SMS Marketing Software

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

There are a lot of great looking websites out in cyber space, and there are great looking websites with large numbers of visitors to those sites, and yet despite good traffic numbers, the conversion of visitors to leads, sales, supporters, donors, etc. never really reaches its full potential.

The reason this is the case is that marketing strategy was not included in the original site design.  The question then becomes, “What can be done now to change this and maximize the responses our website generates?”    The good news is that there is plenty that can be done, and fairly inexpensively as well.  Doing some analysis and then taking the necessary steps to improve communication can make a tremendous difference in the success of your online goals.

At Edge Media, our advertising and marketing consultants ask important questions to make sure our clients' websites deliver the results they are looking for.  As a leading interactive agency with over three decades of experience, we have learned how important it is to include strategy in website development.  Here are some points to consider in the marketing strategy:

What are we doing to increase site visits?
Increasing site visitors can be accomplished using search engine optimization, online marketing, optimized blogging, social media, and other media channels that move the conversation from offline to online (ex: radio or television).

When a visitor comes to the site, what step do we want them to take?                         Do you want a sale, a lead, the visitor to take action, a donation?  How is the visitor being incentivized to do that?  Do you have compelling call to action mesaging on the site?

After they take that step, what is the value of ongoing communication with the visitor?
When converting a lead to a sale, donor, supporter, etc., it is important to recognize that in most cases a relationship needs to be formed.  Does your site communicate trustworthiness?  Is personal data going to be safe?  What system is in place to build the ongoing relationship?

Have you planned a communications message flow that educates the visitor about the identity and value of what you have to offer?
How often should you communicate?  How many ways of communicating should you include?  E-mail, texting using SMS marketing software, snail mail, etc. are all communications channels to consider to move visitors into deeper relationship with your organization.

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!

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.

The new website for ChurchLink Communications, a division of Edge Media LLC is under construction!  We expect to launch the site in about ten days and are very excited about it.  Churchlink Communications will focus on meeting the outreach needs of churches, ministries, Christian broadcast, and non-profits, with the stated mission of using technology to equip the Church.

As a mobile advertising agency, we will offer mobile communications including bulk SMS services for communications, action alerts, fundraising, and much more.  Our SMS marketing software will increase effective communication in a very cost effective fashion.  Currently Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council use our SMS marketing software, as well as numerous churches, broadcast, and non-profit clients.

As a leading interactive agency, ChurchLink Communication will offer all of the expertise and service that Edge Media LLC specializes in.  We believe a full service interactive and mobile Christian advertising agency is a winning combination that will be of tremendous benefit to our clients.

We will keep you posted as to progress!

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

As a leading interactive agency, we are asked often about launching social media campaigns.  As a matter of fact, I was asked yesterday if I could get a client's accounts up and running within a couple  of days.  The answer... "No, sorry..."    Because... we always recommend to our clients that a social media strategy is in place PRIOR to the launch of a campaign.  

This is part two of social media strategy sessions, focused on action steps after the goals have been established. 

When considering what action you want folks to take on your social media sites, there are a number of options listed below from the Interactive Advertising Bureau.  Think through what your goals are, and then create some actionable steps to move your followers towards your goals using action steps.

Action examples:
o Contest/Sweeps Entries
o Coupons downloaded/redeemed
o Games played
o Videos viewed
o Uploads (e.g. images, videos
o Poll votes 
o Messages sent (e.g. Bulletins, Updates, Emails, Alerts)
o Invites sent
o Newsfeed items posted
o Comments posted
o Friends reached
o Topics/Forums Created
o Number of Group Members or Fans
o Reposts (“Shares“)

Always keep in mind the end goal as you craft the strategy.  Example: How does having a new topic posted with potential customer comments posted help move you towards your goal?  What are the benefits?  

Have your strategy in place prior to launching your social media campaign so that you can measure the activity against the goals set.

