds.
On the other hand, the firm forecasts that the number of MIM users will exceed 1.3 billion by 2016. This tripling of users from 2010 will be driven by the arrival of new services, such as Apple’s iMessage, and continued growth of existing services, such as AOL’s AIM, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), Microsoft’s Windows Live, Skype and Yahoo Messenger, it explains.
Nine lives
Pieter Streicher, MD of BulkSMS, notes that “while a cat has nine lives, it seems the SMS has an infinite number of lives”.
He believes the BlackBerry and its free messaging service between BlackBerry users changed the MIM game.
“Despite being bumped down the ranks in terms of the number of handsets shipped in the second quarter, according to the latest analyst reports, BlackBerry is still the number one smartphone in SA and Indonesia,” says Streicher.
Mobile market commentator, Tomi Ahonen, says the BlackBerry’s popularity initially baffled Research In Motion itself, until it realised that it was the BlackBerry Messenger service that was the driver of this uptake.
It also resulted in continued uptake of the handset, as friends and family migrated to BlackBerry for fear of being left out of closed conversations, says Ahonen.
Subsequently, Streicher adds, application developers have allowed other handset owners to join this low data cost instant messaging conversation via apps such as WhatsApp.
With all these developments, he says, one might think this has left SMS out in the cold. “In the world of business SMS communications, this is not at all the case. There is no denying that personal SMS usage has dropped, thanks to cellphone users migrating to MIM at a fraction of the cost of SMS.
“This is hurting the network operators, for whom person-to-person messaging is a very profitable channel. But SMS’s inherent features still give it an edge in application-to-person messaging, especially when it comes to urgent or emergency communications, business communications, or managing the information overload,” he says.
Lost revenue
Streicher points out that while the popularity of MIM might be bad news for operators in terms of lost SMS revenue, it is good news for companies and organisations that rely on SMS for alerts, emergency communications, customer relationship management and a host of other uses.
“The SMS channel is strengthened for mission-critical notifications, whether it is a banking alert, appointment reminder or progress update. Already IM users are switching off the beeping associated with incoming instant messages, as it is unnecessary during a conversation. The rather ironic result is that SMS is used as an alert to set up an IM conversation.”
Companies have dabbled with other online channels, but they are going to be hard-pressed to insist that customers download an individual app in order to communicate with each company, he explains.
“SMS, which is already built in to every single feature phone and smartphone handset, is going to remain the communications channel of choice for companies and customers for some time to come.”
Source: http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47073:sms-weathers-instant-messaging-threat&catid=69 by Admire Moyo on 9th September 2011.
According to a recent Juniper Research study, SMS has one distinct advantage over MIM services – its ubiquity.
“With an SMS, I know I can reach almost any handset in the world, if I have its number. While IM services have some advantages, such as real-time communication and apparent absence of cost, the market is fragmented by different services that cannot communicate with each other,” says Daniel Ashdown, research analyst at Juniper.
The research firm says within the SMS market, revenue from
application-to-person (A2P) SMS will exceed $70 billion by 2016, overtaking person-to-person during that year. A2P messaging – defined as those messages that are sent to or from an application – has a wide variety of use-cases, including financial services, ticketing, and any other service involving sending or receiving a large number of messages, Juniper Research adds.
On the other hand, the firm forecasts that the number of MIM users will exceed 1.3 billion by 2016. This tripling of users from 2010 will be driven by the arrival of new services, such as Apple’s iMessage, and continued growth of existing services, such as AOL’s AIM, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), Microsoft’s Windows Live, Skype and Yahoo Messenger, it explains.
Nine lives
Pieter Streicher, MD of BulkSMS, notes that “while a cat has nine lives, it seems the SMS has an infinite number of lives”.
He believes the BlackBerry and its free messaging service between BlackBerry users changed the MIM game.
“Despite being bumped down the ranks in terms of the number of handsets shipped in the second quarter, according to the latest analyst reports, BlackBerry is still the number one smartphone in SA and Indonesia,” says Streicher.
Mobile market commentator, Tomi Ahonen, says the BlackBerry’s popularity initially baffled Research In Motion itself, until it realised that it was the BlackBerry Messenger service that was the driver of this uptake.
It also resulted in continued uptake of the handset, as friends and family migrated to BlackBerry for fear of being left out of closed conversations, says Ahonen.
Subsequently, Streicher adds, application developers have allowed other handset owners to join this low data cost instant messaging conversation via apps such as WhatsApp.
With all these developments, he says, one might think this has left SMS out in the cold. “In the world of business SMS communications, this is not at all the case. There is no denying that personal SMS usage has dropped, thanks to cellphone users migrating to MIM at a fraction of the cost of SMS.
“This is hurting the network operators, for whom person-to-person messaging is a very profitable channel. But SMS’s inherent features still give it an edge in application-to-person messaging, especially when it comes to urgent or emergency communications, business communications, or managing the information overload,” he says.
