Promoting your Keyword

Welcome to mobiNotify!

We are a different kind of telecommunication company.  As we move forward, you will find that out.  We come from roots in traditional media, however, we are embracing what the future medias have for us as well.

mobiNotify is about tying in the components of traditional media to help give your new media a boost!

How?

Glad you asked.

Many people think, as a notification company, you should get results immediately.  Just start sending out messages and let the business flow in!

Well, that is just not the case.  You need to build your database (similar to email marketing) before you can really reap the rewards.  BUT WHEN YOU DO - WOW it is AMAZING!

So, we really try and help create a MEDIA PLAN that will help grow your database while still reaping rewards and creating sales opportunities for your business.

In the era of Facebook, Twitter, mySpace, Digg, (insert social media site here) we are all looking to make our media budgets as close to ZERO as possible.  However, with over 20 years in traditional media, I don't know if that will EVER happen and I don't think it is a good marketing practice to "stop cold turkey" with the media mix you have been using.

With proper usage however, you should be able to grow your Facebook and Twitter initiatives as well as reach your Mobile Marketing goals as well.

Look at many national brands and companies - instead of  sending people to their own branded website - they are sending them to their FACEBOOK or TWITTER sites.  As I watch the Television typing this, I have seen 4 commercials touting "find us on Facebook".  Great use of their media dollars.  Someone recently confirmed to me, I have always known this however they oh, so gently reminded me: The Money is in the List!

So, use you traditional media to GROW THAT TEXTING LIST!  Let's look deeper...

Radio: This is a great way to get your word out and this medium is under attack from the likes of XM/Sirius Radio, iPhones/iPods, Pandora Radio and even cars now that have the ability to get internet radio stations through the bluetooth connections in the phone! http://www.thefordstory.com/smart-technology/ford-to-expand-hands-free-in-car-apps/ They are willing (especially now in Q4 going into Q1) to wheel and deal with you to earn your business. They usually do not sell out or have ANY pressure on their commercial inventory in the first 6 weeks of the year in major markets, or all of quarter one in some of the smaller markets!  A tremendous deal!

So, with that said,  your local radio station is a great place to grow your database - and you don't need a :30 or :60 second commercial to do it.  Many times the audience is gone nearly immediately when they go to a commercial break (admit it you switch the station too!)...so, promote your keyword when people are listening...during traffic, sports and news sponsorships!

These are typically cheaper, use 10-15 words, and quick hitting.  For example: Traffic Brought to you by McDonald's. Text MCD31 to 69302 for news specials and free food!  Many stations will count your keyword as one word and your shortcode (69302) as a word.  If not, push them a little - they will work with you to either push it through it change it to be within the limit they can work with.

To the point, these sponsorships are fast and you can really get the word out QUICKLY! Now, if you still run regular commercials, add your info there too!

Direct Mail magazine or Postcards: Along with 20 years in Radio, I have another 3 years in direct marketing through my family business in Direct Mail.  This is a TREMENDOUS WAY to get HYPER LOCAL AND get your message out about your text club.  In many communities, there are LOCAL direct mail options.  Ours, based in Indiana is called GREAT DEALS SAVINGS MAGAZINE. We focus on communities that house anywhere from 15,000 homes to 30,000 homes.  That is strategic in many ways, but for many businesses this results in, on average, about a 3-5 mile radius from any business in the community.

Let's face it, most of a locally owned company's business comes from this 3-5 mile radius.

Not only are the magazines a great way, there is also another simple way to get the word out - POSTCARDS!  This is the best way, we feel, to grow your texting database.  These postcards have you stand out in the crowded mailbox and really give you the ability to brand your business and it makes your business look really professional if you get quality printing and design.

Simply send out to the 3-5 mile radius  surrounding your location with an offer to join the text club for a free dinner (with the purchase of one at equal or lower price) AND on the postcard a coupon for a FREE desert on the same visit!  Ina couple days, you can then send out a text offer to invite them back in for a special event or offer for the text club! Boom! Your database is on it's way to GREATNESS!

How else should you promote your keyword?

BILLBOARDS - if you are currently under a billboard agreement - ADD YOUR KEYWORD TO YOUR BILLBOARD! Not that we are promoting texting while driving - but if people see it everyday - it will be engrained in their heads! They will eventually do it.  The age old adage, "frequency works" really applies here!

Now, of course we feel that Facebook and Twitter followers will be a great group to promote your keyword, your website is another good way.  This is a no brainer and should be done immediately!

In our company, we suggest for our clients to continue marketing how they have been for at least 3-6 months to build your database.  Text Marketing is something that does not happen overnight.  Unfortunately, as humans, we are not very patient! Be patient, you will reap the rewards of Text Message Marketing down the line!

We welcome any questions that you might have and we would love to help you out.  Feel free to email me at steve@mobinotify.com and I would love to chat and help answer any questions you might have!

Have a great Monday and Happy Holidays!

Steve