App About It! - Part 2

Farewell 2010

December 31st, 2010 No Comments

2010 is almost officially over! It was a big year for Mowbi, and there are many exciting ventures ahead.

Here is a quick look back on a few Mowbi highlights of 2010:

Mowbi Officially Launches- Amid much anticipation, the Mowbi platform officially launched on July 1st. The launch came as the m-commerce industry really started to heat up. Mowbi has been slated to be a key player in the mobile revolution.

Mowbi Connect Launches- Mobile Social Media became more easily available to businesses and consumers with the launch of the groundbreaking Mobile Social Media Platform, Mowbi Connect.

Mowbi Introduces Revenue Sharing Program-As a mobile commerce organization with roots in business platforms, it’s only natural that Mowbi offered it’s users the opportunity to get a slice of the income generated when they promote Mowbi.

Portland Magazine App Launches-App Dev Heds, a division of Mowbi, launched the Portland Magazine App, Portland Monthly. This app allows users to read Portland Magazine Features, Letters to the Editor, and more. Plus, users can check out the Portland Dining Guide, view Real Estate listings, and subscribe to Portland Magazine.

Freeport Merchant’s Association Launches Mobile Platform- The Freeport Merchant’s Association launched a robust mobile platform, powered by Mowbi. This platform made it easy and affordable for Freeport businesses to enter the mobile commerce market.

Juiced Apparel goes Mobile with Mowbi-Creative, retro inspired clothing line, Juiced Apparel jumped into the mobile commerce arena with Mowbi powered tools. The Mowbi Mobile Storemaker and Mobile Invoicer, let Juiced Apparel customers browse and purchase merchandise, interact with the brand via social networks, and enter cool contests while on the go through their mobile phones.

Pulp & Wire Connects with Mowbi Connect-Internationally recognized design firm, Pulp & Wire used Mowbi Connect to stay ahead of the mobile game. Client Manager, Michael Geneseo said, “Mowbi Connect has proven in a very short time to be an effective way of not only managing our own social media outlets but of connecting in a much more profound way through a combination of mobile technology and social media with our existing networks, be they business, social, familial, …whatever level.”

Mowbi Wins American Graphic Design Awards-Mowbi won two graphic design awards from Graphic Design USA, a leading news magazine for creative professionals. Mowbi picked up two American Graphic Design Awards for the Freeport Merchant’s Association Mobile App Design and the Mowbi Website Design.

Mowbi Sponsors Esperanza 5k- Mowbi was a proud sponsor of the Esperanza 5K for Safe Passage. It was another way our business showed commitment to strengthening our community, from the local to the global in 2010.

Mowbi CEO Speaks at Social Media Breakfast-Mowbi CEO Bill Broadbent was a key presenter at the Social Media Breakfast Maine event in downtown Portland, Maine. The event was an exciting chance for Maine business owners to learn about the impending mobile explosion, and the opportunities that mobile commerce brings.

Mowbi Partners with Portland Regional Chamber-The Portland Regional Chamber launched a new mowbi powered mobile application called “Portland, Maine.” This app gave Chamber Members powerful mobile commerce tools, such as a robust mobile directory and a free one page mobile website.

Mowbi Mobile Directory Takes Off-Mowbi launched a new website geared specifically towards the Mowbi Mobile Directory product. This website examines the benefits of building a Mowbi Mobile Directory, and describes the features as well as the ability to monetize the directory to create multiple income streams.

2010 was a great year for Mowbi. We want to thank all clients, vendors, staff, family, friends, and fans for an excellent year. We look forward to bringing even more cutting edge mobile technology into the market in the coming year.

Top 5 Mobile Marketing Ideas for Nightclubs

December 29th, 2010 No Comments

New Year’s Eve is almost here and if you own a bar, lounge, or nightclub; chances are, you’ve been planning ahead for this coming Friday (New Year’s Eve), as retailers planned for Black Friday, a few weeks ago. New Year’s Eve can be a huge holiday revenue-wise for nightclubs nation wide, as consumers step out to say farewell to the year past and usher in a year of new beginnings. And mobile technology presents exciting mobile marketing opportunities for nightclub owners who want to drive traffic to their establishments on this upbeat holiday. Here is a list of the Top 5 Mobile Marketing Ideas for Nightclubs. Whether you try one, or try them all, mobile marketing tools can greatly increase traffic to your venue this New Year’s Eve.

