| According to research from Nielsen Mobile, the typical | | | | advertising. American Airlines uses text messages to |
| US cell phone subscriber sends and receives more | | | | alert travelers of delayed flights and gate changes. B |
| text messages than telephone calls. During the | | | | & H Photo, which sells digital photography and |
| second quarter of 2008, the average mobile user | | | | video equipment, allows you to text your order |
| placed or received 204 phone calls per month. In | | | | number and receive a message with your its tracking |
| contrast, the number of text messages sent or | | | | details. Banks have been using text messaging for a |
| received per month was 357. This is a 450% increase | | | | while, letting you get your balance or notifying you |
| over the number of text messages during the same | | | | when your balance reaches a certain level. P&G |
| period in 2006. | | | | ran a promotion for its Crest whitening toothpaste |
| Eighteen to twenty-four year olds were the most | | | | based on an Irresistability IQ test . Consumers |
| nimble-fingered with an average of 790 text | | | | responded to dating questions via SMS and their |
| messages per month. The older generation isn't being | | | | answers were judged resulting in a final score and an |
| left behind though with 26% of 25-34 year olds | | | | ad for Crest toothpaste. |
| texting and 27% of 35-54 year olds using this new | | | | A study by Enpocket Insight found that |
| technology. So what are all these people texting | | | | permission-based mobile marketing was 50 percent |
| about? | | | | more effective than TV and 130 percent more |
| While the younger generation may be texting about | | | | effective than radio. The "Starbucks Summer Pursuit" |
| the latest episode of the Bachelor, the older | | | | challenged consumers to decipher a series of text |
| generation uses text messaging for a variety of | | | | message clues and players submitted their answers |
| purposes. On the humanitarian side, texting is being | | | | via mobile phone in the form of a picture or text |
| used to raise funds during natural disasters and | | | | message. Even coupons are now being sent via text |
| provide emergency alerts in schools and colleges. The | | | | message. [ an online coupon business uses text |
| Red Cross raised more than $100,000 during the | | | | messaging to send coupons for Palm Springss area |
| Hurricane Katrina disaster through text messaging. | | | | businesses to opt in customers. |
| The University of Texas at Austin uses SMS to alert | | | | The bottom line is that texting is growing rapidly and |
| 67,000 students, faculty and staff of upcoming ice | | | | you would be wise to figure out how you can use it |
| storms. | | | | to increase sales, improve your customer service or |
| Other uses include businesses communications, | | | | foster a sense of community within your customers. |
| customer service and personalized marketing and | | | | |