Mobile Internet is the fastest growing trend ever seen before in the world of technology.  Today there are about 1 billion mobile users, and by 2012 there will be 50 Million “apps” available to mobile users.  The average user sits in front of their computer 2 to 2.5 hours per day.  For the remaining hours, most now have access to a mobile Internet device.  Wired Magazine recently stated that “the Internet is Dead.”  Who will be the technology winners in the coming Mobile Internet Computing phase of technology’s hot cycles, which is already upon us?  Morgan Stanley has predicted that Mobile Internet will be bigger than the Internet in 5 years.  Dan Hollings, of mobilesuccessformula.com, recently shared some trends and secrets he is now using in mobile marketing.

Mobile will be bigger than the Internet in 5 years.

Even Facebook’s user base is already merging with that of Apple’s iPod/iPad customer base.  In Japan, 72% of the current Mixi user base is using Mobile Internet. Today in Japan, about 21% of ecommerce activity is taking place on mobile platforms, vs. about 9% in the rest of the world, which is where Japan was 10 years ago.  If Japan is the “trend setter,” what does this portend for the growth of the Mobile Internet marketplace.

Rapid Ramp of Mobile Internet Usage Will be a Boon to Consumers and Some Companies Will Likely Win Big (Potentially Very Big) While Many Will Wonder What Just Happened.

In the last 12 months, Amazon topped $1 billion in mobile sales.  Ebay had similar numbers.  These trend-setting online retailers are “training” your customers.  The intent to buy when using a mobile phone is 7.4 percent, which is significantly higher…over 3 times higher than buyers on computers.  Selling online is at least 3 times harder.  On the flip side, you have to lose your Internet marketing paradigms and concentrate on the areas that are working:

• 2D Barcodes.  This technology was invented in Japan and is similar to UPC codes on products, which are 1D.  A 2D Barcode can be used to “trigger” actions when a picture is taken of it on a mobile phone, similar to the behavior of a hyper-link.  Obvious applications include business cards, which “navigate” a user’s mobile phone to your website.  Although not used by many people in this country, especially in the community of internet marketers.  The 2D barcodes are now available in Google Places.  A watermelon with a 2D barcode can have a link to where it was grown, e.g., the grower’s website.
• Location-based Social Media.  This allows you to “check-in” to venues, which can optionally update your Facebook status, keeping a”log” of places you’ve visited.  In addition, users can play a “game” in which the venues you visit will provide you awards or “points” for visiting.  This is why Facebook now includes “Places,” in order to keep up with FourSquare.com.  Dan has achieved Google first page listings, based on his membership in FourSquare, by merely “checking-in” to his own business (in his house).   FourSquare.com is one of the first websites build with business in mind, e.g., Facebook has a social purpose and has adapted for business purposes.
• Text Messaging.  In the mobile Internet world, short codes are used to build a list of prospects, e.g., an automotive store might send “text FredAuto to 99999.”  A streetwear retail store, The Attic, in Southern CA recently built a 1200 member VIP club to inform existing customers via mobile phones.  Recently, 232 people $20%) showed up for a sale informing them of a recent sale. $20K in 3 hours resulted.

Mobile phone users are beginning to use smartphones as their primary computer and TV. CNN Tech

A few more random statistics include the fact that 65% sleep with their phone and 6 to 10% text while having sex.  Also, 24% of people under 25 love to text while using the bathroom.  It’s time to “text” or get off the pot.  What are some secrets for mobile marketing?

1. Never do another strategy, campaign or consulting job without thinking Mobile.  In today’s environment, web designers will take a few extra minutes to complete the basic SEO features.  Most are thinking SEO, but few today are truly thinking mobile.  For example, should your vehicle ads have your website, or mobile website, where someone can readily access it WHEN THEY SEE YOUR AD.
2. Center mobile marketing around a database and FIRST drive text messages.  Why?  Text messages have a 95% open rate.  Also, text messaging works on all phones, and don’t require that people are in a wifi area.
3. The iPhone, iPad, & mobile applications are currently only a couple of “fleas on the elephant. ” Therefore, it isn’t advisable to spend $5 to 10K on a mobile app, which would still need to be promoted, marketed, etc.  At $.99 per app sale, how many would it take to break even.

What about mobile-oriented websites?  Actually, these are easy to build, taking about 30 minutes per site.  DanHollings.mobi is an example.  In addition, local businesses need to be listed in Google Mobile as well as Google Local.  Dan offers three programs to his clients:

• Mobile Bandit.  Add 10 clients at $1000 per month to earn $120,000/yr.
• Gangster Money. How to get killer quality mobile traffic for as low as a penny.  AdMob is a pay-per-click network that can be used to generate very cheap traffic for pennies vs. in the dollar range on Google.
• Mobile Marketing Cornerstone.  Turning 14 wild goose chases into 14 logical steps to making money.  How to structure text messages to better convert prospects.  Four formulas are included, e.g., Get Rich Quick.   Dan also has 7 Mobile Strategy Worksheets (7×7 Mobile Strategy Worksheets).

Dan Hollings “owed” attendees with his overall knowledge and over-delivered content on an introductory webinar to help others both understand the basics as well as get started with their own campaigns.  His three session detailed training should be a “no-brainer” for any serious Internet marketer.