Text Message Marketing- This is the chance to make the opt-in list you’ve worked all year long to build, pay off big time. There are numerous ways nightclubs can use text messaging as a marketing tool this New Year’s Eve. One great idea is to text an exclusive drink special to your opt-in list. For example, you could text about a free pre-ball drop champagne toast going on at your venue in the next 20 minutes. Not only will this be an exciting moment for everyone in your nightclub, but it can also tempt customers on your opt-in list who are not in your club, to get there ASAP., in order to take part in the festivities. Another SMS Message that could give you immediate traffic, is a text that announces a waived cover charge for the next ten people to show up, and mention they saw the text. There are so many different ways for nightclubs to use text message marketing. A combination of knowing your audience, and creative brainstorming can set you up for an extremely successful texting campaign.

Location Marketing-This exciting form of mobile marketing allows businesses to communicate with consumers based on the consumer’s location. This is a huge opportunity for locally based companies, such as bars and nightclubs. As a local business, you should definitely be sure that you’re a part of the Mobile Directories that are key for your area, as well as major mobile search engines. This way, when people search for nightclubs in your specific city- your club appears in the search. Another way for nightclubs to use Location Based Marketing is by giving special drinks, VIP Passes, etc to people who “check-in” at your establishment. You can partner with an app like FourSquare to run this promotion, or be a little more creative. Is there a special act performing on New Year’s Eve? An ice sculpture on the bar? Have consumers take a picture of something unique about your establishment to check-in.

Mobile Social Networking- When you interact with customers via social networks, like Facebook or Twitter, don’t forget that the large social networks are all mobile- therefore, your messages should be tailored to a mobile audience. Did a local or national celebrity just walk into your nightclub? Tweet about it or post it on Facebook, with pictures. Mobile Social Networking provides real time conversation between you and your customers. Keep them up to date on the latest and greatest going on at your nightclub, and they’ll be more likely to remember you this New Year’s. Another way to use Mobile Social Networking is to give free VIP Passes to the first 5 people to “like” a post, or the first 10 people to re-tweet your promotional message.

Rich Media- Mobile technology has come a long way, and this includes the capability to incorporate rich media into your mobile webpage. You can post a Youtube video of your headlining band warming up, or post a podcast of an interview with the local or national celebrities who are attending your New Year’s Eve event. You can have ringtones or Mp3s featuring music from your house or guest DJ available to download. As more and more consumers turn to the mobile web, consumer expectations have risen. People expect a rich, entertaining experience with the mobile web- this holds especially true if your business is entertainment.

Key Part of Marketing Mix-You can incorporate any of the mobile marketing ideas for nightclubs listed above or more, by simply adding them to your traditional marketing efforts. For example, your fliers could have a call to action that drives texts or mobile url visits. Your radio commercial can announce your check-in promotion. Your newspaper ad can drive users to your Facebook page.

No matter which mobile marketing option you choose, it’s a smart move for nightclub owners to add mobile to your mix this New Year’s Eve, and into 2011. For cutting edge mobile tools that will help you reach your customers, year-round visit www.mowbi.com. Or call 800-985-9277. E-mail Bill@mowbi.com.

Success with Location Based Marketing

December 22nd, 2010 No Comments

One of the major mobile marketing tools slated to be influential next year, is location based marketing. Location Based Marketing uses a customer’s literal location to send timely, relevant information to them about the brand. A recent article from Mobile Commerce Daily, outlined three important components of a location based campaign. Here are some highlights from the article that you should consider before launching your location based marketing campaign:

Don’t rule out any audience-That is, don’t think of location based marketing as something that can only be done with Smartphone users. Many of today’s basic cell phones have the ability to receive SMS and voice calling. Depending on your target audience, you may want to consider adding text messaging or voice calling to your location based marketing efforts, in order to obtain maximum reach.

Be Creative- There are numerous methods of using location based marketing to promote your brand. Not only can you market to your opt-in list, based on location, but you can also use mobile search to reach consumers while they’re on-the-go. Using mobile search as part of your location based marketing campaign could be especially effective for restaurants, hair salons, lounges, or night clubs. A strong mobile search presence will help drive traffic to any business that takes customers on a walk-in basis.

Try Physical Engagement-An excellent aspect about mobile technology is the ability for brands to enter into physical engagement with their consumers. When planning your location based marketing campaign, be sure to consider check-in/check-out applications, that give consumers points, or special deals for checking into your business when they arrive. Another new, and fun way to engage is to have consumers take a picture with their Smartphone of a certain item, or sign in your store in order to check in/participate in your location based promotion.

