Social Recruiting Summit Presentation: Mobile Marketing (for Recruitment)

I am back from the Social Recruiting Summit and must say that I had a great time. The best part for me was not only watching the presentations live, but also having the opportunity to interact with new and existing friends.

In case you missed the event, I co-presented on the topic of mobile recruiting with friend and fellow mobile enthusiast Chris Hoyt (AKA - RecruiterGuy). Oh, and while you are visiting his site, you might want to take a moment to read his most recent post, “What I learned (and taught) at Camp…”. Great stuff as usual. Finally, if you don’t already, I would highly encourage following Chris on Twitter. He’s definitely worth the follow…

Check out the Mobile Recruiting slideshow below. Alternatively, you can catch it on Prezi, or, view it on Slideshare. For the best viewing experience below, click on the expand screen icon near the bottom right corner of the presentation. Enjoy!

Also, for a quick round-up on what others have said on Twitter, check out #SRS09 + Mobile and #SocialRecruiting + Mobile.

The Ultimate Mobile-SMS Directory - (Part 1)

If you follow my blog then you have likely read my previous posts discussing the advantages of integrating SMS (text-messaging) into the recruitment process. Given the growing interest in the mobile space, I thought it would be a good idea to share this quick reference on available SMS Providers.

Please note, I have not used all of the sites or SMS services below but share this as a reference for you to test and evaluate.  This list is still a work in progress.

