Mobile marketing is one of the newest types of marketing, yet it actually incorporates elements of some of the oldest and well proven methods. Many of the same rules that apply to other kinds of marketing will apply to mobile marketing too. However, there are some noteworthy differences. This article presents some solid advice on getting the best from this brilliant advertising medium.
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.
Make it easy for your customers to share your mobile marketing message. Options such as discounts based on referrals or suggestions to forward a special offer to a friend can lead to increased word of mouth advertising. Many consumers look to friends and family for recommendations, so making it easy to share your mobile messages can significantly increase your customer base.
Allow your subscribers the option to opt-out of receiving your texts. The format of your messages should automatically include an “opt-out” set of instructions or sentence. You need to use words that get the message across that they can get out of your messages. This includes words like “UNSUBSCRIBE” and “STOP.”
Weigh your competition. Have a family member or friend sign up to a mobile subscription of a competitor. Doing this will give you an inside look as to how their program operates, and let you know what you can do that will outperform them. Doing this before you actually start your campaign will give you a strong edge.
Try to set a budget and stick to it if you want to market effectively. Shooting past your budget can quickly cause your campaign to fall apart, if only because you may start to change how you handle things due to a fear of money. Work meticulously to stay within your budget for mobile marketing success.
Negative impressions of your brand can spread like wildfire over the internet, so you want to attempt to jump out in front of negative buzz with a positive spin. Mobile marketing reaches a lot of people, and things can become popular or unpopular in a hurry. If something’s becoming unpopular, fix it before it catches on.
Try to limit the amount of offers you’re sending via your mobile marketing campaign. It can be a little tedious for you to sit there and devise so many alert messages and call-to-action lines to send out, and it can be really annoying to the people receiving them. Keep your messages at a minimum unless you really have something to say.
If you are going to send out text messages to your customers, do not send them out at hours that would be inconvenient for the clients. Stay away from sending anything out in the evening or early morning. Also, do not send anything on Sundays or holidays unless it is extremely important and relevant.
When you are sending a text, it is important to get right to the point. Tell your customer why you are messaging, what kind of deal you are offering, how it will help them out, and also how to take advantage of the deal. This will leave your customers a lot happier because you are not just wasting their time.
Location can play a huge role in a great mobile marketing campaign. Much different to other marketing types, mobile marketing allows you to key in on your exact location. This opens up new location-based options that do not exist anywhere else. Consider all the ramifications for your business and how you could create a strategy that is location-aware and effective.
When creating a QR code, make sure you use a shortened URL. If you use a long URL, your code will be very complex and might be difficult to scan. People will not try scanning a code more than a couple of times if it does not work right away.
To give your text messages a boost, use multi-media messaging! These messages can use additional features like photos or sound to give your message a bigger impact. These days, most phones can accept multi-media messages, and it’s smart to take full advantage of that. Pictures and music are much harder to ignore than a simple text.
Check out your competition. Taking a look at the competition is always a smart idea, and this includes the realm of mobile marketing. Visit your competitor’s sites on your mobile device and take a look at any apps they offer. You can see what they are doing well, as well as learn from their mistakes.
Do not send your messages anytime. People will not appreciate getting a message from you in the middle of the night. Perhaps you can even divide your customer base by time zones so that you do not send a message at an odd hour. Avoid sending messages during holidays, except if it is relevant to your campaign.
The most visible mobile marketing is in social networking. The growth of social networking is phenomenal and continues to grow. Making your company viable in the social net realm is of utmost importance. It doesn’t matter what your market segment is, you will find them on social networks everyday of the week. Target these sites and build your business.
Always get the permission of those you wish to add to your database. While you could have a single-opt in option that could be confusing to some and reach out to many, you will find more complaints if you haven’t ensured that your database has given full permission for you to reach them through mobile marketing.
Mobile marketing invites a world of possibilities, but when used improperly, it can quickly become an irritant. When you are just starting out with mobile marketing, take the time to learn all that you can and use these tips wisely. Your efforts will result in new customers and increased business.
