How to Reach Your Mobile Marketing Objectives

There are certain concepts that you should follow in order to successfully market to your mobile device audience. If you look around you, it is quite obvious that anyone and everyone uses a mobile device everywhere they go. So, now you have to customize your marketing efforts to fit mobile devices.

Your objectives in reaching your mobile target audience

One thing that you can count on is the fact that people are not going to stop using their mobile devices (not ever). With that in mind, you need to figure out the best and most effective way to get your message to them on their mobile devices. There are a few different concepts that you should keep in mind and if you follow those concepts, you won’t go wrong. In fact, you will actually achieve greater success than ever before.

• Be instantaneous: People want what they want when they want it. That generally means that they want it now. When it comes to a mobile device user, the need for instantaneous information (or instant gratification) is even more pressing than it ever was before. The information is truly at the person’s fingertips and they are so used to clicking and getting the information that if it doesn’t happen that way, they will move onto the next business and person who will have the ability to give it to them quickly. Of course, this can definitely work to your advantage as well. If the mobile device user wants information quickly, you can be the person to supply them with it. Not only are you capable of giving your mobile device users what they want and need but you can get it there at lightening speed as well. You can give your target audience what they need in small, meaningful increments. That is just they way that they like it and expect it to be delivered to them.
• Use a simplistic approach: Sometimes, the simplest approach is the approach that works the most effectively. Since your target audience members are coming to you because they need information that is valuable to them, you have a responsibility to give it to them in a form that works for them and that works conveniently with their mobile devices. It is possible that you may have a website that is optimized for mobile devices in addition to your regular website. If you need to do that and you see positive results for your business with your interactions with your mobile device users, it will have been well worth it. Your approach should be simple and straightforward. You will start to see how well it works for your business.
• Make the relevance clear: It is critical to your success that you share content that is appropriate, clear, and concise. Sharing content that seems to come straight out of left field really won’t do you any good. People on the other end need to be able to relate to what you are sharing and to understand that you have the ability to solve their problems. That needs to be your first priority. You must always keep in mind the MARKETING principle, “What’s In It For Me?” (WIIFM). In other words, no matter how wonderful you and your business are, if you are not able to solve the other person’s problems, you won’t get anywhere at all with them.

Conclusion

You must consider MARKETING for your mobile device users in this day and age and you must make them one of your top priorities. Whatever content you share with them, they will be able to see and use immediately, which is a huge plus. Since their devices are always with them, they will get what they need from you very quickly. However, to give you a word of caution, it is important not to inundate them with two much information. You must make it comfortable and easy for them to receive and absorb your information. Mobile device users represent a large percentage of your target audience and if you are loyal to them, they will be loyal to you.

via

How Cloud Is Revolutionizing Mobile Marketing

Mobile is where your customer is.

We can conveniently say that we have left those days behind when mobile-enabled web presence played second fiddle to web usage via desktop. Research from CNN suggests that mobile usage among adult Americans has surpassed PC internet usage. As such, mobile has become one of the most important platforms for businesses to reach out to their consumers. Mobile marketing is largely a consumer-driven marketing stream where consumers are deciding the fate of marketers and the practices they are employing. For instance, reports show that 42.3 % of consumers prefer SMS deals over bar-code scans or push message coupons. Now, if you’re not agile enough to revise your marketing strategy according to this consumer behavior, you might be losing a lot of potential customers. The bottom line is: you have no option than to stay current.

How cloud is helping marketers?

According to data shared by Accenture, out of 77% of marketers who think customer experience is important for their company, only 62% are confident about doing it right. One of the biggest reasons behind this failure is complex and ineffective marketing processes followed by lack of control over data. Cloud computing is eliminating these flaws from systems giving marketers the leverage to engage more customers in a much better way. Once marketers get a grip over the processes, everything else falls into place.

How cloud impacts mobile marketing:

Custom marketing solutions.

Cloud based marketing systems will help you create and automate custom, mobile marketing solutions such as personalized daily message alerts, order confirmations, or travel updates etc.

App designs.

