Bulk SMS Services

We are very pleased to offer Digital Force, a new product for broadcasters! The Digital Force product creates a unique, interactive, and turnkey technological solution that  meets several crucial needs for broadcasters including:

     1)  Creation of new revenue streams including the addition of text message ads and website sales.  Mobile messaging revenue is currently over $150 billion, and will reach $233 billion by 2014 (Portio Research, Feb. 2010).Total U.S. online retail sales are expected to grow at an average annual rate of 10% over the next four years, rising from $155 billion in 2009 to $250 billion in 2014, according to a Forrester Research study.

     2)  Increased audience interactivity through text messaging, social media, and blogging.  Over 80% of Americans have cell phones, text volume exceeded call volume in Q2 2009, and 50% will have web enabled phones by Q3 2011 (Source: Mobile Marketing Assoc.).  Social media main sites now boast over 600 million users, with 50% logging in daily, connecting to over 80 pages, groups, events, brands, and companies (Sources: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter), and over 126 million blogs on the Internet currently. B2B blogging increases leads by an average of 67% (Source: Inbound Marketing Lead Generation Report).

3)   Increased website traffic as a result of social linking, social media, optimized blogging, and mobile phone apps.  Over 41% of businesses using social media have acquired new customers through those channels (Source: Inbound Marketing Lead Generation Report).

4)   Adoption of emerging communications platforms are absolutely necessary to retain relevancy.  Mobile use is growing much more quickly than PCs or Internet services did Burson, 2010).

5)  Provides turnkey solution for broadcasters, including ease of use from a single platform, negating the need to hire additional staff.  We have developed an online content aggregator system that integrates text messaging, social media, and blogging sites with content update from one location.

    About Edge Media: Edge Media is a full service leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional ROI for our clients. Our cutting edge technologies include SMS marketing software that allow our clients to deliver bulk SMS services that few marketing companies Phoenix is home to can offer. In addition to our text SMS messaging software, our mobile advertising agency offers mobile websites, mobile apps, and mobile internet advertising.

Technology is changing at a dizzying pace.  So rapidly in fact, that some days I don't want to read about the next technological breakthrough that has been adopted by marketers as a communications tool.  It is quite frankly just hard to keep up sometimes, and the rapid mobile evolution some days makes me feel like rearranged pond scum trying to get my head around it.  Other days I'm pretty excited about it, like today, where I recognize the incredible potential for effective communications!
 
Relevant communication methods are critical.  80% of Americans have mobile phones, and 50% will have smartphones by Q3 2011, continuing the rapid evolution in communication and media consumption. Mobile is way more than text message marketing.  Mobile channels include mobile websites, mobile social media,  apps, mobile listening and viewing, mobile advertising, mobile giving,  and more. 

Many businesses and non-profits are aware of changes in technology and wondering what to use and how to use it, but concerned about costs and manpower.  It is very understandable, as the processes of communication should not be the focus.  Therefore, the channels must be effective, efficient, and affordable.  How do you move from being overwhelmed to updated communications that work?

As a leading interactive advertising agency, we believe that it starts by understanding each different mobile channel, its individual value, and then the value of the sum of the parts working together, as well as an understanding of how they can work together in order to evaluate effectiveness of various channels, and effectively integrate mobile media into communications strategies.  Edge Media's  focus is to link the parts together so that as an  mobile advertising agency we are able to create connected communications systems so that our clients can quickly and  easily update information that flows across a variety of platforms, including mobile websites, blog sites, social media, and more.  Our system also creates the interactivity between text messaging and the mobile web, so we can instantaneously send out alerts, prayer requests, action items, and more from the touch of a mobile phone.   It is really exciting!

In my last Edge Media blog, I shared a social media tip.  Today, the tip is about the mobile web. For example, Google reports its mobile search volume has increased FIVE FOLD over the last two years!  When ESPN launched their mobile site, their overall visitors increased over 30%.  The plain truth is that more people are on the web on their web-enabled phones, and it is important to have a mobile website to make your site easier to view on the much smaller screens of a phone.  So, the mobile tip is to secure the .mobi (short for mobile) of your domain name - for example: www.edgemedia.mobi instead of .com.   There are free tools out there to convert a standard website to a mobile site without programming help.  Here is a link to a helpful site: http://www.tothepc.com/archives/5-ways-to-create-or-convert-into-mobile-phone-website/

I encourage you to mobilize your website to take advantage of the search volume of folks who are browsing using their mobile phone, but who won't stay on your site long if it it is hard to navigate.   More on mobile channels in the next blog!