Lost revenue
Streicher points out that while the popularity of MIM might be bad news for operators in terms of lost SMS revenue, it is good news for companies and organisations that rely on SMS for alerts, emergency communications, customer relationship management and a host of other uses.
“The SMS channel is strengthened for mission-critical notifications, whether it is a banking alert, appointment reminder or progress update. Already IM users are switching off the beeping associated with incoming instant messages, as it is unnecessary during a conversation. The rather ironic result is that SMS is used as an alert to set up an IM conversation.”
Companies have dabbled with other online channels, but they are going to be hard-pressed to insist that customers download an individual app in order to communicate with each company, he explains.
“SMS, which is already built in to every single feature phone and smartphone handset, is going to remain the communications channel of choice for companies and customers for some time to come.”
Source: http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47073:sms-weathers-instant-messaging-threat&catid=69 by Admire Moyo on 9th September 2011.
SMS Marketing And The Benefits It Offers To Businesses
SMS marketing is a strategy that many companies have already taken advantage of. The technology involved in this marketing technique is such that reaching out to customers and the general public has become easier and cheaper for a business. Of late, marketing done through mobile phones have grown to be popular following the many benefits that it offers to companies. A company that plans to grow its market with the help of this marketing channel can bank on service providers that offer to help it gain these advantages. In other words, for a business owner to accomplish its marketing goals, it has to have the expert services of a marketing firm that’s well-versed on mobile phone advertising.
SMS marketing refers to the kind of marketing technique that takes advantage of the mobile phone. Particularly, it cashes in on the fact that more and more people are using the text messaging service provided by virtually all phones. The growth experienced by the text messaging services offered by mobile phones is phenomenal. And, astute marketers have found a way to break through in a way that apparently has not been done before. These marketing professionals have found a way to personally communicate with customers through their phones. What’s remarkable about this is that, it is the consumer who initiates the communication. Compared with other forms of marketing, this one is the most advantageous and the most practical.
According to some studies, there are roughly 4.6 billion users of mobile phone. Experts expect the number to continually increase, given that the medium of communication provides ease and convenience for many people. This development is a crucial one for businesses that are aiming to intensify their campaign to reach more prospective customers. Therefore, the technique involving the use of text messaging service is obviously a must-have. This would be an effective method to gain more customers and increase overall sales. The main thing to consider now would be how to go about it.
There are many providers that offer such services to companies. There are those that offer it at costly rates, but fortunately, there are more affordable alternatives. Some of the cost-effective options even offer the same services offered by the providers that offer text message marketing at expensive rates. Before making a choice, be sure to do a thorough research of the different firms that offer the service. This will help trim down the chances of obtaining services that are pricey but do not deliver what they promise. Performing a check through customer feedback is one realistic way of finding excellent service providers.
The benefits of SMS marketing abound, so much so that it is now a major weapon in many companies. Most importantly, any company, big or small, can enjoy the advantages it offers. The reason is that they have the option to find service providers that offer it at more affordable rates. With this, it is unquestionably a sensible decision to implement this form or marketing technique. The important thing that’s left to do is to ensure that it is maintained and executed on a timely basis.
Source: http://www.newsdx.com/articles/97534-sms-marketing-and-the-benefits-it-offers-to-businesses/ by Ezine on 9th September 2011.
SMS marketing refers to the kind of marketing technique that takes advantage of the mobile phone. Particularly, it cashes in on the fact that more and more people are using the text messaging service provided by virtually all phones. The growth experienced by the text messaging services offered by mobile phones is phenomenal. And, astute marketers have found a way to break through in a way that apparently has not been done before. These marketing professionals have found a way to personally communicate with customers through their phones. What’s remarkable about this is that, it is the consumer who initiates the communication. Compared with other forms of marketing, this one is the most advantageous and the most practical.
According to some studies, there are roughly 4.6 billion users of mobile phone. Experts expect the number to continually increase, given that the medium of communication provides ease and convenience for many people. This development is a crucial one for businesses that are aiming to intensify their campaign to reach more prospective customers. Therefore, the technique involving the use of text messaging service is obviously a must-have. This would be an effective method to gain more customers and increase overall sales. The main thing to consider now would be how to go about it.
There are many providers that offer such services to companies. There are those that offer it at costly rates, but fortunately, there are more affordable alternatives. Some of the cost-effective options even offer the same services offered by the providers that offer text message marketing at expensive rates. Before making a choice, be sure to do a thorough research of the different firms that offer the service. This will help trim down the chances of obtaining services that are pricey but do not deliver what they promise. Performing a check through customer feedback is one realistic way of finding excellent service providers.
The benefits of SMS marketing abound, so much so that it is now a major weapon in many companies. Most importantly, any company, big or small, can enjoy the advantages it offers. The reason is that they have the option to find service providers that offer it at more affordable rates. With this, it is unquestionably a sensible decision to implement this form or marketing technique. The important thing that’s left to do is to ensure that it is maintained and executed on a timely basis.
Source: http://www.newsdx.com/articles/97534-sms-marketing-and-the-benefits-it-offers-to-businesses/ by Ezine on 9th September 2011.
