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Corona del Mar, CA - Affordable Email & Text Messaging

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Corona del Mar, CA

Birmingham, MI

Barrington, IL

117 S. Cook Street, #106 Barrington, IL 60010 Phone: 800.577.8015 Fax: 775.213.1718

Email: [email protected]

Text Messaging Gets Results! There are over 270 million Americans with cell phones. 94% of all text messages are read.

The SMS Marketing platform is a perfect solution for your business since it allows for a time-sensitive information delivery. With real-time text messaging promotions you can greatly increase business during slower days. For example, you can remind your customers about your lunch special and offer 20% off. This message can be sent right before lunch time.

Be sure to always provide a convincing reason in the form of special discounts for the clients to subscribe. It is important that they sense the individual feel of your services in every single message sent to their phones.

Sample advertising message (displayed on table stands, on receipts or on printed promotional cards given to clients):

Enjoy your dining experience? Join our club of valued customers to receive updates and discounts on tasty lunch specials. Send SAVE to number 12345 from your cell phone and get a 20% discount on your next entrée!

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Get a free drink now by joining our VIP-Club! Send text message CLUB to 12345 from your phone and show the return message at the bar. As a VIP client you will receive alerts about special events and promotions directly on your cell phone screen.

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Text Messaging Campaigns enjoy the highest response rates of any mass messaging software service or traditional advertising methods. Bulk text messaging is the most affordable way to get your ad in front of already loyal customers to keep them coming back to you.

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First and Most Important You must be compliant in your SMS Marketing. Just because you have someone’s cell number, it does not mean you can send them commercial (business, advertising) text messages without their prior consent. Several large companies have been sued or fined for non-compliant text campaigns. Domino’s Pizza (not settled yet), Burger King (paid $510,000), and Robots DVD was fined $16 million. Using your cell phone to send commercial text message campaigns without the proper Opt-out / Opt-in language can be costly.

The Top Two Definitions

Short Code

A ‘Short Code’ is a 5 or 6 digit abbreviated phone number that appears on the mobile device as the "From:" Short Codes identify content providers and each Short Code has to be independently provisioned by each wireless carrier to gain access to that network. Carriers conduct regular audits to ensure ongoing compliance. You are required to have a short code to send commercial text messages within the US.

Taking cues from Asia and Europe, U.S. wireless carriers created the Common Short Code Administration as an entity to regulate access to the SMS channel and protect our mobile devices from SPAM and unsolicited marketing.

Short Codes ensure that consumers remain in control of their experiences by providing a trusted method to ‘Opt-In’ and ‘Opt-Out’ of mobile programs - a requirement for both premium and standard rated programs.

Keyword A Keyword is a unique term (letters and/or numbers) that people can use to communicate with you via a short code. The short code we use in the United States is 545454. The basic idea is that a customer texts your KEYWORD to 545454 (our short code). When they do so they are automatically added to your list of contacts.

Keywords are an extremely powerful tool when it comes to building a successful mobile marketing campaign.

Important Rules to Follow Consumers must ‘Opt-in’ to a Short Code program from their mobile device before they can be sent anything. Even an initial message that asks for permission is considered SPAM.

Consumers must ‘double' opt-in (confirm their intent to subscribe by replying YES) to any program that charges fees. T-Mobile also requires a double opt-in for any program that is recurring - even standard rated marketing and alerts.

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All subscription services with recurring messages (even standard rated programs) must provide the "Frequency" during the Opt-In confirmation. For example: "Max 8x/mth".

All subscription services with recurring messages (even standard rated programs) must contain “Rply STOP 2End Msgs” in each and every message.

All programs must support the universal commands STOP, QUIT, END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, STOP ALL, and HELP.

