Entries from Category Mobile Marketing
This week, our very own Angie Schottmuller will be speaking at the annual Zenith Social Media Conference in Duluth. We sat down with her to ask her three questions about her session Thursday morning: The Incredible-Edible Social-Mobile Revolution.
Mobile Actions for Marketers
Diane: If there is one thing marketer’s can do for mobile, what would it be?
Angie: The top 2 actions taken on mobile are placing a phone call and finding the nearest location. In response to those needs, a marketer should position the business’ phone number (including the area code) and office hours (with correct timezone) in the top right corner of your website. It’s also important for brick and mortar locations to also include a link to directions to the location.
Most smartphones will now render a phone number as a hyperlink from the website, enabling mobile visitors to call your business instantly. However, with international phone numbers, this can be a problem. It would be ideal if you can use simple CSS to stylize the hyperlink for the phone number, creating a standout call-to-action for the visitor, and generating good traffic.
Author’s Note: Discover more about CSS stylings in Angie’s recent Conversion Optimization presentation
What if my business doesn’t have a mobile website?
Diane: What if a business doesn’t have the finances to invest in a mobile website, or they have one planned rolling out soon, what can they do?
Angie: There are other content opportunities that can be leveraged from a lead generation and engagement standpoint. These can include embedding videos, Slideshare presentations, and sometimes, photo galleries. There are many WordPress plugins that can be optimized to be mobile friendly. Tools such as Fit Vids and Fit Text require just four little scripts to get moving easily and help your business accelerate the transition to mobile. These tools already include expected mobile behaviors such as swipe gestures. If you also have a blog on your website, you can consider plugins such as WP Touch for an instant mobile usability for the website. It’s ready in less than 15 minutes.
Author’s Note: If you’re interested in more mobile tips, check out Angie’s Mobile Marketing Conversion Optimization tips.
Another thing businesses can do is employ QR codes in your business at appropriate spots, such as cashier spots, or on menus at your restaurant. Include links to social media for customers to leave reviews while they’re still at your business.
Apps vs. Mobile Sites
Diane: What’s your advice on building a mobile app versus developing a mobile website?
Angie: The reality is that the vast majority of online users would not be able to distinguish an official app from a mobile-optimized website. For example, Facebook actually made their app identical to their mobile web experience. When you build a mobile app, it’s a staged process. You’ll have to ask users to go to their app store, which can be a barrier to conversion. You’ll also have to develop the app for a variety of platforms, Android, iOS, Windows, etc. Not to mention, the platforms are constantly evolving and changing, forcing you to keep up with Ice Cream Sandwich and iOS 6, all while still serving the small population of those that download your app. In most cases, I’d recommend using a mobile-optimized website with responsive design and HTML5.
The Case for a Mobile App
There are a few key qualifiers I use in justifying the case for a mobile app. These include:
- Large amounts of data required for complex tasks: An example might be a home improvement visualization tool in which a homeowner uploads a photo and the app renders possible home improvements
- Data needed for offline use: With HTML5, there are cases in which the content can be provided offline, but there are still some cases or platform exceptions
- Integration with phone features: If your functions require integrating with the camera, contacts, GPS or mapping, it’s best to consider an app
If those qualifiers do not apply to your website, there is usually better ROI investing in a responsive design website that benefits all and not just a select group of users who downloaded the app.
If you have more questions about mobile optimization, we encourage you to contact us or check out Angie’s #Zenith2013 presentation tomorrow!
May 29th, 2013 | Posted by Diane Kulseth
Categories: Company,Conversion Optimization,Events,Mobile Marketing
This week I am “working from home” out of an apartment in Washington D.C.
For those of you who have been here, you know that DC is an easily accessible town, and you can get to most places by simply walking or taking the metro.
You may also know that DC is a “foodie” town and there are many awesome places available to eat around every corner. I have seen or eaten at restaurants from most sovereign nations in the world, including Mozambiquan and Ghanan.
The food is very good, and each time I visit I am looking forward to a new experience.
For lunch today, I decided to hit up the food truck court at Franklin Park (13th and K streets).
A particular truck caught my attention called Basil and Thyme, which specialized in Lasagna. They had a decent sized line, so I knew it must be good!
While waiting for my lasagna, the truck operator announced to the line that your meal (up to $15) would be completely free if you signed up for a mobile payment service called LevelUp. All you had to do was download a mobile app, link your credit card and scan a QR code and lunch would be yours.
