ApolloBravo » Mobile Moms http://www.apollobravo.com The Consumer Engagement Experts Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:37:16 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Smartphones fuel m-commerce http://www.apollobravo.com/smartphones-fuel-m-commerce/ http://www.apollobravo.com/smartphones-fuel-m-commerce/#comments Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:50:36 +0000 apollobravo http://www.apollobravo.com/?p=1517 Bookmark and Share]]>

Via WARC / Comscore NEW YORK: Increasing numbers of US consumers are using smartphones to research and buy products, a report has shown.

According to comScore, the research firm, 38% of smartphone owners – an audience currently standing at 90m people – have purchased goods and services through their handset on at least one occasion.

During September 2011, some 47% of individuals who acquired products via this route bought digital items like music, ebooks, ringtones, films and television programming content, the company found.

A further 37% bought clothing or accessories directly from a retailer, with tickets to events including movies, plays and sporting fixtures following on 35%.

In a demonstration of the integration between emerging digital platforms, 34% of the mcommerce population completed transactions on daily deals websites such as Groupon and LivingSocial.

This matched the total generated by gift certificates, while 32% of the mobile customer base opted for electronics like TV sets and computers.

Ordering food for delivery or pick-up, for example a takeaway pizza, scored 31%, hotel reservations yielded 29%, physical books registered 26%, and car rentals logged 24%, as did airline tickets.

Elsewhere, 13% of shoppers buying from a phone made purchases linked to the automotive category, suggesting this channel holds opportunities for a wide range of sectors.

“In September we saw two-thirds of all smartphone owners perform shopping activities on their phones, including comparing products and prices, searching for coupons, taking product pictures or locating a retail store,” Mark Donovan, comScore’s senior vice president, mobile, added.

Looking at the location of consumers as they bought offerings through their smartphone, 56% did so at home, and 42% engaged in this pastime at work.

Another 37% did so when travelling, and 36% actually utilised mcommerce tools in bricks and mortar stores.

Other outdoor sites, such as parks, schools and restaurants, posted a combined 42%, comScore’s analysis revealed.

Data sourced from comScore; additional content by Warc staff, 7 December 2011

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]]> http://www.apollobravo.com/smartphones-fuel-m-commerce/feed/ 0 It’s here. Mobile marketing trends 2011 http://www.apollobravo.com/its-here-mobile-marketing-trends-2011/ http://www.apollobravo.com/its-here-mobile-marketing-trends-2011/#comments Thu, 19 May 2011 14:10:38 +0000 apollobravo http://www.apollobravo.com/?p=1346 Bookmark and Share]]> Our mobile marketing trends 2010 report was a big hit with over 65,000 views and comments on slideshare and scribd. This year we cover the rapidly expanding use of smart phones to access social networks. We also take a deep look at creative ways to use SMS text promotions and integrating them with Facebook, QR Codes and mobile websites.  We share some of our mobile campaigns Including Text to Win, Snap to Win, Text to Give, Text to Screen, digital signage and mobile coupon integration.  Plus much more…Take a look.
 
Mobile Marketing Trends 2011. Mobile Goes Social
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]]> http://www.apollobravo.com/its-here-mobile-marketing-trends-2011/feed/ 1 1 in 3 Smartphone Shoppers Access In-store Coupons http://www.apollobravo.com/1-in-3-smartphone-shoppers-access-in-store-coupons/ http://www.apollobravo.com/1-in-3-smartphone-shoppers-access-in-store-coupons/#comments Tue, 17 May 2011 22:34:19 +0000 apollobravo http://www.apollobravo.com/?p=1339 Bookmark and Share]]>  

Ubiquitous smartphone uptake provides great opportunity for retailers utilizing mobile coupons.

1 in 3 Smartphone Shoppers Accesses In-store Coupons

Almost one in three (31%) US smartphone owners who use their device for shopping frequently/often access promotional coupons in-store for in-store redemption,according to a March 2011 study from the etailing group and Coffee Table. Data from the report indicates this is the most common in-store usage of smartphones, beating other popular activities such as looking for competitive pricing on Amazon.com (29%) and at other retailers besides Amazon.com (26%). Twenty-six percent also check product ratings and reviews.