List Building 101: The Guide To Get Your SMS Marketing Campaigns Going Are you ready to learn how to build a list of customers for your text message marketing campaign? We’ve put together this guide to show you how to quickly, effectively build an opt-in list of customers who want to hear from your company. We’ve got tips, examples, and success stories from our clients. We’ll also show you what not to do – once you’ve built your list you’ll want to follow a set of best practices to make sure that your customers don’t opt-out from receiving future messages. How To Build Your Opt-In Contact List: Event Signage Whether you’re hosting a 30,000 person concert or running a 100 person conference, text messaging is a great way to engage and build a future relationship with your audience. Banners, seat cards, bag inserts, and video displays are great places to display your call to action. Depending on your event you can offer potential subscribers special offers, event alerts or even basic information. In Store Signage If you own a brick-and-mortar business like a retail shop, a salon, a gym, a spa, or a restaurant – leverage your real estate. Put your call to action on signs throughout the store and put it in the windows! Example: You own a bicycle shop and you are looking to create a buzz about new merchandise. Print up some signs asking customers to text BIKE to 545454 to receive a discount on the model you just got in. Radio Advertising on the radio? Don’t just shout at your potential customers. Let them get in touch with you! Mention your call-to-action and begin the conversation. Manage a radio station? Let your listeners text in song requests and build up your list. Outdoor You can’t drive down a highway without seeing at least one billboard. There’s no doubt billboards deliver tons of impressions. Leverage your spending by adding your call to action. For the consumers out there – remember not to text and drive.

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The Process For Building Your Client Database Make it easy for your clients to Opt-In

Table place card After the customer sends the text, they receive the “Thank You” on their cell phone.

Thanks for joining. Msg & Data Rates May Apply. Max 6 msgs/month. Reply HELP for help. Reply STOP to cancel.

Business size card that can be left with the check or

placed in a card holder at the checkout counter.

Your client is now automatically added to your database for future promotional text marketing campaigns.

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Social Media Integration Do you have a strong Facebook and/or Twitter presence? Tweet out your call to action to turn your followers into opt-in subscribers. Use web signup widgets on Facebook fan pages and your blog to allow consumers to type in their phone number to sign up for your list. Web/Email Already doing email marketing? Search engine marketing? You almost certainly have a website. These are all great places to promote your list and build up your subscriber count. Examples: Add a signup widget to your website and encourage users to fill it out by offering them a deal. Running a Google AdWords campaign? If you can fit in your call to action you can get signups from people who don’t even click through to your website. Run an email newsletter? Allow readers to opt into your text messaging list to receive either subscription discounts or new stories directly to their cell phones! The Golden Rules Of List Building: Information regarding opting out, receiving help, data message rates and frequency of messages should be included in any promotion. You must give consumers instructions about how they can opt-out of your contact list by texting the word ‘STOP’ to the short code you are using. They can do this at any time in order to be immediately removed from your list. Users must also know that by texting the word ‘HELP’ to your short code they can receive help and basic information about your list. Carriers require you to notify customers of the cost of your service. For example, if you are running a standard rate campaign, any call-to-action or opt-in confirmation message should include the phrase “message and data rates may apply.” You should also tell your users how many messages they should expect to receive from your company. For example: You can send an SMS which reads ‘You will receive no more than 6 messages a month’ These four rules are the most important to keep in mind, but you should familiarize yourself with all of the guidelines that apply to mobile marketing. The wireless carriers have set numerous regulations that you must heed in order to run your campaigns on their networks. The Mobile Marketing helps keep businesses and marketers up to date with carrier guidelines. Download their best practices guide at: http://mmaglobal.com/bestpractices.pdf. More Tips & Common Mistakes To Avoid: Position It: Considering how, when, where and why you would want to communicate with your potential customers is extremely important. We suggest that you keep a number of things in mind as you expand your marketing efforts and build your list. For one, you should always try to offer some sort of reward or incentive for subscribing to receive messages from your company. Even if it’s only a one-time coupon, you want to give your customers some

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sort of a reason to text in. Another effective method is to make your bulk SMS program exclusive. What does that mean? Give customers access to something they could not have received otherwise. If a customer believes they are getting something exclusive, there is a greater chance of them ending up on your contact list. Phrase It: Language and wording is extraordinarily important when trying to convey a clear message to a large number of people. You have to find the right way to phrase your call-to-action. We’ve seen what would have been great campaigns fail due to poorly phrased opt-in instructions. You want to keep the call-to-action simple and clear. For example: Text KEYWORD to Short Code for XYZ. Here are some good examples: Text SUBWAY to 42578 for $1 off your next foot long sub! Text VOTE to 26118 to cast your vote of who should be the next American Idol! Building a list is a process which takes time and patience. Unless you’re running a brilliant viral campaign or have a massive budget, your list will not grow overnight. Experiment, be proactive, offer incentives, and in time SMS marketing will become a vital tool for your business. Glossary & FAQ

What Is A Text Message?

