Mobile marketing has arrived for business owners all across the globe. Mobile promotions allow business owners to gain an edge over the competition. Mobile sweepstakes and contests are a great way to increase visibility for your brand. Here is some information that can show you how mobile sweepstakes work, and how your business can benefit.

Why is Mobile Marketing So Important?

For today’s business owners, mobile marketing is truly an essential component of any marketing campaign. Mobile smartphone and tablet users use their devices for a lot more than communication. A great deal of people use mobile devices to access the Internet remotely, and to perform any type of online activity that once they could do only at home. Recent statistics indicate that over 75% of mobile device users shop online, and that up to 9 out of 10 people who search for businesses and products on their mobile devices take immediate action, indicating that a successful mobile marketing campaign will encourage brand interaction.

How Do Mobile Sweepstakes Work?

Mobile sweepstakes and contests are designed to attract customers and clients while they are in full purchase consideration mode. Customers enter a sweepstakes or contest in the hope of winning a prize, and then once the contest is completed, a prize or reward is awarded to the winner or winners. Mobile sweepstakes and contests are convenient. They can enter from anywhere they have an internet or wireless connection any time of day. Mobile sweepstakes are a very attractive option for business owners who wish to offer their customers an exciting way to interact with their business.

There are many different ways to run a mobile sweepstakes. SMS or text messaging is the most basic but consumers can also access a sweepstakes microsite via their smart phone or tablet. QR codes and other new tools that direct traffic directly to a microsite also provide easy entry. For example, businesses may print entry codes on products that they sell, or may hand out coupons with entry codes on them. Other businesses send text messages or emails to customers who have opted-in to receive these follow up messages. A well designed mobile sweepstakes has:

1. A simple entry process and a list of all relevant rules;

2. A prize that is specifically targeted at customers;

3. A creative idea that is compelling enough to attract entries; and

4. Measurement of key metrics such as traffic, repeat visitation and opt-in rates

Why Are Mobile Sweepstakes a Necessary Addition to Offline or Even Online Campaigns?

For active mobile users, mobile sweepstakes are more effective than those that take place at a physical location such as a store, or those that use the postal service to mail entry forms. If a business owner runs a sweepstakes from their physical store, customers are limited to participating only when the store is open. That means that the business owner is missing out on more potential entries. If a business relies on mailings, there is no immediate impact.

Now that you see the importance of extending your sweepstakes into the mobile space you owe it to yourself to test it as an addition to your next promotion. Don’t let your competition gain an advantage through the use of this exciting way to engage customers. Ignoring this opportunity can seriously damage visibility. Speak to one of the mobile marketing professionals at Marden-Kane today to learn more about how you can get started.