Offline Niche Using Mobile Marketing - Anybody Cashing In?

18 replies
Just wondering if anybody is making any money using this strategy?

I just got off a webinar with Howie Schwartz and he is selling his Mobile Marketing Leadership Program for $2k claiming you can make a fortune servicing local businesses with this strategy.

I have been studying mobile, but I am more into iPhone Apps and I have not thought about using mobile to make money in the offline niche.

I would love to share ideas about what I know about mobile in exchange of thoughts from others who may be doing this already or know someone who is using this strategy effectively.

Since I am not ready to spend $2k on Howie's course, any thoughts would help and also potentially help some other Warriors find a new revenue stream or business model.

Tommie
#cashing #marketing #mobile #niche #offline
  • Profile picture of the author cybero
    I too just listened to this webinar myself. I think that it is a viable money making opprotunity for internet marketing consultants such as myself. The ability to react and take action on the latest and greatest is where the money is... Howie said this himself.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kelly Verge
    Today you don't have to reach very far to find something to offer to offline businesses. Personally, I don't see the need to pay $2K to pick up one more item in my toolkit.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeffrey Arthur
    You're exactly right Kelly, there is no need to spend $2000 dollars on a course like that, especially if youre just starting to get into the offline niche. If you've been doing the offline consulting thing for a while, and you have a bunch of clients, then it might be the right time for you and them.

    But if youre just getting into offline or thinking about it, stick with the foundational stuff first (check out Maria G's stuff), build the trust with them, and then when the time is right, go down that road, maybe.

    Sipboy, mobile is a very different "beast" altogether from traditional IM, with its own lingo and learning curve. However, Howie is correct in that it is a VERY viable option for the offline businesses(and IM in general), but only after you've fully consulted with them, built their online presence up, so that they can truly take advantage of what mobile can do for them.

    Also mobile is still very much in its infancy (in North America anyways), which is why you really need to learn the basics first, understand the whole industry, know the lingo, the companies involved, etc. Then on top of all that you really need to know your clients business, get their online presence strong, and then if its a good fit, starting to introduce mobile.

    I myself utilize SMS for certain businesses(restaurants, mechanic, art galleries), some mobile marketing with others(clothing stores), and am in the process of building some mobile App.'s for a couple others. But thats not my main focus with them. Ive helped them build a solid website, lead generation system, optimized their site locally, and only now, many months later, am I starting to introduce them to the mobile world.
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    • Profile picture of the author Skylars1
      Mobile is in it's infancy! None of the "Gurus" are sure what to do with it yet!

      All they know is that it is the next thing, so they need to create a presence out there, so that they can be percieved as the go to People- when it does hit!

      (I don't mean that in a bad way- that's how they got to be Gurus)!

      Stomper net has just started a launch.

      Gauher did his last week! I joined Gauher's program because it was 1/10th the cost of Howie's and he was very honest about it being more of a test group! Glad I did.

      So, far the one thing they all agree on is exactly what Jeffrey said in his post.

      But, I would keep up on it thru blogs ect... because at one point it will be huge!
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  • Profile picture of the author chrisclements521
    This is HUGE. Yes I am cashing in on it! Just finished a campaign with Ford and The Houston Texans NFL football team... But the real money is in working with a lot of small to med size businesses!
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    Chris Clements, Founder & CEO, YeeZ Mobile Inc.

    The Most Profitable White Label / Private Label SMS Reseller Program available to Offline Marketers! Long Codes & Short Code Keywords, in one account! YeeZ Mobile's SMSResellerProgram.com
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    • Profile picture of the author Sipboy3000
      Thanks for everyone chiming in so far.

      I am not a complete newbie with mobile marketing.

      I have been mainly involved with iPhone Apps more specifically than SMS and I can tell you without question there are huge opportunities.

      My partners and I just recently did an iPhone App for a major southern rapper Pastor Troy whom some of you may have heard of and we are waiting on Apple to approve it any day now.

      My main reason for starting this thread is to see if we could share some insights about how to cash in and what is working for others on this local marketing angle because to me it seems like low hanging fruit.

      I don't think people should have to pay $2k to learn how to do this because it would be some very simple steps to take to get into this business and $2k in my opinion is ridiculous.

      Originally Posted by chrisclements521 View Post

      This is HUGE. Yes I am cashing in on it! Just finished a campaign with Ford and The Houston Texans NFL football team... But the real money is in working with a lot of small to med size businesses!
      @chrisclements521, can you give some specific insights as to what has worked well for you so far in which some other warriors, myself included, can pick up on.