Text messaging, TXT or texting is a common term for sending short text messages containing 160 characters (including letters, spaces and numbers) or less from mobile phones using the Short Message Service (SMS). What Does It Mean To Opt-In?

Your customers Opt-In to your list by either filling out a web-based form or by sending a text message with your Keyword to 545454 (Short code) thereby giving you permission to send them text messages.

What Does It Mean To Opt-Out?

Your customers can Opt-Out of your list by replying to any text message you send them with the word STOP. From time to time you must include the following notice within your marketing messages: Opt-out:txt Keyword STOP to 545454. Help:txt HELP to 545454. Max 7msgs/wk.

How Do Customers Opt-In To My List?

When you open a PLS SMS Texting account you are assigned a Keyword of your choice as available. This Keyword is usually the name of your business and your customers can Opt-In by texting your Keyword to the Short Code 545454. For example, if your keyword is ABCD, all your customer needs to do is send ABCD to 545454. To Opt-out your customer can reply to any message you send with the word STOP or send a text to your Keyword STOP to 545454.

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Who Regulates Text Messaging?

In The United States, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates text messaging.

Can everyone receive a text message? Nearly every cellular phone in use in the United States can receive text messages. Most wireless carriers include text messaging in their standard plans. Text messages sent to a short code through all of the major cellular phone carrier -US Tier 1 Providers such as AT&T, T-Mobile Verizon Wireless, Sprint, Nextel, Virgin Mobile, US Cellular, Alltel are members of CSCA (Common Short Code Association). Smaller regional companies and some pre-paid cellular companies, who don’t belong to CSCA are unable to receive messages when texting to a short code. Because of the popularity of texting more of these companies are becoming a member of CSCA because their customers want the ability to use short codes. Every new phone sold in the United States since 2001 has text messaging capabilities.

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Text Message Marketing Reaches All Ages January 19th, 2011 Text message marketing is a form of marketing often overlooked by businesses. Though some businesses may have the idea that text message marketing is only likely to reach a teenage and young adult audience, text message use is expanding rapidly among baby boomers and other customers over 30, meaning that text message marketing can effectively reach customers of all ages. Text messages are often seen only as a form of communication among teens and young adults, but businesses and other organizations should think about looking again at text message marketing as a way to reach potential customers of all ages and demographics. The use of text messages has spread from teens to their parents and even grandparents who want a fast, easy way to communicate. The convenience that is drawing customers over 30 to text messaging also creates a lot of potential for mobile marketing aimed at customers of all ages. Only a few years ago it seemed unlikely that text message marketing aimed at adults would have much success, but in the last few years the number of adults using text messaging has boomed. A report from the Lafayette Journal and Courier gave these statistics on the use of text messages between 2008 and 2010: - The use of text messaging doubled among 18 to 24-year-olds - Texting among 25 to 34-year-olds increased by more than 100 percent - 35 to 54-year-old text messaging use tripled - Text messaging by those 65 and older quadrupled Furthermore, the What’s Next Boomer Business Summit blog reports that baby boomers, the 45 to 64-year-old demographic, make up the fastest growing group of text message users. On average teens and young adults still use text messages more than their older relatives, but the older generations are quickly adapting to text message use, and are beginning to use it more and more. In fact, for many age groups text messaging is beginning to replace telephone use, and more text messages than phone calls are sent each day in the US. Text messaging is fast and not as disruptive as a phone call. It is also more convenient because the user can read and respond when they have a chance, unlike a phone call which demands that the user answer it immediately. Also, many adults are interested in new technologies and want to keep up with the latest communication trends. Some businesses are already using niche text message marketing to send exclusive information and offers to their customers, and text messages are being used in a variety of other applications outside of everyday conversation. Text messages are used to send important medical reminders to patients, to track stock performance and sports scores, and to provide news updates. What does this mean for business marketing? It means that text message marketing is an expanding field that businesses can tap into to reach their potential customers regardless of their ages. Businesses can send text message reminders about sales, announce special

