Location-Based Marketing: No longer Hollywood science fiction.

Get ready folks, because coming over the horizon is a new marketing shift that is going to blow away lot of people. The new marketing buzz word you will be hearing around the office is Near Field Communications (NFC) and yes… this new technology is strait out of Hollywood science fiction. Quietly the infrastructure for this Location-Based Marketing revolution is being put into place as more and more people are purchasing and powering up their new smart phones.

NFC technology facilitates the quick dissemination of rich media content to consumer’s cell phones in market areas where customers are more inclined to act upon digital call- to-actions. Examples of this could include ideas like Nike adverting new shoes to people working out at the gym, Ketle One Vodka alerting bar patrons to their new premium beverage or movie goers asked to give their opinion about next summer’s blockbuster trailer on their cell phone while standing in line for their popcorn with butter. There seems to be no end to the possibilities associated with NFC tags.

As the roll out of NFC enable devices continues, we will soon begin to see advertisers spending less of their budgets on print media and more of their dollars in other areas with NFC targeted ads. The concept is easy to get here…Why use an expensive “Shot Gun” blast like print media when you can employ a “Sniper Round” NFC alert and engage an inclined consumer?

Recently an NFC campaign for hoteltonight.com produced stunning results. The company, which sells last minute deals on hotel rooms, wanted to promote their new cell phone app. Screen ads were used over a six month period in airports in San Francisco and New York City where interested NFC users could download the hoteltonight.com app. After racking up 15,000 engagements they found that more than half of the users downloaded the app to either their iPhone or Andriod device.

Advertising is just one of the areas where NFC technology and devices will be influential. Already in Japan, the technology has re-fashioned the individual smart phone into a digital wallet or purse; with simple point and shoot payment action. As well as, quick dissemination of information from one device to another, such as, bumping phones together to trade business card information.

This new digital marketing horizon is not far off… Consider contacting us to learn more about Location-Based Marketing.

Reward Loyal Customers and Earn Revenue With Check In Commerce

With a little ingenuity, and not much investment, you can take advantage of check-ins to your location to increase your revenue stream. Trying your hand at location-based marketing programs can pay off big for you -- and for your customers.

It is important to get customers into your store. But even more important is getting them to return. According to a report in the January 2011 article in Inc. magazine, it costs businesses five to nine times as much to acquire a new customer as it does to keep an existing one. How can you use social media to earn revenue with check-in commerce? Simple incentives can pay off big. Consider offering check-in incentives, like those below, to your most loyal customers.

• Consider offering randomly awarded $5 or $10 gift cards to your establishment on a certain day. Not only will you increase foot traffic on that particular day, you’ll likely get many repeat customers checking in again to see what your latest deal is.
• Offer small incentives (free small coffee, free chips, etc.) to your top check-in each time he or she visits. Advertising the top check-in rewards to all your customers will have them all interested in competing for the top spot.
• Reward your frequent customers when they recommend your business to five or more friends.

While your customer enjoys a positive experience through rewards, you are building brand awareness, increasing customer loyalty and improving profits. A win-win situation for all of you.

When you’re ready to increase your business through check-ins, contact us.

Amplify Your Local Voice; but first cover the basics

Many small business owners have learned to make the internet world work hard for them. They’ve established an online following through social media networking, and maintain an active, complete website with an updated blog and tons of relevant information. But many more have not.

Here are a few things you need to have taken care of before you dive into the world of social media integration:

1. Check your security. Small business financial theft and fraud is one of the fastest growing crimes that the FBI is taking on. It’s a $100 million dollar problem. Watch your back. The threat to small businesses is very real, and you need good security software. Monitor your social media and keep your staff in line by making sure they are following protocol.
2. Back it up. Don’t have a forehead slapping moment when your computer crashes and you lose days, or even weeks, worth of work. Run the back up every day.
3. Know what your software can do for you. Most small business owners pay for a lot of features they never get to use. Check out the websites owned by the developers of your software. Take a few minutes to tour the features, and make sure that you can use anything that will make your life easier.
4. Be awesome online. Even if you are a “small” small business, you need to have an online presence that is polished, interesting, and alive. Your customers are looking for you online; maybe before they walk through your door.
5. Amplify your local voice. When you are ready to make your social media speak to your customers, draw them in, and offer them a chance to react to what your business offers, contact us.

Offer Customer Rewards Just for Checking In

You’ve worked hard to get your customers in the door. Why not reward your most loyal patrons — and entice new ones -- with special customer rewards they can receive just by checking in.

Checking in not only rewards your customers, but it also has the potential to increase your business. By allowing your customers to check in to your location across multiple social networks, you’ll be advertising your location using one of the most potent means of advertising: word of mouth.

Your customers like to save money – you like to increase your customer base. Using CheckInPage, you can advertise over multiple social networks – an easy way to reward your best customers and entice new ones.

Consider what would happen if your customers broadcasted the fact that they visited your location – and were rewarded for doing so. As they detail their visit to you by checking in, you can provide other potential customers location-specific information, services and rewards for them to realize. And once they know they will receive rewards just for checking in, you’ll be sure customers will be back to see your next special.

What kinds of deals might your customers find most valuable?

• Freebies, such as a free appetizer with a meal, or a free topping on frozen yogurt
• Discounts or gifts with purchases, such as a free t-shirt with $75 purchase
• Digital punchcard rewards, such as a free sandwich after buying 10

When selecting your specials, consider which rewards will attract new customers and which will reward existing ones. For example, a digital punchcard reward may not be attractive to a new customer (who is not yet loyal to your business), but a free appetizer is quite desirable. There are many rewards you can consider that are of low cost to you but are invaluable to building your business.

Interested in learning more about how to increase your business using checkins? Contact us for great ideas and how to get started.