Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Thanksgiving Recipes from Google - Ina Garten


A pre-Thanksgiving Google Doodle highlights Food Network's TV chef and author Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa)When you click on the Google Doodle it takes you to a page that displays six printable recipes to prepare for your Thanksgiving feast.  Bon Appétit America!

 Thanksgiving Recipes. Doodle by Ina Garten.


Monday, November 8, 2010

Today's Google Doodle - X-rays’ Discovery

Don’t you love to open your Google page and a new Google Doodle appears, they are not only informative, but educative as well. Today’s Google Doodle is dedicated to the inception of the X-Ray.

We have all experienced the use of the X-ray at one point or another to the help diagnose a health issue.  However, did you know that in 1895: German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen accidentally discovers the X-ray and November 8th is the official day to recognize that acheviement.  Yea to Google Doodle for bringing this important discovery to millions of people across the globe.
Click the link from Wired “This Day in Tech” blog for more details of Wilhem Roentgen and his discovery. http://www.wired.com/thisdayintech/2010/11/1108roentgen-stumbles-x-ray/

Friday, November 5, 2010

Mobile Marketing – 6 Suggestions to Grow your Cell Phone List

The InterCon Group has recently launch our new text messaging (SMS) website www.mobilemarketingcleveland.com and text messaging platform www.interconmobile.com. One of the most common questions our sales staff are asked is:
How do I gather cell phone numbers from our clients?  So we have put together a list of ideas to share with our readers.
  1. Signage: Whether you are hosting a special event, lecture, conference, or trade show, you can gain subscribers by having on-site signage requesting attendees to text in a keyword to receive special offers, basic information, or alerts. For example, Real estate agencies are using signage to quickly disperse information about property listings to house hunters.
  2. In-store signage examples: Useful for restaurants, retail stores, salons, and gyms. For example, if you are an apparel store and are looking to create a buzz about new merchandise arriving to the store, you would incorporate an in-store sign instructing customers to sign up to receive special discounts or offers on our new merchandise.
  3. Social media integration: The popularity of Facebook and Twitter presents a great opportunity for businesses to leverage their SMS efforts. Web widgets are extremely effective in building subscribers. Do you have a lot of Twitter followers or Facebook fans? Use those outlets to encourage fans and friends to text your keyword to your short code to opt into your “mobile special offer’s“ list.  Or place a sign up form (free with our platform) on your Website or Facebook page so people can opt-in directly from their computer.
  4. Web/Email: Whether you are asking people to text in your keyword or using a signup widget, leverage the power of the Internet to increase your contact lists! Emails are another great way to communicate with your current and potential customers. For example, if you are a marketing director at a magazine and you have an email database that you send daily news stories to, you could give your readers the opportunity to opt into your text messaging alerts to receive a discounted subscription or to receive news stories via directly to their phones.
  5. Newsletters: If you are sending out paper newsletters you can instruct people to text in your keyword to receive news or other pertinent information from your company or organization.
  6. Sweepstakes/Contests: Giving your customers the opportunity to be entered into a contest is a great way to build customer loyalty. Be sure to speak with your legal counsel to ensure you comply with state and local laws.
What ideas have you used?  Our SMS texting website will show you how text marketing can change a casual customer into a regular loyal customer.  We offer 10 free text messages just for signing up.

Friday, April 23, 2010

The Benefits of Mobile (Text) Marketing

Mobile marketing is a fabulous marketing vehicle for any size business and any locality… local establishment or global brand. Small business owners should relish the opportunity and embrace mobile marketing for many reasons; here are a just few.

  • In 2004, 10 billion text messages were sent… compare this to 80 billion in 2008 and 100+ billion in 2010. Text messaging is here to stay.
  • Mobile messages are read within 4 minutes compared to 48 hours for an average email
  • Reach mobile users any time of day or night. Potential and current customers don’t always have their computers with them, but they do have their phones. Take full advantage of this as long as your customers voluntarily opt in to receive text messages… and always provide an opt out mechanism
  • Mobile marketing is extremely low-cost when compare to any other marketing vehicle. Cost can be as low as 5 cents a message. Utilize a shared short code and save even more! Ask us about our new shared mobile marketing platform. We offer a Web-based tool which enables any business to implement a mobile campaign. Send 1 text or 1 million texts. No contracts, no limitations… register and go.
  • Mobile messaging is a 2-way communication channel that will build customer loyalty and yields a high level of engagement.
  • Campaigns can be real-time or pre-scheduled
  • Companies have see conversion rates as high as 25%….

I can go on and on… the sky is the limit as far as creatively utilizing mobile marketing. This is a new medium and we know you will have tons of questions.

Send questions via this blog or call us and we will be happy to discuss mobile opportunities with you.