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promotions or events, offer coupon codes, or send links to online coupons, polls, or announcements. Because they are trying to reach a broad demographic, businesses using text message marketing should keep these tips in mind: - Make sure customers know they are opting-in to receive text messages when they provide their mobile phone number or send a text to your text messaging service. Make this appealing by offering coupons or other special promotions. - Avoid using texting language, grammar, or slang. To look professional and be understood, especially to older adults, it’s important to use good grammar and complete, though short, sentences, like “Reminder! 25% off shoes today at XYZ.” By their nature, text messages are limited to 160 characters. - Only send messages that are relevant and worth the customer’s time. Text messages that are too frequent or do not interest the customer will be seen as the text message equivalent of telemarketing or spam and most customers will block them or opt out. A well designed text message marketing campaign can be an integral part of a marketing strategy to reach customers of all ages. Sources: Layfayette Journal and Courier, “Why Call When a Text Will Do, More Generations Ask” What’s Next Boomer Business Summit blog, “Baby Boomers Fastest Growing Group for Text Messaging” Publishing 2.0, “Is Text Messaging a Viable Media and Advertising Platform for Older Demographics?” Pew Internet and American Life Project, “The Power of Mobile” Contracting Business, “DuPont Will Send Special Text Alerts from HVAC Comfortech”

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Instructions For Importing Your Current Client Database In order to upload your contacts from an Excel file, you will need to ensure that you enter your data/contacts, in the order shown below, with the proper header(s): Number, First Name, Last Name, Email Note: Please ensure that the Mobile Numbers are only 10 digits, and exclude any other characters. (Numerical Values Only)

Alternative Non-Excel Import Only the Mobile Numbers are required. One contact entry per line If you are entering names, and/or email addresses as well, use commas to separate those values. Examples: 3072039283, John, Doe, [email protected] 6193559442, Jane, Doe 3124589302, Billy, Otte 7083459301, Jason 7089092234 3479390290

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Automated Response for Opt-in Thanks for joining. Msg&Data Rates May Apply. Max 6 msgs/month. Reply HELP for help or call 800.381.5327. Reply STOP to cancel. Master Template (must include the disclaimer) (Your Message Here. 94 Characters including spaces) 2end msgs reply STOP. Help:800.381.5327. Msg&Data Rates May Apply. Samples:

Sample advertising messages (can be given to everyone entering the club in the form of Give Away cards/Flyers. DJs can make special announcements during the night or you can simply add the info to your radio, TV and print advertising.)

Get a free drink now by joining our VIP-Club. Text “club” to 545454 from your phone and show the return message at the bar. As a VIP client you will receive alerts about special events and promotions directly on your cell phone screen. Message & Data Rates May Apply.

Get into the club for free! Text “club” to 545454 from your mobile to join our VIP-Club. As a valuable client you will get important Club info sent directly to your cell phone. The return message will be your free admission pass to the Club. Message & Data Rates May Apply

Enjoy your dining experience? Join our club of valued customers to receive updates and discounts on tasty lunch specials. Text “club” to 545454 from your cell phone and get a 20% discount on your next entrée. Message & Data Rates May Apply

Sample Text Campaigns

Welcome to Minnie’s restaurant! Today, between 12:00PM and 3:00PM, taste our new specialty – steamed duck with pineapple. As a valued customer get a free dessert with this message. 2end msgs reply STOP. Help:800.381.5327. Special Italian cuisine week at Minnie’s! Mon-Fri, 11:00AM-2:00PM. Excellent handmade thin-crust pizzas with delicious toppings, baked in three minutes. Many more Italian temptations especially for you. 2end msgs reply STOP. Help:800.381.5327. Get an XL Papa Johns Pizza with up to 3 toppings for $11.99! Use promo code PJA today only. 2end msgs reply STOP. Help:800.381.5327.

Video rental store

Join our VIP Video Club and Get 2 videos for the price of one with your next rental! Text “video” to 545454 to join! As a VIP Video Club member you will be receiving every 5th rental free of charge.