You can draw on cloud’s computing power to design next-gen smart apps. A study shows that 16% of smartphone users made a purchase due to a marketing message they received on their phone. This is an indication of how mobile plays a vital role in the purchase decisions of your consumers.

Broader reach.

You can expand your reach using mobile cloud applications since they can be easily accessed through a browser. So cloud computing apps can be used by mobile users as long as they have internet connectivity.

Improved communication.

One of the most evident impacts of cloud on mobile marketing is that you can upgrade and take your marketing efforts to the next level without having to spend too much on infrastructure or hardware-software upgrades. Cloud-based collaboration systems can let you streamline your marketing processes by way of improved internal and external communications with your peers, partners and even customers.

With benefits as diverse as what cloud has to offer, it is emerging as a platform that most marketers are likely to use for improving their mobile marketing efforts. As a marketer, hitting the right spot with your customers is just not enough; you’ve also been given the task to increase the ROI of your company. Cloud-based marketing helps you achieve both of these goals.

(via)

Why Customer Retention Is Crucial for Mobile Marketing

Mobile apps are developing into a primary digital channel for many reasons:- Almost 70% of all cell phone holders in America keep checking their mobile devices even when there’s no sound or vibration signal.

- About a half of all cell owners sleep right next to their mobile device so as not to miss any notifications, calls or messages during the night.

- 30% of cell phone holders can’t imagine their lives without such a thing as a smartphone.

- 68% of cell phone holders report receiving unwanted marketing calls, and 25% face this problem a few times a week

- 79% of cell phone users text message, and of these, 70% get unwanted text messages and intrusive spam. It’s a problem on a weekly basis for 25%.

- 55% of cell users go online; and when they do, about 80% of them face slow downloading speed

- More than half of all smartphone users have uninstalled an app because of privacy concerns

As you see, a mobile phone is actually an extension of your potential customer – it’s extremely personal and immersive compared to any other media channel. Therefore, marketers need to be aware of this highly dynamic digital channel targeted at building an intimate and deep connection with the customers. Smartphones can accumulate relevant information about your audience, and improve customer acquisition/retention with highly personalized data. The type of connection we used to build face to face is now available through technical tools – isn’t that amazing?

Mobile marketing is also the leading engine behind inbound marketing. People already spend more time using mobile apps than they do browsing on a desktop and only TV remains a more important media consumption channel.

But mobile app promotion is not just about buying and placing more mobile advertisements or finding new customers. Instead, you can focus on engaging your existing app users with relevant notifications and valuable content.

However, there are a few concerns that make the mobile app landscape especially competitive. Keeping up the right retention level is really the challenge these days:

- There are many apps out there, and the recent changes in AppStore ranking mechanisms (correlating the number and quality of reviews with retention rates) have made it even harder to get to your customers through the app marketplace. It’s no longer the era of getting rich very quick with a great mobile app, and very few customers come back to an app and stay loyal – ¾ of lost customers are gone for good! Since people install excess apps on a daily basis, the installation number is not the only parameter that mobile marketers need to rely on.

- The crucial engine of customer retention is extending the lifetime value of the product. Mobile marketers also need to keep in mind the average avenue per app user.

- In spite of the number of apps out there, very few companies (especially medium and small businesses) have taken advantage of the mobile app opportunities. With websites it’s 2014 but in terms of mobile web development it’s the 2000s again.

Increasing retention of a mobile app results in several long-term benefits, including:

- An increasingly satisfied client base who actively recommends, shares and gives good reviews in the app marketplace. Word-of-mouth marketing still works great.

- Customers you know much better because you’ve learned more about their reactions, language, values and necessities. You’ll be able to use this knowledge in other marketing channels as well.

This is why customer retention is so important for mobile app marketing. And what are your ways of keeping up retention? Share your experience and thoughts in the comments.

(via)

4 Mobile Marketing Hacks for App Developers

A new mobile game hitting the app store can be like a pop singer landing a single on the Billboard 100; you have to start high and hype it quickly, or risk getting buried by the next big hit. In the app game industry, the general rule of thumb for launch marketing is a 15-day window; essentially, if you aren't carried by word of mouth and advertising within that timeframe, you are out of luck. With time spent in apps up more than 52% compared to 2013, the top spots are more coveted than ever.

