Mobile Marketing Trends Not to Be Overlooked

Research shows that we use our smartphones 84 times each day, averaging 5 hours overall. That’s way more than you thought, huh? Well, it’s no secret how reliant we have become on our phones, which means mobile marketing is even more critical for brands than ever.

Ignoring certain trends that have sprung up over the last decade would put a serious hindrance on marketing results. Here are a few trends that every business should become familiar with and consider implementing before we hit 2017.

For the first time, Google has begun to include mobile apps in their first search page results. Where you would usually see ads, you can now find app recommendations right on top. If you are promoting an app of any sort, you should probably up your SEO game on those marketplaces. SEO, of all the trends, is definitely going to make the most impact.

Even if you don’t have an app, yet, it might be worth investing—considering apps make up a huge change of mobile usage these days.

Instagram Ads

Users on Instagram are more likely to engage with brand posts then any other social media platform. Just like on Facebook and Twitter, you can target your demographic according to location, interest, age, behavior, etc., but the promoted post looks very similar to organic content on a user’s feed. There is also a 30 second video option with files sizes up to 30MB.

The introduction of the carousel ads have helped advertisers showcase more products or lifestyle images. Similar to Multi-Product Ads on Facebook, users can swipe to see additional images within one post. This is especially useful to photo-based brands who want to show a variety of their work in a short time frame.

SnapChat and WhatsApp

These days, most people under 35 no longer use Facebook or Twitter. The reason for this is that SnapChat and WhatsApp offers a certain amount of intimacy between contacts. Users can share as many shocking or hilarious photos as they want, without having to worry about their entire family watching.

The social pressures of having to get likes on an Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram post is relieved because “snaps” can’t receive likes. It’s a chance to take your brand out of the office and show these curious consumers who you really are! Taco Bell has certainly jumped on the SnapChat train.

Multi-device Mobile Marketing

According to Forbes.com, consumers “often move from one screen to another while shopping.” About 65% of users start on a smartphone, 25% on a PC/Laptop, and 11% start on a tablet. And they all end up on another device at one time or another.

For this reason, there are several different devices you should be taking into consideration, including smartwatches and tablets. Times are changing and your marketing efforts need to reflect that.

Video Ads

Depending on where you are marketing, you may want to consider video advertising. YouTube is especially reliant on this form of advertising, so if you’re big on the Tube or any other video-based social platform, videos ads are great option.

Ecommerce and Social Combination

We are seeing a big socialization of online consumerism with “buy now” buttons featured on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Not only can you use these social platforms for direct sales and lead building, but you can make your own site more social.

New Payment Systems

Recently, Samsung’s “Samsung Pay” is a payment platform that can be used nearly everywhere. Services like PayPal and Apple Pay are also widely accessible on several different devices. They are secure, safe, and super fast!

Customized Lifestyle Apps

In today’s technology run world, apps are no longer accessories; they are lifestyles. People use apps on their smartphones to reflect and enhance the way they live. Need help getting in shape? FitBit or MyFitnessPal are great choices that offer freemium options. Need to manage your finances a better? Try Mint or Mintbills.

By creating a lifestyle-based app of your own, you can promote your products and services in a modern way. There are many businesses that offer app building services, but only one you can trust: Appmart.

Have you noticed any hot mobile trends in marketing lately? Let us know!

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15 Amazing Twitter Cover Photos From Real Brands

With more than 313 million monthly active users, Twitter is a serious player in the world of social networking. Brands looking to market themselves via the microblogging service have a serious tool at their disposal: the Twitter cover photo.

Twitter cover photos were specifically designed for businesses. They allow brands a public space to publish content/products and receive comments/feedback from real fans/customers. It’s more than just a space to fill, the cover photo is the first thing your online community will see, much like a store front.

Although a Twitter cover photo is a simple tool, it provides many interesting opportunities for businesses. Smart companies with a sharp marketing team know how to take advantage of the cool things you can do with a cover photo in order to connect, engage, and delight fans, not to mention drive heaps of traffic to your site. Whether it’s creative, funny, educational or promotional, having a high-resolution, on-brand cover photo will allow your page to outshine the competition.

So, if you feel you might be underutilizing your Twitter page, here are a few great cover photos to give you a little inspiration.

1. Behance
Your Twitter cover photo is a valuable piece of real estate and a great space for promoting current marketing campaigns. Behance cleverly put together a collage of various artists using their platform in order to draw interest and drive engagement.

