Mobile Marketing Types and Strategies

The two words Mobile Marketing are pretty self-explanatory. However, there are lots of intricacies that go on behind these two seemingly simple words. In a world where everything is made easier and faster, mobile marketing has the greatest advantage of being accessible and immediate as you, as a brand or a company, can reach an audience from anywhere at any time. You can reach a global audience with the help of mobile marketing as statistics in America state that 97% of Americans own a mobile phone.

 

What is Mobile Marketing?

Any promotional activity that takes place on smartphones or on any handheld devices is described as mobile marketing. It is an advertising activity that helps promote a service or a product with the key devices being mobile devices, which include smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and more. The features of modern technology are utilized in these marketing campaigns based on an individual’s location.

A better customer experience can be created with mobile marketing as you will be connecting with the customers through their mobile devices. Most people are addicted to their phones and are practically glued to their screens. This can be used as an advantage for mobile marketing which will help you connect with your customers in real time.

 

Types of Mobile Marketing Channels

Navigating the roads of mobile marketing can be difficult, but not impossible. There are several types of mobile marketing and you can choose any of them by determining your needs. Explained below are 9 types of mobile marketing:

1. SMS Marketing

SMS marketing can be defined as sending short text messages to those who have subscribed to the service. By sending promotional text messages to get messages directly to the customer, you can experience an increase in profits. It is considered especially effective when it is combined with time-sensitive updates or deals. For example, informing the customer about a sale that goes live only for one hour. Through SMS services, you can send messages to the majority of the population. However, businesses cannot send SMS texts without permission. So, ensure that the customer agrees to SMS marketing. SMS messages have a much higher open rate than email – 98% compared to 22% for email campaigns which is an upside for SMS marketing.

 

2. MMS Marketing

MMS marketing can be considered an extension of text message marketing as it allows the sending of multimedia messages such as images, audio, and video directly to the customer’s mobile phones. MMS marketing is a more engaging type of mobile marketing as visuals are involved which can be used as a benefit by the marketer. The only downside is that the businesses must consider the cost of data for the recipients or the customers won’t opt for this type of service. But, it is considered an effective marketing tool since it grabs the attention of the customer in a straightforward way.

 

3. Push Notifications

Push notifications are small messages that are sent straight to the customer’s mobile phone and require an instant reaction from the user. Push notifications are like a reminder that your favorite brand misses you and wants your immediate attention. This is a personalized experience that is crafted specifically for the customers. However, this type of mobile marketing should be used wisely as it can be over-consumed very easily. Customers tend to feel overwhelmed when they are bombarded with notifications on their phones and have a tendency to get frustrated. So, businesses should use this type of mobile marketing in a wise way.

 

4. In-App Advertising

In-app advertising is referred to as advertising services and goods via mobile apps. You must’ve seen several applications that give pop-up ads and show sponsored content. This is quite an effective marketing strategy as the business is utilizing apps for maximum user engagement. It’s a lucrative opportunity that should be used wisely. The main advantage of in-app advertising is the ability to send relevant information to the user for maximum engagement while also maximizing revenue.

 

5. Location-Based Marketing

Location-based marketing utilizes a user’s real-time location and then provides targeted advertisements to them. Such as YouTube which shows different ads in different countries by using your geographic location. In this way, the users feel connected and relevant to where they are and relate with their surroundings. Timely delivery of this marketing can be the perfect opportunity for businesses to promote their brand awareness.

 

6. Mobile Search Ads

This type of mobile marketing must sound familiar, right? Let me explain. Mobile search ads are specifically designed to appear in search results which targets those actively searching for a specific product or service. You can take the recent example of Korean skincare. If you have been looking for Korean skincare products, your search engine results will gather this information and show you results targeting specific Korean products. Even if you searched it once, it will keep showing up as an advertisement in your mobile apps. Through this marketing strategy, a business can strengthen its online presence while also drawing in potential customers. 