Mobile marketing is Easy to Start
When you look at a mobile phone, do you see a new revenue source or a way to increase customers? If you are a restaurant owner, you should! Mobile marketing is a channel that can help you increase profits and customer traffic. If mobile phones are the most popular and contemporary technology used by consumers today YOUR CUSTOMERS use them. Therefore, mobile marketing should be an integral part of your marketing strategies.
Integrating mobile marketing
It’s easy and uncomplicated to add mobile marketing to your existing marketing mix. First, there is no inventory cost as with paper or plastic-based loyalty marketing programs. Secondly, there are several features available that can be tailored to your restaurant’s specific needs. A mobile campaign can be completely based on text messaging. You can also utilize social media to make your message go viral and exponentially increase the value of your marketing effort.
Mobile tactics
Mobile marketing includes several different tactics. The first one is obvious: text messaging. This works well for most consumers because all mobile users have access to text messages. A second alternative is an actual mobile ad. These usually appear on free apps downloaded on smart phones. Mobile ads have a drawback in that they require the users to have a smartphone. Since smartphone use is somewhat limited compared to standard mobile phones, the number of customers that can view mobile ads is less in comparison to the number who can receive text messages. However, the use of smartphones is growing exponentially, so it is better to consider the use of both promotional methods.
Using text marketing
One benefit of SMS is that you can reach the entire customer list on your mobile database instantly at any time. Let’s say the business is slow on a Tuesday evening. With few clicks, you could send text messages with a special offer to all the mobile subscribers who have opted for your restaurant’s VIP mobile club. Literally, you have a power at a push of a button to fill up the empty seats in your restaurant in a few hours. Mobile text marketing can be that powerful.
Getting started
First, you can sign up with one of many mobile text marketing service providers. Then encourage your customers to sign up for your Mobile Text Club program by having customers send a short code via SMS text to a specified number.
Once they have subscribed, you can send them text messages in the form of text coupons. These messages enable customers to receive discounts on their next visit to your restaurant. This also supports their perception that your restaurant is trendy, understands the demands of the new digital age and consumers’ desires to be recognized for their loyalty.
Promoting you texting campaign
All you need is a banner sign at the front counter and table tent at every table promoting your mobile text offer.
It’ll say something like “Join our VIP Mobile Club to get your exclusive deals and offers. Enjoy our FREE taco when you sign up NOW. Text freetaco to 54894″
At the end of every month, you can check your monthly report to review statistics for your mobile marketing campaigns to ensure that they are successful. You can then tweak them as needed in your future campaigns as you gain more experience.
Source: http://www.qsrweb.com/blog/6338/Mobile-marketing-is-easy-to-start by Nash Sherchan on 9th September 2011.
Integrating mobile marketing
It’s easy and uncomplicated to add mobile marketing to your existing marketing mix. First, there is no inventory cost as with paper or plastic-based loyalty marketing programs. Secondly, there are several features available that can be tailored to your restaurant’s specific needs. A mobile campaign can be completely based on text messaging. You can also utilize social media to make your message go viral and exponentially increase the value of your marketing effort.
Mobile tactics
Mobile marketing includes several different tactics. The first one is obvious: text messaging. This works well for most consumers because all mobile users have access to text messages. A second alternative is an actual mobile ad. These usually appear on free apps downloaded on smart phones. Mobile ads have a drawback in that they require the users to have a smartphone. Since smartphone use is somewhat limited compared to standard mobile phones, the number of customers that can view mobile ads is less in comparison to the number who can receive text messages. However, the use of smartphones is growing exponentially, so it is better to consider the use of both promotional methods.
Using text marketing
One benefit of SMS is that you can reach the entire customer list on your mobile database instantly at any time. Let’s say the business is slow on a Tuesday evening. With few clicks, you could send text messages with a special offer to all the mobile subscribers who have opted for your restaurant’s VIP mobile club. Literally, you have a power at a push of a button to fill up the empty seats in your restaurant in a few hours. Mobile text marketing can be that powerful.
Getting started
First, you can sign up with one of many mobile text marketing service providers. Then encourage your customers to sign up for your Mobile Text Club program by having customers send a short code via SMS text to a specified number.
Once they have subscribed, you can send them text messages in the form of text coupons. These messages enable customers to receive discounts on their next visit to your restaurant. This also supports their perception that your restaurant is trendy, understands the demands of the new digital age and consumers’ desires to be recognized for their loyalty.
Promoting you texting campaign
All you need is a banner sign at the front counter and table tent at every table promoting your mobile text offer.
It’ll say something like “Join our VIP Mobile Club to get your exclusive deals and offers. Enjoy our FREE taco when you sign up NOW. Text freetaco to 54894″
At the end of every month, you can check your monthly report to review statistics for your mobile marketing campaigns to ensure that they are successful. You can then tweak them as needed in your future campaigns as you gain more experience.
Source: http://www.qsrweb.com/blog/6338/Mobile-marketing-is-easy-to-start by Nash Sherchan on 9th September 2011.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)