I have been around the block a few times with websites, email, marketing solutions and branding services. My background “started” in graphics and communications. I remember the day when I would get buzzed from my design markers and super 77 spray glue (that glue would make my hair unruly for days). I would start my day by gathering my design tools of layout bond, rulers, exacto knives, and that little orange cone-shaped can filled with solvent, that removed any blemish or mistake.
Fast forward to today….Now I am living in digital world where all of the tools I once had at my disposal are still in existence, only virtual and available to me with one click. Having remained on the cutting edge over the years and transitioning from a marker and paper artist to a digital artist specializing in website design, to more recently a digital marketing strategist, I have to say that the latest trend towards capturing an audience, which totally blows my hair back is mobile applications and smart phones. These little programs can scan a credit card, purchase merchandise from my favorite store, keep my kids busy while we are traveling on vacation, find my favorite radio station, search for my favorite recipes and much more. Now I don’t have to wait until I get home to have access to the most amazing technology of our time.
The big push now is to take all of the data that’s coming in from web, search, CRM, ecommerce, mobile and email while making sense of it all. An effective marketer in today’s business will be able to take all of the digital footprints and touchpoints and make intelligent decisions in leading a company forward. He will be worth his weight in gold and able to answer the questions of the day: How am I able to capture leads, what is the most effective way to generate those leads, and how can I nurture my leads and turn them in to customers? What about brand loyalty, what makes my company unique?
CEO’s are still grappling with the ROI on this new little diddy and I have to say that it’s time to get on board or you will remain behind the curve and miss your opportunity to stand out from the competition. The numbers don’t lie, on Tuesday, Google‘s Senior VP of mobile devices Andy Rubin revealed that the Internet search giant presently activates close to three-quarters of one-million Android mobile phones daily. iPhone activity is even higher beating Android 2-1 on app downloads. Even though more users are on Android, iPhone users seem to love the ease of use to gain access via the smart phone so they download twice as much.
Social media is transforming communities (and even toppling regimes). This story from Nashville, is a good example of how access to smart phones helped a community get information when timing was critical:
During last Sunday’s storm, 44,000 Nashvillians were without power (myself included). The only way I was able to receive critical information about the severe weather advisories and the growing flood problem was through Twitter and Facebook on my phone.
If having a smart phone makes you smarter than I would say having a smart app to promote your business and stay connected with your audience is the smartest decision to reaching a generation “on the go”. Social media integration, sharing information to those that you influence, avoiding long lines in a check out, saving money on gas, personalizing my shopping experience, these are positive signs towards mobile business in a mobile friendly world.
For more research on this topic, check out the following links:
Android apps more popular than IOS – Huffington Post
Google activates 700,000 devices everyday – Mobile Marketing Watch