I figured “why not” and went to their site www.basilthyme.com and clicked on the link to download the LevelUp app.
The app downloaded within about 2 minutes. I entered my name, created an account, and linked a credit card within 2 more minutes.
I showed the food truck the QR code that the app generated, they scanned it and I was all paid up (intentionally blurred QR code). Notice how they have a tip slider at the bottom? That’s pretty slick!
And I had some amazing lasagna to bring home with me
And a receipt showing that not only was my meal free, but I still have a discount for another round
This was a great experience all around, and I hope that LevelUp has success in many cities – makes my life easier and is a great alternative to cash for small businesses.
What does this have to do with marketing? Potentially everything. With mobile payments, you can understand immediately if your offer was redeemed, capture information about the people who made the purchase and continue to market to them. You can also have new users seek you out as a vendor that accepts mobile payments. Mobile payments can bridge the gap between online and offline marketing, and hopefully make both more accountable.
Certain businesses will benefit more from mobile payments than others, but CPG marketers and restaurants in particular should be very excited for the possibilities.
August 23rd, 2012 | Posted by Jeff Sauer
Categories: Mobile Marketing
Tags: Food Trucks, Mobile Payments
Welcome to the tenth edition of The Search, a weekly recap of all the interesting posts from the areas we deal with most: paid search, project management, social media, SEO, email, and mobile marketing. Check back each week to stay on top of the latest and greatest techniques in online marketing so that you can improve your skills and better serve your clients. Enjoy!
Mobile
August 31st, 2011 | Posted by Diane Kulseth
Categories: Email Marketing,Google Analytics,Marketing Tips,Mobile Marketing,Organic Search Optimization,Paid Search,Search Engine Optimization,SEM,Social Media
Welcome to the ninth edition of The Search, a weekly recap of the articles we find most interesting from our service areas: paid search, project management, social media, web analytics, search engine optimization, email, and mobile marketing. Check back each week for the latest edition of The Search to stay on top of the latest and greatest techniques in online marketing so that you can improve your skills and better serve your clients. Enjoy!
This week, no matter if you do paid search for a large client or a small business, these blogs have you covered. Take a look at last week’s top online marketing articles regarding Paid Search.
If you’re going local in your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) efforts, take a look at last week’s article from Coconut Headphones. We at Three Deep also wish to enter the pool of online marketing articles with our discussion on Google’s change to SERPs and what that means for brands.
Looking for how to target your niche or drive facebook traffic to your website? Take a look at these top online marketing articles in the social media sphere for more information.
Mobile
Our top mobile marketing articles dive deep this week, focusing on customer retention and how to add a human touch to your mobile experiences. Check out the top online marketing articles for mobile marketing today.
Our email articles this week take a look at the holistic approach to email marketing, from initial sign up forms and list building, to the welcome email. Jump in with these top online marketing articles regarding email marketing today!
Project Management
When you get started as a new project manager on a project, there are a few things to cover, as well as when you are working in resilient projects. Time to take a look at the top online marketing articles for project management!
Are you an avid Google Analytics fan? You will love these articles regarding customer engagement and the definition of a visit change. But, if you’re not such an avid supporter, you will enjoy the article from SEO Book arguing why you may wish to use variety of web analytics tools. Head over to these top online marketing articles surrounding web analytics for more info.
August 24th, 2011 | Posted by Diane Kulseth
Categories: Marketing Tips,Mobile Marketing,Paid Search,Project Management,Search Engine Optimization,SEM,Social Media,Web Analytics
Recently the team here at Three Deep has been discussing the impact of mobile marketing and SMS text technology on marketing, and brainstorming potential applications for our Clients. We feel that SMS technology, if properly deployed within the home improvement industry, could become a “game changer” not only from a lead acquistion standpoint, but also by allowing companies to better communicate with its customers, prospects and employees.
SMS is now regarded as the fastest form of communication with a potential Client. Consider these statistics:
Continue Reading Mobile Marketing for Home Improvement Lead Generation →
May 6th, 2011 | Posted by Three Deep
Categories: Home Improvement Contractors,Lead Generation,Mobile Marketing
Tags: home improvement leads, mobile marketing, text messaging
As the snow falls, it’s time to think about social media engagement, empowering others, and energizing brands. It’s also time to look toward the most wonderful time of the year. These great Minneapolis / St. Paul organizations have a great selection of events to not only celebrate the holidays, but learn something new!
