If you want to take your business and your marketing campaigns to the next level, try to incorporate an SMS mobilization strategy. This strategy makes use of mobile phones and text messaging in order to have direct access to your customer base. To have a better understanding of what SMS strategy can do for you, here are some of the main reasons you need to mobilize for your business:

-          Personalized communication: Directly market your products and services to your customers by sending them personalized messages that will peak their interest. A personalized message gives them the feeling of individual treatment and is a very accessible way for them to receive and read your message because it goes straight to their mobile phones.

-          Time-saving: Maximizing your time with your customers is one of the many reasons you need to mobilize for your business. With mobile marketing, you can reach a large group of people at a time and let them know about what you have to offer almost instantly.

-          Wider customer base: The good thing about an SMS strategy is that you are able to encourage brand loyalty – keeping your current customers as well as invite new ones. You can do this by offering welcoming discounts to new customers and coupons and freebies for existing customers.

-          Cost-effective: Because there is basically no paper trail, you don’t have to pay for the expense of printing brochures or other print ads. You also don’t have to hire a whole team just to send a dozen or more messages. One of the reasons you need to mobilize for your business is that you will also be able to maximize your returns because of these savings. You can increase your sales and revenue without spending too much on your campaigns.

-          Environment-friendly: You don’t have to waste any paper because you won’t be using one! Everything is sent electronically and received that way too. Not only are you eliminating the costs of printing, but you are also saving the environment by not adding to the mountain of wastes the world already has!

Call s on 01727 856244 to get started.

In the field of business management, you will obviously hear the term “QR codes” in many strategic planning for service and product promotion. If you are new in the field, you might be wondering what is a “QR Code” and what good can it do for your business.

QR codes (Quick Response codes) are two-dimensional codes that can be read by QR barcode readers on mobile devices. QR codes appear as black modules put into a specific order in a square – like model in a white background. QR codes contain information about your business in text or URL link.

The code is initially made to decode contents and provide INSTANT information about a certain product or service. Mobile phone users can scan QR codes and immediately be directed to your website, your coupon, your online video, or to a personal message from you – and many other options.

Quickly becoming popular in Japan a few years ago, QR codes were used to track parts of automobiles during manufacturing. However, due to the possibilities of the Internet, QR codes are now used to introduce new marketing strategies that provide additional customers and higher ROI to business owners.

Listed below are five examples of how to use QR codes effectively to help your business:

1. Social Platforms

-        Due to the popularity of social media such as Facebook, Twitter and thousands of others, your QR codes can be attached to your web pages or social media profiles such as Facebook. That way, users can scan through the code and be directed to the information you want to get across.

2. Business Cards

-        You can have QR code added to your business card to direct customers to your business website or promotional offer. If you want them to simply be directed to your website, you can set-up the QR code to do so. If you want them to simply be provided with a promotional offer, you can set-up the QR code to do that as well.

3. Packaging Products

-        If your business involves sending packages to your customers, you can use QR codes to take customers to online guides and presentations about using your product. Or you can send them to a customer manual that will give them tips on using the product.

4. Press Releases

-        Online press releases are one of the best ways to gain online visibility for your business. However, this visibility is intensified with inclusion of QR codes in your press releases. After being intrigued to learn more about your business after reading your press release, the viewer can simply scan your QR code with their mobile device to be taken to your website for more information.

5. Include on All Printed Advertisements

-        QR codes are great for branding your business and creating awareness. You’ve probably noticed that more and more businesses are using QR codes on their flyers, postcards, billboards, t-shirts, coffee mugs… pretty much all of their marketing materials.   The powerful idea behind this is that once the user scans the QR code, they can instantly gain access to whatever information you want them to have.

The possibilities are endless!

If you think digital technologies have advanced at lightning speeds over the past decade, wait until you see what’s in store over the coming months and years. Recent research shows that digital media and technology is expected to grow at even faster rates in the next few years.

One of the main forms of digital growth being seen today is mobile device usage. Everyone uses their mobile phones every single day – several times per day.  But mobile phones are no longer just for making phone calls. In fact, people are spending more time surfing the web via their mobile devices today than ever before.