      They way I see it, it is another revenue stream for those already involved in the offline niche where we could provide some added value and make more money in the process.

      Hope you come back and get involved in the discussion.

      Tommie
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  • Profile picture of the author Bob Stovall
    I've found that a mobile website is a great add-on when setting up an online marketing strategy for new clients. Most of them never thought about it until you bring it up. Have some stats ready to promote the idea.
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  • Profile picture of the author davidofderbyshire
    I've been using it for a few months - it hasnt made a big impact yet, but I figure thats more due to mobile internet begining to catch on.
    I run a seo consultancy and have on average 3 visitors via mobile search.
    One of my clients is a local lebanese restaurant - he is getting 30 visitors from mobile search.
    Its going to be huge shortly.
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  • Profile picture of the author freudianslip27
    I stumbled onto mobile marketing very recently because I noticed how often people were visiting my client's websites from mobile devices. I looked at their sites in my mobile phone and guess what...they looked bad!

    That was pretty much all it took to create separate mobile entities for them. It's been an easy sell in that aspect.

    I am now working on getting leads JUST from the mobile angle. I think that since this buzz is everywhere, it is a good time to jump in.

    In terms of marketing though (aside of building a site that is focused for a mobile device), I'm not really sure. I've heard that sms marketing can be quite involving.

    Matt
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    • Profile picture of the author Sipboy3000
      Originally Posted by freudianslip27 View Post

      I stumbled onto mobile marketing very recently because I noticed how often people were visiting my client's websites from mobile devices. I looked at their sites in my mobile phone and guess what...they looked bad!

      That was pretty much all it took to create separate mobile entities for them. It's been an easy sell in that aspect.

      I am now working on getting leads JUST from the mobile angle. I think that since this buzz is everywhere, it is a good time to jump in.

      In terms of marketing though (aside of building a site that is focused for a mobile device), I'm not really sure. I've heard that sms marketing can be quite involving.

      Matt
      Hey Matt,

      I think you make a valid point about optimizing your clients' sites for mobile.

      That is the basis of what most of the "Gurus" are talking about in terms of monetizing mobile for local businesses.

      Thanks for the input as it looks like that is an easy sell like you say because it is building on top of something that already exists and it's not like you are trying to sell them something they don't need.

      I already have experience in building and optimizing mobile websites, so that could be an extra revenue stream right there.

      Anybody in the offline niche, Matt just gave you another revenue stream. All you would need to do now is learn how to create a mobile version of your clients' sites and collect some dough.

      Thanks again Matt. You probably just saved a bunch of people $2k!

      Tommie
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      • Profile picture of the author ijohnson
        Originally Posted by Sipboy3000 View Post

        Hey Matt,


        " . . . . Anybody in the offline niche, Matt just gave you another revenue stream. All you would need to do now is learn how to create a mobile version of your clients' sites and collect some dough.

        Thanks again Matt. You probably just saved a bunch of people $2k!

        Tommie
        You are exactly right Tommie! As soon as I read Matt's post, I had an "aaah-haaa" moment. It is definitely something I have been seeing pop up a lot and know it is the next BIG thing.

        As a matter of fact, I'm going to set up a Google Alert for "mobile marketing" so I can catch good information coming out about it.

        I'm going to be researching ways to create websites conducive to mobile marketing.

        Thanks, Tommie, for posting this question. Let's keep this thread going with helpful information we find that will benefit those of us interested in offering this service offline.

        Iris
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  • Profile picture of the author AlexNavas
    Anybody have insight on where to go to build websites on the clients domain. I've looked at a couple services out there but are all hosted elsewhere.
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  • Profile picture of the author freudianslip27
    lol Tommie,

    Thanks for feedback.

    Alex,

    I work with a great service that is free and allows you to download the files so you can do whatever you want with them. I sent you a PM.

    Thanks!

    Matt
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    • Profile picture of the author Sipboy3000
      Originally Posted by freudianslip27 View Post

      lol Tommie,

      Thanks for feedback.

      Alex,

      I work with a great service that is free and allows you to download the files so you can do whatever you want with them. I sent you a PM.

      Thanks!

      Matt
      Hey Matt,

      PM me the same think you sent Alex if you don't mind.

      Free always beats paying.

      Tommie
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  • Profile picture of the author Charles Harper
    Tommie:

    Since lots of folks use Wordpress, here are some options. If folks google this, they will find lots of stuff already out there.

    Mobile Blogging - How to Make Your WordPress Blog Smartphone Ready - Kikolani

    WPtouch: Mobile Plugin + Theme for WordPress BraveNewCode Inc.

