Interactive Web Agency

   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. 
 

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

There is a concensus among marketers that social media is now a must have in the marketing/communications mix, yet a great deal of uncertainty remains about how to convert the hours/dollars spent on social media into revenue. As a leading Christian agency, we have successfully created multiple social network platforms that not only attract attention on social networking sites, but go on to drive traffic to websites and then convert to increases in revenue for our clients. 

One of the keys to understanding the process comes from understanding the prospect.  Who are you targeting, and what is the end result that you are seeking?  At ChurchLink Communications, before we launch ANY campaigns, we create a roadmap of the steps in the process from initial connection to close of the sale.  Without this process, it is easy for the campaign to go off course.

The next key to pay close attention to is understanding the motivations of those you are reaching out to.  This is a result of comprehensive market research and online listening.  Our marketing and advertising consultants take their time to understand the potential supporters through online listening. 

The third step is to make sure that the Christian interactive web agency strategies that we employ are thorough and measurable.  How do we measure traffic from social media sites to the website, and once they arrive on the website, how do we know if that traffic converts to a sale?  It is important to have the analytics system in place prior to launching the campaign, as the campaign should be an ongoing, ever improving outreach.

Who is ChurchLink Communications?  ChurchLink Communications is a Christian agency, and a division of Edge Media, a leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ that uses cutting edge technologies to deliver exceptional results for our clients.  Some of our products/services include SMS marketing software, mobile web, interactive online marketing, market research, media planning, production, and purchase.  For more information on ChurchLink Communications, go to: www.churchlinkcommunications.com  For more information on Edge Media, go to:  www.edgemedia.biz

As a leading interactive agency, we have successfully created multiple social network platforms that not only attract attention on social networking sites, but go on to drive traffic to websites and then convert to increases in revenue for our clients. 

One of the keys to understanding the process comes from understanding the prospect.  Who are you targeting, and what is the end result that you are seeking?  At Edge Media, before we launch ANY campaigns, we create a roadmap of the steps in the process from initial connection to close of the sale.  Without this process, it is easy for the campaign to go off course.

The next key to pay close attention to is understanding the motivations of those you are reaching out to.  This is a result of comprehensive market research and online listening.  Our marketing and advertising consultants take their time to understand the potential customers and the competition through online listening. 

The third step is to make sure that the interactive web agency strategies that we employ are thorough and measurable.  How do we measure traffic from social media sites to the website, and once they arrive on the website, how do we know if that traffic converts to a sale?  It is important to have the analytics system in place prior to launching the campaign, as the campaign should be an ongoing, ever improving outreach.

Who is Edge Media?  Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ that uses cutting edge technologies to deliver exceptional results for our clients.  Some of our products/services include SMS marketing software, mobile web, interactive online marketing, market research, media planning, production, and purchase.  For more information on 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.

I just read an interesting article from Marketing Sherpa regarding the use of SEO and social media together.  It is something I have believed in and we have practiced at Edge Media for a very long time, but it is the first time I have ever seen it quantified by research data. 

After reviewing Sherpa's marketing benchmark report, Adam Sutton, a reporter for Marketing Sherpa, stated: "Clearly, SEO is more effective at attracting attention and ultimately converting people. However, social media is more likely to increase positive thinking around a product and brand.

This leads me to a hypothesis: marketers who engage in SEO and social media have 58.8% higher conversion rates for organic traffic because their social media work has increased trust in their brands and products."

At Edge Media, we link SEO and social media together by integrating the same keywords into both the SEO and social media content, as well as integrating inbound linking strategies into the social media content as well.  Keep in mind that the search engines index social media content as well as web content, and it is especially helpful with a solid content and linking strategy.

We are believers in integrated marketing strategy!  When creating the marketing strategies, it is critical to think through how many ways each effort can be used, and to maximize each effort.  Another good example of this is linking social media and managing it from one feed, so that consistent data is feeding across numerous sites to boost results, all including keyword enriched content and backlinking. 

As a leading interactive agency, we have seen very substantial results for our clients using this strategy.   One particular success story is that we increased website traffic for a client from 1,100 monthly visitors to 40,000 visitors in just four months using our interactive web agency strategies.  For more information on how to get started in social media, download our "Social Media 101" guide from the Edge site at: http://www.edgemedia.biz/index-7.html

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ serving local, national, and international clients. 
 

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

As a leading interactive agency, one of the best tools in our Edge Media toolkit to increase traffic and leads to client websites is keyword optimized software. It is inexpensive, fast and a great traffic and lead generating tool.

Wondering what a keyword optimized blog is? For example, if we have a 25 keyword blog system, and our client writes a blog and includes ten of those keywords in what he/she is writing, when the blog is published to the internet, there are ten separate blogs created around those individual keywords, thus becoming 10 times more likely to be found and increasing dramatically the likelihood of generating traffic around those terms. Once published, the system pings the search engines that new content is waiting to be indexed.