While on the go, people tend to look for local business information right from their mobile devices. This means they are looking at mobile websites. Unfortunately, most businesses do not have a mobile-friendly website yet. In fact, many of them are not even aware that their websites are almost impossible to view on most mobile devices.

Here are a few tips to help you think about how to start mobilizing your web presence:

1. 1.     Check for Mobile Plug-ins

-        If your website is a Content Management System like WordPress, check out some of the mobile plug-ins that may be available to mobilize your website. Plug-ins have to be configured correctly in order to work so use caution if you are doing it yourself.

1. 2.     Create a Separate Mobile Version of Your Website

-        If you have an HTML website, it’s best to have a mobile version of your website built. This way, whenever someone tries to go to your website from a mobile device, they will be directed to the mobile version instead of your main website. This will allow them to have a pleasant experience and find exactly what they need without a bunch of hassle.

1. 3.     Don’t Use Flash on Your Mobile Website

-        As much as possible, avoid using flash application on your mobile website as it isn’t supported by most mobile settings. In addition, flash makes your website take forever to load, which makes the viewer leave the site out of frustration. So if you want to attract visitors to your website, don’t do flash.

1. 4.     Only Include Important on Your Mobile Website

-        Since mobile phone screens are relatively smaller compared to a computer, you can only put so much information on a mobile website. Therefore, think about what your potential customers would be looking for when they visit your website on their mobile devices. Most people who are “on-the-go” are usually looking for a phone number, hours of operation, or an directions to your establishment. So make sure information such as this is readily available on your mobile website.

However, just like other marketing strategies, text message marketing also needs to be properly planned and place basic things so that possible consumers can easily grasp what you are trying to sell.

From the word “Short” in short message service or SMS, it means that message should be concise and straightforward. Ideally, it only needs 160 characters as this is the limit for most text messages.

The trick is to get all of the important components of a profitable text message into this small space.

Here are a few things all of your text messages should include:

1. 1.     The Name of Your Business

Obviously, displaying the name of your business lets people know who you are as a company. People like to know who they are receiving text messages from, so be sure to give them that information every single time. This will put them at ease as they know exactly why they are receiving the message.

There are two ways to do this:

1. Put your company’s name as the sender. However, the drawback of this type is that customers are given an option to reply with questions since there’s no phone number present.

1. Provide your business number as the sender. However, don’t forget to put the name of your business in the body of the message.

1. 2.     Give Them the Option to Opt-Out

-        The good thing about SMS Text Message marketing is that people opt-in to your list, which means they WANT to receive your promotional offers and messages. However, there should be an easy way to opt-out of the list if someone wants to do so. Knowing that they have an easy option to opt-out makes a lot of people feel more at ease when it comes to opting-in to your list. At the end of each text message, make sure there is an option available for members of your list to opt-out if they choose to do so.

1. 3.     Incorporate a Call-to-Action

-        In your SMS, be sure to tell people what you want them to do. If you don’t tell them to do it, most won’t. For instance, if you want them to bring the coupon into your business to redeem it, tell them that in the text message so there’s no misunderstanding about how they can redeem it.

Mobile phones are one of the most essential gadgets and a necessity to most people – especially in line of business. Because of that, marketing strategies involving mobile promotion have been utilized by many businesses to reach out to potential customers – including SMS text message marketing.

However, in order for SMS text marketing to be effective, you have to be careful about how you use it.   Similar to other marketing strategies, mobile marketing also needs to be thoroughly planned out in order to get the best return on your investment. The way you use SMS text marketing in your business greatly impacts the outcome of your goals.   

Your etiquette and creativity in mobile promotion of your business affects the amount of attention you will get from people. The response you get from people depends on how well you present your products and services to them.

The following are a few SMS Text Message Marketing etiquette tips that will help:

1. 1.     Be straightforward

-        Beating around the bush of what you are trying to say will confuse people, which means they won’t comprehend your message. Be clear about your message. If you want them to take some type of action, tell them exactly what you want them to do and there’s a better chance of them actually doing it.

1. 2.     Use proper language

-        Language is one most important aspects of effective communication. Do not use offensive and foul words in relaying SMS promotion. Choose your words carefully.

