What’s Hot


A few new marketing and promotional ideas for all sorts of businesses.

New marketing and promotional ideas! Free! Most are related to internet-based businesses, but even those can usually be adopted in some way to other businesses. Here are half a dozen marketing ideas to get you thinking.

A one-hour coupon. Offline businesses that want to increase the traffic to their websites can announce an "internet coupon" good for a free drink (or whatever). The coupon would be up on the site for an hour, sometime on a Friday, say. Visitors will return again and again to try to be there at the right time to get the freebie. If you collect pay-per-click advertising fees, this repeat traffic might be especially profitable.

Free gift article teaser. A free gift is certainly not a new marketing idea, but it hasn't been done much in internet article "resource boxes." My click-throughs from articles increased when I started putting in the author's resource box, "For more information and a free gift, visit..." The gift is usually a short course, or an e-book. If you don't want to write an e-book, you can find one with free distribution rights.

Word links for sale. Maybe you have heard about the entrepreneur that sold a million pixels on one web page for a dollar each. Advertisers could buy a minimum of 100, and the image would link to their site. I've seen many copycats, but I haven't yet seen anyone selling words. This could be even better for advertisers, because they could buy the words that are relevant to their products. A page full of random words isn't pretty, but these things get publicity and traffic for their novelty.

Product user contests. If you have a product that's used in many ways or many places, this is a great promotional gimmick: a contest to see who has used their cell phone, watch, or whatever in the wildest place or the most unusual way. ("I took my walkman to the north pole!") Customers could post their stories and photos directly to your company web site. They wiould return repeatedly to see new stories, and the results of the competition.

Advertising on cereal boxes. A lot of time is spent staring at cereal boxes. Perhaps you could get a good rate on advertising on them. There have had some advertising, but no boxes covered in ads yet. Brokering ad space on cereal boxes could be a good business to get into.

Pay for article placement. Many of us distribute articles to generate traffic to our web sites, and many also pay to advertise. Since articles are especially good marketing tools, why not pay to have other webmasters put them on their sites? This is done for free now, but not often enough. Maybe offer a small one-time fee, with a minimum time commitment. Explain that leaving the article there forever can generate search engine traffic.

Put ads on private cars, advertising on sidewalks, have a contest to see who can get your product mentioned on and seen on TV - there are endless possibilities for new marketing and promotional ideas.


New Marketing And Promotional Ideas


A few new marketing and promotional ideas for all sorts of businesses.

New marketing and promotional ideas! Free! Most are related to internet-based businesses, but even those can usually be adopted in some way to other businesses. Here are half a dozen marketing ideas to get you thinking.

A one-hour coupon. Offline businesses that want to increase the traffic to their websites can announce an "internet coupon" good for a free drink (or whatever). The coupon would be up on the site for an hour, sometime on a Friday, say. Visitors will return again and again to try to be there at the right time to get the freebie. If you collect pay-per-click advertising fees, this repeat traffic might be especially profitable.

Free gift article teaser. A free gift is certainly not a new marketing idea, but it hasn't been done much in internet article "resource boxes." My click-throughs from articles increased when I started putting in the author's resource box, "For more information and a free gift, visit..." The gift is usually a short course, or an e-book. If you don't want to write an e-book, you can find one with free distribution rights.

Word links for sale. Maybe you have heard about the entrepreneur that sold a million pixels on one web page for a dollar each. Advertisers could buy a minimum of 100, and the image would link to their site. I've seen many copycats, but I haven't yet seen anyone selling words. This could be even better for advertisers, because they could buy the words that are relevant to their products. A page full of random words isn't pretty, but these things get publicity and traffic for their novelty.

Product user contests. If you have a product that's used in many ways or many places, this is a great promotional gimmick: a contest to see who has used their cell phone, watch, or whatever in the wildest place or the most unusual way. ("I took my walkman to the north pole!") Customers could post their stories and photos directly to your company web site. They wiould return repeatedly to see new stories, and the results of the competition.

Advertising on cereal boxes. A lot of time is spent staring at cereal boxes. Perhaps you could get a good rate on advertising on them. There have had some advertising, but no boxes covered in ads yet. Brokering ad space on cereal boxes could be a good business to get into.