SMS Directory

• 3jam - group messaging service via the web.  Message groups of up to 100. 3Jam offers free and premium service.
• 4INFO - 4INFO is the largest provider of free text message alerts and information in the United States. 4INFO is about bringing you the information you want, when you want it.
• 811 - Free SMS site for USA and Canada - unlimited messages.
• 88444 - 84444.com launches do-it-yourself mobile marketing campaigns from the convenience of your desktop computer.
• Africa SMS - Allows to send instant alerts, text and deffered messages to mobile phones around the world from your desktop.
• airPoop.com - Offers a free short text messaging and blogging service optimized for mobile phones.
• Amethon Mobile Data Solutions - Mobile data solutions provider based in Sydney, Australia. Specialising in WAP and SMS based technologies. Offer outsourced WAP hosting and SMS gateway.
• AspSMS - Features text, bulk and binary SMS, also includes delivery notification, operator logos, and ringtones.
• Bond Wireless - Provider of global two-way SMS connectivity and applications.
• Brand2Hand - Fully automated intelligent web based SMS communication tool. Live two way text campaign manager, Surveys, Competitions, Operator Logos, Ringtones and many other facilities. (online demo)
• 123bulksms - Bulk SMS messaging services and SMS Gateway connectivity provider.
• Bulletin Online - Web tools and programs, broadcast text messaging worldwide, plus subscription based email to SMS.
• Channelmobile - offers turnkey solutions for SMS, Bulk SMS, MMS, WAP Push Messaging, WAP Billing Solutions, Mobile Payment Gateways, Mobile Websites (Mobisites), Premium Rate SMS.
• Cherple - Free text messages to US cell phones for anyone with an internet connection anywhere in the world. With Cherple you have to download their software and install it on your computer (Windows and Mac version available).
• Clickatell (Pty) Ltd. - Provides bulk SMS messaging services and gateway connectivity. Headquarters in Cape Town, South Africa.
• ClickSMS - Text messaging service and bulk SMS provider. based in the UK.
• Connection Software - Send SMS text messages from a web page, PC or APIs.
• Directtexting.com - SMS service for small to mid-size companies. Get a shared short code.
• E-Call - SMS service giving an address book, history logbook, group lists, ringtones and screen graphics. Free and Premium versions of the service exist.
• Egypt SMS - Corporate SMS solutions, supporting SMPP, EMI/UCP and HTTP with global coverage.
• End2End - Mobile data services - Provides solution for M2M, telemetry, telematics, interactive SMS, number portability and mobile internet.
• Everywhereigo - A self-service mobile solutions provider for individuals and companies seeking to build their own mobile website.
• FunMail - MMS consumer and enterprise services for wireless carriers including comics, and greetings.
• General Wireless - Provider of mobile messaging solutions based on the SMS, EMS, and MMS standards.
• Google SMS - Offers United States local business listings, driving directions, movie showtimes, weather conditions, stock quotes and dictionary definitions on mobile phone.
• Her.ph - Intercarrier text messaging gateway between North American wireless phone networks.
• iLoop -  iLoop Mobile is the leader in mobile technology and services that make mobile marketing and mobile content delivery fast, easy and compelling.
• iMezz - iMezz.com offers global sms text message delivery to consumers and businesses worldwide.
• Information Gateway - A wireless applications service provider offering a wide array of innovative products for mobile entertainment and messaging.
• Inspirus - Provides SMS solution to Australian businesses.
• InvolveMobile - Mobile marketing that is powerful and easy to use, with short code & bulk SMS.
• Joopz - SMS message from the web. Set up groups of up to 10 and mass-broadcast updates.  Free and premium service offerings available.
• Kannel: Open Source WAP and SMS Gateway - Open Source for WAP and SMS Gateway. Sites provides downloads of the software and related documentation.
• Loadntxt - Offers two-way text messaging service between the United States and the Philippines.
• mBlox - SMS - Two-way services worldwide for entertainment, messaging and media applications; includes revenue collection services.
• mJob - Mobile Solution Provider for small to large companies.
• Mobile Alerts - Allows to send individualised SMS messages globally.
• Mobile-Sender SMS - Mobile Sender provide free SMS services to the USA and around the world. Members can send unlimited amount of free messages.
• Mobile Storm - Mobile Storm is proven mobile solutions provider with almost a decade of experience. They have delivered 2+ billion messages and executed a million email and mobile marketing campaigns on behalf of thousands of customers.
• Mobivity - SMS solutions for users who wish to build their own mobile marketing campaigns.
• Mtn Sms - Send SMS messages to MTN’s partner networks throughout the world.
• MX Telecom - Provider of SMS and MMS solutions, with direct connections to all the major UK carriers.
• PhindMe.net - A private labeled, easy to use technology that provides service organizations everything they need to mobile-enable their clients.
• Pinger - Textfree lets iPhone and iPod touch owners send free text messages to any US mobile phone. Replies come free too!
• Powered SMS - Allowing bulk sms via web to mobile, https covering worldwide network.
• Promo2cell - Allows bulk SMS messages.
• PSWin - SMS Gateway provider with global coverage. Advanced web-based service for setting up two-way SMS services and group messaging.
• Qittle - Qittle helps businesses create, customize and manage a mobile marketing initiative.
• Quios - Text messaging and news delivery to mobile devices.
• Recruit2Mobile - Mobile Marketing/SMS Solution Provider for small to large companies.
• Red Fish Media - Red Fish Media is a top tier provider of Mobile Marketing services and SMS applications.
• Red Oxygen - Tools to send and receive SMS messages from Outlook, Lotus Notes and Microsoft Windows, or to integrate messaging capability into other applications.
• Roam Secure - Offers an emergency communications service over SMS networks to handheld devices. Also offer email to SMS service.
• SendsmsNow - Send free sms to many countries including USA, Canada, India, Pakistan, Europe (not the UK), Figi, Kazakhstan, Kenya and other African countries.
• Simplewire - Simplewire is a wireless messaging infrastructure and software provider.
• 2sms - Provides business text messaging service, allowing to communicate with people via mobile phone, direct from computer.
• SMS-24 SMS Gateway - Offering fast and reliable worldwide SMS delivery at low cost, including pictures, logos and ringtones.
• SMS Storm - Provides software for desktop sms service with no internet connection, just need mobile and pc.
• SMS.ac - Global community system offering SMS and multimedia messaging services. Service includes an initial free message quota but does levy charges for sending messages to your phone introducing you to other users.
• SMSalias - Send and receive short messages to mobile phones around the world from desktop.
• SMSFax - Provide worldwide SMS bulk messaging tools and connectivity.
• smsGeezer - Send SMS text messages from the web, email, a downloadable program, or Excel.
• SMSWhiz - South African - bulk SMS aggregator. Multiple gateways. Delivery advertised globally.
• sms2world - Provides you with a cost-free newsticker in the Internet, whose content you can easily update by means of SMS from your own cell-phone.
• SumoText - mobile solutions provider for both individual users, as well as enterprise customers.
• Tatango - Connecting groups through text messaging.
• Telsis Limited - Supplier of products and solutions for enhanced voice and video telecommunications services. England
• Text2Land - Offers users the ability to send sms to landline phones.
• Text For Free - Offers anonymous text messaging with no usage limits.
• TextingForward - TextingForward provides clients with mobile marketing solutions using SMS technology.
• TextMarks - TextMarks is an early stage company focused on making text messaging more powerful and more accessible. We empower individuals and organizations to “text message enable” their information and their web pages — and to do so in a matter of minutes.
• Text Message Bible - A collection of text messages ranging from jokes to love poems.
• TreasureMyText is an online SMS storage system.
• TrueSenses - Swiss provider of SMS and MMS covering Europe, USA and Australia. Various interfaces supported.
• Trumpia - Text messaging that fully integrates with your various social networks, IM, and email.
• txt4biz - Professional text message solutions and bespoke software solutions for customised SMS.
• Wiana SMS mesh gateway - Send text messages for free to any bluetooth mobile connected to the meshAP network.
• Wire2Air - makes it easy to stay connected with your customers, clientele or mobile organization.

