News
Archive for May, 2009
The Cotswolds Get Social with Text Service
A new social networking site exclusive to the Cotswolds is using Txtlocal’s keyword and short code service to drum up interest in their recently launched local website www.cotswoldsconnect.com.
The Keyword CC and Short Code 60777 are being promoted on a commercial vehicle owned by co-founder of the website James Holden. Local residents witnessing the vehicle are encouraged to text the short code for further details of the networking sites URL which is then sent directly to their phone. – Text CC to 60777 to get the URL sent to your phone!
James Holden co-founder of the Cotswolds Connect website is delighted with the short code 60777 as a promotional tool claiming “We needed an outlet that would help direct people to the website. Not everyone has a pen and paper to write down a web address. However, it’s easy to use a phone to text a short code for information and then an instant response can then be relayed straight back to the mobile.”
Holden continues “We’re very pleased with the text service, its proving a really handy tool for helping to raise awareness and interest in the networking site. We plan to get further use of the service for outbound campaigns also.”
The Cotswolds networking site which was only launched this Spring 09, is already proving popular with local residents, with over 200 members regularly logging into the site for local news and information. This number is predicted to increase as more people hear about the site and see the branded promotional vehicle.
The Txtlocal service is becoming increasingly popular with a number of social networking sites integrating text into their operations.
Txtlocal Technical Manager Scott Freeman says “Text is an ideal tool to compliment any website for both inbound and outbound interaction. We recommend web developers to integrate a mobile marketing facility into their website, particularly for data capture and automated messaging.”
GeoSim Choose Txtlocal for Global Text2TopUp service
Geosim, the UK’s leading low cost overseas SIM card distributor have appointed Txtlocal to deliver their Text2TopUp service. Text2TopUp enables registered GeoSim card users to simply add credit to their GeoSim card anywhere in the world by simply sending a text to a Txtlocal dedicated inbound number.
Users of GeoSim can simply text “Topup + Credit Amount” to inbound number 07786202559. A pin code is then sent to the customer’s handset which they must reply with in order to activate the download. Once activated credits are downloaded onto the customers handset.
The advantage of the GeoSim global sim card is that it significantly reduces mobile phone charges when roaming overseas. Users of the service replace their everyday SIM card with the GeoSim and pay less when they make or receive overseas calls. The service is very popular with all overseas travellers but is particularly useful to anyone off the beaten track such as Mountaineers, Yachtsmen, and Seafarers who require a very simple solution to add credit to their phones.
Geosim MD Ed Neal is delighted with SMS messaging as a way of adding customers phone credits. “SMS provides another avenue to service our customers and take payments.”
Neal continues, “we are particularly impressed by the speed and ease of setting the sms messaging service up. Within a few hours we were up and running with Txtlocal. We have looked at other suppliers and Txtlocal offer a far superior system. The support and knowledge offered by the technical team is also excellent.”
Dominos Pizza Choose Txtlocal to deliver Text Campaigns
Dominos Pizza aren’t just delivering pizza, they are now using Txtlocal to deliver personalised SMS marketing messages to existing customers in a bid to increase business.
A number of Domino’s outlets are using Txtlocal, to send monthly special offers and meal deals. Customers can opt-in to receive exclusive special offers directly to their mobile.
A number of Fast food outlets are having huge success with sms marketing, sending out instant messages and promotions with strong calls to action.
Traditional marketing tactics such as posting flyers and leaflets through mail boxes are now deemed too costly and time consuming by many fast food outlets. Text is now the preferred choice of many outlets needing to send out real time promotions, where little planning or time is required.
Also, with a good call to action campaign response rates are often as high as 24% which are much higher than traditional direct marketing tactics. With text credits starting at just 2.9p, sms messaging is an extremely cost effective marketing tool, certain to return on much needed ROI.
Txtlocal also work with Perfect Pizza, Papa Johns, Pizza Hut, and Subway to deliver instant sms marketing messages.
Premier Inn Uses Mobile to Reduce No-shows
UK hotel chain Premier Inn have employed SMS text messaging to send guests booking confirmations, reduce no-show rates, increase dinner bookings, and provide maps and directions. The service is being used to compliment an existing booking system.
Since Premier Inn launched the Booking Confirmation Service, 3% of the message recipients have used it to book meals, while 13% of guests have requested and received maps and directions. The technology has also helped Premier Inn to reduce its no-show rate by almost 20%.
Hotel guests now receive a text reservation reminder on the day of arrival, which also offers directions to their hotel, and an option to book dinner.
Should a guest request directions, a text message is sent to the clients mobile phone, including satnav co-ordinates. If the directions are insufficient, a second text message provides a colour map of the hotel’s location.
Txtlocal work with a number of hotels including Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin to send personalised marketing and customer service sms text messages to customers.
Malmaison use Mobile to Target Guests with Offers & Promotions
Hotel Chain Malmaison have deployed the Txtlocal SMS service to send personalised SMS messages to target guests with special offers and promotions designed to increase hotel and restaurant bookings.
Alistair Hargreaves, Malmaison IT Director claims that the highly targeted text approach provides “An easy, cost efficient way to attract more guests.”
Mobile numbers are collected from the website booking form and from the hotel wifi service. The response is reported to have been better than predicted “SMS marketing has produced a great response, much higher than had been originally expected.”
Txtlocal work with a number of hotels including De Vere, Hotel Du Vin and Ramada, delivering SMS text message booking confirmations, reminders and special offer promotions.