 

7. QR Codes

QR Codes, also known as Quick Response Codes, are a two-dimensional barcode that is a quick and efficient way to share information and lead users to landing pages and social media profiles, help download an app, and take out other technological functions, all with a scan. These codes are scannable which will connect you directly to the business’s website or any other desired destination. This is an effective and convenient way of promoting your business without taking up loads of your user’s phone storage. 

 

8. Social Media Marketing

Mobile marketing and social media go hand-in-hand, like pizza and cheese. The users of social media have a range of applications where they can be targeted for advertising. Brands are putting more time and effort into their social media pages and working on their social media presence. By optimizing their social media presence, brands are making sure that their accounts get brilliant customer interaction. With the help of social media marketing, companies can maximize their profits and reach all types of audiences through mobile phones.

 

9. Mobile Email Marketing

Emails can be sent to users in the shape of newsletters, promotional offers, and important updates. Through this type of email marketing, you can successfully improve ROI and brand awareness. This is also a way to incentivize customer loyalty as you’re making them aware of your products and services by personally reaching their mobile phones. You can also inform them about new products and discounts which will make them feel important and valued as a customer. 

 

Benefits of Mobile Marketing Channels

Research shows that an average smartphone user checks their phone 63 times a day. These staggering numbers only show how addicted we all are to our smartphones. Therefore, it is essential for marketers to include robust mobile marketing strategies to boost their company’s presence. Several benefits are present, some of which are described below:

  • Its cost-effective nature helps companies manage their expenses and adopt strategies that are pocket-friendly for the company rather than investing thousands of dollars in print and TV advertisements.
  • The personalized touch to the mobile marketing strategy can make the consumer feel connected through powerful and personalized marketing campaigns.
  • Creativity in your mobile marketing channels can boost your sales and attract more customers with the help of catchy audiovisuals.
  • Push notifications can be checked immediately by the consumer which can work as an advantage for your business.
  • Leveraging social media will also benefit your business through mobile marketing, like Duolingo is working on its social media presence which, in turn, is increasing the consumers of that application.
  • A wide and global audience can be reached through mobile marketing which can increase brand awareness around the world.

 

Choosing the Right Mobile Marketing Strategy

We all are aware that mobile marketing strategies are not constructed overnight. You need to analyze your company’s needs and focus on individual objectives in order to craft the perfect strategy. To discuss the tips for choosing the right mobile marketing strategy, we need to understand the basics of the marketing mix.

According to Coursera, there are four key elements making up the marketing mix that are to be applied in mobile marketing as well. The four P’s are described below:

 

1. Product

This is the element that is described as the good or service that you are selling to the audience. You need to ask yourself the following questions:

  • What is your product or service?
  • What is it that your product or service does?
  • Which audience is your product or service targeting?
  • What is your product or service’s unique selling point (USP)?

By answering these questions, you will automatically be one step closer to figuring out which mobile marketing strategy will work best for your business.

 

2. Price

The second most important element of the marketing mix involves the price of your product or service. When setting the price of your product, you not only think about your profits or filling up your pocket, you think about whether the consumer will be able to afford the product or not. To be more specific, ask yourself the following questions:

  • What is your audience’s price range?
  • Is your price higher or lower than your competitor’s product?
  • Does the price fit best in the target market?
  • Is the price too low or too high?

 

3. Place

Figuring out where you are selling your product or service is another yet important step to figuring out the right marketing strategy for your business. The best way to decide the market where you intend to sell your product is to do thorough research on the physical places. Some questions you should consider asking include:

  • Where do you intend to sell your product or service?
  • Where does your audience normally shop?
  • Which distribution channels suit your and your consumer’s needs?

 

4. Promotion

The fourth P is the main reason why you asked yourself the questions described above. This is the most important. How you promote your product should resonate with your target audience so that they feel connected. Some more questions to consider regarding promotion include:

  • What is the ideal time to reach your audience?
  • Which channels are more effective for your audience?
  • What message will most resonate with your audience?

 

Conclusion

To conclude, smartphones are a part of our normal lives and we cannot survive without them. By incorporating mobile marketing strategies to promote your business, you can engage your audience in a better way. 

Ulyana
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