New internet and wireless technologies have created immensely expanding arenas for advertising and entirely new techniques for marketing that were unheard of a decade ago. One such technique is called “proximity marketing,” which is based on the wireless technology of the Bluetooth.
A promotional Bluetooth is a listening device that is connected to a cell phone. It receives not only cell phone transmissions but also wireless transmissions that are anywhere within ten meters of it at any time. This is the basis of proximity marketing. Promotional ads are sent out from a certain location, and they are picked up by any promotional Bluetooth within ten meters, or about 30 feet. Obviously, with such short distances involved, the applications are a bit limited (hence the name “proximity marketing”) but retailers have found it to be an effective and lucrative market nonetheless.
Proximity marketing, or promotional Bluetooth marketing, is most useful to local merchants. It helps to capture the attention of people who are walking or driving by and who might not otherwise stop in a certain store or restaurant. Potential customers come near, even if they are only on their way to somewhere else, and then are told that the restaurant right over there is having a lunch special, or the clothing store two doors down has their favourite brand on sale.
In some cases, these customers are sent an electronic gift certificate right at that moment, for a business that they don’t have to go out of their way to get to. Studies of this new technology have shown that when coupons are sent to people nearby through Bluetooth proximity marketing, 25 of the recipients can be expected to redeem those coupons at the nearby establishment. That is a huge rate of return on a very small investment.
One drawback to promotional Bluetooth proximity marketing is that the user’s Bluetooth has to be set on “discoverable” for them to receive the coupon or advertisement, and many people do not leave their promotional Bluetooth devices on this setting—precisely because they do not want to be bothered with “spam,” or unwanted advertisements. Experts advise that to combat this, local businesses simply post signs that request that Bluetooth users turn on their discoverable settings and they will receive a coupon or gift certificate. This is an interesting mix of old and new technologies, and it seems ironic that a cutting edge wireless technology would have to rely on something as archaic as a window sign to alert users to its benefits. However, once they receive the message on their promotional Bluetooth, the customer is already right there, and has little reason not to go into the establishment in question.
Proximity marketing is a brand new technique that is most ideally suited for shopping malls or downtown shopping districts, where many people gather and businesses are located very near to each other. It would not be as ideal for areas where people drive more than walk, but it is nevertheless proving to be a powerful new marketing technique.
Author Resource:-
Matt Franks is director of Fluid Branding (http://www.fluidbranding.com), the UK's largest supplier of promotional bluetooth items and Promotional Products. For Eco Friendly promotional products, including Recycled, Organic and Sustainable items visit Eco Incentives at http://www.ecoincentives.com
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