‘Mobile subscription’ – it conjures up frightening images of frogs on motorbikes being pursued by hoards of angry customers waving mobile phone bills.

Jamster cashed in on customer’s naivety for short term gain when they thought they’d bought a single ringtone, they’d actually made a premium rate subscription. It seems Jamster took the money and ran.  But mobile subscriptions can be another valuable tool for building relationships with staff, media and customers, offering value to both.

For example, England Cricket Board use mobile subscriptions through Rapide to update members with the latest cricket news and journalists with information about team line ups, photo opportunities and news conferences. Read more about it here.

The Environment Agency use Rapide to send floodline texts to alert subscribers about flood risks – there’s been a lot of activity on this recently!

Or use subscriptions to send regular top tips - great to motivate a team or circulate share prices or racing tips or update on the progress of a sponsored challenge.

Step 1

The first step is to identify the information your business has that is important, relevant and interesting to your target market. A mobile phone is an immediate and personal communication tool so updates and alerts that are specific for that time and individual fit this method best.

Step 2

Spread the word! No one will subscribe if they don’t know what’s available. The best time to mention a subscription is when they would be of most benefit, that’s when a customer has asked for the information or bought a related product.  And be scrupulously honest about what’s involved.  Explain how much will it cost or if it’s provided free, what you will receive and how to stop your subscription.

Step 3

Allow people to subscribe and unsubscribe by text (by texting STOP to your number).  we can look after your subscription list, adding and deleting contacts as appropriate which is a whole lot easier for you.

Step 4

Deliver your promise.  Schedule texts to be delivered as soon as the information is available – keep it fresh and exclusive.

Find out how to run your own alerts by calling us on 024 7601 1911