No matter what plan you develop, adding location based marketing into your mix, is a sound plan for 2011. For information about powerful mobile marketing tools for any mobile campaign, visit www.mowbi.com or call 800-985-9277. E-mail questions and ideas to Bill@mowbi.com .

Mobile Marketing Ideas for Travel Agents

December 16th, 2010 No Comments

As quickly as the holiday season came upon us, it is now coming to a fast close. In the next few weeks, many consumers will be switching gears from the holidays, to planning their winter vacation. If you’re a Travel Agent, or are in the Travel Industry, now is the time to start planning your marketing efforts for vacation season. There are numerous marketing opportunities for travel agents with mobile technology. Here are a few mobile marketing ideas for travel agents, to help get you started:

Run a SMS Campaign-Start by building a strong opt-in list. An easy way to do this would be to place copy on your website, business card, or fliers, that offers travel tips or last minute deals via text. Consumers sign up to receive this useful information/deals from you, and in exchange, they agree to receive promotional texts from you as well. You can then use SMS marketing to run a number of promotions. For instance, you could use texting to announce an exclusive, limited time travel package; you could have a sweepstakes where the first X amount of users to text X code receive one free night at a hotel of their choice. Once you have a solid opt-in list, the opportunities are endless.

Build a loyal customer base- Mobile Marketing allows you to build meaningful relationships with your clients. Send out surveys on a certain travel package, or have customers take a poll on the most sought after destination this year. Not only will asking these kinds of questions provide you with important insight into client needs, but you will also be establishing a conversation with your customers- rather than the traditional, one way marketing messages of the past.

Create a Mobile Website-Since at some point, your clients will be in travel mode, having a mobile site they can refer back to would be key. In fact, a great idea for Travel Agents would be hosting a Mobile Directory. Your Mobile Directory could incorporate mobile sites for restaurants, shops, hotels, and other places of interest that are in the area of your travel packages. This would be an excellent service for your clients, who may be unsure of where to go/sights to see on vacation. A mobile directory could also be a source of income, as members pay you a certain amount per month to participate in your Directory. Mowbi Mobile Directory is an exciting mobile directory option that would be perfect for a Travel Agent who wants to make extra money, by simply offering a service their clients would appreciate.

Another great thing about mobile marketing is that response is 100% measurable. So if you’ll know right away if you’re sending out the right message to your clients. No matter which Mobile Marketing Idea for Travel Agents you choose, make sure to keep the content relevant to your clients, and make sure that you are learning from each campaign.

For more information about Mobile Marketing, or the Mowbi Mobile Directory, visit www.mowbi.com or call 800-985-9277. E-mail questions/comments to Bill@mowbi.com .

Must-Try Mobile Marketing Ideas for 2011

December 14th, 2010 No Comments

2010 is coming to a close, and along with personally resolutions, many marketers and business owners are setting professional goals for 2011. One resolution that all business owners and marketers should make for the upcoming year, is integrating mobile into their marketing mix. There are numerous ways to incorporate mobile technology into your mix. Here are a few Mobile Marketing ideas to consider for 2011.

Mobile Social Commerce- With consumers being plugged in more and more each day, Mobile Social Commerce has started to gain real momentum in 2010. Consumers are now able to look to their peers for help in buying decisions, literally as they’re at the point of purchase. Review sites, Group Couponing Sites, and even traditional Social Networking sites like Twitter & Facebook are all becoming a popular part of the consumer buying process. In the upcoming year, this phenomenon is slated to grow even more popular. A great way to join the mobile marketing game, is by participating in Mobile Social Commerce. You could submit a deal or limited time promotion to a Group Coupon site, like Groupon.com, announce a sale on Twitter that’s only good for the first 20 customers who call/text/visit your store; the possibilities are endless.

Location Based Marketing- With the explosion in popularity of check in apps like FourSquare and Gowalla in 2010, it’s only natural that a mobile marketing idea to try in 2011 is location based marketing. Check in apps give users points, and special deals for “checking-in” at various locations. Location based marketing offers unlimited opportunity to get a spike in sales, and is an excellent marketing tool for retail stores, restaurants, hotels, etc. One location based marketing idea to try: The first X amount of people to check-in to your establishment on Foursquare, will receive X amount off their purchase that day.

