How’s Your Mobile Brand? - By: Maria Elena Duron

Though the Internet has changed the way people across the globe talk and reach out to one another, mobile smart phones have really pushed the limits in what can be achieved through technology. Being able to access the Internet using your mobile phone enables you to obtain information anytime, anywhere. And if there’s one thing that’s growing rapidly in the world of business right now, it’s the use of mobile apps.

What makes mobile smart phones so popular is how easy and intuitive they are. Though you may think that most users of smart phones are the younger generation, think again – because of the intuitiveness of these mobile phones, more and more users over the age of 45 are also using these gadgets.

With mobile users continuing to rise significantly, brands nowadays are jumping in the mobile bandwagon so they can reach and engage more consumers. Even small business owners and direct sellers have started to realize the importance of mobile branding in their campaigns. But how exactly can personal brands successfully utilize mobile? What are the key factors in ensuring mobile success?

The web and mobile platforms are two entirely different things

One of the things where brands go wrong is thinking that the web and mobile platforms are the same, and that users are looking for a similar experience of the web on their mobile smart phones. Nothing can be further from the truth. Even though there are lessons to be gained from using the web, mobile is a whole different arena – it basically puts the power in the hands of the individual.

First of all, mobile smart phones give users a smaller screen to navigate. So it takes a bit of creativity to ensure that your consumers have an excellent experience of your brand through their mobile phones. One of the very basic and simple ways you can do is to ensure that your website is optimized for mobile browsers, so that people visiting your site through their mobiles would not be directed to your regular website, which will look ugly on their smart phones.

Also, when it comes to mobile, there is the saying that less is more. Flash, for example, doesn’t work in most mobile browsers, so it might be better to leave that off for your mobile site. And people don’t really want to be bombarded with too much information when they’re on their mobiles – think simple, quick, and interactive. These are the qualities that most people look for when accessing sites and apps in their smart phones.

What you want is to give your consumers something that they can quickly understand and encourage smart interaction. Something they can manage as they go about their busy lives. It’s truly different from what they want to encounter while leisurely browsing the web at home.

Though the technology has improved, it’s still all about connections and engagement

For direct sellers, the days of organizing parties by sending invites in the mail or calling up people on their home phones are gone… nowadays, parties and gatherings are being planned online, invites are being sent through social networking sites and emails. But even though the technology has made things significantly easier, it still doesn’t change the fact that succeeding in business for both direct sellers and small business owners is all about connecting with their audience and engaging their consumers. Mobile access simply makes it a lot easier to connect with people on the go, and keep updated on your business wherever you are.

It’s important to define your plan before jumping in

Of course, it shouldn’t mean that just because everyone is doing it, you should go ahead and do it too. You need to define your goals and come up with a solid plan for your mobile campaign. Typically, businesses go into mobile because of three things: to increase traffic to their site, increase customers, and to increase marketing ROI. And you also have to know how to measure the success in your mobile campaign, so you can evaluate whether it’s worth it in the long run or not.

The coming years will surely bring more technological advancements in the way people interact with the brands they love through mobile. As a direct seller or small business owner, you really can’t ignore the mobile platform since experts predict that it’s going to gain even more popularity in the years to come. If you aren’t yet ready to put your mobile brand into place, it may be a good idea to start learning the ropes so that you can be ready when the time comes.

About the Author

"Maria Elena Duron, CEO (chief engagement officer), buzz2bucks | a word of mouth marketing firm, is skilled at making networks “work” and harnessing powerful online and offline buzz, she facilitates online visibility services and word of mouth coaching and workshops – taking companies and professionals from buzz-worthy to bucks-worthy, http://buzz2bucks.com."

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Maria-Elena-Duron/164598

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