Social Recruiting Summit Presentation: Mobile Marketing (for Recruitment)

June 18, 2009 by Michael Marlatt · 1 Comment 


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.

Filed under: Blog Posts, Mobile Recruiting, Mobile Trends, Original Presentations, SMS, Social Media, Surveys and Data, Web 2.0
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Pinger: Broadcast Voice Messages to a Group of People with One Call

May 13, 2009 by Michael Marlatt · 1 Comment 




Voice message broadcasting, when you need it, wherever you need it

At some point in our careers as recruiting professionals, it is highly likely we have been in the situation of supporting difficult clients, hard-to-fill needs, with next to impossible hiring deadlines. We all know that connecting with candidates is the most critical function of recruiting, yet on-going distractions throughout the day make it difficult to satisfy this fundamental aspect of what we do.

While some things remain outside of our control, the good news is that innovation in mobile technology has opened up a new channel for connecting with prospective candidates. Today, it is still a time-consuming process to call candidates individually in order to notify them of new career opportunities. However, thanks to a relatively new service called Pinger that has all changed. A key advantage of Pinger is that it provides users the ability to send a broadcast voice message to thousands of mobile recipients. Let’s say you are a recruiter with a well established candidate pipeline and all you need is a communication vehicle for pushing career updates. Whether it is a small or large audience, Pinger offers a quick method for disseminating a voice broadcast to a target candidate pool.

So, what are the benefits of using Pinger?

* Pinger can broadcast free voice messages to any mobile phone.
* PingerCast: Broadcast rich voice messages directly to thousands of mobile phones!
* Send free text messages to any US mobile phone with Textfree
* Send a picture to any US mobile phone via MMS or even to an email using Picfree
* Voice-Messaging Apps: Last 10 message previews, 1-button listen and more.
* Anyone with a text message-enabled mobile phone can use Pinger Voice Messaging.
* Access and Manage your messages, contacts and Pinger settings online.
* Import contacts from: Yahoo Mail, Gmail, Hotmail, Palm Desktop, Outlook, or any mobile phone.
* Works with almost all carriers and mobile phones.
* Custom Pinger clients available for the iPhone, iPod, Palm Treo and Balckberry devices.

Getting started with Pinger

Pinger Voicemail is available only in the US. It’s very easy to setup a free account. Using your MOBILE phone, simply call 408-916-5008 and Pinger takes care of the heavy lifting.

To cancel the Pinger service, login to your Pinger Social account at http://m.pinger.com and select Options. On this screen select “cancel my account” and closely follow the instructions.

Pinger demo…




Pinger for everyday use…



* Explore Pinger’s FAQ section to learn more.


Filed under: Blog Posts, Mobile 2.0, Mobile Apps, Mobile Recruiting, Mobile Trends, On the Radar, Video
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Exploring the World of Mobile Recruiting: My Video Interview with Bill Vick

May 5, 2009 by Michael Marlatt · 1 Comment 

I was recently interviewed by XtremeRecruiting.tv Founder, Bill Vick. We discussed the topic of mobile marketing, as well as the basics of mobile recruiting. This video only scratches the surface so more to follow on this topic. Enjoy!



See more videos from XtremeRecruiting.tv

Filed under: Blog Posts, Mobile Recruiting, Mobile Trends, Video
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The Ultimate Mobile-SMS Directory - (Part 1)

May 4, 2009 by Michael Marlatt · 13 Comments 

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!

Filed under: Asides, Blog Posts, Mobile Apps, Mobile Marketing, Mobile Recruiting, SMS
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270M U.S. Wireless Subscribers push out 1 Trillion Text-Messages

April 22, 2009 by Michael Marlatt · Leave a Comment 

Mobile adoption in the U.S. has experienced phenomenal growth. According to CTIA’s President and CEO Steve Largent, the U.S. wireless industry reached 270 million total subscribers at the end of 2008. While that number alone is already quite impressive, what I find even more amazing is the fact that U.S. subscribers have sent 1 trillion text messages (yes, that’s TRILLION with a “T”) in 2008, which triples the previous year’s SMS traffic. Worldwide, SMS is being used by 3 billion wireless subscribers and is now the most widely used application on the planet. So, is it really any surprise that SMS (A.K.A. “text-messaging”) has become such a widely used tool within the U.S.?

Mobile Marketing & SMS

If you have followed my blog in the past, then you have likely seen my posts on why I believe mobile-marketing matters, as well as why SMS in recruiting can be key to engaging a target audience. Suffice to say, I’m a big fan of SMS but I also realize that there are still many within our industry that still don’t quite “get” mobile. It is often a confusing topic, which is why I wrote my earlier post on Mobile Recruiting 101.

In general, mobile marketing is a broad term that simply refers to the use marketing over a mobile device. Mobile campaigns may include contests, coupon-give away, info-alerts, job-alerts, mCommerce, movie promos, ringtone give-away, etc. We frequently see mobile and SMS linked because it’s medium by which many of the promos above are offered. SMS services run off a short code, which is typically a 5 or 6 digit number (either shared or dedicated). For example, last year BMW kicked-off a mobile campaign using a keyword and short code to encourage consumers to learn more about the BMW X6. Consumers were prompted to text the keyword “BMW” to 67463 (short code). The result? BMW fans were provided a link that (once clicked) redirected them to BMW’s mobile-optimized site showcasing the X6. Leveraging a mobile through SMS is becoming a common practice for many forward-thinking companies (e.g., Nike, Coke-Cola, Microsoft, etc.) all carry their own version of a short code. That said, SMS is not the only channel for connecting with a target audience. We see Multimedia Message Service (MMS) as another channel for engaging consumers. However, compared to the 3 billion global SMS users, there are only 1.35 billion global MMS users so we will table the MMS discussion for a later post.

Mobile Marketing Success Stories

Two key events have contributed to the popularity of mobile-SMS in the U.S.:

1. American Idol Voting for your favorite singer was made simple (and interactive) by simply placing your vote via text message. American Idol set an SMS record in 2008 when over 78 million viewers responded by “texting” in their votes.

2. Presidential Race in 2008 Most notably, President Obama set a world SMS record when he alerted approximately 2.9 million opt-in subscribers during the announcement of Joe Biden as his VP selection. Followers joined by texting “OBAMA” to 62262 and they were immediately provided real-time status updates. Obama was even named Mobile Marketer of the Year for running one of the most successful mobile campaigns in history.

With 270+ million U.S. subscribers, and 1 trillion text messages sent last year, SMS is clearly a communication channel that we cannot and should not overlook. Kim Dushinski, author of The Mobile Marketing Handbook, cited that companies should think about allocating 5-10% of their digital marketing budget towards mobile marketing efforts. Bottom-line, it’s time to get creative in how we engage prospective talent through this unique channel.


Upcoming Mobile Recruiting Webinar: April 23rd

If you are interested in learning more about how mobile integrates with recruiting, I will be delivering a webinar on Thursday, April 23rd. The event is being hosted by Shally Steckerl from Arbita ACES. You can get more details by visiting the registration link here.

Filed under: Blog Posts, Mobile Marketing, Mobile Recruiting
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