Why does this work so well? Because search engines like changing, relevant content that is keyword optimized appropriately. The blog system will also inform the blogger when the keywords have been inserted at the appropriate densities to maximize the likelihood of search engine indexing. Additionally, instead of one blog, a 25 keyword blog system is actually 25 blogs that take up important internet real estate, but with the writing work of only one blog. It is really a great tool, effective, time saving, and very inexpensive.

Here's how it works:

1) Edge Media conducts the research to determine which keywords are most important to our clients, then to their potential customer, and then we examine those keywords for "winability" by looking at how much traffic each word generates, how tough the competition around that keyword is, and then how relevant the term is overall.
2) We then build the blog, install the keywords and the blog design, and have our clients up and running inside of three weeks time.

3) Our clients blog or we create a blog team using our marketing and advertising consultants. The blogs are posted, the search engines index them, and traffic and leads are generated as a result!

Call us or e-mail us if you want more info or a demo. info@edgemedia.biz, or 602-943-2030 x 1.   www.edgemedia.biz

Edge Media is a leading interactive agency located in Phoenix AZ.  We specialize in cutting edge strategies that deliver exceptional results for our clients.  Our unique processes and tools sets us apart from all other advertising agencies in Phoenix AZ and on a national level as well including SMS marketing software, interactive web agency strategies, and more!  Call or e-mail today for a free consultation.

Happy blogging!

Lots of folks have great looking websites....that's nice... but what is a great looking website without good traffic to it?  

Lots of folks have good website traffic... that's nice... but what good is good website traffic without conversion to leads, sales, donors, etc.?

Based on my experience, only about 1 in 10 websites really are taking full advantage of the power of internet marketing!  As a leading interactive agency, we believe that your website should be at the very heart of your marketing strategy.  Did you know that 80% of people use search engines prior to making a purchase?   Why would you miss out on all that traffic?

At Edge Media, our advertising and marketing consultants develop strategies that move through the following processes:

1) lead generation to your site
2) data capture on your site
3) development of marketing strategy while visiting
4) development of re-marketing strategy to bring you back to the site

An interactive web agency's job is to strengthen each action that your prospective customer takes in their move towards becoming your customer.  Each strategy listed above creates a substrategy beneath it, and when all of the components are working together, both traffic and sales increase exponentially.

For a complimentary 30 minute consultation on your marketing needs, go to: http://www.edgemedia.biz

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!

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.

The last couple of days have been packed full of buying radio.  National radio, syndicated radio, local radio... Don't get me wrong, I love radio.  I spent almost a decade working IN radio.  But... radio is not a complete marketing tool.  Radio with a big picture strategy can be really effective, and every dollar spent maximized.  Radio for the sake of the single sale is not making the most of the potential, or squeezing all of the marketing bang for the buck out of the buy.

To be really effective, radio has to have a lead capture mechanism for remarketing purposes.  Why spend the money to talk to someone, have them interested, and then end the relationship?  One of our specialities is interactive web agency strategies.  I personally do not think radio should ever be purchased without an interactive web strategy behind it for remarketing.  When buying any media interactive agency strategy should be to integrate the web in to capture every lead and develop the relationship.  There is value to the immediate buy, but the cost per lead and cost per sale go down dramatically when remarketing kicks in.

Landing pages, autoresponders, drip marketing, e-newsletters, and the list goes on.  Our Edge Media marketing and advertising consultants are experts in creating and executing the interactive web agency strategy.  As a leading interactive agency, we never want to hear, "Go buy some spots!".  We want to hear, "Create and execute a strategic marketing plan that delivers exceptional results!", and we will do just that.

As economic difficulties in the United States remain a reality, non-profit ministries need to find creative ways to expand their donor bases,   Ministries are finding that by expanding their donor base with the philosophy of finding more people who can give something  is wiser than remaining hopeful that the few who are able can give more.

There are numerous ways to use text messaging and the mobile web to increase donations.  The premium keyword campaigns approved through the Mobile Giving Foundation (ex: the Haiti relief effort) is a great option, but only one piece of the many ways mobile can increase giving.  Standard shortcode campaigns offer a great deal more flexibility and ease of use.  Consider, for example, a commitment to give via standard shortcode, and then the automated delivery of a URL to complete the donation online.  This is far less expensive, with far more flexibility.  Our Edge Mobile SMS Marketing Software has numerous applications that can be of benefit in a fundraising campaign and as a mobile advertising agency, we can easily walk you through the process of both a premium and standard keyword fundraising campaign.

Maintaining communication and building relationships are critical components in the successful donor management process.  To reap all of the rewards of the direct relationship mobile marketing offers, it is important to embrace much more strategy and execution in the mobile arena than just a premium keyword giving campaign.

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading interactive Christian advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ serving national and local clients.  Current clients include ministries such as the Family Research Council and  Focus on the Family.  We invite you to contact us for a complimentary one month subscription to Edge Media's Mobile Platform.  Click here for more info:  www.edgemedia.biz/index-3.html