So, how can you get attention, and who do you advertise to in that crucial two-week period? Here are some strategies sourced from experts around the Web.

Don't discount female gamers

As runaway hits like Kim Kardashian: Hollywood and 2048 have shown us, mobile games aren't just for kids -- or teenage boys. A recent study run by Flurry backs this up, revealing that females are on average better customers vs. their male gamer counterparts.

According to the analytics platform, women make 31% more in-app purchases than men, spend 35% more time in gaming apps, and display 42% higher 7-day retention. But before you put all your advertising eggs in one pink basket, take a look at this breakdown of app usage by gender. If your game involves cards/battle or strategy, you're likely better off targeting males.

Consider gamifying your retail app

Building customer loyalty is an ongoing challenge -- why not challenge your customers as well? According to App Annie, mobile commerce companies like Victoria's Secret PINK and HSN have successfully incorporated micro games into their retail apps, tying scavenger hunts, maze navigation and slot games to promotions and prizes. These special touches have helped boost sales growth and shopper registration.

Target tablet users

In the US, 57% of the population uses tablets -- and global revenue from tablet games is expected to reach $13.3 billion by 2019. A whitepaper published by Juniper Research cites the enhanced performance and graphical capabilities of tablet devices as reasons why users spend more on in-game purchases and generate more revenue per device than smartphone owners. CNET agrees: "While tablet usage is comparatively lower, spending is still far higher." Check out these compelling research stats:

Get cinematic

In anticipation of iOS 8, Apple recently unveiled a number of changes to its App Store -- including the opportunity for developers to provide video highlights to potential installers. For developers of paid apps, justifying the purchase upfront is an important capability. App Previews can be up to 30 seconds, and should be comprised of video screen captures. This is your chance to show off your most exciting gameplay, compelling sales, and creative content. More importantly, it's an opportunity to distinguish your app from its stiff competition.

Conclusion:

As apps continue to generate mass appeal (and intense competition in the top 100), make sure you're taking advantage of every weapon in your arsenal. Getting creative with advertising copy, highlighting your best features and targeting gamers with an install history are just the tip of the mobile app marketing iceberg.

via

Mobile Marketing Is Making Moves

Marketing tactics have changed over the years. Tools that used to work flawlessly don’t always have the edge anymore. The technological advancements that our society has made have allowed for new tactics for engaging with the audience to emerge. This is where mobile marketing comes into play.

Professor Andreas Kaplan has defined Mobile Marketing as “any marketing activity conducted through a ubiquitous network to which consumers are constantly connected using a personal mobile device.” The Nielsen Company estimates that 65% of all Americans owned a smartphone in 2013 and believe that number is to raise even higher. As the sales of mobile devices grow so do the sales from consumers shopping ON their mobile devices. In 2013 Forrester Research projected commerce sales of $24 billion and tablet sales of $48 billion, resulting in a total of $72 billion. This year, however, Forrester has projected commerce sales on mobile devices to total around $114 billion. They predict a growth of 58% in smartphone commerce sales bringing it up to $38 billion with an increase of 58% in tablet commerce sales as well, bringing that up to $76 billion.

This increase in device sales has led to a situation where more people are looking to their mobile devices for just about anything from locations of places to shopping and product reviews. Retailers’ revenue from smartphones in 2013 was 113% higher than it was in 2012.

With the blowup of smartphones came the true potential of social media. Social media has not only allowed people to communicate with each other, but also businesses to communicate with the public.

The idea of this two-way dialogue between brands and consumers is often facilitated by social media. 71% of companies say that the biggest trend impacting their business is social media. Big social media companies such as Twitter have even incorporated world-wide events such as 2014 Fifa World Cup into their mobile marketing schemes. Twitter launched a video-sharing feature with two major World Cup advertisers, Visa and Adidas. The feature allows for users to be able to type in a certain hashtag, Visa with #visa and Adidas with #allin, to attach a video to their tweet.

Companies such as Visa, are using the feature to reiterate the brand’s use of mobile video in its World Cup Campaign. Kevin Burke–Visa’s CMO–had this to say when asked about the feature, “We know video is incredibly compelling and has high engagement rates from fans.”