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading Christian interactive advertising agency focusing on delivering exceptional ROI for our clients using cutting edge technology and scientific research.  We work in our clients' best interest, not our own, an ethical business practices that are above reproach are a must for our marketing and advertising consultants.  We offer Edge Mobile SMS marketing software that delivers bulk SMS services, as well as mobile websites, WAP pages, social media, internet marketing, and a host of other services to give our clients the results they need.  Check out more regarding our client services at: www.edgemedia.biz/index-2.html

As a leading interactive agency, we are often asked by business owners what the benefits are of social media.   We believe that social media should be integrated into the majority of marketing strategies with very few exceptions.  It is important that the role social media plays in an integrated marketing strategy is understood, and the goals and strategies clearly defined prior to embarking on a foray into the world of social media.  Below is some beginning conversation on social media strategy.  

Businesses and non-profits alike should have a social media strategy PRIOR to embarking on social media campaigns. Lots of fans on Facebook do not necessarily convert to increased revenues. There are orderly steps to take to use social media as part of an integrated marketing strategy. Here are a few insights to start off the discussion:

1) Define who you are trying to reach out and your end goal as a result of the outreach.

Example: are you using social media to increase sales? If so, here are a few thoughts on strategy:
a) Define your target audience
b) Reach out to them using the search mechanism on Facebook, Twitter, etc. and listen to what is important to them.
c) Engage in dialogue - what is it that you can provide that is important to them?
d) After spending some time listening, and then in conversation, craft your strategy. For example, perhaps your target demographic's most important hot button is getting a great deal right now. How can you respond to match that need? Create your strategy around your target demo's needs, not around your desire to sell, but of course make sure you are meeting your sales goals in the process. Social media is not a "push out" platform, it is a dialogue platform, so keep that in mind.

2) Strategy implementation - keeping folks as fans on Facebook is not usually the end goal for sales. You will need to create the offer, message out using social media, and include a call to action. Example: include a URL so that potential customers will land on your website on the RIGHT page where the offer exists. Include a data capture mechanism (form) so that you can communicate now via e-mail for remarketing purposes. Once the potential customer has given you a name and an e-mail address, allow them to click on your special Facebook offer (Twitter offer, etc.), as a "Members Only" special offer. Make the coupon downloadable or instantly able to purchase online.

More on strategy and remarketing coming soon!   You can visit the Edge site for an audio presentation or downloadable Social Media 101 guide to setting up accounts, etc.   Here is the link: www.edgemedia.biz/index-7.html

More about Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix, AZ serving local and national clients.  We serve businesses, churches, ministries, broadcast, and non-profit organizations and have done so for almost a decade.  We are a Christian advertising agency focused on integrity and excellence in service for our clients.  We use cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional ROI for our clients, including text message marketing using our Edge Mobile SMS Marketing Software, giving our clients ongoing marketing opportunities using bulk SMS services.  We also offer social media, optimized blogging, search engine optimization, and internet marketing services, as well as market research, marketing strategy, media planning and buying, and much more.  To view all of our services, go to www.edgemedia.biz/index-2.html

I have been visiting with churches recently who have such great ideas!  Obviously the ones who are contacting me are the ones who are already pushing the technology envelope, but it is really exciting to hear creative ideas about communicating!  I took a call today from a church who already had their mind made up that they wanted the congregation to be able to text questions in for the pastor to answer and then they would put the question on the screen.  Wonderful interactivity!

This is just one of the many uses our sms marketing software can be used for.  Using it for prayer alerts, pastoral devotionals, youth ministry connectivity, church security, nursery notifications and so much more!  As a Christian advertising agency, we are definitely excited that we can offer this wonderful technology to churches to improve their communications channels. 

To help churches get started, we are offering free set up and waiving the first month's subscription fee to allow them time to familiarize themselves with the technology and make sure it is a match.  For more info on ChurchLink SMS marketing software, go here:
http://web.mac.com/edge.media/iWeb/ChurchLink%20Mobile/ChurchLink.html

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading full service Christian advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge technologies that delivers exceptional results for our clients.

About ChurchLink:  ChurchLink is a division of Edge Media dedicated to empowering the Church to fulfill her mission to preach the Gospel to all corners of the earth.  It is the belief of Edge Media that all possible means should be used, including using technological capabilities to their fullest capacity. 