1. 3.     Be honest

-        Don’t use exaggerated claims or out-right “untruths” when using SMS text message marketing. The last thing you want is a bad reputation for your business so keep your text messages 100% honest.

1. 4.     Be polite and courteous

-        One way of getting customers is through courtesy and politeness. When people are pleased with the way you interact with them via text messaging, they will stay on your list a lot longer. If they sense one bit of rudeness, they won’t hesitate to opt-out of your list.

1. 5.     Provide free information

-        Don’t constantly send text messages about promotional offers. Every now and then, send your list some free tips that they would find useful. You’d be surprised at the level of customer-loyalty that is created just by giving out free information regarding your industry.

QR codes are patterned codes in arranged in squares generally with a white background. QR codes are embedded with data and information that can be immediately exposed with just one click of a mobile phone.  Businesses can use QR codes to promote coupons, special offers, and discounts. They can also use them to build a mobile list of subscribers. They can also be used to direct people to your website, online video, or Facebook Fan page. The possibilities are unlimited.

Although, QR codes are very becoming more popular today, there are still some businesses that are not aware of the powerful benefits of using QR codes. Since they don’t know about the benefits, they’re missing out on all of the potential business that this cutting-edge technology can produce.

Here are other benefits you can get from QR codes:

1. No Reprints

-        QR codes do not require re – printing of your advertisements and promotions thus reducing your printing expenses. People can simply click on the QR codes provided to view information they need about the product. They can click the code anytime they want to retrieve the information.

2. Build Customer Excitement

-        Providing QR codes in your products increases excitement because people are curious about what information is hiding behind your QR code. Now, they can instantly retrieve the information embedded in your QR codes. Clicking those codes facilitates feeling of thrill and instant gratification, which is great for business.

3. Prompt Response

-        From the name itself “quick”, your clients do not have to wait long for additional information about the product. No longer do they have to wait until they get home to look at your website to get the information they want. QR codes facilitate immediate access to information about your business, products, and services.

Relevant facts acquired from QR codes facilitate convenience for the end-user when it comes to getting more information about your business or offer. You can also use QR codes to conduct surveys and customer feedback about your product or service.

Although they are still considered “new” technology, QR codes are quickly gaining popularity across the world when it comes to promoting, branding, and marketing businesses.

In fact, this will work for Cosmetic Dentists anywhere in the UK.

The lead capture page here http://www.cosmeticdentistrynorthlondon.com is designed to offer a buyers guide packed with advice to people wanting cosmetic dentistry.

They will signup for the free guide packed with useful information for the prospective client. The guide will also contain details of a Cosmetic Dentist, who wants to license this proven marketing campaign.

Once the prospect signs up to the form to receive their dentists guide the dentist who we will be working with will get an instant email containing, The leads, Name, Mobile phone number, city and email address.

This means the dentist can instantly follow up with the lead. We also have an email follow up system that will send periodic emails to the lead to keep them warm for the dentist.

If you are a Cosmetic Dentist and would like to discuss what a system like this could do for your business then, please give me a call

Before Your Competitor Does!! We only work with one Dentist per area.

Call Ed now, 01727 856 244

The times are changing drastically on how people find things.  Phonebooks will soon be a thing of the past as people are turning to the internet to find information on local businesses in their area.

I created a video that I’d really like you to see, that shows just how powerful traffic from the internet can be for your business, especially compared to things like advertising in the local paper.

You can watch the video here:

[FLOWPLAYER=http://www.edwardgreenmarketing.com/videos/local-1.mp4,400,300]

Your customer turns up at your restaurant, You have a table available in approx 45 mins.

You give your visitor a number to text and they get onto your system.

When the table is ready you send a text message to them and they return to the restaurant for their table.

Sounds good…..

Well there’s more…

You have their mobile number to send the occasional “Special Evening Events” text message, Imaging having hundreds of mobile numbers to fill your restaurant whenever you feel like it.

Call me to discuss it, I don’t bite.

01727 856244

If you want to start video marketing to draw customers in to your restaurant then we can help you.

The 3 minute video starts so if you want to pause or stop it simply click on the video.