Reach out and touch someone -- Coupons and promotions on your cell phone

It's lunchtime, and you can't decide what to have today. So you take a stroll outside, just to see what looks good at the various restaurants in the neighborhood. As you're walking along, browsing at the different menus displayed in the front of each restaurant, you get a notification signal on your mobile phone. It's the newly opened bistro on the corner, asking you if you want to receive a coupon and a menu. You respond with a Yes, and the files are sent straight to your phone. There's a full menu and a coupon for a free appetizer with your entree. Lunch sounds good -- let's give it a try. You've just taken part in a Bluetooth Marketing campaign.

So, aside from the funny name, what exactly is Bluetooth Marketing? How does it work? And what does this mean for the average consumer?

Most mobile phone shoppers have probably heard of Bluetooth by now. It's a standard feature on almost every new cell phone sold today, as well as many laptops and desktop computers. One of the more common uses for Bluetooth is to connect to a hands-free headset, but it can actually do a whole lot more. Bluetooth is really just a way for various devices to connect to each other and share information without the need for wires. So, with Bluetooth, your cell phone could also connect to your computer to synchronize your contacts list, transfer songs and ringtones, even upload those pictures you just took with your camera phone. What's more, if your friend also has a Bluetooth phone, you could easily send them your pictures, songs, videos, games, or other files stored in your phone, all without having to worry about having the right cables to connect.

So, what does this have to do with marketing? Well, through some clever use of technology, companies are now using Bluetooth to send their latest promotions to the mobile phone -- that ubiquitous device that almost everyone uses and carries with them at all times. How does it work?

A small, Bluetooth enabled file server, specially configured for this purpose, is mounted in a busy location. The server will continuously scan the area for Bluetooth enabled devices as they come within range (up to 100 meters). When found, it sends the user a message asking if they wish to receive the advertiser's content. This could be a coupon, a video, Java game or any other multimedia file. If the user responds with a Yes, the file is sent automatically. If they respond with a No, the server logs this decision, and will not ask the same user again the next time they come within range. This so called "blacklisting" feature ensures that users are not continuously bothered with requests to download things they don't want.

And, in contrast to SMS or text messaging, there is never a charge to send or receive files via Bluetooth. What's more, since files don't pass through any cellular carriers, Bluetooth Marketing works even where there is no cell signal, such as subway stations or other "dead" zones.

So what are the benefits and pitfalls, both for prospective businesses looking for a new and unique way to connect with their customers, and for consumers, who may view advertising on their cell phones as a sort of invasion of privacy?

For advertisers, Bluetooth Marketing allows them to send their promotions to people for very little cost. Aside from the initial purchase of the equipment, Bluetooth Marketing campaigns are essentially free to run. Because files sent by Bluetooth are free, it would not matter if a company sent 10 promotions or 10,000. More importantly, users who choose to accept the message inevitably take the time to look at it. This differentiates Bluetooth marketing from other types of advertising, which goes largely ignored by the target group. Advertisers also have the opportunity to market their products and services based on the proximity of the consumer. For example, restaurants can send coupons to people as they walk by; movie theaters can send video trailers of new releases to people standing in line, etc. What better time to send promotions to customers than when they are physically close?

Of course, from the point of view of the consumer, there may be fears that this technology may raise some privacy issues. Would people be spammed with ads they don't want as they're walking down the street? Will advertisers be able to record their cell phone numbers and use it for marketing purposes? And what if someone doesn't want to receive this kind of marketing -- ever?

In fact, the technology does incorporate ways to resolve these issues. Again, Bluetooth servers must always get permission first from users before any content is sent. And if the user refuses, the software remembers this, and will not ask again in the future. This ensures that only people wishing to receive content will get it -- a benefit to both advertiser and consumer. Also, personally identifiable information is never collected by the system. The server only detects each phone's MAC address, a unique hardware ID, but nothing else. It cannot collect phone numbers or any personal information from any user. People needn't be afraid that their private information is being compromised in any way. And, of course, users can always choose to never participate in any Bluetooth campaign by simply setting their Bluetooth to "invisible", so they won't be found in the first place.

Bluetooth Marketing has been popular in Europe for several years now, and is only now beginning to catch on in the United States. Besides just coupons and promotions, stores can get creative and offer free games or songs to reward customers, companies could use this technology to distribute bulletins to employees, or professionals can use Bluetooth to send business cards to potential clients, ensuring that they always have their correct contact details handy. The possibilities are vast. So the next time you're walking down the street and you get an unexpected message on your phone asking if you want a free cappuccino, just say Yes, and look around you. You may not have noticed the cafe on the corner, but they noticed you!

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Have You Acheived Your Real Independence Day Yet?

This month, in the USA, we celebrate "Independence Day"... a day that commemorates independence from oppression and liberation from those who would seek to keep you from setting your own course and controlling your own destiny.