Mobile Directories- Depending on your business model, you can either participate in mobile directories by having your mobile site included, or you can create a mobile directory, and sell memberships to your customers. Mowbi Mobile Directories is a great mobile directory tool that you can use to start your own mobile directory. No matter which option you choose, in order to be competitive in mobile search marketing, it is important to make sure you’re listed in mobile directories.

These ideas only scratch the surface of the exciting mobile marketing opportunities that lay ahead. For more information about mobile tools available for any marketing plan- anytime, visit www.mowbi.com. Or call 1-800-985-9277. E-mail questions/ideas to Bill@mowbi.com .

Mowbi Partners with Portland Regional Chamber

December 8th, 2010 No Comments

Mowbi has partnered with the Portland Regional Chamber to offer Chamber members and their customers cutting edge mobile technology. Check out the official Mowbi Press Release!

For Immediate Release

12/7/10

Chamber Announces “Portland, Maine” Application & High Traffic Deals
The Chamber is driving more business to our members.

The Portland Regional Chamber has just launched a new mobile application called “Portland, Maine” developed by Chamber member and Portland, Maine based software developer, Mowbi, LLC. To view this site, visit www.portland.mowbi.com, or on most mobile phones go to www.portlandregion.com. The downloadable app will be available on iTunes and in the Android Market soon.

Portland Regional CEO, Godfrey Wood commented, “Recent data reveals that 16% of shoppers have used such “apps”, a huge increase over last year. We are thrilled to offer our Members and consumers this exciting opportunity to go “mobile”. Visitors, Portland-area residents, businesses and more will be able to locate and provide services to our Members in an exciting new way.

Our cutting edge mobile web site allows users to maximize their shopping experiences by searching under key categories of: Where to Eat, Shop, Stay, Things to Do, and Find a Business. Users will see a map, contact info, and driving directions. Users also have the option of searching for Chamber Members by name or by using the What’s Near Me? Button.”

Chamber Members can take advantage of the Mowbi Mobile Directory now. Through the directory, all Chamber members receive a free one page mobile website, which will act as an enhanced mobile directory listing for each entity, complete with vital company information such as directions, means of contact, and a corporate logo. Members are able to edit their landing pages at any time.

The Portland Chamber will soon also be offering the “Hot Deals” offering mobile users and website visitors the opportunity to take advantage of coupons and special deals that will create huge interest among shoppers, which in turn will drive traffic to Member’s organizations.

Through the Mowbi mobile directory, Chamber Members will also have more powerful commerce tools available that will allow them to take full advantage of the enormous opportunities that “going mobile” presents. Members can choose from a menu of options, such as Text Clubs, which facilitate opt-in Text Message Marketing; a Mobile Invoicing tool that allows businesses to use mobile phones to accept credit cards, create and send invoices, and a full scale Mobile Commerce Website, where consumers can purchase the member’s goods and services via mobile phone.

For more information on the Portland Regional Chamber, visit www.portlandregion.com, or contact Laura LeBrun at (207) 772-2811 ext 234. Or e-mail llebrun@portlandregion.com.

For further information about Mowbi, visit www.Mowbi.com, or contact Bill Broadbent at 800-985-9277. Or e-mail Bill@Mowbi.com

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Mobile Tools Consumers are Loving this Holiday Season

December 7th, 2010 No Comments

We’re right in the middle of the Holiday 2010 Season, and there are already clear mobile trends forming. As predicted, many consumers are using mobile tools to enhance their holiday shopping experience. There are still a few weeks left in the season, but here is a list of how things are shaping up so far.

Users love Check-in Deals-Several retail stores are jumping on board with offering discounts and deals to customers who “check in” with their Smartphone while they are in-store. Facebook Places, Foursquare, and Gowilla are a few of the popular apps that include this feature. As demand for this mobile marketing tool grows, so does the size and number of companies using this technology. Major retailers like Toy’s R Us and Gap have offered discounts to customers for checking-in.

Comparison Shopping is huge- Possibly the most popular mobile tool this season is scanner apps, that allow people to price compare in-store by simply scanning the bar code, using the camera function on theirsmart phones. This is giving people the option to ask for a lower price in-store, or get products at a lower price from a competitor.

Social Coupons gain mobile following- Social couponing sites such as Groupon announce limited time deals via social networks. Many times, these deals are valid for a limited time or date. This kind of real time couponing is becoming an extremely popular mobile tool this season, because consumers are able to take advantage of exclusive deals while they’re out shopping. Consumers are also turning to mobile versions of social networks such as Twitter and Facebook to get exclusive, to-the-minute deals while on the go.