2. Design Milk
Design Milk’s creative cover photo is so captivating; it’s hard to look away. The geometric shapes and lines perfectly compliment their signature milk carton logo, making for a visually appealing look and feel.



3. Animoto
Your Twitter cover photo should essentially compel a visitor to stick around. If they can’t figure out what your company can do for them in under a second, you risk them moving on to someone who can. Using Twitter’s precious real estate, Animoto does a great job communicating exactly what they do, right away.



4. Steve Renner
Straightforward and to-the-point, Steve Renner, CEO of Acesse, entrepreneur, marketing leader, and motivational speaker (part-time blues musician and parent) knows marketing. The eye-catching color and sleek lines draw you immediately in, begging to know more about what Renner can do for you.



5. Basecamp
Although Basecamp doesn’t a have a product to showcase through photos, they use a collection of icons to portray what the company does. The checkmarks, conversation bubbles, and to-do lists all lead to a single theme: productivity.



6. Uber
After rebranding earlier this year, Uber wanted their cover photo to celebrate two main things: technology and the cities they serve. Their cover photo is sleek, modern, and a real visual reflection of both core values.



7. Etsy
This peer-to-peer ecommerce site for handmade and vintage goods smartly employed an artsy collage of images to represent their DIY roots. Not only does the display of colors pop out to the visitor, they are consistent with each change of season.



8. Starbucks
Starbucks’ eye catching, high-quality graphic resonates with loyal customers. No only is it playful, it’s only seriously enticing—showcasing a variety of their most delicious products.



9. Apartment Therapy
The perfectly polished look of Apartment Therapy would grab anyone’s attention. Right away, you know what to expect—cool décor for your apartment, and with such catchy description as, “Saving the world, one room at a time,” visitor’s are bound to feel more than welcome to stick around.



10. Taco Bell
Taco Bell knows you can’t resist their Crunchy Taco Supreme, so why not put it smack dab in the middle of their cover photo? Consistency is key in their marketing scheme, making sure they rock the same photo on every one of their social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and SnapChat.



11. Nike
Sporty and fresh is what you can always expect from Nike and their Twitter cover photo does not fail to meet our expectations. Sometimes a simple photo is all you need to evoke an inner need for speed and adventure.



12. MEC
This mountain equipment company knows their customers inside and out. Their rugged, lifestyle photo perfectly parallels the company’s line and aesthetic. Their cover photo invokes a feeling of happiness you can only get camping with the right gear and inspiration.



13. Poler
Right out of Portland, Oregon, this brand knows what their customers/fans want to see; breathtaking views. Accompanying their cute, playful logo is a majestic picture of a mountain top. Not only do you want to immediately go there, but you want to make sure you’re fully equipped with what they describe in their profile as, “The World’s Highest Standard of Stuff.”



14. Wallpaper
Welcome to Wallpaper, the “global authority on design,” and they know it. Their clever, artsy photo displaying multiple clones of the same person wearing various stages of the moon would wow any visitor. It’s clean, stylish and on par with their bold claims. No wonder they have 1.39 million followers and growing.



15. Creative Review
Since 1980, the Creative Review’s marketing strategy has been evolving and adapting right along with the best of them. Lovely in shape and color, their Twitter cover photo expresses a timelessness so few have achieved. It’s bold, progressive, and unique—a seriously deadly combination, to competitors that is.


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Social Gaming: Marketable and Fun!

Since 2011, the social gaming industry has risen in revenue by more than $1 billion. And just last year, the market hit $5 billion and is expected to exceed $2 billion by the end of 2016. So, who is playing? Over 155 million Americans play video games on a regular basis (3 or more hours a week). The split amongst men (52%) and women (48%) is almost equal, both averaging 13 years as a gamer. Although the average age of a gamer is 39, the industry spans across a wide-range of ages of demographics. With those odds, you’re probably a gamer yourself.

For that reason, social gaming is a serious resource for advertisers and marketers. So, how can your business capitalize on such a rapidly growing industry?