Pay for article placement. Many of us distribute articles to generate traffic to our web sites, and many also pay to advertise. Since articles are especially good marketing tools, why not pay to have other webmasters put them on their sites? This is done for free now, but not often enough. Maybe offer a small one-time fee, with a minimum time commitment. Explain that leaving the article there forever can generate search engine traffic.

Put ads on private cars, advertising on sidewalks, have a contest to see who can get your product mentioned on and seen on TV - there are endless possibilities for new marketing and promotional ideas.




Short run companies enable businesses to have advertising materials in small quantities available in such a short time.

The main purpose of an advertisement is to sell goods. The first important thing to consider in making up a promotional material is to see that the principal products and best items are well represented. Likewise, it should not be forgotten that the general appearance of the material should be eye-catching and pleasing. Some businesses are fortunate in making up an effective advertisement but others are not. Thus, to make up an effective advertisement that represents a combination of vigor and ease, it requires considerable experience with considerable innate wit.

It is often inevitable for businesses to have print jobs needed in such a short time. Oftentimes, in instances like this the quality of the material is sacrificed for quantity. Because time is limited business owners just settle for anything that is affordable and fast without considering how the print out will look like. Fortunately today, short run companies enable businesses to have advertising materials in small quantities available in such a short time.

Say for instance it’s another crazy Monday morning. You came in for work fifteen minutes late, you forgot your compact powder again (which in your opinion you can’t live without) and you haven’t even put your bag down yet when you heard your boss buzzing with his usual I’m-not-in-a-good-mood tone. So as a good and dedicated employee as you are you came in his office with his coffee and morning paper hoping to soothe his bad temper. But unfortunately your effort did not work. He gave you a brochure design and told you to have it printed in hundred copies and he wants it in his table by Wednesday. It was like Judgment Day for you. No printing company would accept a print job in such short notice and in such a small quantity. At that very minute you wanted to call badly for every superhero known in history (if only they were real) to do the printing for you. After all, their super powers can greatly help you with your dilemma. But this is the real world and you need real heroes.

With the advancements in printing technology available these days, it has become possible to have a small print job done in a few days. Gone are the days when you have to order a minimum number of copies in order for the print job to be cost effective. These advancements have given small businesses the opportunity to print glossy high-quality professional-looking materials at affordable prices. Even large companies have taken advantage of this innovation as it has significantly saved the companies time, money and effort in its marketing strategy.

Hence, now that you know of this modernized printing technique you need not fret when your boss asks you to print materials pronto because he will be pleased with you when you have his brochures on his table by Wednesday morning. You need not turn to the superheroes because now you have your own superhero to turn to.


Making Up Short Run Prints


Short run companies enable businesses to have advertising materials in small quantities available in such a short time.

The main purpose of an advertisement is to sell goods. The first important thing to consider in making up a promotional material is to see that the principal products and best items are well represented. Likewise, it should not be forgotten that the general appearance of the material should be eye-catching and pleasing. Some businesses are fortunate in making up an effective advertisement but others are not. Thus, to make up an effective advertisement that represents a combination of vigor and ease, it requires considerable experience with considerable innate wit.

It is often inevitable for businesses to have print jobs needed in such a short time. Oftentimes, in instances like this the quality of the material is sacrificed for quantity. Because time is limited business owners just settle for anything that is affordable and fast without considering how the print out will look like. Fortunately today, short run companies enable businesses to have advertising materials in small quantities available in such a short time.

Say for instance it’s another crazy Monday morning. You came in for work fifteen minutes late, you forgot your compact powder again (which in your opinion you can’t live without) and you haven’t even put your bag down yet when you heard your boss buzzing with his usual I’m-not-in-a-good-mood tone. So as a good and dedicated employee as you are you came in his office with his coffee and morning paper hoping to soothe his bad temper. But unfortunately your effort did not work. He gave you a brochure design and told you to have it printed in hundred copies and he wants it in his table by Wednesday. It was like Judgment Day for you. No printing company would accept a print job in such short notice and in such a small quantity. At that very minute you wanted to call badly for every superhero known in history (if only they were real) to do the printing for you. After all, their super powers can greatly help you with your dilemma. But this is the real world and you need real heroes.

With the advancements in printing technology available these days, it has become possible to have a small print job done in a few days. Gone are the days when you have to order a minimum number of copies in order for the print job to be cost effective. These advancements have given small businesses the opportunity to print glossy high-quality professional-looking materials at affordable prices. Even large companies have taken advantage of this innovation as it has significantly saved the companies time, money and effort in its marketing strategy.

