Gibson using SMS marketing in a giveaway

There are numerous uses for SMS text message marketing, and it can work for numerous industries. restaurants, bars and clubs, events and retailers can all benefit from SMS marketing.

For example, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1959 Les Paul Standard, Gibson has started a contest where the prize is giving away a 50th anniversary Les Paul Standard from the Gibson custom shop. They're planning on promoting the contest at a few concerts, and to enter, the only thing people have to do is text "LPburst" to 85700--that's it! What a simple way to build customer loyalty and brand awareness.

SMS short code patent lawsuit

I was reading my daily mobile marketer tips when I saw this article marked “breaking news.” It is kind of difficult to imagine something so pressing and urgent in SMS text message marketing that it can actually be considered breaking news. Either way, it got me interested in reading more, which is exactly what I did.

Suffice to say, the article discusses how a lot of mobile marketing firms are being accused of SMS short code patent infringement. The article then goes on to say that a case of this magnitude could “roil” the mobile marketing industry and affect many SMS text messaging programs.

As you know, I have been asking over and over again why SMS text message marketing still has yet to take off in the US. But once again, though, an article of this kind of nature makes me wonder if SMS will still be as big as predicted since it was being touted at the hottest thing for 2009? Can something like this actually change the direction of mobile marketing? Especially when a similar case cost the makers of BlackBerry to payout over $612 million due to a past lawsuit.

2 dimensional bar code technology on consumer cell phones

I came across this very interesting article from Mobile Marketer about 2D bar code technology. I’ve already read and written a considerable amount on mobile coupons, however, this is the most I’ve read about the inclusion of a bar code in SMS text message marketing. The article states that LG and Samsung are already producing phones compatible with this technology. What are the odds that Apple will do the same or someting similar?

Not surprisingly, though, was the fact that the application is already available in Spain and more compatible models will be available in Europe soon. The article mentions that the application will be released in the US “eventually.” Why is the US still so behind on SMS marketing?

In addition to being used with mobile commerce, individual users will be able to make their own bar code that will link them to their contact information or various social networking sites.

When to use mobile coupons

Obviously, increasing product movement or service sign up is the main goal of sending out a SMS text message marketing campaign. However, there are numerous other uses for digital coupons, too.

A few additional ideas include:

1. product launches--a mobile coupon is less expensive than sampling a product
2. increasing a trial period, a mobile coupon can reintroduce a product when you’re trying to reach a new market
3. building a database, mobile coupons can help collect consumer information when you’re trying to build a database of prospects
4. improving attendance at events, sometimes events need a last minute boost and mobile coupons are a great way to reach people instantly

A few advantages of using mobile coupons

The numerous advantages of using digital coupons are virtually endless. However, the following is just a sample of a few great uses for SMS text message marketing:

1. Mobile coupons can help to drive traffic to your store, event, entertainment venue, restaurant or nightclub
2. Mobile coupons can help to add value to a purchase (many times people purchase more when they’re receiving a discount)
3. Mobile coupons can supply a direct discount to the consumer (you can use this advantage as a VIP-like service)
4. Mobile coupons can help to target and bring in new prospects

The many types of digital coupons

So far we have seen mobile coupons really take off within the nightclub industry. However, there are so many other uses that can make SMS text message marketing a great marketing tool across a lot of different business sectors. Here are some other ideas:

-offer cents off, dollars off or a percentage of a total purchase off

-offer a free item (can be great for product launches)

-offer buy one get one free (can apply to products or even months of service)

-offer time release coupons with varying expiration dates (encourages repeat business)

-offer a sweepstakes or prize entry with purchase

-offer no cover charge until a certain time

Intro to mobile coupons

What is a mobile coupon?

The MMA defines a mobile coupon as “an electronic ticket solicited and/or delivered by mobile phone that can be exchanged for a financial discount or rebate when purchasing a product or service.”

A few examples of what mobile coupons can be used for

Generally, coupons and rebates are tools that are used to increase sales and promote consumer or brand loyalty. A mobile coupon, used in a SMS marketing campaign, usually has the same goals as a standard paper coupon—to launch a new product, encourage repeat purchases, target specific markets or demographics and even respond to a competitors’ promotional offer.