By Smiti Munwani
Smartphones are now in almost everyone's pocket and if you are running a business you need to be aware of and have a presence on the mobile marketing platform. Unlike a laptop or desktop computer or even a tablet or phablet, a smart phone is always on and very easily accessible - you have a virtually captive potential customer. Therefore it is imperative that you make use of this opportunity to pitch your business and make a sale.
Mobile Marketing - The Future Is Here
Will you get a return on investment for the advertising? Maybe not immediately, but you will have the early mover advantage in your favor. In today's hyper-connected scenario couples with a short attention span, you need to take advantage of this newer marketing option. Over time, this will translate into fresh business or more business, adding to the income kitty. In fact mobile advertising may reach more than five billion dollars by 2015 according to a recent study. That is why it makes sense to have a presence in mobile marketing.
The popularity of smartphones is on the rise: as many as 50 percent of Americans use smartphones instead of basic phones and the numbers are rising all over the world. While younger people are more likely to opt for smartphones, the fact that a smartphone is virtually a mobile computer means that it is used by business people, those who need to be on the go and the professionals.
How Do You Use Mobile Marketing?
There are many ways to exploit the reach of smartphones for mobile advertising. Among them are:
• Apps - Often large business have dedicated apps that allow the customer to interact with them directly. Apps can be used for transactions or as part of brand building and customer engagement. When you have your app on somebody's smartphone, you are in more direct contact with a client than an advertisement in the newspaper or even a website. An interactive app translates into more business.
• Banner ads - With banner ads you can more easily target customers in a designated demographic area. This allows for a narrower focus if that is what you require. Here is where you can put your offers and promotions, discount coupons or whatever that you need to entice the client.
• QR Code - QR codes are still relevant as people use them for a more interactive experience. The very fact that a person with the phone is using the QR code means that he already has some interest in the product or service that you are offering.
• Integrated campaigns - You can and should use any mobile marketing advertising as part of larger advertising plans, including emails, SMS's, websites and actual physical stores or businesses. You should also easily be found on the user's smartphone one way or the other.
Don't forget that smartphones are also mobile computing devices, so you need to have a web presence and social media presence as well as direct mobile advertising.
You need to have the right mix for your business - if your business has a wide reach, you need to target a larger demographic of customers. However, if you business is very local, your focus ought to be narrower and with mobile marketing you can target just the kind of demographic that your business requires. Just as you want more customers for your business, remember people are also looking for value for money and time. As such, mobile marketing which is easy to read and follow, offers to fulfill a need, offers value, reaches the right targets benefits both the clients and the business. Mobile advertising also offers a fast call to action and has a shorter response time, leading to greater efficiency and translating into sales.
