Integrating Mobile Actions into Your Business Life

Whether we'll admit it or not, most of us are online a lot. And if we're going off the cold hard facts, one-fifth of all Americans report that they're online 'almost constantly.' How is that possible?

Those pesky cell phones.

They're in nearly everyone's hands, purses, or pockets, and you better believe that they get whipped out in any moment of downtime. How else would we get through the day without our Candy Crush, our constant scrolling through Instagram feeds or our pithy 140 character statements on Twitter? Before we knock it as a major productivity killer, it could, in fact, be the next generation of getting your business done on-the-go, as well as a great way to access a whole new type of customers. So before you sit down at your computer and send out a couple hundred emails, check out why it may be more productive to spend some time reaching out to your network on your mobile instead.

Integrate Mobile Actions Into Business Activities

"About three-quarters of Americans use a smartphone, tablet or other mobile device to tap into the internet at least occasionally." Combine that with the fact that most Americans are online constantly, the signs point to something we all already know: everyone is on their cell phone/smart phone/mobile device at all points of the day. We're all guilty of it.

But just knowing the facts isn't enough in this case, the key is getting out there and acting on those high percentages of online, swiping, scrolling, and Snapchatting people. Here's the thing: your clients and your potential clients are almost all on their mobile devices. What reason do you have to not reach out to them through that channel if it's going to be effective?

Set some goals

As much as we're inclined to pass off using our mobile devices and smartphones as an easy form of communication, you need to put a little more thought into it when you're integrating it into your business strategy. So, what're your goals? More specifically, who are you trying to reach and how will you reach them?

For real estate, this may mean enabling more on-the-go communication with clients where time is of the essence and you need to get in touch quickly. For small business owners, this could be your foray into social media as a new channel to reach out to your customers and explore new marketing opportunities. Whatever those goals may be, keep mobile in mind as you set them and understand how utilizing your mobile device will help you achieve them.

Do your research

How are you going to integrate mobile into your business plan? For you small business folks looking to jump into social media, you may want to do some research on what platforms your competition or clientele are utilizing. Yes, you can also access social media platforms from your desktop, but with the rise of mobile usage across all channels, it's best to jump right in, especially with many of the mobile apps. On average, Americans check their phone about 46 times per day. Don't you want to be a part of that daily habit?

Keep in mind, less is sometimes more when it comes to mobile and social platforms. Don't overwhelm your network (and yourself) by trying to do way too much on every social media platform out there. Make a strategic decision on which you're going to apply to your strategy based on how it'll help you achieve your goals, and put your effort all into those. Don't overextend and try your hand at Snapchat simply because it's what all the kids are using these days. Will it help you conquer that goal of bringing new clients in? Probably not. If you use a CRM, take a look at their mobile options. They very well may have an app available to you that can open up a whole new world of mobile capabilities for keeping in contact with your network.

Why go mobile

How many times have you sent an email to a client, contact, or VIP in your life...and never heard back? Some studies have shown that it can take up to 7 to 8 emails just to get an initial response. That's a crazy ratio! But it's funny, often when you text a friend or someone else in your network, you can get a response within a few hours, if not minutes. Even though many of us all send and receive plenty of our emails on our cell phones, there's something a little more powerful, perhaps even compelling about getting a text message.

What's the solution? Got something quick to tell a client or contact that may not require heavy details or scheduling? Text it to them! Follow-ups and scheduling is best done via email but anything with sensitive information may be best shared over the phone and those little details may be lost in the shuffle of the email inbox when they may be better suited for a text. Plus, when you're in need of an immediate answer, mobile communication is the way to go.

Worthwhile mobile communication

Don't discredit the power of mobile communication. If you have the ability to use your CRM from your phone or tablet, then get on there! Most will allow you to track any phone calls, quick text messages, and even emails that come across and give you the upper hand with communicating on-the-go. Think about it this way: if you run into a contact on the street or in your local coffee shop and you chat about the fact that they got a new job, got married, or maybe they're looking to buy a new home, don't you want to remember that?

Chances are, you won't be able to run back to the office and keep track of it on your computer, and you probably don't have a notebook on you to take notes–plus we all know those tend to get lost in the shuffle. But if you can whip out your phone quickly and take note of all that new info right there, you're far more likely to remember it and use it the next time you follow up. At the end of the day, it's those smaller interactions that tend to be the most important, and most worthwhile to keep track of.

This is perfect for real estate agents constantly on the move throughout the day and who may not have a chance to sit down and type out an email, especially if time is of the essence in the case of an open house or closing details. Of course, this requires some trust and perhaps a quick conversation with those clients on whether they're comfortable with hearing from you via text. But most likely you'll be in the clear.

Social Success

Are you social yet? 80% of Twitter's millions of active users are utilizing the platform via the app on their phone. An enormous amount of social media users are accessing the platforms from the phones and new apps and forms of communications are cropping up everyday. 65% of all adults are on now on social media, a huge leap from the 7% back in 2005. Again, we can't stress enough that getting on every platform available is probably not the best strategy, but establishing a social and online presence is key for reaching out to your clients and contacts. And believe us, mobile makes it beyond easy to stay on top of keeping those presences updated.

Are we mobile yet?

Establishing your mobile business connection doesn't happen overnight. But try as you may to resist implementing mobile technology into your business, we say it may be time to give it a chance.

When we asked real estate agents about their mobile usage, they replied that 90% of their time is spent on or with their iPad, especially when they're on the go all day. What's the harm in posting the picture of your latest property on your Facebook page if you've already taken the photo and have it ready to go?

Mobile users are twice as likely to share on social media than desktop users and could be key in building up your network and expanding your reach to far more clients than ever before. Plus, with the quick ability to take notes on what your clients like–or didn't like–you're more likely to follow up with them with better information in the future, making you far more successful and efficient.

To view the original article, visit the Contactually blog.