While it’s still too early to draw solid conclusions on mobile for Holiday 2010, there is one point that’s clear- consumer comfort with Mobile Commerce is rapidly growing.

If you’re ready to join the mobile revolution with cutting edge mobile commerce tools that get results, visit www.Mowbi.com or call 800-985-9277. E-mail questions/comments to Bill@Mowbi.com.

The Portland Regional Chamber has gone Mobile with Mowbi

December 1st, 2010 No Comments

The Portland Regional Chamber has officially gone mobile with Mowbi!

Check out the official announcement in this excerpt from the Chamber’s recent Newsletter:

“The Portland Regional Chamber is pleased to announce the launch of a new mobile application called “Portland, Maine” developed by Portland mobile commerce company Mowbi, LLC. The site can be viewed on computers by visiting www.portland.mowbi.com, or by going to www.portlandregion.comon most mobile browsers. The downloadable ap will be available on itunes, the Android Market, and ovi soon.

The mobile web site allows users to search under key categories including Where to Eat, Go Shopping, Where to Stay, Things to Do, and Find a Business. Users also have the option of searching for Chamber Members by name or by using the What’s Near Me? button which uses gps to search for businesses in the area of the mobile device.

As part of this alliance, Chamber Members can now take advantage of the Mowbi mobile directory. Through the directory, all Chamber members will receive a free one page mobile website, which will act as an enhanced mobile directory listing for each organization, complete with vital company information such as directions, means of contact, and a corporate logo.”

The Mowbi Team is excited to offer cutting edge technology to the Chamber and all of their members and customers. We also look forward to seeing Chamber members take advantage of the powerful tools included with the Mowbi Mobile Directory.

For more information about Mowbi and all of the mobile options available through this powerful platform, visit www.Mowbi.com. Or call 800-985-9277. E-Mail Bill@Mowbi.com.

MCommerce Black Friday-Speed is #1

November 30th, 2010 No Comments

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday behind us and the instant results reporting available with mobile, there is one major early conclusion about MCommerce that should be noted.

Speed is King- The MCommerce sites with the fastest speed often enjoyed a faster and stronger response rate. Consumers expect the same quick, ease of use from mcommerce websites as they do with PC based sites. Mobile consumers are on-the-go, and have less time and/or patience to wait for a mobile commerce site to load. MCommerce sites that create a fast, seamless process performed the best on Black Friday.

QVC, Office Max, and Dell are a few organizations who are stand outs in MCommerce performance over this year’s Black Friday season. Take a look at their mobile sites, and note their speed.

If your mcommerce site is taking too long to load, you are probably trying to fit in too much rich content. While consumers expect, and really need to have a rich web experience on your MCommerce site, overloading your mobile site can bog it down. The best advice is to keep it simple, only putting rich content that is helpful and that your consumer wants and needs. This important step is often easier said than done. It will require a keen understanding of who your customers are, and then separating the items that are essential to the success of your mcommerce site, from the content that’s better left on your PC website. Being able to harness this very delicate balance between speed and content/functionality will make or break MCommerce sites as we move further into the mobile revolution.

Mowbi offers excellent MCommerce tools along with guidance from industry experts for all of your Mobile Commerce endeavors. Visit www.Mowbi.com to view all of our exciting mobile commerce options. Or call 1-800-985-9277. E-mail questions/comments to Bill@Mowbi.com .

Mowbi Mobile Directory

November 30th, 2010 No Comments

Mowbi has launched a new website geared specifically towards the Mowbi Mobile Directory product. This website examines the benefits of building a Mowbi Mobile Directory. The site describes the features as well as the ability to monetize the directory to create multiple income streams.

Visit: Mowbi Mobile Directory

A Mowbi mobile directory is built with your needs in mind. There are many features including tap to call, tap to email, directions, videos, news feeds and more. Call us to discuss the features you would like. 1-800-985-9277.

Mobile directories are more powerful than web directories simply because they are more convenient. The Mowbi Mobile Directory is a cutting edge tool that gives you an edge on your competition. Check out our new website to see how you can get the edge for your company or organization.

Mobile Application Development

Farewell 2010

Success with Location Based Marketing

Mobile Marketing Ideas for Travel Agents

Mowbi Partners with Portland Regional Chamber

The Portland Regional Chamber has gone Mobile with Mowbi

MCommerce Black Friday-Speed is #1

Mowbi Mobile Directory

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