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a full service leading interactive agency that specializes in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional results for our clients.  Our cutting edge technologies include SMS marketing software to allow our clients to deliver bulk SMS services in their communications, and as a mobile advertising agency, create mobile websites, mobile apps, and integrate mobile with social media - all very exciting stuff!  If you want to talk about it, send us an e-mail at info@edgemedia.biz or call the offices at 602-943-2030.  Also, be sure to follow us:

               

I have used the line, "Don't Tweet Just to Hear Yourself Chirp" many times.  And there are as many "how to" guides on social media out there as there are social media marketing "gurus".   My take on this is similar to what my mother always said, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all", except I would revise that to say, "If you don't have something relevant or helpful to say, don't say anything at all."   Often late at night I will think, "Oh no!  I haven't blogged today!"  The truth is that by late at night, I have nothing intelligent left in my brain to say... 

In all seriousness, social media is a CONVERSATION, not a direct donor channel.  Certainly you should be engaging with people who are interested and should move from interested to a supporter.  The question is, what are you offering to help engage them?  In order to become involved in your non-profit, people have to first believe in you, and care about what you do.  When it comes to growing a donor base, this becomes even more critical, as lots of folks can like what you do, but WAAAYYYY  fewer folks will like you enough to crack open the ole' wallet on a regular basis.  Engage the heart, tell your story, use testimonials, pictures, video, and activate folks who are already supporters to be your brand messengers on social media sites, telling their stories.  Real life testimony is always extremely powerful and credible.   Now, you might be saying you already know all of this, but keep reading to find out how to tell your story more effectively...

At ChurchLink Communications, a division of Edge Media, we have been engaged in marketing for over a decade, and I personally have been engaged in marketing for three decades.  While our content is going to be different than a non-profit, I believe the principles still remain true. We have a lot of great lessons to share, and some of them learned the hard way!  I believe we should deliver thought leadership, relevant content, and helpful information to people who would benefit from our services.    While some advertising and marketing consultants balk at the idea of "giving away stuff for free", I say that business is earned, and it is earned by proving that you know what you are talking about.  The same is true of non-profits - how do you set yourself apart from other non-profits doing very important work?  What are you doing differently? More effectively using donor dollars?  Measuring impact?  Create thought leadership in your area of influence.

So... speaking of offering relevant content, its time time give you a hands on tool... As an interactive web agency, we have to create online marketing systems that are both effective and efficient.  Here is a great tip for social media management:  We link our social media content through a content management system.  When I post to Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. I am actually only posting one time and the content management system takes that content and automatically flows it out over fifteen to twenty sites that are all linked together.  This saves significant time, increases exposure, and positively impacts search engine rankings if the posts are keyword optimized.  We use several content management systems, but a simple and free tool is Ping.  You can find it at Ping.fm and link your existing social media accounts together there.  

But remember before you press the send button...  Don't chirp to hear yourself Tweet!  

About ChurchLink Communications: ChurchLink Communications is a division of Edge Media whose mission is to empower the Church to deliver the Gospel message and fulfill the Great Commission using every communications tool available to reach to the far corners of the world in the most effective means possible.  ChurchLink offers a full array of products and services, including radio syndication, media research, media buying, market research, SMS marketing software for fundraising using text messaging, internet marketing strategies, and much more.  Check out our services here: www.churchlinkcommunications.com/clientservices.html

ChurchLink Communications is committed to serving ministries, non-profits, Christian broadcast, and Christian churches.

About Edge Media: Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ offering cutting edge marketing solutions that deliver exceptional results, including mobile advertising agency products such as SMS marketing software for bulk SMS service delivery, interactive web agency products including integrated social media strategies, and full service offerings including radio and television advertising, marketing research, marketing strategy, media research and media buying services, and more. 
 

   I have used the line, "Don't Tweet Just to Hear Yourself Chirp" many times.  And there are as many "how to" guides on social media out there as there are social media marketing "gurus".   My take on this is similar to what my mother always said, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all", except I would revise that to say, "If you don't have something relevant or helpful to say, don't say anything at all."   Often late at night I will think, "Oh no!  I haven't blogged today!"  The truth is that by late at night, I have nothing intelligent left in my brain to say... 

In all seriousness, social media is a CONVERSATION, not a direct sales channel.  Certainly you should be engaging with people who are interested and should move from interested to a customer or supporter.  The question is, what are you offering of value?  At Edge Media, we have been engaged in marketing for over a decade, and I personally have been engaged in marketing for three decades.  We have a lot of great lessons to share, and some of them learned the hard way!  I believe we should deliver thought leadership, relevant content, and helpful information to people who would benefit from our services.    While some advertising and marketing consultants balk at the idea of "giving away stuff for free", I say that business is earned, and it is earned by proving that you know what you are talking about.

