"The Vast Majority of Marketers Will Utilize Mobile Marketing In 2011"

If you didn't already know, mobile marketing has become an essential tool in any marketers belt. The MMA and The Association of National Advertisers have a new report out confirm this:

The vast majority of client-side marketers – 88 percent – say they will utilize mobile marketing in 2011. Seventy-five percent plan to increase their spending on mobile marketing initiatives by an average of 59 percent versus 2010, according to a new survey from the ANA (Association of National Advertisers) in partnership with the MMA (Mobile Marketing Association).

Survey findings showed that in 2010, 62 percent of marketers used some form of mobile marketing for their brands. An additional 26 percent reported their intention to begin doing so this year, elevating the expected 2011 utilization rate to the near-universal 88 percent level.

Read more at The MMA Website.

Mobile Barcodes: The Challenges Ahead

We've never truly 'got' mobile barcodes, but we recognize that some consumers have embraced them as a form of mobile marketing. They certainly have their advantages, but they continue to face challenges. Consider TheNextWeb's recent post, 'Mobile Barcodes: The Challenges Ahead'

While the use of mobile bar codes has been mainstream in Asian countries like Japan, it is not until last year that we’ve witnessed their adoption in U.S. and Europe by brands in order to provide holistic experiences to their customers, blurring the line between the online and the offline world.

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There is a long list of brands experimenting with mobile codes, but there is also a list of challenges they have to face in order to interact with customers in innovative and effective ways.

Head over to TheNextWeb to read about challenges for further adoption including fragmentation, 'Coupon Madness,' and Mobile payments.

Mobile Marketer Names Their Top 10 Mobile Apps Of 2010

With a week left in 2010 we've already seen a flurry of top ten lists - from iPhone and iPad apps to the tech world's winners and losers - but there's always room for more. Mobile Marketer posted their top ten mobile applications of the year this morning. Mobile Marketer took a holistic approach: "Here are the top 10 applications of 2010, in no particular order, based on usability, content and how well the app serves its purpose."

You'll find the usual suspects like Angry Birds and The Weather Channel along with some gems you might've overlooked. Check out the list now.

Text Message Marketing For Your Business

Five years ago when we built Club Texting to bring text messaging services to the nightlife industry. Since then we've grown to support tens of thousands of clients in every industry imaginable. If you're thinking about launching your business or group's first text message marketing campaign we can help. Check out some of the popular uses of Club Texting:

Real Estate - Generate leads faster and more cost efficiently with (SMS) text messaging for real estate.

Retail - The Club Texting (SMS) text messaging software makes it easy to collect cell phone numbers and send promotional text messages to your retail customers.  We offer customized solutions for car dealerships, golf courses, salons & spas, sports leagues, and theaters.

Magazines  Our cell phone advertising and mobile marketing programs for magazines and publishing allow your readers to respond to ads and articles with their mobile phone.

Radio  We offer text messaging and mobile marketing programs for radio that allow you to interact with your listeners. Take song requests, poll your listeners and more.

Television  - Offer your viewers interactive applications to compliment their viewing experience with our text messaging promotions for television.

Colleges, Universities, & Schools  Our (SMS) text messaging notification system for colleges, universities, and schools allows you to quickly get information to your students.

Social, Political & Non-Profit Groups - Use the power of (SMS) text messaging to rally supporters, organize meetups, and increase the bonds of community. If you work for a political organization or candidate, please visit our text messaging solutions for political campaigns section.

Churches, Temples, & Congregations  - Our (SMS) text messaging software is the perfect communications solution for faith-based institutions. We can help foster a sense of community with (SMS) text messaging for churches, temples, and other congregations.

Direct Mail & Out-Of-Home - Customized SMS text messaging solutions for direct mail and out-of-home advertising firms.

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Don't see your type of business or group on the list? Don't worry - we have clients in too many industries to count. See what some of our clients are saying about us to get a better idea of what we can do for you.