Is there a site or SMS service you have used in the past and believe should be added to this list? Please leave a comment on this post and I will be sure to add your recommendation to this reference material.

Thanks for stopping by and come again soon!

Mobile Trends: QR Codes finally coming to a mobile near you?

What is a QR Code?

Have you ever noticed the strange looking pixel-like squares often found on certain online ads and billboard ads?  Well, believe it or not, the odd looking two dimensional design actually serves a purpose.  The image is commonly referred to as a QR code, QR being short for ‘Quick Response’.

A QR code is a matrix code (or two-dimensional bar code) created by Japanese Corporation Denso-Wave in 1994.  QR codes essentially serve as a new gateway for accessing mobile websites and content.  In order to decipher the images, a special software (on the mobile device) is used to convert the bar code into meaningful content. In many parts of the world, particularly Europe and Asia, QR codes are being used in creative ways to deliver relevant content to millions of mobile savvy users.

In the U.S., we are beginning to see greater adoption of QR code technology-particularly across the airline industry. Major carriers such as Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Continental Airlines have started offering mobile ticketing programs at selected airports across the country. While we haven’t reached mainstream adoption in the U.S. with QR codes and mobile boarding passes, it’s a definitely a step in the right direction.

Are QR codes a viable marketing channel for employers?

It is not difficult to imagine employers leveraging QR codes in their overall marketing and recruiting strategy. It would be easy to embed QR codes on company brochures, business cards, presentations, hand-outs, and other promotional items. QR codes can easily drive prospective candidate to a website that provides details on upcoming opportunities, special recruiting events, contact information, and so on. With a little creativity, the possibilities are endless…

Here’s a video that demonstrates real-life examples of how a code reader (ScanLife) interacts with QR codes…enjoy!



Update: For the latest trends and analysis of QR codes, head over to Barcode.com and 2d Code for additional information. Also, if you are interested in experimenting with your own QR Code, you can find a nice list of QR generators courtesy of 2d Code.

The future of mobile is strong and vibrant.

Ok, so if you haven’t already heard, mobile is the future.

Why do I make this claim?  Consider this, there now 4 billion mobile phone subscriptions on the planet, with an estimated 6 billion subscribers expected by 2013.  According to Tomi Ahonen, six-time bestselling author and consultant on digital convergence and mobile telecoms, the future of mobile is strong and vibrant.  Not convinced?

Here are the latest stats on mobile usage:

• 4 billion worldwide mobile subscribers (vs. 1 billion PC’s).
• 3.4 billion actual mobile phones are in use and connected (vs. 1.2 billion fixed landlines).
• 3 billion users of SMS text messaging (vs. 1.3 billion eMail users, and 600 million IM users).
• 1.9 billion cameraphones in use.
• 1.7 billion consumers of various premium data services on mobile.
• 1.35 billion users of MMS 1.05 active users of browsing (”mobile internet”) on the phones.
• The total content industry on mobile is worth 71 billion dollars.
• Messaging on mobile worth 130 billion.
• Total data on phones worth 200 billion.
• Total mobile services, voice and data, worth 800 billion and the total annual revenues of the mobile industry including handset and network equipment sales, worth one Trillion dollars.
• Selling 1.18 billion new phones and adding 650 million new subscrptions last year, when the rest of the economy is in a downward spiral, mobile telecoms is a strong vibrant and healthy industry.

