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textmagic.com https://www.textmagic.com/blog/mobile-marketing-ideas/ TextMagic 11 Killer Mobile Marketing Ideas For Small Business Owners by Ivana Taylor | Last updated Nov 9, 2015 29 inShare There is one space in my life that is still sacred – that hasn’t been polluted by marketing messages. It’s the only app on my phone where I allow sound notifications. When I hear it, I drop everything and look. It’s my text messaging feature. I’m not the only one. You all know who you are – those of you who couldn’t LIVE without your cell phones.

Mobile Marketing Ideas For Small Business Owners

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textmagic.com https://www.textmagic.com/blog/mobile-marketing-ideas/

TextMagic

11 Killer Mobile Marketing Ideas For Small Business Ownersby Ivana Taylor | Last updated Nov 9, 2015

29inShare

There is one space in my life that is still sacred – that hasn’t been polluted by marketing messages. It’s the only appon my phone where I allow sound notifications. When I hear it, I drop everything and look. It’s my text messagingfeature.

I’m not the only one. You all know who you are – those of you who couldn’t LIVE without your cell phones.

Here’s the deal. Text messaging is a huge opportunity for small business owners. But if you make the mistake ofpushing your sales messages onto your customers, you will annoy them, make them angry and lose them. Nomarketing tool is worth that.

My goal here today is to introduce you to the power of SMS mobile marketing and show you how to do it right so thatyou can continue to enjoy the high open rates and engagement that exist today.

Do These Six Things Before You Start Your Mobile Marketing Programme

You’re already getting tens of thousands of emails that go directly to spam. How would YOU like to have yourpersonal text inbox filled with junk? You wouldn’t and your customer feels the same way. Use these ideas only with asolid plan in place.

1. Have a Stairway to SMS

This is where most businesses miss the mark when it comes to mobile marketing. They send out sales pitch aftersales pitch without really considering what the reader wants. Your message has to have value to the reader. Onceyou’ve decided that SMS mobile marketing will be an enhancement to your customer´s experience, start small andwork your way towards your customers viewing your text messages as a service rather than a sales pitch.

2. Get Permission First

Just because you have a customer’s mobile information, doesn´t mean they want you to market to them in that way.In a Small Business Trends article, Megan Totka says “Always get their permission before you send out any SMS

marketing message.” Do this by having them opt-in to receive mobile marketing messages from you.

3. SMS with Purpose

If you want to stay in the good graces of your customers, then text message them the same way you might textmessage your spouse or child – with purpose; to communicate timely and important information that is useful. “Yourdry cleaning is ready to be picked up” – that is USEFUL!

4. Integrate with Buying Experience

Make your mobile marketing relevant and connected to the customer buying experience. For example, if you had aretail store and the customer wanted an item in red but it wasn’t available, once it became available you could sendthem a text saying: “That red wallet you wanted is HERE! And here’s a 20% off discount coupon for theinconvenience.”

5. Adjust Based on Feedback

You must have in place a way to measure the results you are getting from your mobile marketing efforts. I’m not justtalking about numbers. Start slow and small, then ask customers what they like, what’s missing, what would beMORE useful. Make your mobile marketing addictive and useful and not a nuisance.

6. Personalize Your Message

This isn’t easy, but it’s crucial to staying in your customers’ good graces. DO NOT spam them with vapid things likebirthday messages. Text messaging is meant for meaningful information. So, what’s meaningful for THEM? Have aspecific conversation with them around text messaging. “What is it that you’d like to be made aware of via textmessage?” Now they may say nothing, or stumble. Give them options: new merchandise, sales or events. ASKbefore BLAST.

11 Creative Text Messaging Use Cases

Appointment Reminders. This is a common, ideal and wanted application for text messages. If you’re aservice business, customers really appreciate reminders and confirmations.

Reservations. Give your customers the ability to text for reservations. My hair stylist has this feature and Ilove it.

Secret Offers for Insiders. Create customer lists by product interest and give those customers secret insideoffers that you can only get via text.

Notifications that Products Are Available. If you have customers who wanted a particular product that wasnot available, put them on a list and notify them when it comes in.

Secret Events for Customers. Create exclusive events just for those customers who allow text messagesfrom you. Feature new products and enhanced services that are not available at any other time.

Have Sales Conversations. When customers are looking to buy, they have questions that require immediateanswers. Text is the perfect way to close the deal

Simple One-Question Surveys. Looking to make a decision on what products or services to offer? Text yourcustomers a simple one-question survey. Don’t forget to thank them with a coupon or freebie.

Customer Service. Get a dedicated virtual number so that your customers can reach you for immediateanswers to their questions.

Play Games with Regular Customers. You can attach files and images of featured products to texts andhave customers find them for coupons or freebies.

Activate Old Customers. If a customer hasn’t seen you in a while, you can send a single quick note: “Hey,we miss you! Here’s a good reason to come in and say hi!” and provide a coupon or free gift.

Check in After a Sale. Ask your customer how it’s going about 24 to 48 hours after a sale. It’s the perfectopportunity to pre-empt problems or dissatisfaction.

Text Your Customers the Way You Want to Be Texted

With more than 90% of all text messages being read inside of three minutes, it can be tempting to flood yourcustomers with sales offers. This would be a mistake.

Follow the golden rule of text messaging and play with these ideas.

BEFORE you blast pushy sales offers to your customers, ask yourself: “Will this help THEM? Is this something Iwould read and respond to from any other company?”

Use text messaging carefully and strategically and you will see happy, loyal and profitable customers.