So... speaking of offering relevant content... As an interactive web agency, we have to create online marketing systems that are both effective and efficient.  Here is a great tip for social media management:  We link our social media content through a content management system.  When I post to Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. I am actually only posting one time and the content management system takes that content and automatically flows it out over fifteen to twenty sites that are all linked together.  This saves significant time, increases exposure, and positively impacts search engine rankings if the posts are keyword optimized.  We use several content management systems, but a simple and free tool is Ping.  You can find it at Ping.fm and link your existing social media accounts together there.  

But remember before you presss the send button...  Don't chirp to hear yourself Tweet!  

About Edge Media: Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ offering cutting edge marketing solutions that deliver exceptional results, including mobile advertising agency products such as SMS marketing software for bulk SMS service delivery, interactive web agency products including integrated social media strategies, and full service offerings including radio and television advertising, marketing research, marketing strategy, media research and media buying services, and more. 
 

Please join us on Tues. Sept. 28th from 9am - 12pm for "Navigate the New Economy", a FREE business seminar presented by KKNT AM 960 and Edge Media. 

The seminar includes a panel of five experts who will tackle the tough topics that currently are contributing an evironment for small businesses in Phoenix.   Seminar titles include Healthcare that Doesn't Give You Heartburn, Marketing That Doesn't Break Your Piggy Bank, How NOT to Give ALL Your Money to Uncle Sam, How to Get the Most From Your Bank, and Find a New Way and content covers changes in healthcare, changes in tax law, marketing strategies for business growth, banking, and tax free retirement strategies. 

Presenters include Vickie Isaac,MEd, President/Owner Edge Media, Pat Corcoran, Senior VP, BBVA Compass Bank, Ed Daily, CPA, MBA, President CPA on Wheels, Mike Ford, President, ProFormance Financial, and two time past president of NIAFA, and Nancy Halls, President, Hipes Consulting.

The seminar is free, but preregistration is required as seating is limited.  Light refreshments will be served. To register, go to:  www.navigatetheeconomy.com

About Edge Media: Edge Media is a full service leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional results for our clients.  Some of our specialties include SMS marketing software that allows for the delivery of bulk SMS services, and  social media interactive agency strategies that make every task deliver at least twenty five times the results.  Our marketing and advertising consultants work smarter and our results prove it.

About News Talk 960 KKNT Intelligent Conservative Talk:  KKNT is located on the AM Dial at 960 AM, a powerhouse signal with a powerhouse lineup of conservative talkers, including Dennis Prager, Hugh Hewitt, and Michael Medved.  For more on KKNT, go to: www.kknt960.com

I just read a great article titled "Go Mobile or Be Dust" by B.L. Ochman of Advertising Age.  She tackled the topic of mobile marketing with humor, and let the knock out punch come from the facts she quoted.  The source of her article is research from Burson-Marsteller and Proof Integrated Communications which presents 53 compelling reasons, backed by data for why organizations must adopt mobile communications strategies or simply be left behind.

The backbone of the research is really all about the consumer... and how and what they are consuming via mobile phones.  As a leading interactive agency, we saw this trend a long way out, which is why we engaged actively in the mobile space almost five years ago before it was really considered a "must have".   We looked at data that illustrated how folks in Europe and Asia use their phones - like a mini-computer - and realized that this was coming to the United States, so we prepared. 

Mobile is not just bulk SMS services, although ChurchLink Communications' SMS marketing software is some of the best in the industry.  Mobile now incorporates search, location based tracking, banking, coupon delivery, and of course... advertising on the IPad (one of my personal favorites...).   And of course, keep in mind how many non-profits have used text messaging strategies very effectively for fundraising - a tool unheard of five years ago!

I have found that as I talk to people about the necessity of "going mobile", there is a certain glaze that starts to cover the eyes of the people I am talking with.  I am often guilty of being a technical geek, delivering too much unnecessary detail (I am certain that is the professor in me that is always lurking waiting to pounce on unwary students-to-be)...   Going mobile does not have to be an eye-glazing experience, and truthfully, can not only be more effective but a less expensive marketing endeavor than numerous other mediums.

At ChurchLink Communications and Edge Media, we have a simple process by which we move our clients gently, mobilely forward... It starts with a mobile website...meaning making a website show up nicely on a mobile phone browser and being mindful of load times for particular items, including flash.  This is not a difficult process and is a must do, as the most conducted activity on a web enabled mobile phone is search.  We will address simply mobile processes in upcoming blog posts along with the rationale for making the changes and additions necessary to not... well... not be left in the dust!

About ChurchLink Communications: ChurchLink Communications is a Christian advertising agency division of Edge Media, a leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional results for our clients.  ChurchLink Communications is a full service Christian agency, which includes mobile advertising agency and interactive web agency capabilities, with a commitment to incorporate all available marketing and communications tools to create marketing engines that hum for our clients!  Our ChurchLink clients include ministries, non-profits, Christian broadcast, and churches, and our commitment is to give our clients every available tool to deliver their message to the ends of the earth!

