Upgrade your social network with SMS

The explosive growth in social networking in Australia over the last few years is happening despite the challenge of low internet bandwidth and the consequent dial-up charges. The latest Nielsen Online report finds that from May 2007, membership of international social networking sites, such as YouTube and Facebook, has shown massive growth in Australia.

There is limited development of local social network sites or applications in Australia and the research proposes that this is because, “Australians, on the web, are freed from geographical constraints, (and) are viewing themselves as part of the global online village.” The rise in social networking across the globe can be attributed to many factors but primarily to the fact that these sites connect people whoever and wherever they are. They are a personal forum for expression and users are able to generating their own content, easily connect with other users with similar interests and stay in touch with friends, family members or colleagues.

Businesses who are not taking advantage of the rise in popularity of social networking sites should beware. This is a fast changing industry and already the pressure is on to keep offering innovative services. One of these innovations is the adding of a mobile element to social networking sites. The most obvious mobile solution is text messaging functionality. The advantages of doing this, particularly for an Australian market, are numerous.

Nielsen research points out that nearly half of all Australians have a social network profile and of those not currently using, almost half of those polled say they intend joining up in the next 12 months. Given the sometimes limited data connectivity in parts of Australia, the high cost of broadband and slow Internet connections, SMS text messaging functionality on social networking sites is the answer.

SMS text messaging allows users to interact both with the network and other users easily and affordably; two-way text messaging functionality makes the ‘conversation’ interactive. Taking your social network mobile offers the chance to offer your existing users more value, to extend your reach to those with handset limitations or limited data connectivity and increase your revenue base.

By running text messaging campaigns, it is easy to extend your mobile social networks reach through SMS marketing. Added to this advertising initiatives can be targeted to individual identity profiles.

Text messaging can be used to increase user participation within the mobile social network. Drive traffic to your site and increase the ‘eyeball’ rate, more ‘eyeballs’ means more advertising revenue.
You can text social network users with info on product offerings or promotions, you can text ‘tickle’ them to remind them to sign in or let them know they have messages. You can use SMS text messages for additional security and authentication purposes.

Increase your income streams and revenue by utilising premium-rated SMS services. Sell subscriptions to the site with weekly or monthly billing options or even sell products such as wallpapers, music and ringtone downloads directly or drive users to real stores to make purchases.

SMS text messaging can also be used to diagnose connectivity issues and keep users updated to changes or security alerts within your online social network. The most important aspect of taking your social network mobile is that happy customers are loyal customers and mobile messaging offers a unique opportunity to give your users great value.

They can access your site from wherever they are – no more being deskbound! They can update their content by posting and receiving info with their mobile phones. They can upload and download videos, music and pictures thus keeping their profiles up to date. Other added benefits include ‘check-in’ and ‘find’ facilities which allow users to post where they are in the real world and find friends in the vicinity. Find out more about how adding a mobile component to your social network will benefit both your organisation and your users.

The advantages of going mobile with a social network are obvious, the time to do it is now as Australians increasingly look to social networks to stay in touch with their friends, families and colleagues.

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Tags: 2 way sms, Clickatell, mobile social networks, premium rated SMS, SMS, SMS gateway, social network users, text messaging, two-way text messaging