This “high engagement” is what marketers strive to see happen with their brand. The more engagement these brands get the more they flourish in their online communities.

Virality is the key–the more people who see your content the better. Now, thanks to mobile marketing, your content can reach even more consumers. With new technology coming out everyday it is important to stay current with the marketing tools that can put your brand in the spotlight and if you’re already there, maintain that spotlight.

via

7 Reasons Why You Need to Go Mobile [INFOGRAPHIC]

Unbelievably there are still some people out there who think mobile is a fad and are still not using it to market their business.

The benefits for mobile are huge and it’s potential is even bigger!

There are many reasons why mobile is taking the world by storm but here are just 7 that should convince you if you are not already convinced.

1. We won’t leave home without it

The mobile is now is part of the family and goes wherever we go. No other marketing channel has this constant contact with it’s customers, all the trusty text message needs is a handset and some phone signal - job done.

2. Your message will get read

With other marketing channels it is hard to make sure that your marketing message will get heard or read, well with a text message you can almost guarantee it.

3. Mobile is more personal

With the huge array of companies out there competition is tough and the choice is hard for customers. Most consumers now are looking for the best service to differentiate between companies and having a company that gives such a personal service via text message is what people want to make them feel special.

4. It’s how people want to communicate 

People are addicted to their mobiles and they want to communicate via them.  

89% of us suffer from PPV syndrome or Phantom Pocket Vibration Syndrome, which is the believe that your phone vibrated when it didn’t. This stems from our want to be contacted on our mobile. 

5. It’s cost effective

The costs are small and the potential is huge. The engagement rates are 6 to 8 times higher than email.

6. It’s how they will be contacting you

The magnificent little mobile device can now do everything from ring, text, email and surf the web. Search Engine Land discovered that 9 out of 10 mobile searches lead to action.

7. Mobile is only going one way - up

While all other media consumption is on the way down mobile is the only one on the way up. (eMarketer)

TV    2009 - 45%     2012 - 38%

Online  2009 - 25%  2013 - 20%

Radio   2009 - 17%  2012 - 12%

Print   2009 - 9%     2013 - 4%

Mobile   2009 - 4%   2013 - 20%  

via

Mobile Internet Advertising Maintains Fast Ascent

The Interactive Advertising Bureau México (IAB México) and PwC found that mobile marketing revenues, including ad spending and development costs, expanded 98% in Mexico between 2011 and 2012, to reach MXN794 million ($60.33 million) in 2012.

Of the two components in the IAB México/PwC measurement, mobile internet ad spending was the driving force behind gains last year, with a 104% improvement. That growth rate outpaced the also impressive 63% gain in mobile development investments.

Ad spending took the lion’s share of mobile marketing, with 86% of industry revenues generated from ad inventory sales, up from 83% in 2011. Mobile internet ad spending in Mexico totaled MXN683 million ($51.9 million) in 2012.

Mobile Usage in Travel On The Rise

MOBILE BOOKINGS ARE BOOMING

All the statistics show sheer growth, not only for smartphones but also tablets and other wireless devices, i.e. iPods. According to a recent study by Tradedoubler Insight Unit, tech-savvy European travelers are ignoring travel agents and instead using mobile and online sites to book their vacations. This study looked at the online behavior of 2,500 smartphone users from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Poland. Overall, 19% of these tech-savvy travelers booked their vacation through their mobile device. But if you dig a little deeper, you’d find that in the 25-34 years old demographics, 28% of users say they now book their holidays from the comfort of their mobile phone!

This should come as no surprise, though. Google Travel found that 25% of all online search for travel came from a mobile device at the end of 2012 and eMarketer predicts that this figure would jump up to 40% by the end of 2013. Well, lo and behold, it seems we’re already there! Looking at results gathered during Q1 2013 for the various hotels across North America managed by HeBS, a New York-based agency, we find that 39.5% of all online traffic came from either a smartphone or a tablet – in 89% of cases, an iPad.