Just read a great article titled "Go Mobile or Be Dust" by B.L. Ochman of Advertising Age.  She tackled the topic of mobile marketing with humor, and let the knock out punch come from the facts she quoted.  The source of her article is research from Burson-Marsteller and Proof Integrated Communications which presents 53 compelling reasons, backed by data for why organizations must adopt mobile communications strategies or simply be left behind.

The backbone of the research is really all about the consumer... and how and what they are consuming via mobile phones.  As a leading interactive agency, we saw this trend a long way out, which is why we engaged actively in the mobile space almost five years ago before it was really considered a "must have".   We looked at data that illustrated how folks in Europe and Asia use their phones - like a mini-computer - and realized that this was coming to the United States, so we prepared. 

Mobile is not just bulk SMS services, although our SMS marketing software is some of the best in the industry.  Mobile now incorporates search, location based tracking, banking, coupon delivery, and of course... advertising on the IPad (one of my personal favorites...).  

I have found that as I talk to people about the necessity of "going mobile", there is a certain glaze that starts to cover the eyes of the people I am talking with.  I am often guilty of being a technical geek, delivering too much unnecessary detail (I am certain that is the professor in me that is always lurking waiting to pounce on unwary students-to-be)...   Going mobile does not have to be an eye-glazing experience, and truthfully, can not only be more effective but a less expensive marketing endeavor than numerous other mediums.

At Edge Media, we have a simple process by which we move our clients gently, mobilely forward... It starts with a mobile website...meaning making a website show up nicely on a mobile phone browser and being mindful of load times for particular items, including flash.  This is not a difficult process and is a must do, as the most conducted activity on a web enabled mobile phone is search.  We will address simply mobile processes in upcoming blog posts along with the rationale for making the changes and additions necessary to not... well... not be left in the dust!

About Edge Media: Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional results for our clients.  We are a full service agency, which includes mobile advertising agency and interactive web agency capabilities, with a commitment to incorporate all available marketing and communications tools to create marketing engines that hum for our clients!

ChurchLink Communications, a division of Edge Media is pleased to announce Navigate the New Economy, our FREE business seminar is coming to Phoenix on Tues. Sept. 21st.  A panel of five experts will tackle the tough topics that business owners have to wrestle with, including tax changes, healthcare, investment & retirement, how to get the most from your bank, and of course Edge Media is presenting marketing strategies that won't break your piggy bank!

The panel of experts includes Pat Corcoran, VP from Compass Bank; Ed Daily President, CPA,MBA from CPA on Wheels; Mike Ford, President, PFG Planning Group; Nancy Halls, President, Hipes Consulting, and myself, Vickie Isaac, MEd., President of Edge Media.  This group has decades of expertise in their own fields, and business owners will come away with practical strategies to navigate thru these turbulent times.  The practical advice will be great, plus the seminar will include a call to action for small business owners to stick together and support one another's businesses through this difficult economic downturn.

The Edge Media portion of the presentation will tackle ways to actually generate business from social media, simple solutions to increase search engine visibility, and ways to convert visitors to sales on company websites.  We will give you tips that other marketing companies Phoenix reps don't want you to know... real insider stuff... :-)

For more seminar info and to register for the seminar, go to www.navigatetheeconomy.com

About ChurchLink Communications & Edge Media:   ChurchLink Communication is a division of Edge Media that serves ministries, churches, and Christian broadcast.  ChurchLink Communications offers full service Christian advertising agency services.  As a Christian agency, we offer cutting edge technological solutions to help Christian organizations maximize the impact of their message.

Edge Media is a leading interactive agency in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional ROI for our clients.   Some of our specialties include SMS marketing software for delivery of bulk SMS services, optimized blogging which is a powerful lead generator, and integrated and linked social media strategies that increase search results and convert to sales.  Our advertising and marketing consultants are experts in analyzing your needs and creating interactive web agency strategies that work five to ten times harder than traditional strategies.  For more about Edge Media, go to www.edgemedia.biz

Edge Media is pleased to announce Navigate the New Economy, our FREE business seminar is coming to Phoenix on Tues. Sept. 21st.  A panel of five experts will tackle the tough topics that business owners have to wrestle with, including tax changes, healthcare, investment & retirement, how to get the most from your bank, and of course Edge Media is presenting marketing strategies that won't break your piggy bank!

The panel of experts includes Pat Corcoran, VP from Compass Bank; Ed Daily President, CPA,MBA from CPA on Wheels; Mike Ford, President, PFG Planning Group; Nancy Halls, President, Hipes Consulting, and myself, Vickie Isaac, MEd., President of Edge Media.  This group has decades of expertise in their own fields, and business owners will come away with practical strategies to navigate thru these turbulent times.  The practical advice will be great, plus the seminar will include a call to action for small business owners to stick together and support one another's businesses through this difficult economic downturn.

