| Choosing the right service provider is important for the | | | | You may also want to send a 'Flash SMS' rather than |
| success of your SMS marketing campaign. Here we | | | | a conventional SMS. A flash SMS simply shows up on |
| outline some of the important factors that you need to | | | | the mobile screen without the user having to open the |
| check to ensure success of your SMS marketing | | | | message and read it. Sometimes marketers prefer to |
| campaign. Setting the campaign should be easy and | | | | send this type of a message rather than a |
| hassle-free. The solution provider should either provide | | | | conventional SMS depending on the customer |
| with a web based system or a desktop application in | | | | segment that they are targeting. If the readers are |
| which you can use to send the SMS to your target | | | | interested they can save the SMS to their handsets |
| group. You do not have to spend much time to get the | | | | for later use. |
| campaign up and running. Always ask the service | | | | Is the service provider you are talking with capable of |
| provider for a demo before making any commitment. | | | | sending 'Bulk SMS'. The success of a mobile marketing |
| The service provider should be able to deliver your | | | | campaign depends a lot on the reach of the message. |
| message across all protocols like WAP, 3G and | | | | If you are able to reach a targeted customer group |
| GPRS because these are the latest technologies | | | | within a short time, it will help you to generate more |
| available in many mobile handsets. If that is not done | | | | leads and prospective customers. |
| you can lose the edge over your competition. Your | | | | Sms communication is not only used for generating |
| message should be delivered across all mobile | | | | sales leads but for communicating with the sales force |
| operators. It will increase the effectiveness of the SMS | | | | for providing them avenues of communication. It can |
| marketing campaign. | | | | also be used as an event trigger. As your business |
| The service provider should be able to brand your | | | | grows you will only aim to get more out of SMS |
| message. Not many providers and operators have this | | | | technology to enable your business. Value added |
| feature but it does make a great impact. Personally, I | | | | services like integrating your SMS marketing tool with |
| feel a branded SMS will make a significantly better | | | | the mail client and multiple language support can help |
| impact than an anonymous message. People intend to | | | | your business to grow faster than you would expect. |
| respond more often to a message which is sent by a | | | | Choosing the right SMS service provider for your |
| business rather than a 'number'. Marketers will get | | | | business can take a little more of your valuable time |
| better value of their money by sending a branded sms. | | | | but at the end it will be all worth the time and effort. |