question about SMS Marketing

There's a ton of information throughout the forum on SMS / mobile marketing. I'd suggest that you use the search function to see more threads on it.

However, having said that, from running my own mobile autoresponder, I've not only used it myself but have seen tons of clients use it for all sorts of things from announcing limited time coupons / specials, sending reminders for webinars or the closing of a special deal, sending important updates / news, and promoting other offers (although on promoting offers, I think you have to treat it differently than e-mail marketing).

It's definitely a valuable asset to have and it's better to build one from the start than later realize that you're missing out on a huge asset and having to start from scratch again.

- Brian

It's a growing marketing ploy that I honestly don't think is going to take off. Because personally I find those text annoying and automatically reply STOP. But if you find a niche that prefers to be contacted via SMS then theres potential money to be made.

I would be careful in assuming that just because you find ads annoying that they won't work. Do you like e-mail promotions? Do you like tv ads? Do you like ads in newspapers and magazines?

I'm guessing if we ask everyone those questions, most will say no, but it'd be a huge mistake to assume that any of those forms of advertising won't work or will die off.

If you look at the growing trends, the mobile market is getting bigger and bigger and businesses are starting to catch onto that. A lot have invested mucho dinero into custom options because they know it's a growing trend that they want to be on the front lines for to get a head start over everyone else.

It's definitely not the same as e-mail marketing, which is where I think a lot of people make mistakes in assuming.

- Brian

I got a word for you, "kill". That's what I'll wish to do to you if I get a spam message on my phone dagnabbit.

Very true ... and something that a lot of people don't always understand. The text message marketing part of it has quite a few "guidelines" and more laws are being made to make it more and more strict, but essentially to stay safe, you want to do best practices and go with providers that follow that.

Unfortunately, several mobile marketing sites I've seen (even some well known ones) technically violate some of these rules pretty bluntly and it sets them as well as their clients up for potential trouble later on.

To do it the safe and right way, you'll want to build an opt-in list (ideally with a double confirmation system) and have an easy way for them to opt-out presented in every text that they get.

I doubt many providers out there even consulted a lawyer because when we built MobileAutoresponder.com, within the first five minutes of talking to our lawyer on it, he was pointing out stuff left and right that a lot of people do wrong there that other providers allow.

It definitely takes work to build up a mobile list, just like building up an e-mail list can, but it'll be a huge asset to you now and later on.

- Brian

SMS text marketing is going absolutely gangbusters for our business. We're actually currently turning away business. It is the most interesting development in offline marketing in years and local businesses are clamoring for it.

If you want to know lots more, go to the offline marketing discussion section here on the WF where you'll find thread after thread on the subject:

Offline Marketing Discussions

I think that I misunderstood. I thought SMS Marketing is another thing, not like a selling a big quantity of sms' about your product.

Thanks!

- Kamal

Mobile marketing can refer to one of two categories of internet. First, and relatively new, is meant to describe marketing on or with a mobile device, such as a cell phone. (this is an example of horizontal telecommunication convergence). Second, and a more traditional definition, is meant to describe marketing in a moving fashion - for example - technology road shows or moving billboards.

Our local smoothie shop is using sms marketing very well. They got people to sign up (opt in) for a free smoothie. My teenager daughter signed up and now gets offers about once a week for 1/2 off this or that, or first 20 people get a free coffee, etc. The texts are usually sent the day or even hour of the offer. They have gotten our business quite often using this stradegy. I think it can work very well for the restaurant industry and small service businesses.

There is really some great examples on this page SMS Marketing Examples