There are several ways to make money with social network gaming. One model is to offer two levels of the game, one as a paid premium version and the other a free, stripped down one. You can also charge items in the “free” game, such as tools or weapons. In Facebook (which boasts a steady 250 million daily user count), players can use PayPal or FB credits—making purchases entirely seamless. In Gamesmart, the new state-of-the-art gaming portal, users exchange SmartCoins: an open source P2P (Peer to Peer) cryptocurrency that operates with no central authority or banks. Payments can be sent instantly to anyone, anywhere in the world. SmartCoins will continue to evolve for the ever changing needs of a smarter world. Here are a few reasons why SmartCoins are the future of social gaming:

Fast Transactions:
Even faster than Bitcoin, SmartCoin’s blazing speed 30 second confirmations will get your payments sent or received anywhere in the world without waiting around. SmartCoin works globally and constantly, which means coins can be sent from everywhere to everywhere at any point in time.

Security:
With built-in SHA-256 wallet encryption, you can safely store your SmartCoins on your hardware, or even print out your own paper wallet. Transactions can be viewed in a public database, so there is no uncertainty about the status of payment transfers, and this database exists on all clients that use the software.

Growing Community:
SmartCoin has a growing and friendly community in which everyone can participate and contribute to improve and distribute SmartCoin.

Another way is to display advertisements intermittently during a game. This is what marketers call, “gamification.” It doesn’t charge the player at all, and if designed right, the ads can be both unobtrusive and profitable. It’s best to tie in services and products that relate to the game somehow. For example, a fitness brand can use the game to promote healthy recipes or protein shakes that the player could find useful.

Another way is to develop your very own successful gaming portal, such as Gamesmart.  Gamesmart offers ready-to-play games in an variety of different languages, such as Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Russian, Korean, Japanese, and English and genres, such as Action, Family, Kids, Match, Puzzle, Shooter, and Sports. Fans of popular mobile and web-based games like Candy Crush and Clash of Clans will love Gamesmart’s improved games titled Yum Yum Jelly Smash, Subway Clash 3D, Berry Blast, Froggy, and Deadshot Dynamite.

At Gamesmart, users enter a world for the creative, the strategic, and the bold. Unlike other gaming platforms, when users play Gamesmart, they can earn iRewards, which are redeemable for Amazon, gift cards. Gaming has never been more rewarding! Gamesmart, it’s a game changer.

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How to Build a Story on Instagram

If you’re not an avid SnapChat user, you might be wondering: what are Stories? Basically, they’re groups of video clips and photos sewn together in a narrative slideshow. After 24 hours, they disappear. This aspect not only generates ephemeral, up-to-the-minute content, it also helps cut down on server space. It’s a great way for people and businesses alike to showcase who they are and what they are doing in a very personalized way. It also offers an unpolished, present look into your brand, a rising importance in today’s consumers. On Tuesday, Instagram announced their very own Stories feature—essentially a carbon copy of SnapChat.

Perhaps you’re outraged by Instagram’s impenitent practices, but in the famous words of Pablo Picasso, “Good artists copy; great artists steal.”

So, if you’re over Instagram blatantly copying SnapChat, than let’s get started on how to build your first Instagram Story, shall we?:

First off, tap the plus sign in the upper left corner of your screen to get started.

Then take a photo by tapping the round button, or press it down for up to ten seconds to take a video.

Swipe down to choose a photo or video from your camera’s library.

Now, select one of the three pen type options to doodle, add an emoji, or select a color filter on your photo. For more color options, press and hold on the color to pull up an array of color options.

When you’re done personalizing your capture, tap the checkmark icon to share. Your story will then appear at the top of your followers’ feeds. It’ll also be visible on your profile page.

Check out who has seen your Story by swiping up when viewing the photo or video. You can also privatize your Stories in the “Settings” icon.

So, why should you jump on Instagram’s Stories feature? For one, you now have the opportunity to create ephemeral, creative content without launching a new channel. Unlike SnapChat, Instagram’s Stories allows you to continue to promote using hashtags, geotags, and the “Discover” section increases your visibility. The feature also runs on views rather than likes, so you don’t have to take yourself too seriously.

In conclusion, have fun, experiment and see if you can successfully overlap various demographics.


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How to Build a Story on Instagram

If you’re not an avid SnapChat user, you might be wondering: what are Stories? Basically, they’re groups of video clips and photos sewn together in a narrative slideshow. After 24 hours, they disappear. This aspect not only generates ephemeral, up-to-the-minute content, it also helps cut down on server space. It’s a great way for people and businesses alike to showcase who they are and what they are doing in a very personalized way. It also offers an unpolished, present look into your brand, a rising importance in today’s consumers. On Tuesday, Instagram announced their very own Stories feature—essentially a carbon copy of SnapChat.