9 in 10 Marketers Use/Plan to Use Social Media

A combined 89% of marketers use (53%) or plan to use (36%) social media marketing, according to a study conducted by Unica. Data from the report indicates of those planning to use social media, 26% plan to use it in the next 12 months and 10% plan to use it more than 12 months out. Rich media marketing, with 87% combined usage/planned usage, and mobile marketing, with 85% combined usage/planned usage, have similar statistics to social media marketing. The numbers on rich media marketing in particular (50% current usage, 23% expected usage in 12 months, 14% expected usage in more than 12 months) are almost identical. For mobile marketing, however, the numbers skew more toward planned usage, with a 43% current usage rate. Twenty-five percent of marketers expect to employ mobile in the next 12 months, and 16% plan to use it in more than 12 months. Via Marketing VOX

Reach out to ApolloBravo for more information on linking mobile and social campaigns.

 

 

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]]> http://www.apollobravo.com/1-in-3-smartphone-shoppers-access-in-store-coupons/feed/ 0 "It’s on Sale" The mobile opportunity – people are buying now http://www.apollobravo.com/its-on-sale-the-mobile-opportunity-%e2%80%93-people-are-buying-now/ http://www.apollobravo.com/its-on-sale-the-mobile-opportunity-%e2%80%93-people-are-buying-now/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:54:58 +0000 apollobravo http://blog.apollobravo.com/?p=391 Bookmark and Share]]> Retail Mobile Coupons are a idea who’s time has come. Borders Books UK had a 69% opt-in rate for mobile coupons, among existing e-mail club members! This was with no in-store promotion. Why, because they are easy to use. No need to print them, they are with you when you need them, they are green and they are linked to a loyalty card, so you can leave that home as well. I am not sure about you but it is not very often I would print out an e-mailed coupon fold it up and put it in my wallet. Mobile just makes more sense as a consumer and as a marketer.

With the advent of digital signage in is also easy to opt people into your club just by texting, in store, no plastic, no paper, no mailings. Need more convincing read this article for Mobile Marketing Profits.

Loyalty Link plus

“Is it on sale?” The mobile opportunity – people are buying now from Mobile Marketing Profits

In today’s market, consumers are thinking twice before they buy almost anything.  “How much do I need it?” “Do I need it all, or do I just want it?” “It is on sale?” Questions people ask when they’re uncertain about their own economic futures.

This “Is it on sale?” thinking presents an ideal opportunity for mobile marketing to worried consumers.  For example, if a consumer has a genuine need and desire for a purchase more complex or higher value than an impulse buy – anything from an upgraded mobile phone to a new car – they may repeatedly pass up that item at full price, or even with some discounting.  Stretching their spending dollars by waiting for a better deal is a safer move in a tight economy.

But what if that same consumer were to receive a coupon on their mobile phone while they were out shopping? Not a printed coupon sitting at home with the unopened mail, or an email coupon waiting in a distant inbox to be printed out and stuck in a purse or a pocket.  Rather, a targeted offer made to the right consumer at the right time, in the right place.

This sort of precision targeting has been the promise of mobile marketing for many years, but few companies have yet to fully leverage such a strategy today.  Confusing opt-in/op-out rules for commercial SMS messages, platform compatibility issues with sending MMS coupons to different families of smartphones, divergent carrier support for standards and commercial traffic – all of these factors and more have served to discourage corporate involvement in robust mobile couponing.

Yet there are best practices and design solutions which can work with all of these impediments to transform them into success factors.  An inbound mobile marketing campaign driven by point-of-sale signage and advertising placements combines the consumer opt-in process with the marketing contact.  Use of well crafted standard SMS messages (text-only) sidesteps MMS and barcode compatibility issues to reach all SMS-capable phones.  Even minimal integration between the messaging gateway provider and your own retail management systems can provide end-to-end accountability and realtime program ROI.

