Twitter is doing a great job of blasting down barriers between web and SMS texting. While at SXSW when the SMS stopped, I popped over to a web browser on the blackberry and kept going. But SMS was more convenient.
So if a you want their own short code, how do you get one? Well luckily this shortcode post on GigaOM answers that question.
10 Things to Know About Short Codes
Do you need one? If you want to market or promote something to mobile users, manage mobile communications to members of a group or organization, or get cell phone users to access your mobile application or service — then, maybe. How much are you willing to spend and what kind do you need? Here’s 10 things to know about short codes, how to get them and what to avoid:
1). There are two kinds of short codes, shared and dedicated. (finish the shortcode article here)
Update: Note the comments regarding qtags – a Houston based Short Code Service! Thanks for the comments Allison!
Ed – qtags is a Houston-based (founded Mar 2005) text to shortcode service. Although we’re sometimes overlooked by the N Calif audience – us Texans were actually helping advertisers w/ keywords before Mozes and Textmarks ^^. The article on GigaOM is a great one as it outlines how important it is to work with a text provider who complies w/ carrier and other marketing best practices. The shortcode ‘goldrush’ of 2006 produced a lot of bad services and bad consumer experiences. I’m glad to see more qualified uses and providers in 2007. In fact our advertisers use qtags for more unexpected programs like employee recruitment, hospitality and big ticket purchases (vs. the more common place promos and voting).
Nice to meet you & regards to a fellow Houstonian, Allison Gower, president, qtags (find us at http://www.allaboutqtags.typepad.com and http://www.qtags.com)
Posted on March 22, 2007 at 9:03 am.
Thanks for the comments Allison. I’d love to meet y’all at a Houston Refresh meeting.
Or if you have any examples of non profits using short codes to mobilize their constituents, please let us know at a Netsquared.org Houston meetup.
Thanks!
Posted on March 22, 2007 at 5:28 pm.