Source: The 3 Screens in Hospitality, Q1 2013, HeBS

As can be seen in the chart above, while there is a considerable amount of traffic generated from mobile devices, bookings & revenues remain a small fraction. Nevertheless, it now represents more than 10% of revenues, and growing! So much so, in fact, that PhoCusWright estimates it should reach 20% of online travel dollars in the U.S. by end of 2014, when mobile bookings will reach US$25.8 billion.

Yet, another aspect that requires marketers’ attention is the fact that while bookings may remain on the lower end of the spectrum, mobile is increasingly important at the research level. Thus, travel brands should ensure they have optimal mobile sites and/or applications to properly capture their fair share of bookings, whether this eventually comes through a mobile device, laptop, desktop or even call center.This recent study and infographic from Mobiquity sheds some interesting insights on the matter.

MOBILE IS MORE THAN A CHANNEL

At the end of the day, however, we need to grasp and understand that mobile devices are taking an omnipresent role in our everyday life and that they represent more than just “another channel” to market, communicate or advertize through. In fact, eMarketer recently found that for the very first time, as of this year time spent on nonvoice mobile activities will surpass time spent online on desktop and laptop computers!

We have a much closer relationship with our mobile devices than we would with the office desktop or even a personal laptop. Some bring their smartphone with them to the washroom, others bring their tablet to bed for nighttime reading… it has therefore become a lifestyle item, above and beyond its useful and inherent attributes.

Some takeaways:

• Not all mobile is mobile. Treat smartphones and tablets differently, and have a distinct strategy for each. Behavior and willingness to spend are not the same, whether in research mode or in booking mode, according to different devices.
• Online travel agencies (OTAs) have taken a clear leadership in this space yet again, with mobile applications and mobile sites adapted, in some instances differently according to tablets or smartphones. Hotels, airlines, cruise lines, restaurants and destinations should take a few notes from their best practices.
• Have a mobile marketing strategy in place and appropriate dollars to fund future initiatives. If it’s too late for 2013, then it’s certainly time to prioritize this for 2014 strategy planning sessions that are taking place in various travel brands headquarters right now…

(via)

Related articles

• 72% of business get 10% of their traffic through mobile
• Brands' Mobile Apps Aren't Just About the Discounts
• How To Make Your Website Mobile Friendly
• 8 in 10 Mobile Users Browse Products/Services
• 6 Marketing Trends to Watch in 2013: New Research
• Consumers reaching for their mobiles when they see TV adverts.

6 Marketing Trends to Watch in 2013: New Research

#1: Media Fragmentation

Consumers are everywhere, all at the same time. According to the Edison report, there are 256 million U.S. users on TV, 243 million on radio, 232 million on the Internet, 182 million connected at home via broadband, 177 million connected at home via wi-fi, and 139 million smartphone users.

Media multitasking is the new normal.

In this age of multimedia consumption, consumers are using more devices across a common set of platforms to do more things than ever. That means marketers have to play catch-up and shift away from strategies of the past. Today, the “e” in ecommerce means “everywhere.”

Your goal as a marketer should be to distribute content across as many types of media and platforms as your budget can allow. Make fast, confident decisions that give digital consumers opportunities to buy.

Keep in mind that capturing your customers’ attention will become harder as media multitasking becomes the new normal. Your digital content will need to be smarter, more creative and more visual to connect and engage today’s audiences.

#2: Smartphone Device Adoption Has Reached Half of U.S. Population

With 139 million (53%) of Americans owning smartphones, mobile use has reached critical mass in the United States.

Research by eMarketer shows the amount of time people spend on a mobile device is growing at 14 times the rate of desktop usage. The same research indicates thatmobile is becoming a more prominent channel for commercial transactions.

In the second quarter of 2012, mobile sales accounted for 15.1% of total B2C retail ecommerce sales, compared to only 1.9% for social ecommerce sales.

Smartphone usage has reached critical mass presenting unparalleled opportunities for digital marketers.

What this means for marketers is that a mobile-first strategy is the new priority.

The significance of location-based marketing, which has been around for a couple of years, will only continue to grow in importance.

Finally, with a growing number of users downloading apps on their smartphones, a focused app strategy will help ensure that your brand remains forceful and relevant.