Addding A Signup Widget To Your Facebook Page Just Got Easier

Our Facebook signup widget is one of our most popular features - but we also know that adding it to your Facebook Page can be a bit confusing. Had trouble adding the widget in the past? Haven't tried adding a signup tab to your Facebook Page yet? Then check out our new step-by-step guide to adding the Facebook signup widget. 

Report: Text Messaging Will Still Be Dominating Mobile Marketing In 2015

Text messages may be short, but consumers love them, and you shouldn't expect them to cede their lead among all mobile marketing channels anytime soon:

The data shows 58% of those surveyed predicted that SMS- and MMS-based messaging would be the second most widely accepted form of mobile marketing in the next five years, followed by search with 45%.  The research reveals that users in 2015 are thought to be “more likely to utilize mobile marketing or advertising promotions that are sent to them via their mobile phones than those generated through search, display or navigation.”  Put simply, the carriers are banking on mobile messaging remaining the primary form of mobile marketing for the foreseeable future, which to me is an obvious assumption.

Read more @ Mobile Marketing Watch

SMS, The Holidays & The Economy

As the holiday season approaches and retailers await recession-strapped consumers, please consider SMS:

Brands and retailers should leverage SMS for the holidays to push private sales, holiday-themed merchandise via coupons, wish lists, mobile commerce-enabled sites and special store hours during this busy time of year.

Approximately 72 percent of American adult consumers send and receive text messages, according to Pew Internet Project. Virtually everyone is text messaging, making it a convenient way for retailers and brands to communicate with consumers.

It would appear that consumers want their mobile coupons to come in the form of text messages:

Read more analysis @ Mobile Marketer.

Read more about SMS marketing for retail @ Club Texting.

Want to learn more about SMS coupons? Read our Mobile Couponing guide.

Nieman Marcus Offers Another Way To Purchase Designer Goods: Via The Mobile Web

Nieman Marcus  Group Inc. has created a mobile shopping site which allows customers to browse and purchase items via their mobile devices. All customers have to do is visit Nieman Marcuse's website through their mobile phones and from there they can purchase anything from designer handbags to couture dresses. Everything available on their website is available on their mobile site. In addition to purchasing items, customers can also manage their accounts, track orders and check store locations. Gerard Barnes, president and chief executive officer at Neiman Marcus estimates that the company will be completely mobile by fall.

“We are hoping to increase traffic to our site as well as sales,” said Ginger Reeder, vice president of corporate communications at Neiman Marcus Group."The mobile site targets our traditional online customer who wants quick and easy access to new product right away and a younger customer who perhaps has more experience with mcommerce. We created the mobile site to enable our customers to shop at Neiman Marcus with ease, anywhere they may be.We know that they purchase [expensive items] from our Web site, so this merely gives them another way to access the site,” Ms. Reeder added.

To read the entire article, click here.

To learn more about mobile marketing for retail, visit Club Texting.

 

 

 

 

Glamour Magazine’s New Application Allows Readers To Access The Magazine Anywhere They Are.

Glamour magazine has recently launched a new iPhone, iPod and iPad application to allow readers access to their favorite blogs anywhere they are! This free application allows customers to read up on their favorite articles and save their favorite fashion items in one place. It even provides information about where and how to buy that item!

“We think that this is the right time for this product. We want our readers to be able to enjoy Glamour content however they want — in print, on the Web or with the use of this app.” said Ben Berentson the online managing director at Glamour, New York.

To read the entire article, click here.

To find out more ways to use mobile marketing for magazines, click here.

The Need To Go Mobile Is Only Escalating

According to statistics provided by IDC, more smart phones are being sold than desktop computers. During this year the number of people using smart phones has nearly doubled, creating a new way to market and sell goods. Although some retailers have already began mobile marketing, most retailers are still unaware of the advantages of using mobile marketing.

“The data is clear, whether it’s the enormous amount of time spent on mobile or the dollars spent directly, consumers are there,” said Andrew Koven, president of ecommerce and customer experience at Steve Madden, New York. “For these reasons, retailers need to have some presence to accommodate at least one if not all of the consumer’s uses for mobile.”

To read the entire article, click here.

To learn about how retailers can use mobile marketing, Visit ClubTexting.