Hence, now that you know of this modernized printing technique you need not fret when your boss asks you to print materials pronto because he will be pleased with you when you have his brochures on his table by Wednesday morning. You need not turn to the superheroes because now you have your own superhero to turn to.




What is market segmentation, How the segments should be

MARKET SEGMENTATION

Market Segmentation is a simple concept, that can help your business to gain an advantage, even in very competitive online categories.

You know that 20 percent of buyers consume 80 percent of your product, so the idea of market segmentation is that you could sell much more products with much less effort if you can identify that 20 percent and find others like them.

People that's interested in it, and consume your product, can be thought as a market segment. So the idea behind market segmentation is to target, communicate, sell and obtain feedback of your best customers.

In order to survive and prosper as a company, you need to chose the right segment fo the market, then you will achieve large sales volume and profitability

In a market segmentation campaign, to choose the right segment of market, the segments should be:

   * measurable
   * big enough to generate good sales volume
   * reachable by your company's distribution methods

You must also know wich are the similar products that can be offered to your buyers, and your competitor's sales strategy.

You need to satisfy and keep those consumers that love your products or services, being aware that new products are going to be offered to them and with different strategies.

And of course, once you have segmented your market, you must offer different products and may be use different sales strategies for the different segments.

In example if you offer sport shoes, the market segmentation can be done by sport or by gender, and then further segment your market with specialized models for each sport, gender and age.

As you know, we are a home business site. Many people is interested in having their own home business, but, do they all want the same?

You can be shure that not everybody wants the same, and that's why we have

   - The Monthly Residual Income Program for those that want to build a big business with hundreds of affiliates working for them
   - Make Money With Your Own Web Site for those that want to start their home business owning a web site
   - How to Sell on The Web for those that want to become marketing experts
   - The Viral Marketing Secrets for those that believe that viral marketing is the best marketing too that you can use
   - etc.

Every time that a new product's idea comes to your mind, you must first estimate the size of your target market, to know if there are going to be enough buyers to provide you enough sales and profits.

Another important issue, is that you must try to sell more than once to the same prospects. 30% of people that already bought from you, will want to buy again.

So if you offer a product that is bought once in a lifetime, unless you have such a big market that you don't care, you should try to find something else to offer to your segment of the market.

To your success

Written by Dr. Roberto A. Bonomi


How To Make Profit With Market Segmentation


What is market segmentation, How the segments should be

MARKET SEGMENTATION

Market Segmentation is a simple concept, that can help your business to gain an advantage, even in very competitive online categories.

You know that 20 percent of buyers consume 80 percent of your product, so the idea of market segmentation is that you could sell much more products with much less effort if you can identify that 20 percent and find others like them.

People that's interested in it, and consume your product, can be thought as a market segment. So the idea behind market segmentation is to target, communicate, sell and obtain feedback of your best customers.

In order to survive and prosper as a company, you need to chose the right segment fo the market, then you will achieve large sales volume and profitability

In a market segmentation campaign, to choose the right segment of market, the segments should be:

   * measurable
   * big enough to generate good sales volume
   * reachable by your company's distribution methods

You must also know wich are the similar products that can be offered to your buyers, and your competitor's sales strategy.

You need to satisfy and keep those consumers that love your products or services, being aware that new products are going to be offered to them and with different strategies.

And of course, once you have segmented your market, you must offer different products and may be use different sales strategies for the different segments.

In example if you offer sport shoes, the market segmentation can be done by sport or by gender, and then further segment your market with specialized models for each sport, gender and age.

As you know, we are a home business site. Many people is interested in having their own home business, but, do they all want the same?

You can be shure that not everybody wants the same, and that's why we have

   - The Monthly Residual Income Program for those that want to build a big business with hundreds of affiliates working for them
   - Make Money With Your Own Web Site for those that want to start their home business owning a web site
   - How to Sell on The Web for those that want to become marketing experts
   - The Viral Marketing Secrets for those that believe that viral marketing is the best marketing too that you can use
   - etc.

Every time that a new product's idea comes to your mind, you must first estimate the size of your target market, to know if there are going to be enough buyers to provide you enough sales and profits.

Another important issue, is that you must try to sell more than once to the same prospects. 30% of people that already bought from you, will want to buy again.

