I have written about coupons here before, specifically I have written about what a hassle they can be if they're not done right. It’s a pain to cut them out and then remember to bring them into the store to redeem. Ten percent of the time the coupon ends up laying on my kitchen counter, another ten percent of the time it's in my car, yet another ten percent of the time my daughter has drawn on it and it's floating around in the back of the car. Rarely is that coupon ever actually with me. Overall, maybe one percent of the time it makes it to the store with me. Maybe.The other 99.9% of the time, guess what is with me? Yep, my PHONE. How many of you have left your house and turned around and gone home because you realize you’ve left your phone? Any opportunity I get to receive a coupon on my phone, I do it. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve pulled into a store’s parking lot and jumped online in search of coupons. Marketers need to be all over this tactic even more than they already are.
Mobile phone usage continues to rise. Unlimited calling and data plans are the norm. Female consumers are using their phones to call, text, and surf the Web. We are using our phones to seek out coupons. We rely on our phone almost as much as we rely on our purse. Marketers must stop forcing women to do all the hard work. Marketers shouldn’t force women to seek them out – it should be the other way around. Deliver to them, and we’ll deliver for you.
Crocs is a perfect example of mobile marketing done right.
While shopping in the store there is signage telling customers how to save 15 percent – today! Customers can text Crocs’ shortcode and instantly receive a coupon on their mobile device. They show their coupon at checkout and VOILA! Fifteen percent off. Does it get much better than that?
That’s what I’m talking about – convenient, instant gratification. More to the point, instant savings! Thank goodness, too, because I left my scissors at home.
Mobile SMS is efficient. It is effective. Delivering a coupon via SMS to a mobile device makes my job (with the coupon hunting and remembering) much easier. Women love that!