Perhaps you’re outraged by Instagram’s impenitent practices, but in the famous words of Pablo Picasso, “Good artists copy; great artists steal.”

So, if you’re over Instagram blatantly copying SnapChat, than let’s get started on how to build your first Instagram Story, shall we?:

First off, tap the plus sign in the upper left corner of your screen to get started.

Then take a photo by tapping the round button, or press it down for up to ten seconds to take a video.

Swipe down to choose a photo or video from your camera’s library.

Now, select one of the three pen type options to doodle, add an emoji, or select a color filter on your photo. For more color options, press and hold on the color to pull up an array of color options.

When you’re done personalizing your capture, tap the checkmark icon to share. Your story will then appear at the top of your followers’ feeds. It’ll also be visible on your profile page.

Check out who has seen your Story by swiping up when viewing the photo or video. You can also privatize your Stories in the “Settings” icon.

So, why should you jump on Instagram’s Stories feature? For one, you now have the opportunity to create ephemeral, creative content without launching a new channel. Unlike SnapChat, Instagram’s Stories allows you to continue to promote using hashtags, geotags, and the “Discover” section increases your visibility. The feature also runs on views rather than likes, so you don’t have to take yourself too seriously.

In conclusion, have fun, experiment and see if you can successfully overlap various demographics.


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How to Use Instagram Stories for Business

Since it’s dawning in 2011, SnapChat has been steadily climbing the user charts, raking in over 100 million active users day and 400 million snaps to boot. It’s popularity stemmed from the app’s ability to capture “Stories”—chronological photos and videos accessible for a time limit of 24 hours. In 2015, it’s notoriety skyrocketed with the introduction of the feature, “Discover”—an area designated for ad-supported short-form content from major publishers such as Vice, People, CNN, among others.

Many corporations—McDonald’s, Tacobell, General Electric, and Heineken to name a few—have also taken to increasing their community engagement and brand awareness through SnapChat’s snappy infrastructure. The feature offers viewers exclusive, of-the-moment content designed to further strengthen the bond between brand and fan. Users gain real insight into what the their favorite brands are up to and in turn, brands receive unique visitor engagement.

It’s no wonder why Instagram just recently introduced their own version of “Stories”—a new feature where users can share daily moments for up to 24 hours before it disappears (sound familiar?). Akin to SnapChat, users can also personalize their photos and videos using text and drawing tools. How did they get away with it? “I think what you see is that every company looks around and adopts the best of the best formats or state-of-the-art technology. Snapchat adopted face filters that existed elsewhere first, right? And slideshows existed in other places, too. Flipagram was doing it for a while. So I think that’s the interesting part of the Valley. You can’t just recreate another product. But you can say ‘what’s really awesome about a format? And does it apply to our network?’” said Instagram’s CEO, Kevin Systrom (source).

So, to put it bluntly, Instagram copied, but they’re OK with it.

For the uninitiated, check out our guide on How to Use a Story on Instagram. If you’re ready to dive in, here are a few tips for clever business owners who want to market their brand via Instagram’s not new, but definitely improved feature:

Instagram Stories is the tool perfect tool for real-time access to live events. You can use it for product launches, trade shows, or one-of-a-kind events only visible by followers. Further humanize your brand by sharing funny moments from the office or opinions about certain current events.

Provide your users with private content that makes them feel special. Debut a new gadget, clothing collection or brand changes. Your audience will appreciate your candidness.

With Instagram Stories you can easily promote contest, perks, or discounts in new and inventive ways. Offer your audience a weeklong selfie contest that specifically includes your brand or product. Millennials like their voice to feel included, as though they are part of the brand itself, rather than just a number.

Take your audience behind the scenes with you. Show them the underpinnings of your brand. Don’t be afraid of making them a part of your brands process and progress. Capture special events, casual Fridays, or company outings. The more unique and original you can be, the stronger your engagement will become.

Collaborate with other brands and social media influencers. By partnering with other social channels, you can communicate with demographics not usually found on your radar. Start a relationship with a big Instagram star who can essentially promote you with out really promoting. If they like you, perhaps many more will, too!

All in all, Instagram’s Stories is a platform that provides brands with a voice of authenticity. Not only will it will help strengthen the bond with your audience, but will also help you make some new ones. Be creative, and even a little silly, customers these days want to know they are buying from real, live people, not machines.

