Communication and Marketing Has Evolved

Posted by Alec Hess

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Marketing via mobile devices is the fastest growing trend in online promotion. On average, SMS messages (Short Message Service) are read within four minutes, making them an extremely potent message delivery system for highly convertible new prospects. Because wireless devices in the United States rose to over 327.6 million in 2011, many companies are reevaluating their marketing strategies to tap this potential windfall of new customers.

Mobile marketing is cost-effective, personalized and immediate and allows your company to target potential and existing customers anytime and anywhere. If your company wants to attract more customers, increase sales and discover a new way to promote your business, mobile marketing’s the way to go.

Don’t Brush It Off:

Mobile provides a variety of marketing opportunity from text message marketing and MMS marketing (Multimedia Message Service) all the way to QR codes and location based services, your business can hook your target audience by providing the discounts, promotions and contests needed to drive awareness. Mobile marketing can also help drive new prospects to your main website, engage with customers and build brand recognition.

Facts Don’t Lie:

• 57% of consumers will not recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile site.
• 40 % of consumers will go to a competitor’s site after a bad mobile experience.
• 55 % of consumers express an interest in mobile coupons but only 10 percent have actually received one from a merchant.
• 80%, that’s the increase over the last six months of email opens on smartphones and tablets.
• 64% of smartphone owners use their mobile devices to shop online.

Mobile Website Advertising:

Advertising on web pages specifically meant for access by mobile devices is also growing. The Mobile Marketing Association provides a set of guidelines and standards that give the recommended format of ads, presentation, and metrics used in reporting. Google, Yahoo, and other major mobile content providers have been selling advertising placement on their properties for years already, so you won’t be experimenting. Advertising networks focused on mobile properties and advertisers are also available.

More Benefits of Mobile:

Market size: 1.08 billion smart phone users worldwide and rapidly growing.

Alec Hess is a marketer and small business expert as well as Principal of Full Voice Media and Vanguard Healthcare Products; and co-founder of BizSaves. His focus is on small business success and he has consulted, guided and advised many firms.
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More Great Articles on Mobile Marketing:

Forbes: Avoiding Mobile Marketing Mistakes - Lesson 1 Forbes: 8 Innovations in Mobile Marketing Mashable: 6 Habits of Highly Effective Mobile Marketers