So if you offer a product that is bought once in a lifetime, unless you have such a big market that you don't care, you should try to find something else to offer to your segment of the market.

To your success

Written by Dr. Roberto A. Bonomi




Posters can be one of the promotional materials that you can use to let the people know of what you have to offer. But to make people read your posters you have to make it stand out among your competitors.

Modern life has made all people almost busy all the time. If they are not at work or at school, you will find them at parties, concerts or any events that includes music, food and drinking. That’s just about the life of every American today. So amidst this busy lifestyle, if you are a business owner who has new products or services to offer or a businessman trying to lure in new customers you would have to use a variety of effective marketing strategies that would do the job for you.

Posters can be one of these promotional materials that you can use to let the people know of what you have to offer. But to make people read your posters you have to make it stand out among your competitors. But you have already used the right colors, images and design to your poster to make it captivating and interesting. What else could you possible do to make it more striking than the rest? Well, have you ever given special consideration to the poster’s content? Is your headline really eye catching? Do you think you were able to clearly get your message to your target customers? If you are not able to answer these questions right away with a big, fat Yes, then you should seriously consider taking a closer look to what your poster headline says.

So what makes a good headline? Here are a few tips you could consider to make your poster grab customers for you. First off, you have to create a headline that is short, clear, and straight to the point. You only have a few seconds to catch a reader’s attention so you must get to the point quickly. Use attention grabbing words to keep your readers reading through the entire poster. Second, when creating the headline keep your potential audience in mind. Keep in mind what they need, their likes and dislikes, what problems they usually have and what solutions they need. And when explaining the benefits of your products or services put it in simple words and in a way that appeals to your target audience.

Once you are able to get the attention of the reader, make sure that the rest of the poster effectively explains what they have to know about you and your business. Again, make it simple as much as possible and direct to the point. Remember, it takes only a millisecond for a reader to know if the material is worth their time or not. And if the rest of the poster is not as effective as the headline, no one would waste their time trying to figure out what you are trying to tell them. And you won’t even have a chance for a sale when your audience won’t read what you write.

So be it the headline or the content, create posters that talks to your customers. Let it do the talking for you. After all, if people think the poster is interesting they would keep on reading so they won’t miss a thing. And this means a sale for you.


How to Keep Your Target Customers Interested


Posters can be one of the promotional materials that you can use to let the people know of what you have to offer. But to make people read your posters you have to make it stand out among your competitors.

Modern life has made all people almost busy all the time. If they are not at work or at school, you will find them at parties, concerts or any events that includes music, food and drinking. That’s just about the life of every American today. So amidst this busy lifestyle, if you are a business owner who has new products or services to offer or a businessman trying to lure in new customers you would have to use a variety of effective marketing strategies that would do the job for you.

Posters can be one of these promotional materials that you can use to let the people know of what you have to offer. But to make people read your posters you have to make it stand out among your competitors. But you have already used the right colors, images and design to your poster to make it captivating and interesting. What else could you possible do to make it more striking than the rest? Well, have you ever given special consideration to the poster’s content? Is your headline really eye catching? Do you think you were able to clearly get your message to your target customers? If you are not able to answer these questions right away with a big, fat Yes, then you should seriously consider taking a closer look to what your poster headline says.

So what makes a good headline? Here are a few tips you could consider to make your poster grab customers for you. First off, you have to create a headline that is short, clear, and straight to the point. You only have a few seconds to catch a reader’s attention so you must get to the point quickly. Use attention grabbing words to keep your readers reading through the entire poster. Second, when creating the headline keep your potential audience in mind. Keep in mind what they need, their likes and dislikes, what problems they usually have and what solutions they need. And when explaining the benefits of your products or services put it in simple words and in a way that appeals to your target audience.

Once you are able to get the attention of the reader, make sure that the rest of the poster effectively explains what they have to know about you and your business. Again, make it simple as much as possible and direct to the point. Remember, it takes only a millisecond for a reader to know if the material is worth their time or not. And if the rest of the poster is not as effective as the headline, no one would waste their time trying to figure out what you are trying to tell them. And you won’t even have a chance for a sale when your audience won’t read what you write.

So be it the headline or the content, create posters that talks to your customers. Let it do the talking for you. After all, if people think the poster is interesting they would keep on reading so they won’t miss a thing. And this means a sale for you.




