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Yearly Archives: 2010

When you sign on with Opt It, you’re getting much more than text message marketing software. The truth is you’re benefitting from our combined years of experience and industry best practices in every mobile campaign you run on the Opt It Mobile platform. Those best practices include our understanding of the important legal hurdles that exist within the juvenile mobile marketing space. A recent Mobile Marketer article by Giselle Tsirulnik discusses how to avoid possible legal pitfalls in your mobile marketing campaigns.

Priority number one is to ensure that all mobile campaigns are indeed opt-in based. While telephone marketers need only be concerned with the fact that consumers can opt-out, mobile marketing may only be sent to consumers that have consented to receive information via text message. Opt It requires clients to hold campaigns that are 100 percent opt-in.

In addition, Opt It is legally compliant and compliant with the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA), the body that publishes the standards and best practices for our industry. Contact us to find out more about how Opt It can help your business harness the power of mobile marketing now, while navigating the legal requirements in our industry.

Exciting new statistics recently released by ABI Research show what we here at Opt It have known all along; leveraging mobile opportunity is one of the most effective marketing tools for your business. With over more than 250 million Americans using mobile devices according to the CTIA – The Wireless Association, there is no better opportunity to reach your customers.

While this is one of Opt It’s core beliefs, some consumers were slow to accept this new way of receiving information. ABI Research’s survey results show that hesitations are calming and that mobile is becoming more of an expected and anticipated venue for business marketing. The survey, which was completed in December 2008 and again in February 2010, shows an 11 percent uptick in willingness to accept marketing offers via a mobile device, in the most recent study.

On the flipside, the number of consumers claiming to be “completely opposed” to mobile promotions decreased six points, an indicator that opposition is waning and that mobile marketing communications are more accepted than ever.

At Opt It, we’re well-versed in the power behind mobile marketing campaigns. The time to harness is now. Don’t let this dynamic marketing opportunity pass you by.

A recent article for ClickZ talked about the rise in popularity of all sorts of coupons, especially those of the mobile variety. A new report from Borrell Associates says that the trend will likely continue on all mobile devices as cell phones become the premier platform for delivering customer discounts.

As stated in the article, mobile coupon spending in the U.S. is expected to rise from $90 million in 2009 to $6.53 billion in 2014, according to the 2010 U.S. Local Mobile Advertising and Promotions Forecast. This astonishing growth is likely due to phones becoming better equipped to deliver coupons and apps, and because of the proximity of cell phones to the end-user.

One important item to note from the Borrell study is that the redeemed value of mobile coupons is 24 percent higher than Internet coupons and almost half as high as paper ones, presumably because the majority of mobile coupon recipients have “opted-in”. Developing a customer list of opted-in members and reaching out to loyal customers with Opt It Mobile gives your business a great advantage against tough competition.

In the ClickZ article, Gordon Borrell, CEO of Borrell Associates, urges readers not to be enticed by fancy media-rich apps, but to instead focus on texting inexpensive coupons to loyal customers. The low cost of mobile marketing via SMS is much more likely to have a positive effect on ROI.

During this weekend’s National Restaurant Association Show being held May 22-25, 2010 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Opt It’s own Michael Lamb will offer thoughts and input as part of a panel discussing “Better Connections through Mobile Solutions.” The education session is scheduled for Sunday, May 22, 2010 at 2:00 PM.

Upwards of 75 percent of today’s North American population is using mobile phones. Michael will uncover Opt It’s most current strategies for using mobile devices to better communication and connections with clients.

We’re firm believers in text message marketing campaigns and the numerous advantages of using texts over downloadable apps in the marketing world. A recent Adweek article urges businesses choosing between the two to stick with the undeniable reach and results that come with text messaging.

Why is texting superior you ask? Well, it has a lot to do with reach and usage. Juniper Research predicts that smartphones will account for only 23 percent of all new handsets sold per year by 2013. In comparison, nearly every cell phone in the U.S. is able to receive and send text messages. In addition, texting is an every day form of communication, so marketing with texts means reaching clients via their chosen medium. Texting allows businesses to contact customers immediately, wherever they are. What’s more, it doesn’t require customers to locate and download the latest app for information.

An October 2009 report from Strategy Analytics showed that only four to six mobile apps are typically used on an a consistent basis. Constantly competing with the most exciting and buzz-worthy apps available, brands lose out when older apps go unused or hit the recycle bin. In contrast, text messages are simple and reside within the prime real estate of the message list, among our daily conversations.

While there is definitely a time and place for apps, consumer contact and dialogue is maintained with text message marketing. It’s Opt It’s opinion that engaging customers for the long haul is the best way to generate return on investment.