You as a mobile marketer need to keep the following things in mind when pursuing this kind of program:

  1. How will the consumer become aware of your campaign?
  2. How will you obtain their permission to interact?
  3. How will the offer be redeemed at the point of sale?

By offering consumers mobile coupons, businesses can create stronger customer relationships while giving consumers what they want, resulting in increased satisfaction, and increased profitability.

“Is it on sale?” The mobile opportunity – people are buying now from Mobile Marketing Profits

Want to learn more about Mobile Coupons Contact ApolloBravo and ask about our Loyalty Link Program with integrated digital signage.

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]]> http://www.apollobravo.com/its-on-sale-the-mobile-opportunity-%e2%80%93-people-are-buying-now/feed/ 0 Home based Businesses You Can Start In Your Pajamas http://www.apollobravo.com/home-based-businesses-you-can-start-in-your-pajamas-in-2009-inc-com/ http://www.apollobravo.com/home-based-businesses-you-can-start-in-your-pajamas-in-2009-inc-com/#comments Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:10:14 +0000 apollobravo http://blog.apollobravo.com/?p=356 Bookmark and Share]]> Great Slideshow from INC Magazine. Read about 1 person companies that generate up to 10 Million in revenue. Contact ApolloBravo about home based office opportunities in Mobile Marketing and Social Media. How much time do you spend in your car or in unproductive meetings ?

11 Businesses You Can Start in Your Pajamas
Home Business
Pet Care — Paul Mann, Fetch! Pet Care
Virtual Assistant — Tawnya Sutherland, VAnetworking.com
Bargain Hunting Website — Karen Hoxmeier, MyBargainBuddy.com
Accounting Services — Melissa Nash Andrews, Accounts Receivables
Technical Staffing — Bill Foster and Ruben Santana, XRoads Consulting
Home Improvement and Organization — Allan Young, ShelfGenie
Green Construction — Nic Darling, Chad Ludeman, and Courtney Ludeman, Postgreen
Graphic Design Services — Sam Feuer, Mindsmack.com
Resume Writing — Kathy Sweeney, The Write Resume
Corporate Educational Services — Joseph Pickett, Experts Briefings
Online Dating Site — Markus Frind, PlentyofFish

For these entrepreneurs, wearing pajamas for a day at the office isn’t far from reality. From pet care to virtual assistants and even online dating, we found entrepreneurs who are not just enjoying work from their living rooms and bedrooms, but they are also making a good living at it. In one case, a business owner grossed $10 million in a year, and cleared half that amount. Here’s a look at the hottest industries for home-based entrepreneurs — illustrated with some fun CEO self-portraits.

Read More http://www.inc.com/ss/11-businesses-you-can-start-your-pajamas-2009#1

Approximately two-thirds of American households own pets, making the pet industry the sixth-fastest-growing industry in the nation — with $43.4 billion projected to be spent on pets in this year alone. It’s no wonder then that Fetch! Pet Care, a Berkeley, Calif.-based company that provides a wide range of pet-sitting and dog-walking services is thriving. The 2008 Inc. 5000 company brought in revenue of $3.5 million last year and operates on a franchise model that includes 200 locations nationwide with a network of more than 3,800 pet sitters. “Pets don’t know that we are in an economic downturn, and it’s been proven that pets are therapeutic for people,” says founder and CEO Paul Mann. “You don’t stop feeding your pet in bad times.”

As business owners have become more comfortable working virtually, and work/life balance has increasingly become a necessity, the demand for virtual assistants has grown significantly. Tawnya Sutherland would know — five years ago she started VAnetworking.com, the largest online social network for virtual assistants, which has seen membership triple in the past year to over 10,000 and revenue exceed $150,000. She created the site as a space for fellow virtual assistants to share information, exchange ideas, and discuss industry best practices. Sutherland maintains that “VAs are a really diversified group that can do just about anything.” And, in addition to saving business owners the cost of having an in-office employee, “it relieves you as a business owner to work on the thing that you’re most interested in doing.”