We are excited about the warm reception we are receiving from churches in regards to ChurchLink Communications.  We have been focusing on churches using our SMS marketing software, as there are numerous ways it can benefit churches.  As a Christian advertising agency, we are passionate about helping churches and ministries communicate effectively, and we believe technology is a key piece of the communications platform, particularly text messaging. 

This morning we met with a church and discussed ways to integrate the SMS marketing software into their security plans.  The Edge Mobile technology can be activated from an authorized user's cell phone, sending an immediate message out to all security and key personnel to alert them to an emergency situation or security breach.  This is particularly important should there be a power failure at the same time, without access to computers or landlines.

Consider also the benefit of using it with the nursery - sending a text message to a parent whose child needs their attention.  Other great uses include prayer alerts, devotionals from the pastor, text questions to screen, youth group communications, etc.  There is plenty of wonderful functionality to help connect the church and its ministries more effectively.

We are offering a one month complimentary subscription (standard text message rates still apply), and set up fees waived to give churches an opportunity to test the Edge Mobile software system.

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a Christian leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional results for our clients.

About Edge Mobile:  Edge Mobile is the SMS marketing software that allows our clients the ability to deliver bulk SMS services to the people they most want to communicate with. 

About ChurchLink Communications:  ChurchLink Communications is a division of Edge Media.  ChurchLink Communications is dedicated to empowering the Church to effectively communicate by maximizing all available technological means.

We are very excited about attending the National Religious Broadcasters Convention this year.  There are so many wonderful organizations represented who truly make a difference for our country and the people in it!!  We are looking forward to visiting with the Salvation Army and Compassion International, just to name a few.  Our cutting edge technology solutions can really make a difference as these organizations work hard to change lives. 

We will primarily be focused on our Edge Mobile SMS marketing software, as many non-profits are looking for effective ways to raise money.  Just as the Red Cross raised over a milion dollars in one day for the Haitian crisis, this SMS marketing software can help these non-profits raise critically needed support to carry on their important work. 

The bulk SMS services system has numerous  functionalities, and several options when it comes to fundraising.  In addition, non-profits need to increase communications with their supporters and text messaging is a wonderful way to do that - action alerts, crowd interaction for live venues, integrated into broadcast, and much more.  For more information on our system's capabilities, go to:  http://www.edgemedia.biz/index-3.html

We have been working in the mobile marketing arena for several years now and are really excited that people are starting to recognize how effective this communications channel is.  If you are attending NRB, let us know, and we will do our best to schedule some time to visit with you!

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading Christian interactive advertising agency specializing in cutting edge technological solutions that deliver exceptional results for our clients.  Edge Media is located in Phoenix, AZ and we have been serving local and national clients with excellence for almost a decade.

This morning I have been working on adding text message customer responses into television and radio commercials.  The strategy behind the responses is critical to the success of the campaign.  It is more than just choosing easy keywords and setting up an autoresponse.  Remember that mobile messages are limited to 160 characters or less, and that best mobile marketing practices require that you include an unsubscribe message in the first outbound message. 

Hmmm... that makes the autoresponse message a little trickier.  You need to think about branding, instilling confidence, and a direct call to action, all in a little bitty space.  Our SMS marketing software will give a character count as the message is written, but I prefer to work offline to create message flow and tracking mechanisms. 

This morning the process included choosing keywords that are trackable per radio or television program and/or network, the appropriate autoresponder message that included all of the above, the landing page strategy with data capture, and then the strategy that moves the lead forward to a sale, along with the appropriate measuring tools to attribute lead generation source to the actual sale.  As a mobile advertising agency, we are responsible for the entire process, not just the set up of the mobile message in the system.   Without the strategy behind the process, there is no way to measure its effectiveness.   I will keep you posted on the keyword journey...

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a leading Christian interactive agency located in Phoenix AZ and specializing in cutting edge technology solutions that deliver exceptional results for our clients.  As a  Christian agency, we value integrity, excellence, and exceptional service for our clients.