HO, HO, HO! Bring Christmas To The Masses By Using Mobile Marketing

Think about it for a second. Who is ready to make a purchase more than the consumer searching on their phone? They are most likely searching locally either for the nearest store or a particular item. Get in front of these consumers and they are most likely to come into your store and make a purchase.Marketers need to be aware that using mobile media during the holidays will put your product or store in front the people who are looking for it already. They have a question you give them the answer… and scene. Not to mention all the consumers out there checking prices, sending photos of potential gifts sharing them on Facebook and Twitter, and let's not forget about checking in on mobile social networks like Foursquare, Gowalla, Loopt, Yelp and Facebook's Places. That may me all it takes to get someone to your location. Someone checks in and his or her friend notices and thinks, "I completely forgot about that place they have great gifts. I am going over there right after work"Consider this for a second. How many freaking ads do you see over the holidays? So many that most are simply blocked out. Me personally, if I see another jewelry ad it may end with a hurt jeweler. With mobile this opens up a way to get in front of the consumer when they are away from all the competition and when they are in a buying mood. Great combination. Don’t you think?Most people who have the capability use their phones will user their phones as a shopping tool from anything to price comparisons, sharing purchases and links with other and to stay entertained in a long checkout line.According to Webster Lewin, senior vice president and director of digital innovation and strategy at MS&LGroup Digital, New York .“Providing useful mobile applications that actually help the holiday shopping process is a great way to stay top of mind and drive repeat brand engagement. However, the challenge of discovery is one of the biggest hurdles in mobile."“Fortunately, there is a wide range of mobile advertising opportunities within applications that support the shopping process,” he said.“In many cases the consumers that spend the most time doing those activities are also the ones most likely to have more disposable income,” Mr. Lewin said. “Also, consumers that engage with your brand on their mobile devices are more likely to have a favorable brand impression, and purchase intent."Just those quotes alone should spur any marketer into action!Here are a few facts to consider:1. An analysis done by Microsoft of their mobile search data found that 53 percent of mobile searches on Bing have local intent.2. Google suggest that 20 percent of all search is related to location.3.  Differences between mobile search user behavior and PC search: 70 percent of PC “query chains” are completed in about one week while 70 percent of mobile users do so in one hour. Talk about being motivated to buy!4. Over 50 percent of the mobile search queries are about things that are not very far from the user or right in front of them.One thing to consider is to make sure your doing local search optimization as well so your store or product can be found on mobile devices when people are searching nearby.Ramp up your mobile marketing campaign this holiday season and make sure you track your results so you can tell your boss the ROI and watch his job drop.Happy Holidays Kiddos…