Implementing a mobile marketing plan into your current marketing strategy really isn’t all that difficult and it’s actually less expensive than you think. It can’t be stressed enough that mobile marketing is about consistency and commitment. You have to think about what you want to offer your customers, how you want them to react to the offer and what you will do to see it through.
Business is about building relationships and mobile marketing is no different. In order to be successful in offering your customers what they want, you have to first know what they want.
To help you on your way, here are a few steps that you can take to begin implementing mobile marketing in your business today:
- Learn the basics first. You have to crawl before you walk and walk before you run. If you're planning to go this alone and not hire an agency that specializes in this field, you must learn the basics. The Mobile Marketing Association’s Best Practices Document is a good place to start. Unless you're a computer and Internet guru, some of the information may seem over your head when you first start reading. It’s okay--take your time, do a few tests, refine your approach and you’ll catch on in no time. Practice is the best experience.
- Case studies are excellent examples. Case studies help you to see what other businesses are doing in the mobile world. They can also help get your creative juices flowing and give you ideas about what you can do in your own business. Study what other companies are doing and pay attention to mobile marketing campaigns that you receive every day.
- Walk the walk. Use mobile devices to browse the web or read email and texts frequently. There’s no better way to learn something new than by putting it into practice. Subscribe to as many text messaging campaigns as you can find. If you aren’t already on an unlimited data plan, now would be a good time to change that. You have to use the technology if you expect to sell your customers on its benefits.
- Determine how you’re going to get your offer out to your customers: text messaging, a mobile version of your web site, mobile coupons, mobile advertising or some combination of these.
- Find companies who can provide the technical support that you’ll need. You may need to utilize various tools or service providers to make it all come together, but it doesn't have to be expensive.
- Never stop learning! Mobile marketing is a relatively new technology and just like everything else, it will continue to evolve even in its formative days. Learn what your competitors are learning--but try to do it first or do it early instead of lagging behind the competition now or a year from now.
Like it or not, mobile marketing is the wave of the future of the Internet. The yellow pages and other forms of traditional marketing have run their course. It’s now time to embrace this technology and discover what it can do for you and your business. Contact us or request a quote to find out how we can help.
Lisa Kirschner
Managing Editor, Content 911 Blog
Managing Director, Flair Interactive Services Inc.