Are Sound Waves the Next "Big Thing" in Mobile Marketing?

At Constant Raving, we provide social media management services and work with businesses to create a robust marketing strategy or, if one is already in place, to ensure that their social media is aligned with their current strategy.

As time goes on, we are finding that smartphone apps are becoming an integral part of a successful marketing strategy for many businesses. Why? Almost everyone we know today has a smartphone loaded with their favorite apps. Many of these are apps of their favorite brands like Starbucks, Pizza Hut, or Target.  If you don’t have one, your business could be missing a valuable marketing opportunity.

Whether you are thinking about developing a smartphone app, are on the fence, or already have one, you want to take a look at a new technology that is taking off in the mobile marketing world. What could have everyone when new technologies are being developed every day? The answer: Sound Waves.

Sonic Notify has developed technology that allows the use of sound waves to trigger the app on your Smartphone and notify users of deals, give them quick tips or facts about your brand, or even just say “thank you” for visiting.

How can sound waves on a mobile app benefit your business? Let’s say you are a clothing store and someone who has your app, but is not planning to go in your store that day, walks by it at the mall. An inaudible sound wave triggers the app to bring up a message on their smartphone letting them know they can get 20% off today. Instead of walking past, you now have someone who is walked into your store interested in potentially making a purchase.

Sonic Notify has designed this audio-to-mobile technology to be integrated into in-store radio broadcasts, discreetly placed audio devices within the business, TV shows, movies, sporting events, and even live concerts. Their EVP Ross Weinstein says: “Anywhere audio is being broadcast, there’s an opportunity for content to be delivered.”

At Constant Raving, we think this technology has the capability, when used correctly, to be a very valuable asset to many businesses marketing strategies. Why? It allows you to push out mobile content to consumers not only when they are in your store or on your website or social media, but even when they are watching TV or seeing a movie.

Ok, by now you may be interested but wondering how does this work? There are several important, but simple steps:

1.     You must have a mobile app already in place

a.      If you are unsure if a mobile app would be a valuable asset to your businesses marketing strategy, please feel free to contact us!

2.     Install Sonic’s SDK (Sonic Notify’s software kit) into your app

a.      This is as easy as adding an extra line of code

3.     Choose what content you would like delivered to your customers and when

4.     Incorporate an inaudible sonic sound into your sound system, television show, advertisement, or live concert at the time you would like your content to appear

a.      Sonic Notify provides the audio file for you to incorporate into your media

One additional great thing about this technology is that you rarely need a wifi connection or GPS enabled on your phone for the content to be delivered successfully.

Are you interested in using sound wave technology? Let us know in the comments!

As always, if you have any questions about today’s post, smartphone apps, or need help launching or managing your businesses social media, please contact us at ConstantRaving@mvoc.com!