It's time to think small in a world increasingly on the go. If you want to find and influence your audience these days, you need to reach them where they're living and moving—by mobile device. Did you know that in 2008, more multimedia mobile phones will be sold than televisions (over 300 million)? And that Microsoft will ship Windows Mobile on 20 million devices?
Well, it's all true. An unstoppable influx of cell phones, Blackberries, iPods, and other mobile devices is making most information services portable. This trend will influence the way people live, work, and get their entertainment. So, what will it take to succeed in this new small-screen, short-form genre? Here are some portable marketing message basics from the experts:
Think in "short form." Consider the value of shorter segments of one to three minutes each. People on the hoof are multi-tasking and have a limited attention span, so keep "mobisodes" short.
Keep it simple! iPhone and others now offer phone, Web, text, email, music, and more to distract you from the content. So, keep it short, simple, and compelling.
Get educated. Watch this revolution as it unfolds. Take a look at: Fierce Wireless Newsletter; and Web Video Universe ("5 Trends to Watch in Mobile Video"). And check out Yahoo Mobile Media Directory.
The Po!nt: Think small to grab your mobile audience where they live and work. Remember, it's not just about the medium, it's about the message in one of the biggest new markets ahead.
Source: Howard Greenfield of Go Associates.
by Oliver Feakins