Post social media content that is easy to consume and interact with on the go; for example, more images, brief posts, easy-to-execute calls to action.

#3: Content Marketing Is Still King

There’s no argument that content is still king. A 2012 survey conducted by Outbrain and research firm eConsultancy showed that 91% of in-house marketers use content marketing to sell their products and services. Additionally, 90% of all digital marketing professionals believe content marketing will become even more important over the next 12 months.

Digital marketers believe content marketing will become more important than ever.

The same research pointed to the top 3 types of content that are working best for marketers: social posts and updates (83%), email newsletters (78%) and news or feature articles (67%).

Focus on content marketing rather than advertising because consumers interact with content first, giving brands ideas or insights about what is important to them. Brands can then use these insights to craft their ads.

#4: Facebook Is Still Dominant

Despite all of the changes that continue to take place on Facebook such as Graph Search and hashtags, the number of users on Facebook is rising, giving marketers opportunities to interact with audiences in innovative ways.

Despite constant changes to the platform, Facebook remains top dog among social networks.

Brands that use hashtags in their posts may have slightly higher reach than brands that don’t use them, according to Edgerank Checker. Hashtags will also open up new advertising opportunities for marketers, including the ability to advertise directly to users who have used or clicked on a particular hashtag.

On the other hand, Graph Search is a valuable tool for helping you find people who like your Page. If you’re a local business this means you can create content, ads or free giveaways just for fans in your geographical location, thus encouraging a more vibrant local community.

To stay ahead of the game, marketers must learn and master the Facebook environment in spite of unexpected and often frustrating changes to the platform.

#5: Users Notice More Branded Content on Their News Feed

A majority of Facebook users (62%) noticed more branded content on their news feed. Most users don’t visit a brand’s Facebook Page. They interact with brands on their news feed, which is where opportunities and challenges lie for marketers.

Branded content on users' news feeds presents significant opportunities and challenges for marketers.

On the bright side, users who want to interact with brand content will be more engaged and open to brand messages. The opposite is true for users who just want to hang out with their friends. They’ll simply hide any brand content they don’t want to see (especially if those posts are frequent and intrusive).

We know that photos already make up 50% of news feed stories, and that images will continue to grow in importance. To get consumers to interact with branded content on Facebook, marketers should make posts more visual and provide interesting yet relevant insights about your company.

Invest in eye-catching, high-quality photos that will be pulled into users’ news feeds when they interact with your Page.

#6: Twitter Getting More Popular

Although Facebook is at the top of the social media world, the Edison report shows that Twitter is getting more popular. Notice that only 11% of Americans “Have not heard of Twitter,” which means 89% have!

The hidden potential of Twitter is bigger than most people think.

You might say, “But only 15% of Americans actually use Twitter!” (See Fig. 4). True. However 44% hear about tweets on other media “Almost Every Day” and 84% have seen or heard of tweets in other media at some point (green, plus blue, plus yellow, plus purple slices = 84%). This means that an overwhelming majority of Americans have been exposed to Twitter via multimedia consumption.

This statistic justifies the conclusion that Twitter is a much bigger platform than most people give it credit for, and marketers should be the first to recognize its hidden potential.

Take advantage of the current Twitter-friendly multimedia environment andpromote your brand among non-Twitter audiences. Encourage them to talk about you online using tweets, and in particular, using your brand’s hashtag.

via

Why Businesses Need To Notice SMS Marketing

Simply put, short message service marketing or SMS marketing needs to be given attention to by businesses because it can be an effective way to reach customers. Consider this: 98 percent of text messages received by people are read. Compare that to the following read rates for other social marketing outlets: 29 percent for Twitter tweets, 20 percent of emails, a dismal 12 percent of Facebook posts.

People have a penchant for checking their phones every day. The mobile phone is probably the last thing people set aside when they are about to sleep and the first thing they check when they wake up.

According to the infographic from SlickText.com, an average person checks their phone 150 times every day and has his or her phone at arm’s reach 14 hours every day.

Furthermore, SlickText says that SMS marketing campaigns are opted out less than 5 percent of the time.

Learn more about the reasons why a business should consider SMS marketing in the informative infographic below.

