June, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lynn Pechinski, President 1st Text.com
888.235.3088

With 98% Read Rates, the Age of Mobile Messaging Means Big Opportunities for Business

(Philadelphia/South Jersey) – With 130 billion text messages being sent and received every month in the United States today, Mobile Messaging is the next big marriage between technology tools and viral marketing. Much as texting has revolutionized voting on American Idol or fundraising for Haiti, mobile messaging campaigns are the newest methods for instant communication with active subscribers, astronomical read/open rates and higher response rates than email or traditional marketing efforts

According to the International Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry (CTIA), the average age of text message users is 38 years old and that an astounding 98% of all texts are opened and read (Frost & Sullivan). This presents a new opportunity in the realm of effective campaign planning for companies seeking increased ROI statistics for both B2B and B2C marketing.

Take a look at some supporting facts;

• The average SMS response rate is 14%, versus 3.5% for email, 1-2% for direct mail and 0.15-0.16% for print advertising. (according to Kavassalis)
• 1 in 5 households have cut their landline and have one or more mobile phones (NC HS 2009)
• 86% of surveyed participants reported "feeling positive about the brand" when received. (source: Rettie, Grandcolas and Deakins)
• Cost is comparable to that of email marketing, is based on message volume and is generally only pennies per message, in addition to being a directly trackable way to gauge ROI
• Campaign set-up time takes minutes as opposed to the weeks or months typically spent on planning and roll-out of radio or television advertising.

How does it work?
The permission based, opt-in functionality is user friendly and ensures better potential for opens and responses. Recipient signs up for text alerts directly by seeing activation request keywords on a billboard, a restaurant check, a website, company newsletter or TV commercial, etc. Subscribers enter the opt-in keyword, receive an immediate confirmation and are automatically notified of subsequent messages.

Creative uses of mobile messaging campaigns for a variety of industries and professionals include, but aren't limited to;

• Appointment reminders
• Voting/Polling of communities, target databases or association memberships
• Coupons, contests, sweepstakes or promotions
• Fundraising efforts
• School closings or parental notifications
• Event reminders or cancellations
• "Your table is ready" notifications

One of the first firms in the Delaware Valley offering affordable mobile messaging, 1stText.com President and CEO, Lynn Pechinski, calls mobile messaging "…the next wave of viral marketing that will change the way businesses communicate with their target markets. We have married marketing and technology to develop a custom application that serves as an attraction tool for business marketing campaigns." For more information visit www.1stText.com or call directly at 888-235-3088.

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