The Edge Media portion of the presentation will tackle ways to actually generate business from social media, simple solutions to increase search engine visibility, and ways to convert visitors to sales on company websites.  We will give you tips that other marketing companies Phoenix reps don't want you to know... real insider stuff... :-)

For more seminar info and to register for the seminar, go to www.navigatetheeconomy.com

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading interactive agency in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional ROI for our clients.   Some of our specialties include SMS marketing software for delivery of bulk SMS services, optimized blogging which is a powerful lead generator, and integrated and linked social media strategies that increase search results and convert to sales.  Our advertising and marketing consultants are experts in analyzing your needs and creating interactive web agency strategies that work five to ten times harder than traditional strategies.  For more about Edge Media, go to www.edgemedia.biz

Over 100 million U.S. cell phones will be web enabled by 2011, almost double from 2 yrs. ago, and experts predict that by 2013 over half of all phones in the U.S. will be web enabled.

Mobile strategy is critical to revelant communication strategy, including mobilizing web sites to make them easier to browse in small screens, and integrating text message based strategy into marketing plans similar to how e-mail is currently being used.  Text message strategy is important because the response time and response rates to text messaging comparing to e-mail on a phone are almost 40% higher than e-mail!  Right now is the time to grab the .mobi domain name - for example: www.edgemedia.mobi  is what we have secured for our agency and are building out our mobile site now.  The .mobi is recognized as short for the mobile web, or websites viewed on mobile devices.  You can visit www.espn.mobi for a good example.  When ESPN launched their mobile site, they increased overall web traffic by over 30%!

Edge Media has long been known as a leading interactive agency, but we are fast becoming a leading mobile advertisng agency as well.  We use our cutting edge SMS marketing software and integrate it into all of our marketing strategies.  As we integrate mobile with online and traditional marketing outreach, we exponentially increase the results for our clients. We can create .mobi sites, create mobile strategy, and integrate SMS into the mix to increase results.  Using media interactive agency strategies can increase results from standard non-integrated strategies one hundred fold. 

For a no-obligation, complimentary business consultation, e-mail us at:  info@edgemedia.biz

About Edge Media: Edge Media is a leading interactive agency located in Phoenix, AZ specializing in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional results.  Our technology includes a state of the art SMS marketing software system to deliver bulk SMS services to/for our clients.  We serve local, national, and international clients and have been creating their success for over a decade.

The mobile fundraising campaign for Haitian crisis has raised over $40 million dollars in $5 and $10 increments, with over 6 million people responding to the need by using their cell phones to donate.  This is a wonderful illustration of the power and potential of mobile giving.

Non-profits who recognize the value of expanding their donor base and creating channels that are easy to give thru and communicate with will be the non-profits that not only survive but thrive in uncertain economic conditions.   The benefit of micro-donations is not only the lifetime value of the contributor, but the opportunity this type of giving creates in terms of cementing a relationship with a new supporter.

Texting outpaced calling in the United States in the second quarter of 2009. Just as non-profits had to create web based giving options, now is the time for non-profits to create their mobile platform.  Some experts predict that by 2011 smartphones will outnumber computers by three to one, and the fastest growing mobile texting demographic is adults 35 years and older.  Additionally, research also illustrates the fact that as income increases, so does response to mobile marketing.

The Edge Media SMS marketing software and ChurchLink Mobile bulk SMS services create the perfect platform for the creation of a comprehensive mobile strategy.  As a leading interactive web agency, we can build the mobile site, create the communications strategy, and implement the mobile campaigns for our clients.   In addition, our SMS marketing software has numerous capabilities in addition to the fundraising capability to provide enhanced ongoing communications for non-profits, ministries, churches, and non-profit broadcast organizations.

Both Edge Media and ChurchLink Communications (a division of Edge Media) are offering complimentary system set up and a thirty day complimentary subscription to create the opportunity to test the power of the mobile platform.

For more information, go to:
http://www.edgemedia.biz/index-3.html
http://www.churchlinkcommunications.com/offer.html

Edge Media & ChurchLink Communications are presenting a complimentary Business Success Seminar in Phoenix September 22nd 9 am - 12 noon. A panel of experts tackle business concerns including growth during recession, tax law changes & planning, health insurance updates & preparation, retirement planning that produces income, & business banking that supports your business...Mark your calendar, more info 2 come!

This is a great opportunity -our leading interactive agency will offer marketing strategies at this seminar, with some "how to" info, strategies growth during a recession, benefits of utilizing mobile advertising agency strategies to increase ROI using SMS marketing software and more!