With just a computer and an Internet connection, virtually anyone these days can start their own website and market their products and services from home without spending a lot of money. But despite the low barrier to entry in this industry, not all businesses have worked out the model for success quite like Karen Hoxmeier. The stay-at-home mom founded MyBargainBuddy.com, which publishes hundreds of daily deals and coupon codes for shopping sites all over the Web. “My business happens to be a hobby that pays me,” she says. “I love shopping and I love bargain hunting. And if what you do helps someone else, that makes it even better.”

In a tight economy, one of the primary goals for a business owner is staying on top of cash flow. But let’s face it — nobody likes having to ask for the check. That’s where Melissa Nash Andrews and her company, Accounts Receivables, come in. A full-service collection agency, Nash Andrews stays on top of her clients’ accounts receivables and provides a range of bookkeeping services for business owners looking to outsource accounting. “If I can help another small business person to stay in business and to keep their business, then I’ve met my goal,” she says.

As more companies contract out specialty services like recruiting, staffing companies like Atlanta-based XRoads Consulting are seeing an upturn in business. Founded in 2006 by neighbors Ruben Santana and Bill Foster, XRoads specializes in placing people for technical positions at companies located primarily in the southeastern United States. They also help companies select and implement information technology solutions that will best meet their needs. Both Santana and Foster have leveraged their prior experience in the industry to grow their revenues to $5.58 million in the first two years of business. “There are definite financial rewards to being home-based and not having the upfront overhead needed to start a business,” Santana says.

Those who are making money in the beleaguered housing industry these days are people like Allan Young, founder and CEO of ShelfGenie, a company that designs and installs custom-shelving units for the home. “A high percentage of our clients are people who are staying put in their homes but want to do an affordable upgrade,” says Young, who recently began franchising the sales model in April. Because the shelving systems are customized for the client, there is no inventory for the franchisee, and appointments are handled through a call center, making it very feasible for the franchisees to get their business up-and-running and achieve positive cash flow quite quickly.

When it comes to purchasing products and services, consumers are increasingly making their decisions with the environment in mind. One company that has capitalized on this growing consumer awareness is Postgreen, a Philadelphia-based real-estate development company whose mission is to build green homes that are affordable for the average family. Founders Chad and Courtney Ludeman, and marketing director, Nic Darling, are working on a line of LEED-certified homes that will sell for $100 a square foot — a cost equal to a regular home without green efficiencies. “We are making consumers look at houses differently,” says Darling. “Instead of just a monthly payment, they are starting to look at all the costs that go into owning a home, and we have a distinct advantage in being much less expensive [to maintain] than a normal house.”

The way a company represents itself on the Web is becoming increasingly important, and no one understands this mission better than Sam Feuer, founder of Mindsmack.com, a full-service Web-design firm whose projects include everything from iPhone application design to commercial animation. From his home based in North Brunswick, N.J., Feuer manages a staff of 44 along with a network of freelancers, some of whom work globally. “The real key is doing the work at an elite level,” Feuer says. “It doesn’t matter where my employees are — I don’t care if they work from the moon — as long as they get the job done and they are two steps ahead of what the client is looking for.”

Given the dismal job opportunities at many companies right now, job-seekers are looking for any and every way to distinguish themselves from the competition. Kathy Sweeney, founder and CEO of resume writing service The Write Resume, is busy like never before, with revenue growth of 21 percent in the past year alone. Sweeney, who is recognized as one of the foremost experts in the industry, has written resumes for people all over the world, most of the time just from information that she has gleaned from phone conversations with the client. “It’s really about relationship building and I believe you can do that without meeting someone. If I can develop a bond with people then I know I’ll be successful in helping them.”

Complying with federal regulations is a tricky business, especially for companies in the pharmaceutical and medical-device industries, where many will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to send their employees to required educational conferences. Joseph Pickett of Experts Briefings has found a way around this big expense by offering companies the same experts and packaged information through his teleconferencing business. Pickett lines up the speakers for the teleconference and then hosts it from his home computer, charging companies $400 a head. Pickett purchased the company in early 2008 and has increased revenue from $25,000 to $300,000 in less than a year. “My price for customers and for most pharma companies is chump change, but for me working out of my house, it’s a lot of money.”