Source: Tomi Ahonen, 7thMassMedia.com

The U.S. Mobile landscape…

As we can see above, mobile continues to dominate across the global landscape. It remains the most widely adopted of all the other mass media channels (e.g., print, recording, cinema, radio, tv, internet).  While the U.S. continues to lag behind Asia and Europe in mobile usage, we are finally seeing an increase in overall mobile adoption throughout North America. In fact, the U.S. currently has over 262 million mobile subscribers, contributing to 75 billion text messages per month. However, as ubiquitous and well entrenched as mobile has become in the U.S., some uses still have yet to catch on.  Such is the case with mobile recruiting through SMS.

Think SMS and Mobile Recruiting…

Online sourcing has become increasingly mobile, so has the need to use more targeted means of connecting and attracting qualified candidates.  There are clear advantages to leveraging mobile in recruiting. One of the most effective ways to quickly connect with a target audience is through Short Message Service (SMS), also known as Text-Messaging.  SMS (text messaging) is by far the most widely used data application on the planet.  For those who do not have the budget to invest in mobile marketing through Short Codes, there are many web-based SMS/texting applications on the market today.  A few of the more popular apps include Joopz, 3Jam, networkText, Tatango, and Trumpia, all do a good job of delivering group SMS messages either free, or, for a small fee. For Outlook 2007 users, there’s even SMSOfficer which allows users to send SMS messages directly from their Outlook inbox.  See video on How to use Outlook to send text messages.

That said, these are all basic examples and it’s important to remember that using SMS alone is not the answer.  An integrated approach that includes email, online ads, phone, SMS, etc., can help to maximize your recruitment campaign. Think of SMS as not a replacement for the email or phone (voice) but as an additional tool within a recruiter’s toolbox.  Recruiters, more than ever, are often connecting with professionals who are unable to answer their phones, huddled in team meetings, commuting, at the airport, away from their PC’s or laptops, etc. Using coordinated SMS updates, recruiters are able to seamlessly and non-intrusively manage multiple candidates through the recruitment process. Bottom-line, SMS is an effective tool for connecting with candidates anytime, anywhere, when email and voice are not convenient.

Mobile is our second shadow.

Morgan Stanley reported that now 91% of the planet keep the mobile phone within arm’s reach 24/7. Literally we take it to the bathroom with us and we literally sleep with the phone. As its our alarm clock, it is literally the last thing we look at before we go to sleep and again the first thing we see when we wake up.

Source: Tomi Ahonen, 7thMassMedia.com

The mobile phone is no longer just a phone; it’s our lifeline to the world.  Rarely does it leave our side, and rarely is it shared - even with our spouse.  Mobile is our second shadow, always ready to provide 24×7 access on demand, and it’s here to stay.  While I am not convinced mobile will reach a tipping point in 2009, I do believe mobile recruitment strategies will have a greater role in the way recruiters connect with new talent. Given the advantages and ubiquitous nature of mobile, doesn’t it make sense to consider mobile recruitment options?  For those in the talent acquisition business, does your company currently engage in mobile recruiting?  If so, I would love to hear about the creative ways in which mobile is being used as part of your recruitment strategy.

Mobile Trends: Finnair introduces new 2-D Barcode check-in service.

While we in the U.S. are still trying to get our arms wrapped around the idea of basic SMS, mobile innovation is taking place all over the world. Here’s a great example…

Finnair is one of the most advanced airlines in the world when it comes to utilization of E-services and in particular mobile phone applications.

Finnair was the first airline in the world to enable passengers to check-in in advance for flights with a text Finnair 2D Bar Code.gifmessage. Now, Finnair is the first airline to enable passengers also to check-in with a 2D-barcode boarding card -multimedia message (MMS) from Copenhagen, Denmark.

In this new feature to the mCheck-in service, Finnair sends to it’s Finnair Plus loyalty scheme customers an MMS with a 2D-barcode boarding card. This 2D-barcode replaces the traditional paper boarding card and can be used in the shops, in security check and at the gate where personnel use their scanners to read the data.

This new feature together with the traditional intelligent SMS (iSMS) mCheck-in option has been introduced to Finnair Plus loyalty customers departing from Copenhagen, Denmark. For Finnair Plus loyalty customers the Finnair’s mCheck-in service is complimentary service in which they only pay for the reply-message or for the MMS data transfer.

BookIT : Finnair introduces new features to the mCheck-in service.

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