About Edge Media: Edge Media is a leading interactive agency in Phoenix AZ with cutting edge technology solutions that deliver exceptional results for our clients.  Some of our offerings include SMS marketing software for bulk SMS services delivery, interactive web agency strategy, and experienced advertising and marketing consultants.  For more info on our services, go to: www.edgemedia.biz/index-2.html

About ChurchLink Communications:  ChurchLink is a division of Edge Media focused on serving the needs of the Christian Church.  As a Christian agency, ChurchLink offers the same cutting edge communications tools that Edge Media offers including SMS marketing software which is great for fundraising for ministries, churches, and Christian broadcast.  As a Christian interactive agency we offer social media, online marketing and fundraising solutions, broadcast, syndication, and more.  For more info, go to: www.churchlinkcommunications.com

Categories include: Edge Media, interactive agency, advertising and marketing consultants, interactive web agency, SMS marketing software, Christian agency, Christian advertising agency, bulk SMS services

E-Mail marketing to an existing, opted in list usually delivers three to seven percent response rates, depending upon the offer.  Research now shows that a text message of the same offer can deliver up to double the response rate to that same message!  Why?   I believe it is because the mobile phone text marketing space HAS TO remain opt-in only, with clear opt-out information that is quick and easy.  You can rent e-mail marketing lists, but you cannot currently rent cell phone lists.  This space remains uncluttered, and you are only communicating with those who want to receive your offer, hence the higher response rates.  

We feel so strongly about respecting the mobile space at Edge Media that our SMS marketing software will automatically deactivate a cell phone number as soon as we get a message into the system to unsubscribe.  That cell number can NOT be marketed to again unless thee cell phone owner activates that number again.  Text message marketing success will depend upon the ability to send bulk SMS services to an OPT IN group, as as a leading interactive agency, we will do our best to keep it that way!

For a free 30 day trial of Edge Media's SMS marketing software, go here: www.edgemedia.biz/index-3.html

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency with local, national, and international clients using cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional results for our clients.  We offer text message marketing, mobile web, mobile apps, social media, interactive internet marketing strategies, marketing research, purchase of media including radio and television, media production services, and web design with marketing strategy integration into the website to increase results. Our philosophy is that the integration of the marketing channels delivers greater results than individual marketing channels working alone, and our client success stories prove this theory over and over again!

As economic difficulties in the United States remain a reality, non-profits and ministries need to find creative ways to expand their donor bases, increase effective communication and grow interactive relationships. Mobile communication utilizing bulk SMS services can enhance these critical components of successful engagement with an organization’s supporters.

To reap all of the rewards of the direct relationship mobile communications offers, it is important to embrace a robust mobile strategy. Some non-profits have mistakenly embraced only a single strategy such as a premium keyword giving campaign. To understand the potential, one needs only to refer to the statistics around mobile engagement, including a 94% read rate and an average 5 minute response time to a text message.  As a mobile advertising agency, we recommend an integrated strategy using our SMS marketing software that captures a commitment, automatically responds, and then delivers a URL to complete a commitment.  It is fast, the non-profit retains almost ALL of the profits, and the funds are not handled by any third party vendors.  

The Edge Media Mobile and ChurchLink Mobile platforms connect across all major cell phone carriers in the United States as well as many international locations. We can help you communicate around the world!  We are offering a FREE 30 day trial of our software, and also waiving set up fees!   Go to: http://www.edgemedia.biz/index-3.html for more info for non-profits and http://www.churchlinkcommunications.com/offer

Sorry for the lapse in posting, but my hubby and I got away for a much needed rest to the lovely Caribbean island of St. Martin.  It was fabulous - great scuba diving!

What has happened since I blogged last?  Lots!  Our new division, ChurchLink Communications, is launching today!  We are very excited about it.  Please visit the site at http://www.churchlinkcommunications.com to check it out!  We have long believed that we have some invaluable tools to offer ministries, non-profits, churches, and Christian broadcast.  As a Christian interactive advertising agency with cutting edge SMS marketing software, we offer a unique opportunity to these organizations to create communications strategies that will greatly increase the effectiveness of communications, encouraging supporters to take action, and increasing the revenues from fundraising efforts.

Churches can use the SMS marketing software to mobilize their prayer ministry - a prayer request sent into the system automatically directs out to everyone enrolled.  An "Ask the Pastor" component allows people in the congregation to text in questions during the sermon that then are put on the screen and answered at the end of service.   Church security is instant with the push of a button.  Youth ministry communications is revolutionized, as youth pastors can instantly communicate with youth using the way they most often communicate - text messages!  The application for churches communicating with text messages are endless.   The software is extremely affordable, and ChurchLink is offering a 30-day no obligation trial of the SMS marketing software.   Click here to review the offer: www.churchlinkcommunications.com/offer.html

The next post will discuss the benefits of SMS marketing software for Christian ministries to use for effective communications and fundraising efforts.  Using bulk SMS services dramatically increases response rates for communications efforts, and is proven to be much more effective than e-mail.   Stay tuned for the next post on SMS marketing software.

