Advertising has gone Mobile! Text “CompanyName” to “Numbers!”

I’ve recently noticed that my bank now offers “Text Banking” to all their bank customers. They have this feature for a while now and I think it’s a great idea! It basically allows their customers to get information about their account within seconds via text message. Customers can check their balance, check recent transactions or receive bank updates. An easy, quick and secured access to accounts gives customers a faster way to connect with their bank at a push of a button! Of course, you have to check with your bank to see if they offer this text mobile feature, but that’s easy to do! Some banks would even let you enroll online nowadays.

Mobile Marketing, Text Marketing, SMS, Wireless Marketing or other names associated with mobile marketing per say, is one of the latest trends in advertising. It allows “senders” such as business owners or companies share information while you’re on the go. Having this feature is convenient, fast and inexpensive, especially for business owners who are interested in reaching out to the masses and even potentially gain new customers in the process. You text “CompanyName” to designated 4-5 digits and Viola! In a few seconds after you sent your text, you receive their information via cell phones. Message and data rates may apply but if you have unlimited incoming text plans, like most cellular phone carriers offer to their customers these days, it is an inexpensive feature to acquire on your phone.  

Advertising has gone mobile, needless to say! Text messages are sent every second to subscribers. Subscribers can opt-in and opt-out easily if they no longer wish to receive messages from companies. But if you are like me who wants to stay up to date with companies I frequently visit, whether they are restaurants, shops, doctors, etc. and receive their latest discounts, amazing deals, special offers, upcoming events or check on my bank account, I remain a subscriber! Of course, it doesn’t hurt if they offer mobile marketing to take advantage of this marketing campaign. 

Want to see it in action? Text DEMO to 41242 or click here and see how it works! You can always opt-out or continue receiving updates from my mobile marketing campaign and take advantage of deals sent weekly. I love mobile marketing – it’s one of the great ways to support my local businesses.

If you'd like to receive discounts, special deals, or upcoming events from Atlanta businesses and nearby cities, Text "AmazingDeals" to 41242. Msg. & Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP2End. 

How my QR Codes helped my business. What are QR Codes?

iSocialMobile

By now you may have seen a QR code or two affixed almost everywhere on websites, numerous magazines, books, Facebook fan pages, or even from toy cartons, coffee cups, t-shirts, coupons, and business cards!

After all, QR Codes, also known as Quick Response Codes are one of the fastest and easiest ways to share information digitally. QR code consists of two dimensional barcodes designed in a square pattern encoded with your information such as your website link, phone number, and other pertinent and valuable advertisement. In order to “read” these codes, you scan these with your Smartphone using a QR reader app. It then transfers your information or decodes it immediately to your smartphones like iPhone or Android, etc. In fact, many people I know, including myself use this feature as business card. 

This leads me to tell you a story of how my business card helped me one day. On my way to an appointment riding an elevator destined to arrive on the third floor, I couldn’t help noticing two women riding the elevator with me discussing about QR codes, what they were, what they mean, and their purpose. Actually, they called it something else but I digress. It was obvious they were unclear of these codes, so I politely joined the conversation by asking if they would be interested in seeing a demonstration of how these codes work. They looked amazed and interested enough so I pulled out my business card and my Android phone. As their anticipation grew seeing their expression on their faces what I was about to do with these items, I explained that in order for my phone to “read” the code, a reader app needs to be installed on the phone which can be downloaded for free. It also helped if you have a smartphone as this works well reading these codes. I then pointed the camera side of my phone on the code as if I was taking a picture and in a way, I was, then viola! Seconds later, the information was downloaded on my phone and I can take the information everywhere with me! At this point, they wanted to see it in action, they pointed their iPhones on my QR code and my information was transferred onto their phones right before their eyes. The elevator opened, appreciations were exchanged, we bid our farewells and I didn’t see them again…..until weeks later, I received a phone call! It was one of the ladies who kept my information on her phone. She called to ask me if I would be interested in managing her social media platforms after looking up my website generated from the code! I think you can guess my answer at that moment. Good thing a direct link to my website, phone number, and email address were on that code! I not only gained a client, but also gained exposure of my business and services. The rest of the story is, shall we say, history? 

Tips:

If you have a personal / business website, blog site, or any information that you would like to share, you can create your own QR code. It is simple and quick to create. In addition, I have found a couple of sites you can go to that will enable you to generate your own code for FREE or at least the last time I checked. 

• http://reader.kaywa.com/  -- You can also download the reader and generate codes from here. This site also enables you to select varying sizes of your code(s).
• http://goqr.me/ -- You can develop your code(s) with text, URL, phone number or even a vCard which includes your name, address, and organization/company name. Varying sizes of codes and colored codes are also available. 

Kaywa is the one I mostly used and I never have a problem with it. I haven’t tried the colored codes, yet and I am not sure of their reliability in regards to contrasting colors or readability; therefore, please do your own testing and preferably on both of these generators. 

The days of ordinary digital advertising may be passé with the increasing popularity of Quick Response codes and smartphones that in no time, I would not be surprise if the next time you and I visit our local stores, coffee shops, or local places, we see signs of these codes affixed on almost every product out there. Then again, perhaps the 3D version is just around the corner as well.