What core demographic responds best to mobile messaging? This is one of the most common questions that a business has to answer. As you talk to different experts, study usage, and conduct surveys – you get an answer that is a little ‘all over the place.’
Teens do text and they are phenomenal at it. In fact, they are quick, they use short code, and most importantly they are able to multi-task while texting. Young adults respond to mobile messages in droves. They are quick to respond and wear their phone as an attachment to themselves. Thirty something’s carry their phones as if it was part of their body. They are able to look things up very quickly using their mobile devices. Forty something’s feel connected to their mobile device. Not as much physically, but the phone gives them a feeling of comfort and an assurance that they are not going to miss anything. Fifty something’s look for convenience. Something easy to use, not too cumbersome to carry, and easy to find in their purse, bag, or pocket. Sixty something’s look at mobile as part of a routine. And of course, those who are seventy or more look at it as a really cool device.
The US is going through a revolution of sorts. The smart’er’ phone is becoming a norm and the utility of the phone continues to increase. The consumer interacts well with the phone. Many international countries lead the world in mobile, they have more users per capita with mobile devices, and the business applications of these devices are tremendous. If you really want to see how the phone is going to be used to you need to consider three things – first, see how different demographics in different parts of the world have responded to messages over the past few years, second, look at the emerging intuitiveness of the newer devices including the applications, third, consider the phone as something you won’t leave your home without.
With the phone being so personal, and the availability of relevant applications – it is going to be like the TV. Everyone is going to have it, know how to use it, the key will be how relevant is the content that is being served. Join us later this afternoon on BrightTALK as we engage in a conversation with experts Mickey Alam Khan & Barg Upendra as we discuss what Mobile can do for the Marketer.