(via)

Related articles

• Mobile Marketing: How to Get Started
• Tips For A Successful Social Media Campaign On Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn [Infographic]
• Is Your Facebook Page Performing Above Or Below Average? [Infographic]
• Amazing Social Media Statistics From Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest And Google+ [INFOGRAPHIC]
• 6 Amazing Social Media Statistics For Brands And Businesses [INFOGRAPHIC]

5 Mobile Social Media Marketing Ideas to Grow Your Business

#1: Connect With Prospects On LinkedIn Mobile

The LinkedIn mobile app brings a streamlined version of the desktop site to your smartphone or other mobile device. You’ll have access to all the key LinkedIn features, including updates, your profile, messages and groups.

An example of the LinkedIn home screen on a smartphone.

From your LinkedIn home page, tap on your profile photo to access your profile screen to see who has viewed your profile recently. If someone has viewed your profile, it’s a good indication that they might be interested in hearing from you.

With the mobile app, you can reach out to them from your phone or tablet. Justtap on their profile photo and say hello to them via LinkedIn.

Allowing the app to send you push notifications is a great way to stay in touch with your LinkedIn connections, even when you’re away from your desktop computer.

#2: Build Your Brand on Instagram

Many people think of Instagram as nothing more than a photo-sharing app for personal use, but you can also use it to promote your corporate or personal brand.

In addition to sharing photos of his own travels, Dave Kerpen, author of Likeable Business and CEO of Likeable Media, uses Instagram to build brand awareness by posting pictures of the Likeable foam hand at baseball games around the country.

A picture of the Likeable foam hand from Dave Kerpen’s Instagram feed.

Shelly Kramer, founder of integrated marketing firm V3 uses humor to extend her brand’s personality when she shares Instagram photos with her clients and followers.

Shelly Kramer posted “More evidence of my really bad, terrible, horrible day.”

When you post images from your mobile device to Instagram it can help youform a strong connection with your audience and build a visual representation of your brand. Consider using similar tactics to promote your brand and build awareness through this popular social platform.

#3: Use Promoted Tweets to Target Mobile Users

Did you know that 55% of users who log into Twitter every month do so at least once using a mobile device? You can reach these people by using Promoted Tweets todisplay your tweet to users who access Twitter from a mobile device.

Sprint uses promoted Tweets to capture the attention of potential customers who are using Twitter from their smartphones with a tweet that offers $100 to people who switch to Sprint as their mobile carrier.

Sprint’s Promoted Tweet is surfaced only to users viewing Twitter on a mobile device.

Mobile targeting on Twitter will let you tailor tweets to appeal to prospects and customers who use smartphones. You’ll want to keep this tactic in mind as mobile usage continues to grow.

#4: Drive Traffic to Mobile Sites With Facebook’s Promoted Posts

Unlike Facebook Ads or Sponsored Stories, which display in the right sidebar,Promoted Posts are visible to mobile users because they display in the Facebook news feed.

Below is an example of a Promoted Post that drives traffic to a landing page on the company’s mobile website. The image on the left shows an ad that’s integrated into a user’s Facebook stream. The ad drives prospects and customers to a landing page on the company’s mobile website, as shown in the image on the right.

Use Facebook’s Promoted Posts to show ads in the news feeds of mobile users.

Retailers, e-commerce sites, mobile app developers and traditional businesses have all used Facebook’s native advertising to acquire new customers cost-effectively.

#5: Use a QR Code to Increase Your Social Audience

Research indicates that 27% of all smartphone owners have scanned a QR code. And, while QR codes aren’t going to be around forever, they’re still a great way toconnect with people using social media on their mobile devices.

Use a QR code to grow your Twitter audience.

Here’s a simple technique you can use to get more Twitter followers using QR codes. Copy the URL and visit Mobile-Barcodes. Paste the URL into the QR code generator and hit Submit. Instantly, you’ll have your very own QR code, which can be saved to your desktop.

Now you can add the QR code to any printed materials—business cards, brochures, posters, even T-shirts. People who scan the QR code will be driven to your Twitter page, where they can follow you from their mobile device.

Go on, grab your smartphone and scan the code.s