A new ecosystem of free software and low-cost Web services have made it possible for Web start-ups with a little bit of traffic to bootstrap their growth without raising tens of millions in venture capital. No one has done this as effectively as Markus Frind, the founder of PlentyofFish, an online dating site based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Frind launched his company in 2003 by himself and with no idea how to run a Web business. Five years later, PlentofFish is the largest dating site in the United States, according to Hitwise, and the company pulls in $10 million a year. You can read more about Frind, who still works only a few hours a week, in Inc.’s January/February cover story, The Money Comes Rolling In.

By: Tamara Schweitzer
Design by: DESIGNER NAME GOES HERE

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]]> http://www.apollobravo.com/home-based-businesses-you-can-start-in-your-pajamas-in-2009-inc-com/feed/ 0 Volkswagen Kicks Off Mobile Campaign : Mobile Marketing Watch http://www.apollobravo.com/volkswagen-kicks-off-mobile-campaign/ http://www.apollobravo.com/volkswagen-kicks-off-mobile-campaign/#comments Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:42:21 +0000 apollobravo http://blog.apollobravo.com/?p=338 Bookmark and Share]]> mls

Text 2 Win campaigns are an innovative way to engage consumers at events and deliver links to product specific mobile micro sites with incentives and special offers.

Volkswagen, promoting itself as “the official automotive partner of Major League Soccer,” has embarked on a 19 city mobile marketing tour.

In this regard, they are mobile in a physical sense as well as a digital one.

The goal, to introduce soccer moms everywhere to the new fleet of Volkswagen automobiles, is well served by this effort.

In addition to a text-to-win opportunity to take home a $25 gift card, potential customers are also offered the incentive for merely test driving a VW at a local dealership.

And, chances are, if you’ve been to a soccer game recently, there is a lot of promotional material on hand for VW. Volkswagen’s lineup of Routans, Jetta Sportwagens, Tiguans, Passat Wagons and CCs are typically featured prominently at the youth soccer events

The campaign is now underway and will run through November when the brand joins the MLS Cup championship in Seattle.

Read More Volkswagen Kicks Off Mobile Campaign : Mobile Marketing Watch

Contact ApolloBravo for innovative Text-2-Win campaigns and mobile promotions

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]]> http://www.apollobravo.com/volkswagen-kicks-off-mobile-campaign/feed/ 0 Soccer Moms Tops in Texting http://www.apollobravo.com/soccer-moms-tops-in-texting/ http://www.apollobravo.com/soccer-moms-tops-in-texting/#comments Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:28:28 +0000 apollobravo http://apollobravo.wordpress.com/?p=85 Bookmark and Share]]> mom_ad_500

Molly Edmonton estimates she sends between 100 and 125 text messages a day, mostly to close friends and her 11-year-old daughter, Alexis.

Wireless companies report that Americans send over 75 billion text messages a month. The popularity of texting has increased by 900 percent in four years and the fastest growing group of texters are soccer mom’s who have figured out the best way to reach kids who don’t call back is via text. Over 95% of text messages are read by recipients.

By the numbers
Text messaging by parents is outstripping the growth rate among younger generations.
# 28 percent of moms use text messaging  to coordinate family schedules and errands
The overall growth in texting is driven by:
# of adults who use texting to “talk” while they’re in meetings
# of parents who are using text messaging as a way to interact with each other and stay connected with their kids. Source: Verizon Wireless

“(Texting) doesn’t take up as much time as making a call,” she said. “It’s short and to the point, and I can find out what I need to know without having to get through all the small talk of a phone conversation.”

All those messages add up, and industry experts say that more text messages are sent each day in the United States than there are people who populate the country. Who’s sending those messages: Moms just like Edmonton.

“Women are using the devices to manage the hectic schedules of their families,” said Caran Smith, a spokeswoman for Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless carrier.

Contact ApolloBravo for the latest ideas on reaching mobile moms

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