No matter where you are in the world, the question raised is:

"Have you had your own personal 'Independence Day' yet?"

Since you're a subscriber of mine, I hope so. But if not, you should ask yourself, what can you do to gain more independence, especially using the power of the Internet?

However, before I get into that, let's talk about what "independence" really means...

To me, "independence" means:

-- You don't punch a clock for someone else (your business is simply a "means to an end" that enables you to pursue your passions and dreams instead of being a "wage slave" for another company or person)

-- Your time is your own and you spend it how you want (whether that's playing video games, traveling or spending more time with your children and family)

-- You do NOT trade time for dollars. But rather you have a business that makes you money whether you show up or not... (No matter what type of product or service you have, the web makes this easier than ever before!)

-- Your business and income grows every year without requiring you to work more hours...

Properly structured, your business becomes a wealth-producing asset that provides for you. And also provides for your family if something happens to you and you're not able to take care of them (or can't work for months).

Let's face it. If you're spending all your time responding to emails, answering the phone, putting up mini-sites, calling leads, trying to find new prospects, attending meetings, and "DOING" all the activities IN your business...you have a JOB, NOT a business!

That's why it's important at this time of year that you take a step back and take a look at what's distracting you from the big picture of your TRUE independence.

A lot of people get into an online business or networking business with the hopes of killing their "day" job, but all they do is trade one job for another (often working MORE HOURS at their new "job" than they ever did on their original job!).

One of the reasons that happens is because with the traditional model of MLM, you do NOT have any wealth-producing assets under your control. (You don't own the company, products, downline, marketing materials, websites, comp plan...nothing!).

Truth be told, I know many people who built up nice incomes the "traditional" way...only to see that income vanish when their company changed the rules of the game (or the FTC got involved).

So if you want true independence, you need to do the following with your business...

#1: YOU NEED A LEAD GENERATING ASSET THAT YOU CONTROL.

Beware of people telling you to ONLY do the traditional ways of MLM.

If that's working for you, great! But the reality is that 90-95% of the people who get into our industry do NOT have any major success and can NOT make the "usual" ways of prospecting work for them.

The main problem of operating with the old-school methods is that you don't have an asset that's working FOR you. In essence, you are STILL trading time for dollars. (Yes, you'll get duplication in your team...but if you rely solely on that, you're putting your security and income in someone else's hands again!).

BOTTOM LINE: Get control of your OWN 24x7 lead generator (ideally a mini-site) if you want true online independence.

#2: YOU NEED TO BUILD A LIST!

There are six profit lists you should be focusing on, but you really need to focus on four of them if you want to experience leverage and freedom in your business.

The first main list you build is a prospect list - people who are interested in your product or service in general. You'll also build this list for your lead generating mini-site.

The second main list you build is a customer list of the people who get your lead generator above. And also a list of the people who sign up for your company's product or service.

Using online leverage tools like autoresponders, you can drip on them on autopilot. Plus this allows you to leverage your message out to hundreds or thousands of people at once.

You want to be in control of the relationship - don't let someone else manage that *critical* asset.

#3: YOU NEED TO PUT SYSTEMS TO WORK IN YOUR BUSINESS!

Why?

So you can remove yourself from the processes that actually drive your business!

In other words...ultimately your business can't depend on you to DO much of ANYTHING if you want to have a business that is a "real" business.

You can start things.

You can figure things out.

You can get the whole ball rolling.

But after that, get out of YOUR OWN WAY!

You need people, teams, software, and systems in place so that your business can run without your day-to-day interaction or input. That's a REAL business.

Now here's what to do to have a true "Independence Day" this month...

-- Like I've said in the past, take some time AWAY from your business to THINK about what you *really* want from it If your business is a vehicle, WHERE do you want it to take you?

-- If you had a "perfect" business, what would it look like and what would it do for YOU?

-- Describe your "perfect" day! What would you do? Who would you see? How would you make money if there were NO limitations placed on you?

I sat down for a few days 3 years ago to answer these very same questions questions, and as a result made some massive changes. I'll admit the changes weren't super easy (mainly because of getting in my own way), but the result was liberation from everything I disliked...more income...and my life and business became the way *I* wanted them.

So get away from your business and computer to do this exercise in the next 24-48 hours. Be truthful to yourself and the answers - and be willing to make the changes necessary for true independence!

Copyright (c) 2007 Chris Zavadowski

Chris Zavadowski has gained top recognition online and in the network marketing community for his unique ways of growing Internet businesses and MLM downlines! Having worked full-time from home since 2001, he's taught thousands his successful, unique ways of working online and leveraging their efforts. Chris creates breakthrough online MLM marketing tools, and more details can by found at: http://www.InstantMLMSalesLetters.com.psp music
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