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Why You Should be Building Your Own B2B Marketing App

If you didn’t know, Kylie Jenner created an app. It’s called, of course, Kylie Jenner and offers it’s users indispensible updates on the 18-year-old’s “lyfe”, looks, and music choices. Created by Whalerock Digital Media, the app also fashions a live feed, giveaways, and an interactive offline experience. Oh, and according to Apptopia, it reached 1.75 million downloads during the first week of it’s availability, bringing in over $134,000 dollars.

Not convinced your business needs a mobile app, yet? Well, let’s give mobile apps some more context, shall we? According to Juniper Research, by 2020 there will be over 38.5 billion mobile device users on the planet. Still not convinced? If you’re a business owner here’s a list of why you should consider getting a mobile app for your business:

Mobile apps help build a direct marketing channel

At the touch of a button, your customers can receive important updates and promotions from your company. These push notifications can include price changes, general news, coupons, latest products, new services and so on. This allows you to have a direct dialogue with your customer without having to wait for them to come to you for questions.

Mobile apps provide faster solutions

Time plays an important role when it comes to preserving and building website visitors. Most mobile apps can be accessed without the use of the Internet, allowing customer’s access to your company any time of the day. The faster and easier it is for customers to reach you, the better your ROI will be.

Superior user engagement

According to Techcrunch.com, smartphone users spend nearly 84% of their time on apps. Instead of navigating a web browser, users are attracted to the simplicity of the all-in-one business application. Not only are mobile apps readily accessible on anyone’s smartphone home screen, but push notifications allow your business to build substantial brand loyalty.

Mobile transactions

Largely due to the rise of Google Wallet and Apple Pay (simple one-click purchases), customers are able to easily purchase products and services using a business app. Impulse buys have thus rocketed, leading to much higher conversion rates on apps then on websites. 

Social media integration

According to Techcrunch.com, users spend nearly half an hour a day (14%) on social media outlets using mobile apps. For that reason integrating social platforms such as Instagram, Facebook (1.25 billion mobile monthly active users), or Pinterest is crucial in sustaining a loyal standing with your customers. Most customers, 66% to be more accurate, will check out a product or service on social media before committing to a purchase, which says a lot about buyer behavior these days.

Receive real customer feedback

A mobile app enables customers the ability to comment, like, or share your products and services. In turn, you will receive insights into your audience’s behavior and thus understand how to target future customers and preserve existing ones. This can be done in a variety of other ways, too, such as an in-app survey, review section, and so on.

It’s safe to say the benefits of developing and maintaining a mobile app in this day and age, is indispensible. Perhaps its not the right move for every business, but for the vast majority, the opportunities are endless. There are thousands of mobile app developers, so, which one is right for your company? Here is a list of the top 5 best mobile app developers for business.

1. Appmart

With Appmart, the world’s #1 iPhone and Android App Builder (running on over 140 million devices worldwide), your business can compete with the ever-growing marketplace. They do all the heavy-lifting for you. Appmart allows you to build your brand, broadcast alert messaging, share social media, engage with your customers, make mobile purchases, and much more. Their simplistic, easy to use templates beautifully display your business’s products and services, and also allow for dynamic coupons, digital loyalty cards, interactive directions, and one-touch calling. Through Appmart, your mobile business app is published to the world’s leading app stores such as the Apple Store, Google Play, and Appmart’s very own platform. Working with a team of world-class software developers, graphic designers, and incredible customer support professionals, you can breathe easy knowing your app will look and function amazingly.

2. WillowTree

Located in Charlottesville, VA, WillowTree has created powerful mobile solutions for brands such as TimeWarner, Fox News, Fisher-Price, and Pepsico. They have a rock-solid development team and offer user-centered design.

3. Y Media Labs

Y Media Labs help clients see what they can’t see themselves. They are focused on one thing: “creating world-class digital experiences that blow the doors off expectations and establish brands as category leaders.”

4. Dom and Tom

Innovators in mobile and web, Dom and Tom provide user experience and mobile app development for iOS, Android, and web. They have worked with priceline.com, Bloomberg, Condé Nast, and Dignity Health. Small, but mighty, the mobile app developing company includes 46 total team members and 4 offices.

5. Appster

Appster loves building apps that surpass client expectations. They use the “Lean Startup approach, combined with revolutionary product hacks, to build dynamic, beautiful, user-centric software.” They help companies and startups achieve scale and business ROI.

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