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Hair Dresser 40% off of Your Next Visit! Send text message HAIR to 41513 to join our VIP members club. You get 40% off your next purchase and a VIP Club member card, which entitles you to receive a 20% discount for all hair products. As a VIP member you will be receiving all our best offers and other important information sent directly to your cell phone. Dry Cleaners Sample advertising message displayed in store/Newspaper/TV Ads: Join our frequent cleaner program and SAVE BIG! Text SHIRT to 545454. Sample text marketing message: Thank you for joining our frequent cleaner club! Get three shirts professionally dry cleaned free this Friday! Health Club Join our VIP Club and get special membership discounts sent directly to your cell phone. Text HEALTH to 545454 and take your swim cap for champions free. 2end msgs reply STOP. Help:800.381.5327. Msg&Data Rates May Apply. Winery To receive special offers and event information from Lau-Nae Winery, Text "Wine" to 545454. You will receive special pricing and discounts along with invitations to special events. Msg&Data Rates May Apply.

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Pizza Restaurants Text message marketing is a great way to increase Pizza restaurant sales in a down economy. Instead of settling for a slow night, send a text with a special one-night offer to your opt-in customers. Imagine instantly text blasting your best customers with an offer for a free appetizer with every large two-topping pizza ordered that night. That will get people in the doors and help sell a lot of pizzas. Pizza restaurants can start text message marketing by adding their keyword and short code to direct mail, box toppers and in-store sign-up promotions. Pizza places have experienced an average 20% response rate for same day offers. Your subscriber list will get bigger as more customers opt-in to receive special offers, increasing your sales and profits by the week. Text MYPIZZA to 545454. 2end msgs reply STOP. Help:800.381.5327. Msg&Data Rates May Apply. (PIZZACLUB – PIZZADEAL - GREATPIZZA are available)

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Text Messaging Campaigns enjoy the highest response rates of any mass messaging software service or traditional advertising methods. Bulk text messaging is the most affordable way to get your ad in front of already loyal customers to keep them coming back to you. Traditional advertising mediums such as newspaper, radio, TV can not measure Opens or Impressions like text or email campaigns. Industry stats on cost per Open:

Direct Mail: $2.66 – Email @ 3% Open Rate: .50 Email @ 10%: .15 – Text Message: .11

Let's look at the cost per Impression for direct mail: "As all marketing executives know, up to 70% of direct mail messages get thrown away within seconds and many of them don't even get opened." Source: http://www.envelopes.com/ Using this direct mail industry benchmark, you would have to mail 5,000 pieces to get 1,500 Impressions. Depending on the type of mailer (4 color, first-class postage), your investment would be between $4,000 to $8,000. Using the lower cost of $4,000 divided by 1,500 Impressions = $2.66 per open. On the average, there will be between 1,500 to 5,000 Impressions for a 50,000 Email Campaign to "Targeted" consumers (as opposed to your own database). The average cost based on our Campaign Promo, is $750 for 1,500 Impressions.....or 50 cents per open. We are the only advertising media that can actually track the number of “opens”! 94% of text messages are read. Send out 1,000 for $110.

SMS Text Messaging CampaignsMonthly Programs

V l P i P T t S tVolume Price Per Text Sent200 $30 0.15

500 $65 0.13

1 000 $110 0 111,000 $110 0.11

2,000 $180 0.09

5,000 $375 0.075

10,000 $600 0.06

Keywords are $20 per month. (CLUB - MYPIZZA-HAIR) Subject to availibility and the keywords remains yours as long as your using it.

Keywords are $20 per month. (CLUB - MYPIZZA-HAIR) Subject to availibility and the keywords remains yours as long as your using it.

Price includes one campaign. To split into multiple campaigns, there is a $15 charge per additional campaign.

If we are importing your current database, there is a one-time setup fee of $25 and it must be in the Excel format.

Keywords are $20 per month. (CLUB - MYPIZZA-HAIR) Subject to availibility and the keywords remains yours as long as your using it.

Price includes one campaign. To split into multiple campaigns, there is a $15 charge per additional campaign.

If we are importing your current database, there is a one-time setup fee of $25 and it must be in the Excel format.