Mobile Marketing: A Promising Platform for Direct Marketing

The use of mobile phones worldwide has increased exponentially over the last few years.  This of course is as a result of the increased availability to technology and the multiple uses of mobile, and more particularly smart phones outside of ‘just talking’. 

Among the more popular uses of the smart phone are surfing the internet, sending and receiving emails, videos, photos, documents as well as the exceedingly popular ‘text messaging’ and social media trolling.

For the common man, this information may just excite them for the possibilities of their smart phones but for the marketer brimming with excitement over this technology, it identifies the mobile phone industry as a promising platform for the delivery of direct marketing messages to multiple consumer groups.

Many companies particularly the larger ones do take advantage of this platform due to the diversity of their marketing programme.  Still, there are many other businesses particularly in the micro and small business sector that have not yet grasped the concept of, nor see the benefit in mobile marketing.   

Image taken from www.adattract.com

Mobile marketing is marketing on or with a mobile device, such as a smart phone.  It can provide customers with time and location sensitive, personalized information that promotes goods, services and ideas.

There are numerous benefits for businesses that utilize mobile marketing.  Some of the more attractive reasons includes the fact that it is easy to employ, convenient to use and has a huge viral potential.  Its attractive pricing and the fact that mobile marketing goes directly to the target audience are also great considerations for mobile marketing.

Another major feature of mobile marketing is that it goes directly to the target market, where they are.  The mobile marketing platform allows for direct interaction with users, and this is one of the most powerful facets of mobile marketing, making the customer feel as if they are the only one.  

So what does all this mean for your startup?  Firstly, you are encouraged to include mobile in your marketing strategy immediately mainly because it’s more cost effective and goes directly to the target audience. 

For the long term mobile marketing strategy, it is also suggested that startups also consider building a mobile app as soon as possible.  The mobile app will allow customers to have access to all of the company’s products and services at their fingertips, literally!  Also, employ text messaging and use features such as WhatsApp which can assist in making your message go viral.