Small business owners are always looking for low cost ways to market. This article gives a tip that anyone can use to get free marketing exposure for their product or service with very little effort.

Marketing can be expensive and most small business owners don’t have big marketing budgets. So looking for targeted ways
to get free marketing exposure is a great solution. You may have considered public relations as a low cost marketing tactic, but
what if you can’t write, or you don’t have the time to sit down and create a press kit or even write a press release?

Well, there’s an easy way to get publicity that does not even require you to write a press release. Try donating your product or service for an auction or door prize. Very often, associations, groups and charities conduct live or silent auctions at their events. Or they give away door prizes to attendees to  encourage attendance. Why not donate your product or service and benefit from the free marketing exposure it can generate.

Typically you will receive promotion during the event, and in  the event program. You benefit from the implied endorsement of the group conducting the event, and goodwill associated
with giving away your product or service. You may even be able to write off the cost as a business expense. (Please check with your tax advisor).

And, not only will you receive free exposure, you will also gain a new customer. Who could tell a few friends, who could tell a few friends, who could tell a few friends ... you see where this is going.  It’s a great way to get free exposure for your products or services and start to generate new customers.

Not sure what groups or charities you should donate your auction item or door prize to?

You will want to choose an organization whose members, and event attendees, closely match your ideal customer. Take a look at your customers and prospects. Then try to find groups and associations who service these types of people.

Perhaps there is a health club in your area that is celebrating a grand opening, or a consumer expo coming to town. Do you target middle-aged women with school-age children? How about hooking up with a school or PTA-sponsored event?
Perhaps your local Little League or Soccer organization is looking for auction items to raise money for its upcoming season.

Do you target corporate professionals in high-stress jobs such as finance, advertising and marketing, or technology? Look for the local chapters of trade associations servicing these industries. They typically hold monthly meetings, plus larger annual events.

It really depends on who your prospects are. Your goal with any marketing activity is to gain exposure among your target audience. So select an organization or group whose members match your clients, and odds are they will be interested in your services and your business will benefit from this highly-targeted marketing exposure.



How To Get Others to Market Your Product or Service for You


Small business owners are always looking for low cost ways to market. This article gives a tip that anyone can use to get free marketing exposure for their product or service with very little effort.

Marketing can be expensive and most small business owners don’t have big marketing budgets. So looking for targeted ways
to get free marketing exposure is a great solution. You may have considered public relations as a low cost marketing tactic, but
what if you can’t write, or you don’t have the time to sit down and create a press kit or even write a press release?

Well, there’s an easy way to get publicity that does not even require you to write a press release. Try donating your product or service for an auction or door prize. Very often, associations, groups and charities conduct live or silent auctions at their events. Or they give away door prizes to attendees to  encourage attendance. Why not donate your product or service and benefit from the free marketing exposure it can generate.

Typically you will receive promotion during the event, and in  the event program. You benefit from the implied endorsement of the group conducting the event, and goodwill associated
with giving away your product or service. You may even be able to write off the cost as a business expense. (Please check with your tax advisor).

And, not only will you receive free exposure, you will also gain a new customer. Who could tell a few friends, who could tell a few friends, who could tell a few friends ... you see where this is going.  It’s a great way to get free exposure for your products or services and start to generate new customers.

Not sure what groups or charities you should donate your auction item or door prize to?

You will want to choose an organization whose members, and event attendees, closely match your ideal customer. Take a look at your customers and prospects. Then try to find groups and associations who service these types of people.

Perhaps there is a health club in your area that is celebrating a grand opening, or a consumer expo coming to town. Do you target middle-aged women with school-age children? How about hooking up with a school or PTA-sponsored event?
Perhaps your local Little League or Soccer organization is looking for auction items to raise money for its upcoming season.

Do you target corporate professionals in high-stress jobs such as finance, advertising and marketing, or technology? Look for the local chapters of trade associations servicing these industries. They typically hold monthly meetings, plus larger annual events.

It really depends on who your prospects are. Your goal with any marketing activity is to gain exposure among your target audience. So select an organization or group whose members match your clients, and odds are they will be interested in your services and your business will benefit from this highly-targeted marketing exposure.





Learn how to locate and attract more "perfect" clients for your creative services.