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading interactive agency located in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional results for our clients.  Our advertising and marketing consultants are experienced and focused on our clients' needs. Find out more at: www.edgemedia.biz

About ChurchLink Communications:  ChurchLink Communications is a division of Edge Media.  ChurchLink is a Christian interactive agency dedicated to supporting ministries, churches, non-profits, and Christian broadcast through cutting edge technologies and effective communications strategies.  As a Christian interactive advertising agency, we have three decades of experience in serving the needs of the Church.  Find out more at: www.churchlinkcommunications.com

Note: Few marketing companies Phoenix AZ based offer the interactive solutions that Edge Media or Churchlink Communications provide for our clients.  Partnered with the experience of our  marketing and advertising consultants, we believe we offer exceptional services that deliver superior results.

According to the Mobile Marketer Daily, a recent Taco Bell campaign incorporated a text message response to a radio campaign - text in for a free Frutista. In five short weeks, Taco Bell had over 13,000 responses. Now... put on your thinking cap. What can you do as a marketer with 13,000 mobile phone numbers that you have permission to communicate to, and you know like Taco Bell? Well... duh.... let's find out what else they like, and get them back in to the store for more!

Remarketing is the beauty of the SMS marketing software system. Once opted in, I can communicate to those who have said YES by texting in. Instead of a ONE time radio buy that is only going to yield results for that flight, I now have long term relationships to deliver special offers and coupons to using the SMS marketing software.   I can take advantage of bulk SMS services to 13,000 people at a fraction of the cost of a radio campaign, but it has also increased the ROI of the money I spent on radio, because it creates a repeat customer.   Bulk SMS services to 13,000 cost pennies to deliver per person, and response rates to opt-in SMS marketing are very high!   Why?  Because the customer has asked for the information, so you are delivering something they already want!

The question becomes - why would you NOT include SMS in your marketing strategies??? Oh, maybe it is because you enjoy lower ROI and increased advertising costs. That is the only thing I can think of... :-)

For more information on mobile marketing and the Edge Media's Mobile SMS marketing software, go here: http://www.edgemedia.biz/index-3.html

Edge Media is pleased to announce that the new ChurchLink Communications website will launch next week! The goal of ChurchLink Communications, a division of Edge Media, is to provide new Christian interactive marketing and technology tools to Christian ministries, broadcast, and churches. Christian interactive communications tools include SMS marketing software, mobile web, and optimized blogging software, as well as stand marketing solutions including marketing research, media buying, marketing strategy, internet, and e-mail marketing. All client services currently available to Edge Media clients are available to ChurchLink clients.  

As a Christian advertising agency, it is the goal of ChurchLink, a division to Edge Media, to meet the needs of the Christian community with a focused goal of serving Christian ministries, Christian broadcast, and Christian churches.  The benefit of using a Christian marketing company is of course to have an agency that understands the Christian community, Christian media, and Christian church, and then create Christian interactive marketing strategies to mesh these components into an effective outreach strategy.

Edge Media is a leading interactive agency located in Phoenix AZ that has been serving local, national, and international clients for almost eight years.  Vickie Isaac, President and Owner of Edge Media, has over 25 years of marketing experience, first as the director of a Christian music talent agency, then at the helm of a Christian record company, followed by years in the Christian and general broadcast industry, and finally launching Edge Media in 2002.  Vickie is also an adjunct professor at Grand Canyon University. 

Click here for description of Edge Media's leading interactive agency client services:
http://www.edgemedia.biz/index-2.html

More About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency that is one of only a few advertising agencies Phoenix AZ that is a mobile advertising agency, having chosen to fully embrace emerging marketing strategies including the mobile web, SMS marketing software that delivers bulk SMS services, has experienced marketing and advertising consultants in the mobile arena.  Our clients are experiencing exceptional results with the mobile advertising agency services, and great ROI with the SMS marketing software.  For more info on Edge Mobile, the SMS marketing software, go here: http://www.edgemedia.biz/index-3.html

The American Marketing Association recently offered a seminar on the topic of interactivity available in social networking.  According to the AMA, "90% of consumers trust recommendations from people they know, 70% trust peer reviews posted online, and only 14% trust traditional advertising. Interactive Marketing is the future, so brands need to encourage a dialog around their products if they wish to compete. Interactive Marketing channels-from social media platforms (like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Yelp) to the exploding array of mobile applications (like FourSquare)-facilitate communication between consumers and therefore host these brand-related conversations."

