Some great advice on engaging Teens using SMS…

Teens + Mobile + Retail = $

As many of us know, teens spend an inordinate amount of their waking hours connecting via text messaging (most people can't fathom how the average teen can write 100+ text messages/day), but this doesn't mean that teens want to be marketed too via text. Receiving a retailer's jargon-filled, stiff text message while conversing with a friend can be jarring. So how do we get their attention, while still making it personal and relevant?

The article discusses the following five steps to get Teen’s attention:

STEP 1: Ask the teen for permission to speak with them via their phone. Teens need to feel in control.

STEP 2: In the first month, ensure you share with them the best promotion you have to offer, so you maximize your chances of building a positive exchange through the mobile channel.

STEP 3: Be conscious of the "voice" you are using in the mobile channel.  If your brand comes stomping in with a third-person corporate voice, it will stick out like a sore thumb.

STEP 4: Determine the mobile promotion for your business that makes teens say yes. The messages must convey maximum value and relevance.

STEP 5: Develop an in-store experience that engages.