December 2nd
Engagement: There’s a Map for That!
7:30 am – 2:30 pm
Metropolitan Ballroom
To truly engage an audience in a brand, product, worthy cause or event now requires more than just a news release and talking head. The rules of PR have changed. The lines are blurred, and few can successfully navigate without integrating PR with other avenues of online marketing. If you are seeking guidance on when and how to integrate marketing efforts for bigger, better results, then join us for the 2010 Minnesota PRSA Professional Practices Conference.
SMBMSP Webcast
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Online
The folks of Social Media Breakfast – Minneapolis/St. Paul cover mobile technology and social connectivity with a panel of experts.
December 7th
Holiday Meet and Mingle at OLSON
5:30 – 7:00 pm
OLSON
Celebrate the holiday season with a Meet & Mingle hosted by OLSON, a fast-growing agency recently named to the Metro 100 and Inc. 5000 lists. Located at OLSON’s headquarters in downtown Minneapolis, this event will allow you to network with other public relations and advertising professionals while experiencing the fun environment this agency is known for.
MDMA Holiday Party
5:30 – 8:00 pm
Target Field
Come celebrate with the folks of the Midwest Direct Marketing Association and tour Target Field. A silent auction will also be included.
December 8th
3M Health Care – Energizing a Brand to Drive Business Growth
4:00 – 6:30 pm
3M Innovation Center Executive Forum
After celebrating 50 years of innovation and solutions for healthcare providers this year, 3M Health Care took a closer look at the value of its 3M Medical Tapes and Bandaging brand, its relationship with customers, and the change needed to energize the image of this long established product line. In this presentation, 3M Medical Tapes Global Marketing Manager, Mary Glennon, will walk through the process that 3M and One–Up Marketing used to create a new brand strategy for the 3M Medical Tapes business and revitalize a mature product category. Mary will share key insights and surprising findings from this brand journey.
December 9th
MWMC’s Women Launching Women: Angela Chambliss
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Tryg’s
Join MWMC and Angela Chambliss, senior manager for Best Buy’s Women Leadership Forum (WOLF), to learn how Best Buy is driving innovation while promoting women leadership through its Women Leadership Forum (WOLF). WOLF is made up of Best Buy hourly employees, corporate and executive employees and even Best Buy customers. Internally it promotes women leadership and professional growth through WOLF packs and events, and allows Best Buy to learn more about their female customers by connecting WOLF packs with the community. Bring your business cards and network with other current and future female leaders.
December 14th
Grown-up Leadership
7:30 – 9:30 am
University of St. Thomas, Opus Hall, Minneapolis Campus
If you are responsible for getting work done with and through others—whether they are co-workers, clients or other teams at work—you are a leader. Ever wonder why some leaders achieve results through others so effortlessly? Come and find out how. This is a golden opportunity to grow and learn from a skilled and experienced executive coach. Martha Carlson, an experienced leader and executive coach, will help you improve your leadership effectiveness, help you understand more about your personal leadership style and how to be a more mature leader.
December 15th
MIMA Holiday Party
6:00 pm
Five Event Center
The holidays will be here faster than you can say “Chrismahanukwanzakah.” Come celebrate with MIMA friends old and new at the Annual Holiday Party. Have a drink on us! It’s free to pre-registered members, as always. This year we got you something a little extra: FREE VALET PARKING. You’re welcome. Come and make sure it fits!
December 17th
SMBMSP #34: Holiday Edition
8:00 – 10:00 am
TBD
Our Holiday Edition of SMBMSP will feature a discussion on physical communities using online community tools.
November 29th, 2010 | Posted by Diane Kulseth
Categories: Events,Marketing Tips,Mobile Marketing,Social Media
Tags: event calendars, holiday parties, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Social Media, twin cities
Those who are familiar with our company and our culture know that we are constantly thriving to be thought leaders in our industry. Our blog has proven to be an excellent channel for conveying useful information to our peers. By extension, many of our employees use Twitter and other social networks to further extend our reach.
Continue Reading Keeping up with Three Deep? There’s an app for that! →
January 21st, 2010 | Posted by Jake Dietrich
Categories: Company,Mobile Marketing,Social Media
Tags: app store, iPhone, Seth Godin, Three Deep