It is clear that dialogue between companies and custoers is critical to new customer acquisition and existing customer satisfaction.  Many companies realize this, and have moved forward to set up Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.  Once the accounts are set up, a few tweets posted, nd a special or two offered on Facebook, many companies do not know where to go next.  How do you encourage interaction and build customer relationships?  Many companies neither have the time nor the resources to figure out what to do next.

The marketing and advertising consultants at Edge Media help move our clients forward from stagnation to strategy.  As a leading interactive agency, we believe strongly that research, then strategy, and then implementation are really the right steps in the right order.  In order to have success with social media, it is important to articulate the company's goals, then create the social media roadmap on how to meet those goals.  In other words, fans or followers for the sake of fans or followers just do not get the job done. 

Many advertising agencies Phoenix AZ create the accounts for their clients and then turn over the social media reins to the client to finish the implementation. This may work in some cases but it usually fails as companies, as stated above, neither have the time nor the resources to figure out what to do next.  At Edge Media we ask critical questions about goals, then create social media strategies to meet those goals.  It is important to remember that social media is not "push out" marketing, so as the strategy is created, it must include online listening, gathering research, dialogue, and then offering to the potential customer.  After these steps, it is also important to have a remessaging/remarketing strategy also in place.  Using these interactive web agency strategies can genuinely increase the return on the investment for social media marketing.

For a complimentary "Social Media 101" getting started presentation, and audio presentation regarding social media, go to http://www.edgemedia.biz/index-7.html

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ.  Edge Media is a mobile advertising agency as well, offering Edge Mobile, an advanced SMS marketing software system that delivers bulk SMS services.  Edge Media is a Chrstian advertising agency serving international, national, and local businesses, non-profits, churches, broadcast, and ministry organizations.

Mobile Commerce Daily recently reported that a test program by Sony delivered movie tickets to mobile phones with a 36% opt in rate.  McDonalds just tested the waters with mobile location based strategies.  Customers responded with a 7% click thru rate. 

Mobile marketing is well received by consumers because mobile phones are rapidly becoming the hub of their personal and business communications.  As mobile phones increase capabilities, the necessity of mobile marketing strategies will increase.  Mobile websites, bulk SMS services, mobile ads, and mobile apps are just a few of the mobile interactive web agency strategies that Edge Media is recommending to clients at a very rapid rate.

As a leading interactive agency, our SMS marketing software is no longer a nice addition, it is an absolutely vital marketing channel for our clients.  It is rare now that campaigns do not include some mobile advertising agency strategies. We are telling our clients to grab their dot mobi URL's, to allow us to create a mobile version of their websites as just basic steps to compete on the mobile web playing field.   We are fortunate to have several years of mobile advertising agency experience in this arena already, while other advertising agencies in Phoenix AZ are still trying to figure out what the platform is!  

If you would like to discuss mobile web strategies for your business, call us at 602-943-2030, and also be sure to visit our website for more info on mobile marketing at http://www.edgemedia.biz/index-3.html

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading interactive agency located in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge technological solutions that deliver exceptional results for our clients.   As a Christian advertising agency, we hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards in how we conduct our business, as well as a high standard of excellence with the work that we produce for our clients.  Our Christian marketing company also has a division, ChurchLink Communications that specializes in marketing services for churches, non-profits, ministries, and broadcast organizations.

The mobile web is coming on strong in 2010. Mobile apps have become common, the IPad is now valuable marketing space, and social networking on mobile phones is now commonplace.  More than half of all mobile phones in America are now web enabled. 

What does this mean for businesses and non-profit organizations?  It means it is TIME to add a mobile website and consider whether a mobile app would be of benefit to increase engagement.  Additionally, the integration of SMS communication is a must, just as e-mail was a must a decade ago.   SMS communications are read within 5 minutes, have a 94% open rate, and an average 12-34% response rate for marketing messages.  Consider the necessity of including a URL in an SMS message that links to a mobile website for seamless communication.   For example, we currently have a client using national radio to promote a free offer.  Listeners can respond by texting in to receive the free offer.  The system automatically responds with a thank you message that includes a URL to click through to a mobile site to complete the transaction.  The same strategy is being implemented for fundraising for non-profit organizations as an easy way to increase giving.  The use of bulk SMS services for communication also provides the opportunity for ongoing communication, as the system captures the data for future marketing efforts.  The SMS marketing software includes autoresponders and timed responders to streamline the process.

As a leading interactive agency, Edge Media's advertising and marketing consultants provide the expertise to direct our clients forward to benefit from these emerging communications channels.  We believe that becoming a mobile advertising agency two years before mobile became mainstream gives our clients an edge up on their competition by taking advantage of our experience. 

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading interactive Christian advertising agency located in Phoenix, AZ serving local, national, and international clients including businesses, non-profits, churches, and ministry organizations.