How to Market with Mobile Technology

More and more customers are using mobile technology as their only means of shoppping.

As the world continues to move online at a fast pace, a world of mobile technology has opened up that can position your properties in front of prospective renters quickly, attractively, and effectively. Read on for a quick overview of mobile marketing.

What is it?

Mobile marketing continues to evolve in pace with the devices that utilize it, but the core aspect is a constant: this platform delivers business information via smart phone, text messaging, mobile search ads and mobile display ads.

To best utilize mobile marketing,  your content needs to be clear, concise and packed full of pertinent details about your property: what, where and how to contact you should be the focus of your messaging.

Using apps

Make sure your properties appear in existing mobile apps aimed at qualified renters, such as the apps for ApartmentGuide.com. There truly is an app for everything, and renters are taking advantage of them just like everyone else. You’ll want to have a presence in any application that that can provide great exposure for your properties.

SMS technology (texting)

SMS (Short Message Service), more commonly known as texting, has many useful applications when it comes to mobile marketing, such as the ability to send alerts and reminders, conduct voting and polling, and give rewards as incentives. With this technology, you can let prospective renters (or renters already living in your community) know about new features or activities you’re offering, as well as new vacancies. Offering incentives — vouchers for local restaurants, cleaning services, gym memberships, even rental referral bonuses — makes your property memorable.

You will want to ensure that those who you contact via this method have given permission for you to do so. Keep the list of participants who have “opted in” on file and current, and allow users a way to remove themselves from the list if they choose to do so. Remember that your marketing efforts can backfire if your messages aren’t welcome.

Location Based Services (LBS) marketing
Checking in from where you are is a big deal among mobile customers who use place-based apps such as Foursquare, Gowalla and Facebook. Google users are also able to “Check In” to a place of business using GooglePlaces.

Establishing your apartment community as a known “place” in the online world can create a feeling of continuity among those who live and visit there. When tenants, their friends and family, or potential renters check in enough times, you might opt to make them eligible for coupons, discounts or rewards as a way to encourage them and add to your online, mobile notoriety.

With the proliferation of smart phones, mobile marketing is becoming a real factor in how rental properties can be placed in front of prospective tenants. Be ready to consult the experts who know it best and develop your own mobile strategy for your apartment rental efforts.