As is the case with modern technology, updates, upgrades and improvements are being released consistently and mobile messaging is no exception. Mobile handsets rapid progression has lead to the birth of SMS, later MMS and now MEMS (iTouch's own version of RCS).  RCS/MEMS are still in infancy with corporates and marketers yet to adopt this new mobile marketing channel as part of their strategy simply because they have yet to see how it can be applied to various tasks.
 
The power of RCS is in the fact that it is scalable, customizable and versatile and can play the role of both direct communication channel for marketing messaging as well as personalised CRM messaging. 
 

What is RCS?

 
Rich Communication Services is a communication protocol between mobile-telephone carriers and between phone and carrier, aiming at replacing SMS messages with a text-message system that is richer, provide phonebook polling (for service discovery), and transmit in-call multimedia. At iTouch, we offer our clients our own version of RCS called MEMS.
 
If you want to know more about how MEMS work check out our post - How MEMS work

Now that you have a better what MEMS are, you're probably wondering how can I incorporate into MEMS into my bulk messaging efforts and strategies. As a pioneer in the field of bulk communication, we've put together 5 ways in which businesses can use MEMS to improve their marketing and messaging efforts.

1. Images & Gifs

We all have the perception that messaging is just plain old text and perhaps a hyperlink to a website, phone number or email addresses. But with MEMS you are able to give users a richer experience with your campaigns by including images or GIFs, these banners can display just like an email or a traditional display banner ad. These are great for direct marketing campaigns especially ones that are time sensitive. 

2. Embedded video

When you host your videos with a video service like YouTube you can send this directly using MEMS and have people access the video directly from your bulk messages. This is great for video ads and instructional videos

3. Secure and non-secure PDFs

Businesses can upload documents like receipts, proof of payments, customer records, and more. This type of communication is ideal for banks, insurance, financial transactions and medical institutions. These PDFs can be secured by the user's ID number or to the device they prefer to receive it on making the file safer and secure during sends on the user's device.

4. Applications

Having small web apps or games using HTML5 or angular interface can be created and sent directly to the user to interact with. You could complete transactions, fill in application forms, pay a game, enter a competition. The possibilities are really endless with this use for MEMS.

5. Surveys

Gain valuable customer data by sending out surveys directly to all your customers or segmented lists and have them answer your questions. Answering surveys directly on your phone can give you a range of quantitative and qualitative data.

 

Take advantage of rich bulk communication 

Now that you have a feel for how MEMS can kick start or revitalise your ailing communication campaigns don't you think its time to explore this channel for your 2018 marketing mix? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Want to know more about MEMS?

 Then check out what our chairman Waheed Adam has to say about A2P messaging like RCS

Contact Us

 
If you need any advice on how to handle rich communication messaging or would like some more info on how you could better use bulk SMS to optimise your business, feel free to contact us here.