When you work with the "perfect" client, life is wonderful and business is simple.  The perfect client pays on time, is thrilled with your work, tells all of her friends about you, and makes doing what you do easy.  If you could replicate the perfect client, then business wouldn't be difficult, right?

Let's discuss how to locate more perfect clients so you can increase your income and decrease your not-so-perfect client drama.

First, define your "perfect" client.  Write a list of specific items that makes (or you think would make) a client great.  Is the client male or female?  Does he have children?  Is she married?  In what area does the client live?  How much money does the client make?  What type of car does he drive?  What type of personality does the client have?  What age range does the client fall? What does she do for a living?

Once you have a list of criteria that make up your perfect client, find out what the client does in his spare time.  What are her hobbies?  Does she do charity work?  Is he involved with coaching sports for his children?  Is she a member of any professional organizations or chambers of commerce?  Does your client like to entertain guests in her home?  Where does your client shop?

Knowing what your client does with his time will help you know where to market and where to find more perfect clients.   For example, if your perfect client is involved with a local charity, you may also want to become a part of that organization to meet other potential clients.  If your perfect client is a member of a professional organization, you may be able to write an article or speak for that organization.  If your perfect client shops at a particular store, you could make arrangements with the store owner or manager to have flyers about your company at the check out counter or you could do a joint promotional mailing together.  The possibilities are endless - if you understand specifics about your perfect target client.

Also, ask the clients who already fall into the "perfect" category, for referrals.  My personal favorite way to ask for referrals is to say, "You are my perfect type of client to work with and I'd love to work with more people like you.  If you have friends and family who need similar projects, please have them call me.  You've been such a joy to work with."  Then give them a business card or a flyer or other piece of marketing material they could pass on to their perfect friends.  You can also include this information in a thank you note or follow up letter.

The more perfect clients you work with the more opportunities you will find and have to work with other perfect clients.  Keep in mind, if you have clients who have been less-than-perfect, they are more likely to refer you to other less-than-perfect people.  So, do everything you can to surround yourself with perfect ones, and your business will be wonderful!


How Creative Professionals Can Get More Perfect Clients


Learn how to locate and attract more "perfect" clients for your creative services.

When you work with the "perfect" client, life is wonderful and business is simple.  The perfect client pays on time, is thrilled with your work, tells all of her friends about you, and makes doing what you do easy.  If you could replicate the perfect client, then business wouldn't be difficult, right?

Let's discuss how to locate more perfect clients so you can increase your income and decrease your not-so-perfect client drama.

First, define your "perfect" client.  Write a list of specific items that makes (or you think would make) a client great.  Is the client male or female?  Does he have children?  Is she married?  In what area does the client live?  How much money does the client make?  What type of car does he drive?  What type of personality does the client have?  What age range does the client fall? What does she do for a living?

Once you have a list of criteria that make up your perfect client, find out what the client does in his spare time.  What are her hobbies?  Does she do charity work?  Is he involved with coaching sports for his children?  Is she a member of any professional organizations or chambers of commerce?  Does your client like to entertain guests in her home?  Where does your client shop?

Knowing what your client does with his time will help you know where to market and where to find more perfect clients.   For example, if your perfect client is involved with a local charity, you may also want to become a part of that organization to meet other potential clients.  If your perfect client is a member of a professional organization, you may be able to write an article or speak for that organization.  If your perfect client shops at a particular store, you could make arrangements with the store owner or manager to have flyers about your company at the check out counter or you could do a joint promotional mailing together.  The possibilities are endless - if you understand specifics about your perfect target client.

Also, ask the clients who already fall into the "perfect" category, for referrals.  My personal favorite way to ask for referrals is to say, "You are my perfect type of client to work with and I'd love to work with more people like you.  If you have friends and family who need similar projects, please have them call me.  You've been such a joy to work with."  Then give them a business card or a flyer or other piece of marketing material they could pass on to their perfect friends.  You can also include this information in a thank you note or follow up letter.

The more perfect clients you work with the more opportunities you will find and have to work with other perfect clients.  Keep in mind, if you have clients who have been less-than-perfect, they are more likely to refer you to other less-than-perfect people.  So, do everything you can to surround yourself with perfect ones, and your business will be wonderful!





Since text messaging first became available in 1996 it has a mass market communication platform and a cultural phenomenon of the 21st Century.

