The 411 on Mobile Marketing

Isn’t it amazing how many people are on their mobile phones these days? It doesn’t matter where they are or what they are doing, people are simply attached to their mobile devices. Currently, there are 45 million smart phone users in the U.S. and they are not just teenagers or people in their 30′s. For business owners, that is a number that should be considered when planning marketing campaigns.

What is Mobile Marketing? Mobile Marketing refers simply to marketing on or with a mobile device such as a mobile phone. The four main mobile marketing tools include:

•      Mobile web, mobile site

•      Mobile applications (apps)

•      Mobile advertising

•      Text messaging or MMS messages

Frequently asked questions about mobile marketing:

1.      I Have a Website, Why Would I Need a Mobile Site?

Most searches over the internet are now being done using a mobile device so having a site that works well with the medium is ideal. In contrast to websites, mobile sites are configured to be viewed on a smaller screen so they tend to load quicker and are easier to read and navigate.  This means that "on the move" customers who are looking for places such as a restaurant, a flower shop, an auto repair shop or towing service will be able to see what they want instead of being frustrated and signing out.

   2. What's a Mobile App and How Can It Help My Business?

Mobile apps are compact programs that perform specific functions for the user. They are a good channel for businesses to use in providing information to customers such as locations and GPS  instructions, special offers and discounts, upcoming events, etc.

Businesses are using mobile apps to:

·         Increase foot traffic to the business

·         Encourage customers to come back over and over again

·         Create a ‘viral’ buzz about the business

3.      Is Mobile Marketing Cost Friendly?

Mobile marketing is probably one of the most cost-friendly marketing tools. It requires minimal resources, deploys quickly and has no printing costs related to it. In terms of time and resources, it is very cost-effective.

4.      Do Customers get Irritated with Mobile Marketing?

 
Mobile marketing requires a prospective customer to opt in or download an app so the communication that is sent out goes to people who are interested in getting it. This is key because it means that the marketing is directed at a receptive target market and not randomly.

Prospective clients are searching for products and services through their mobile devices. Currently, there are 4.6 billion mobile devices conveniently nestled in the pockets of the very people you’d like to reach … and they hardly turn them off! What are you doing to reach them?

Pat Neuman helps business owners sleep better at night with marketing that gets results. She is the President of On-line Marketers and is a perpetual student of Dan Hollings, Ryan Deiss, Kevin Wilke, Laure Betterly and a host of other industry experts who are consistently on the cutting edge of internet and mobile marketing. She is also a member of Glazer Kennedy Inner Circle and has been in sales and marketing for three years.