In this generation, more and more people are learning to be comfortable with doing things on-the-go, hence the rise of smartphone users.
Those small devices provide convenience as they can be used as a digital scheduler, clock, television, music player, game console, Internet browser, and more.
In fact, according to Pew Internet, more than half of the adult population in the United States owns a smartphone. On top of this, Asymco analyst Horace Dediu recently said that almost 600,000 Americans are purchasing smartphones every week.
The rate of smartphone adoption is seeing unprecedented growth, thereby giving more impetus for business owners to see mobile marketing as an effective channel to reach out to their target market. If you are looking for ways to explore this avenue for your business, here are six ways that you can work on:
1. Short Message Service (SMS) and Multimedia Message Service (MMS)
Exchanging messages is one of the most used mobile marketing strategies, wherein you can send promotional messages in the form of SMS or rich media elements (e.g. images, audio). To do this, you can ask customers to fill out informational forms when they transact with you, then send out messages to their mobile numbers when your business comes up with discounts and other promotions.
2. Apps and Push Notifications
If you have the resources to develop applications, push notifications then becomes an option for you. Once a user downloads your app, you have a free way to advertise by encouraging users to upgrade the app to the full version or purchase your other products. Push notifications also give smartphone users pop-up alerts on their installed apps, even if the application is not running. However, use this wisely, as it is interruptive by nature and might alienate some users.
3. Mobile games (Online and Offline)
Similar to apps, developing mobile games can also benefit you on the advertising aspect. Depending on the nature of the game, users can be asked to purchase coins, more energy, accessories for characters, and other in-app products that could enhance their gameplay. You can also allow for trial games, and then give them the option to purchase the whole game pack afterwards.
As all knows, mobile gaming is one reason why people spend their time in front of their phones and gadgets almost all day.
Most of the time, you’ll be given a chance to play a trial levels in online gaming, and after finishing the trial game, the player will be given a choice to buy the whole game pack or not. This is the usual approach marketers do, in order for them to make their sale.
While in offline games, the player will be asked to buy “coins” or “more energy” for their game, for them to continue playing. 
4. Quick Response (QR) Code
This is a set of 2D codes printed on item tags and usually come in the form of a square shape. Once smartphone users scan the code through a QR scanner app, you can use this as a way to direct them to your website. This then becomes much easier for them than typing your website’s name or looking it up on search engines.
5. Social Media
Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and other social sites are now being accessed more and more through mobile phones. With an easy access to mobile photo uploads, more and more mobile owners prefer to use their wireless gadgets to login on their social media accounts. – Especially, when they’re out on a trip where using their desktops and laptops are not possible.
6. Location and Information
Mobile marketing is also a great tool for mainstream businesses (e.g. malls, fast-food chains, cafés, and boutiques). Not only can you include phone numbers and address locations on your page, you can also add map locations and short description of their business on their websites.
When possible costumers look for an establishment, their phone would allow them to detect the nearest one to wherever they are. If you have complete location details on your website, including a map, this would be a great opportunity for you to have more customers. They can also call you directly from their phones should they have any questions.
The increase in the number of smartphone users worldwide has created another means to establish a business’ brand and engage with its target market. Although it is still at a relatively early stage, utilizing mobile marketing can greatly help your business to reach out to current and potential customers who are now becoming more and more accessible through smartphones. To increase its marketing status, promoting and advertising will be easier for the business owners and will be user friendly for the consumers. It will also give current and possible consumers an easy way to know more about their business and its whereabouts. Mobile marketing is one step to be individually well-known worldwide.
AUTHOR BIO:
Apple Aviles is a freelance writer and a content marketing specialist. She mostly writes about affiliate marketing.
