Morgan Stanley Research estimates sales of smartphones will exceed those of PCs in 2012. As the US grows more mobile, it’s time to reassess how your small business uses this mobile market to increase sales. This article provides three usable techniques for utilizing mobile phones to generate sales leads.

In numbers…
420: the estimated number of smart phones sold in 2011
43: the percentage of US mobile phone owners with a smartphone as of October 2011

To gain more email subscribers for your company newsletter, you can use text message signup to get customers when they’re most excited. All you’ll need is a text-message auto responder and a mobile- friendly sign up web page. Choose from many affordable services to handle the text message set up for you by googling “text messaging marketing” or “SMS campaigns”. Select a word (such as SELL, FREE, or the name of your product) for potential subscribers to text to your chosen five digit number. Upon texting to your number, customers will receive a message containing a web link to a prepared mobile- friendly signup page.
This action will be quite easy to take; just remember to keep the form simple.

There are many advantages of SMS over email campaigns. For one, text messages are generally read within 4 minutes of receipt, compared to 6 hours for email. Also, 95% of texts are opened, compared to 20% of emails. Finally, signup rates with SMS are better because of the required opt- in confirmation. Customers are asked for permission at the moment they are ready to buy-in.
Though you are limited to 160 characters, you will reach more customers in less time. Remember to be considerate of these customers, though, with the number of texts you send. You don’t want them to consider your text as spam and resent you or your product.

A QR code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. They are especially helpful in target marketing for mobile phone users. The code is pictured on a sign or product packaging, and prospective customers point their phone camera at the QR code image. He or she can then choose whether to view the QR link in the phone’s browser, where it will direct them to your homepage. The QR code enables customers to load your web page or signup form easily and quickly.
As QR code awareness grows, phones will become more compatible with QR code readers.

Of course, the above techniques won’t be helpful to you unless your website is mobile ready. If you’re not familiar with HTML or CSS, get started by using a mobile website builder service like Mofuse, Wapple or Atmio.

It is suggested that you implement one of the above techniques at a time, measure it’s effectiveness, and proceed from there. This tactic will allow you to measure your success and know which technique is most productive for your business.

Are you considering a newsletter to communicate efficiently with clients? Don’t be fooled by its simplicity- only a carefully planned and organized newsletter will communicate effectively. The following are tips to consider when embarking upon newsletter creation.

Audience
Who is your reader? Always keep your intended, strategic audience in mind when writing. What is important to you may not be a priority to them. Consider what is relevant to your readers and be sure to target what is important to them.

Structure
Newsletters, by genre, are regular publications. Develop a structure for your publication including an editorial calendar, deadlines, and dates for regular publication. Be realistic about the amount of content you can produce consistently; you want to have a sustainable written product. Honor your deadlines; they provide a safety net for unexpected delays.

Format
Newsletters can vary from the most basic to quite elaborate. Starting with the basic form allows room for growth. A few lead stories, shorter news items, and an executive message will provide the content you need to begin. As your publication expands, you can include features, departments, columns, editorials, cartoons, in-house news, news tidbits, and regional round-ups.

Writers and writing
If you plan to hire writers to provide the content for your newsletter, be sure to discuss topic, length, treatment, and deadline before assigning an article. If at all possible, provide links to sample articles so the writer knows the voice and specific content you prefer. Communication with your writers is key to getting the written message you desire.

The more eyes that see articles before going to the press, the better. Ensure articles are written in active, rather than passive voice. Edit articles for precision, slang, length, and grammar.

Bylines and credit
By offering your writers credit for their own material, you give them an opportunity for exposure while gaining credibility for your publication. Consider a recognition box that lists all who contributed to the development of an issue. This is a simple and effective way to thank those who helped while also encouraging others to get involved.

Text first, graphics later
Relevant and well-written content deserves primary attention in your newsletter. While graphics can be nice and make the newsletter attractive, they can also take much needed space away from the written word.

Digital newsletters
Do you plan to email your newsletter? If so, remember: simple = effective in this medium. Plain text is best. Provide a summary of the newsletter (“in this issue”) at the top, and a space to subscribe or unsubscribe at the bottom. Provide links to archived issues on your website.

Story leads
Readers decide within seconds whether to continue reading or put your newsletter down. Make sure your lead items are strong stories with appeal to a broad audience.

Feedback
Find creative ways to gather feedback on your publication. Watch readers to see how people scan your newsletter. Invite a sampling of readers to discuss each issue. Conduct an informal readership survey. Find ways to quantify what’s happening in measureable bites. This way you can track what is happening and know when to grow as a publication.