The use of SMS will continue to grow as companies turn the service into a critical business function. Text messaging's ability to immediately reach a customer anywhere and its low cost offer the ability to reach customers (external and internal) with a personally targeted message delivered “into their pocket in real time”.

Since text messaging first became available in 1996 it has a mass market communication platform and a cultural phenomenon of the 21st Century.

The use of SMS will continue to grow as companies turn the service into a critical business function. Text messaging's ability to immediately reach a customer anywhere and its low cost offer the ability to reach customers (external and internal) with a personally targeted message delivered “into their pocket in real time”.

Used properly SMS marketing is really effective Customer Relationship Management as it goes a long way to giving information, knowledge and empowerment to customers and the understanding that “my supplier is really looking out for me”. For example: an insurer or broker sending details of local emergency numbers such as hospitals and consulates.

It’s not all about ring tones and logos. There are many different uses for SMS including notification, emergency advisories, scheduling, news and information and staff collaboration.

SMS can generate very high levels of response, but a campaign must leverage the medium’s strengths and minimize its weaknesses. The key element of a successful campaign is value and entertainment. To market to someone effectively you must provide them value and / or entertainment in each SMS message.

It is also important that your campaign targets recipients who have expressly given their consent to receive messages from you. You must also provide them with a simple and free method of opting out from further messaging.

Successful SMS marketing is about:

- Saying the right thing.

- To the right person.

- At the right time.

The greatest strength of SMS is its immediacy. Examples of how to use it are:

Voting

Voting is an exciting way to engage your audience and let them have their say. Big Brother 3 created 3 million votes.

Instant Win

Instant win prizes where customers can find out if they have won a prize straight away really work.

Timed Vouchers

Timed vouchers drive footfall into your store, bar, club, theatre, cinema, petrol station etc and if you want user interaction then using a viral campaign where vouchers can be sent onto friends and family increases response. The SMS advises time the voucher becomes invalid.

Customer Service

Daily recipe ideas, special promotion alerts, diet tips, cocktail recipe ideas, music reviews, release dates, Top 10 charts, in store promotion alerts.

You are only limited by your imagination!


SMS Marketing



Since text messaging first became available in 1996 it has a mass market communication platform and a cultural phenomenon of the 21st Century.

The use of SMS will continue to grow as companies turn the service into a critical business function. Text messaging's ability to immediately reach a customer anywhere and its low cost offer the ability to reach customers (external and internal) with a personally targeted message delivered “into their pocket in real time”.

Since text messaging first became available in 1996 it has a mass market communication platform and a cultural phenomenon of the 21st Century.

The use of SMS will continue to grow as companies turn the service into a critical business function. Text messaging's ability to immediately reach a customer anywhere and its low cost offer the ability to reach customers (external and internal) with a personally targeted message delivered “into their pocket in real time”.

Used properly SMS marketing is really effective Customer Relationship Management as it goes a long way to giving information, knowledge and empowerment to customers and the understanding that “my supplier is really looking out for me”. For example: an insurer or broker sending details of local emergency numbers such as hospitals and consulates.

It’s not all about ring tones and logos. There are many different uses for SMS including notification, emergency advisories, scheduling, news and information and staff collaboration.

SMS can generate very high levels of response, but a campaign must leverage the medium’s strengths and minimize its weaknesses. The key element of a successful campaign is value and entertainment. To market to someone effectively you must provide them value and / or entertainment in each SMS message.

It is also important that your campaign targets recipients who have expressly given their consent to receive messages from you. You must also provide them with a simple and free method of opting out from further messaging.

Successful SMS marketing is about:

- Saying the right thing.

- To the right person.

- At the right time.

The greatest strength of SMS is its immediacy. Examples of how to use it are:

Voting

Voting is an exciting way to engage your audience and let them have their say. Big Brother 3 created 3 million votes.

Instant Win

Instant win prizes where customers can find out if they have won a prize straight away really work.

Timed Vouchers

Timed vouchers drive footfall into your store, bar, club, theatre, cinema, petrol station etc and if you want user interaction then using a viral campaign where vouchers can be sent onto friends and family increases response. The SMS advises time the voucher becomes invalid.

Customer Service

Daily recipe ideas, special promotion alerts, diet tips, cocktail recipe ideas, music reviews, release dates, Top 10 charts, in store promotion alerts.

You are only limited by your imagination!