    WordPress › WordPress Mobile Edition WordPress Plugins

    MOBIFY - Make Your Website Mobile

    You mean now I don't have to buy a guru course?

    CT
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    • Profile picture of the author ijohnson
      CT,

      Really appreciate those links you provided. It definitely gives us a good start!

      Iris
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      Make every day count!
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      • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
        Mobile marketing will most likely be huge in the future...there are more mobile phones in the world than personal computers.

        I haven't seen a good course on it yet but I do know the guy to watch out for...Dan Hollings...who was the mastermind behind promoting the movie the secret.

        Dan has been working on mobile marketing for business for a few years and is way ahead of the curve.

        Now if we could just get him to share his knowledge.



        The comments in this thread have been spot on:

        # You don't need to worry about it if you're starting out or even if you have paying clients. There are a whole swathe of ways to help a small business and you can just sell them services you're familiar with.

        # Being a pioneer often means you get an arrow in your back. The field is new and no one is quite sure what they're doing.

        If you are going to charge a client for something you want to be reasonably sure that your service will make them real profits.

        Don't get too overenthusiastic about making your clients guinea pigs for your service unless they know that's what you're doing and they come along willingly.



        What you can do is the simple obvious stuff.

        For example many people are using services like Twitter to send alerts to mobile phones for small business.

        You don't have to be a sophisticated geek head or have any kind of special software, program or subscription to do that for a client.

        Kindest regards,
        Andrew Cavanagh
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        • Profile picture of the author Sipboy3000
          Originally Posted by Charles Harper View Post

          Tommie:

          Since lots of folks use Wordpress, here are some options. If folks google this, they will find lots of stuff already out there.

          Mobile Blogging - How to Make Your WordPress Blog Smartphone Ready - Kikolani

          WPtouch: Mobile Plugin + Theme for WordPress BraveNewCode Inc.

          WordPress › WordPress Mobile Edition WordPress Plugins

          MOBIFY - Make Your Website Mobile

          You mean now I don't have to buy a guru course?

          CT
          CT,

          Good to hear from you.

          Thanks for all the links. These should be a real help to people.

          And no, don't buy a guru course!

          If you remember that diagram I showed you about mobile a while back, that will give you more info than any guru course you could purchase.

          You know you can call me anytime if you need anything.

          Originally Posted by ijohnson View Post

          You are exactly right Tommie! As soon as I read Matt's post, I had an "aaah-haaa" moment. It is definitely something I have been seeing pop up a lot and know it is the next BIG thing.

          As a matter of fact, I'm going to set up a Google Alert for "mobile marketing" so I can catch good information coming out about it.

          I'm going to be researching ways to create websites conducive to mobile marketing.

          Thanks, Tommie, for posting this question. Let's keep this thread going with helpful information we find that will benefit those of us interested in offering this service offline.

          Iris
          Hey Iris,

          A google alert is a great idea to keep up.

          You should also subscribe to Mobile Marketer's feed or sign up to their email list here : http://www.mobilemarketer.com

          They have some of the best info on mobile and also provide a good starting point when doing research.

          Originally Posted by AndrewCavanagh View Post

          Mobile marketing will most likely be huge in the future...there are more mobile phones in the world than personal computers.

          I haven't seen a good course on it yet but I do know the guy to watch out for...Dan Hollings...who was the mastermind behind promoting the movie the secret.

          Dan has been working on mobile marketing for business for a few years and is way ahead of the curve.

          Now if we could just get him to share his knowledge.



          The comments in this thread have been spot on:

          # You don't need to worry about it if you're starting out or even if you have paying clients. There are a whole swathe of ways to help a small business and you can just sell them services you're familiar with.

          # Being a pioneer often means you get an arrow in your back. The field is new and no one is quite sure what they're doing.

          If you are going to charge a client for something you want to be reasonably sure that your service will make them real profits.

          Don't get too overenthusiastic about making your clients guinea pigs for your service unless they know that's what you're doing and they come along willingly.



          What you can do is the simple obvious stuff.

          For example many people are using services like Twitter to send alerts to mobile phones for small business.

          You don't have to be a sophisticated geek head or have any kind of special software, program or subscription to do that for a client.

          Kindest regards,
          Andrew Cavanagh
          Hi Andrew,

          Happy to see you chiming in as well.

          You make some very valid points in addition to pointing out what is good about this thread so far.

          I always pay very close attention to your comments for anything about the offline niche and I respect your opinions as many of us do here on WF.

          Thanks!

          Tommie
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