Making the coupon even better

Coupons have long been an effective advertising tool. Many businesses have successfully driven traffic their way for years and years using coupons.
Like every other medium, advertisers are looking for ways to improve their return on coupons.
SMS (text) is the perfect answer.
SMS can increase response on a coupon ad. Not everybody has a pair of scissors handy. Just about everybody has a phone with them.
How many people have phones and are using text? (Sources: Pew, Neilsen, Tekelec)

• Over one trillion texts were sent in the U.S. last year.
• 80% of people between the ages of 13-34 sent a text last month.
• The were 357 texts sent for every 204 calls.
• 44% of adults 35-44 send over 30 texts per week.
• 60% of adults over 45 were just as willing to text as to make a call.

Advertisers that use coupons in print ads or direct mail just have to include a number that people can text a keyword to and receive the same offer in the coupon.
For example, a service station that runs an ad with a $15 oil change coupon in it can also include, "Text oil to ####### for a $15 oil change."
The same ad for the same price will drive a lot more traffic to the service station with the inclusion of the text offer. Most text campaigns are priced by duration so purchasing a campaign to match with an existing coupon campaign is the perfect compliment.
Major companies such as Ford, Arby's, Macy's, McDonald's, Costco all are effectively using text offers. But big companies aren't the only ones that can use this platform.
Any business that uses coupons, any business that advertises can make good use of this product.
With cell phones being as predominant as they are, there's no reason not to try and take advantage of that for your business or your client.

Marty Valania has been involved with digital marketing for over 10 years. Please email ideas or suggestions to martyvalania@gmail.com.