In about a year or so, mobile devices will overtake PCs in terms of usage. These devices are now used at every stage of the purchase cycle – from initial research to post-purchase tutorials. In fact, more than 1/2 of buyers talk about their purchase on a social network, or post a picture of a product after buying it. This enables expanded reach for brands, plus the best kind of (free) advertising – increased word of mouth. Businesses can either capitalize on this opportunity, or miss out on the mobile revenue stream. A lot of buzz words get thrown around when it comes to mobile marketing. So what exactly does it mean to “go mobile”? The answer is simple, however, getting there may be a bit more difficult. Basically, businesses need to take their traditional marketing activities and find the best way to make them mobile. This includes everything from billboards and print ads (which can be transitioned to mobile banners and targeted ads on social networks) to print materials (which can be optimized for mobile viewing and downloads) to websites with customer service support and contact information (which can and should be formatted for the mobile devices which most visitors are using). All of these activities will help to enhance the consumer’s experience and provide streamlined delivery of information. Mobile devices are unique in the fact that they have technologies that can be used to reach a customer at any place and any time. Functions like geolocation can be leveraged to push offers and promotions to customers while in a store, while mobile ad platforms let marketers reach customers at the point-of-purchase. For many businesses, building a mobile (native) app makes sense, in order to take advantage of technologies like GPS and the camera feature to sell their products, while also providing customers with quick and value-added information. Conveniently, app content doesn’t need a wireless connection, so users can still enjoy a branded experience – even when they can’t get online. Mobile devices continue to provide marketers with new and engaging ways in which to connect with audiences. It’s no longer a question of whether or not your business should be on mobile – it’s a question of what mobile tactics make sense with your overall strategy. It may be something as simple as a mobile site with SMS alerts. Or it may be a more involved mobile app w/ notification functionality or NFC technology. But one thing’s for sure – your customers hold their mobile devices near and dear – as they do with the brands and businesses that are on them.In about a year or so, mobile devices will overtake PCs in terms of usage. These devices are now used at every stage of the purchase cycle – from initial research to post-purchase tutorials. In fact, more than 1/2 of buyers talk about their purchase on a social network, or post a picture of a product after buying it. This enables expanded reach for brands, plus the best kind of (free) advertising – increased word of mouth. Businesses can either capitalize on this opportunity, or miss out on the mobile revenue stream. A lot of buzz words get thrown around when it comes to mobile marketing. So what exactly does it mean to “go mobile”? The answer is simple, however, getting there may be a bit more difficult. Basically, businesses need to take their traditional marketing activities and find the best way to make them mobile. This includes everything from billboards and print ads (which can be transitioned to mobile banners and targeted ads on social networks) to print materials (which can be optimized for mobile viewing and downloads) to websites with customer service support and contact information (which can and should be formatted for the mobile devices which most visitors are using). All of these activities will help to enhance the consumer’s experience and provide streamlined delivery of information. Mobile devices are unique in the fact that they have technologies that can be used to reach a customer at any place and any time. Functions like geolocation can be leveraged to push offers and promotions to customers while in a store, while mobile ad platforms let marketers reach customers at the point-of-purchase. For many businesses, building a mobile (native) app makes sense, in order to take advantage of technologies like GPS and the camera feature to sell their products, while also providing customers with quick and value-added information. Conveniently, app content doesn’t need a wireless connection, so users can still enjoy a branded experience – even when they can’t get online. Mobile devices continue to provide marketers with new and engaging ways in which to connect with audiences. It’s no longer a question of whether or not your business should be on mobile – it’s a question of what mobile tactics make sense with your overall strategy. It may be something as simple as a mobile site with SMS alerts. Or it may be a more involved mobile app w/ notification functionality or NFC technology. But one thing’s for sure – your customers hold their mobile devices near and dear – as they do with the brands and businesses that are on them.