What if I told you that there is a platform out there that allows you to sell or interact with your customers directly from traditional media? Would you say, "that's impossible!" Well, I have some surprising news for you. You may recall that in a previous post I discussed Text Marketing and how it's bringing both accountability and interactivity to traditional static channels such as radio, print, direct mail, out-of-home, events, etc. Enter ShopText. ShopText has created a platform that allows consumers to request product samples, enter sweepstakes and even purchase products directly from your mobile device.
How does it work? Here goes...
Registration: Consumers can choose to register with ShopText, but it is not required for a consumer to participate in an advertiser's program. During the site registration process, the consumers opts-in to Pull-only Text Marketing, provides secure credit card information, billing/mailing address and a secret code that confirms requests or purchases. This entire process takes about two minutes. If the consumer is not pre-registered, the ShopText platform will lead them through this process when the consumer sends their first text message to a brand marketer.
Program in action: Whenever this consumers sees that friendly ShopText Logo (seen here) on advertisements, they can simply text the advertised word to a specific short-code to perform a desired action, such as enter a sweepstakes, obtain a discount code and even purchase a product.
ShopText Example: A female consumer who has previously registered with ShopText is flipping-through Shape magazine while waiting at the dentist's office and sees an advertisement and/or editorial about a new type of yoga mat that promises to "elevate her workouts" through special ionic material that encompasses the mat (no, it's not true). She has to have it, but doesn't want to call an 800-number, go to the website or tear-out the page. She notices the ShopText logo that allows her to either "buy it now" or request more information. She decides to buy it, she sends keyword "ionicmat" to short-code "54321." ShopText responds with a text message requesting her PIN to confirm the order. She replies with her PIN, ShopText then sends a receipt to her email address on file and sends the order to Ionic Mat, where they handle fulfillment.
It appears that ShopText is having some initial success with their new business model as they've inked deals with an impressive list of companies: Burger King, General Mills, Unilever, Rodale, Meredith, P&G, etc. to name a few.
I love this idea. ShopText not only brings accountability and interactivity to traditional media, it allows brands to engage in mobile commerce as well. Sure you can set-up your own Text Marketing program to do much of this, but ShopText has simplified the process through the creation of a robust platform and a broad network of both media partners and on-the-go consumers.
Be sure to check-out ShopText and consider it for your next offline program; it just could be the next big idea that you're looking for.
I am to submit a report on this niche your post has been very very helpfull
Posted by: social media marketing strategies | Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 12:58 AM