Going… Going… Gone Mobile!

Disney is doing it, Coca Cola is doing it, Pepsi is dong it, Dockers is doing it, Pizza Hut is doing it, Papa Johns is doing it, Best Buy is doing it, Keith Urban is doing it, Kraft Foods is dong it, Marriott jumped on the bandwagon almost three years ago, and many hotels and resorts are breaking into mobile marketing as a way to capture share and revenues this holiday season. USDM.net has been working our magic with mobile marketing for hundreds of clients for several years now and there are some great opportunities that many organizations are missing.

As we educate conference attendees on mobile marketing, we experience the interest rapidly growing here in the U.S. However, in the U.S. we lag behind Europe in actually integrating a mobile strategy into the marketing and advertising mix. As USDM.net develops mobile strategies for DMOs and resorts worldwide we counsel clients to carefully craft the tactics to be used, and to remember that many major brands are already successfully sending SMS marketing to consumers 35 and older and that these consumers respond very favorably.

Tactics do matter with SMS marketing. We know that rewards programs, for instance, are one way to ensure consumer engagement. Couponing is another opportunity for travel marketers. Consumers respond to deals and specials on web sites and certainly through SMS. Amassing a large list of mobile opt in subscribers is the key focus for us with any new client starting to engage mobile marketing.

One of the most complex issues with mobile marketing is who to work with as a mobile provider. There are multiple steps to be taken and layers of providers to contract with mobile marketing. Beware… those that promise these services “free” or “very low cost” are operating behind the scenes and not in control of the SMS process, and therefore cannot be held accountable. This is dangerous from a legal and business exposure standpoint. Mobile is such a great opportunity for travel marketers it is a shame that some companies are capitalizing on the eagerness of the marketplace and trying to “churn and burn” for an easy quick buck.

We make this complex issue much less concerning and streamline the process, and most importantly, assure that you are working with Carrier-Approved companies. There is a mobile marketing revolution taking place in travel. Get in the game and start having fun doing it! Go mobile with your marketing!

Till next time,
Leah