I recently attended a marketing conference in Indianapolis, IN called Connections - “Inspire the Future” The event was put on by ExactTarget , an international email marketing service provider. The event pulled together 4,000 marketing clients and industry thought leaders all learning together. Inspired by how well this event was executed, I thought I’d share 5 tips from what I saw at the conference that in my opinion made it successful. Get some big names in there and you’re on your way to a successful event. Have you been to an event lately? MORE >>

SMS: (short message service):  Also known as ‘texting’: Advertisers can send relevant marketing messages in form of texts. Pay Per Call Mobile (also called click-to-call):  Pay per call is advertising that generates a billable event only when the reader of the ad does something—in this case, makes a phone call.  Your customers are not confined to their homes or offices. Why should your marketing be? It’s time to cut the cord and set your marketing-mix free to keep up with your active customers. And don’t think cell phones are the only mobile medium worth considering. MORE >>

Twitip Getting more out of twitter Follow 102,289 followers Subscribe 20,083 subscribers starters guide getting followers tools tips business people news add a tip Lara Kulpa @larakulpa Twitter Stalking via SMS 6 So you’ve always been able to “Twitter Stalk&# someone by just going to their Twitter page (example: www.twitter.com/personyoustalk) but now there’s an easier way, via your cell phone. However now you can utilize “Fast Follow&# by texting “follow USERNAME&# to 40404. It’s kind of like text messaging to me that way. crazy, right?). MORE >>

adults want to be reached by using SMS. OS or SMS? Mobisoul suggested mobile-savvy operating systems (OS) may displace SMS. While several commented that smartphone may well win out in the end, many more argued that SMS has the reach and the all-important personal touch. As @noahelkin pointed out: “SMS remains an effective engagement mechanism, even for those with advanced devices.” ” @Ew4n agreed, adding that “a perfectly timed SMS can really sway the balance on most any transaction.” Mobile is global. 2) I’m bored. MORE >>

In mobile, shift happens — often — and once again we could count on the recent Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) Forum event to provide insights marketers need to know in order to navigate the tough terrain ahead. The MMA event showed us that mobile CRM (also called mobile loyalty) is becoming the end-goal, eclipsing ‘top of the funnel’ mobile marketing objectives (such as raising brand awareness) to lead the business agenda for 2013 and beyond. Little wonder that SMS is the most widely used data application on the planet. So, what has changed? MORE >>