Mobile Marketing vs Social Media Marketing: Understanding the Key Differences Between the Two

Mobile marketing in contrast to traditional marketing, is a form of digital marketing that specifically focuses on mobile users. Those who are on the go usually access the internet via their smartphones or tablets. Another form of digital marketing is social media marketing. Many people think these are the same things. However, there are some key differences. The similarities and differences will make a difference in a business’s marketing efforts.

Since both are untraditional branches of digital marketing, what are the similarities and differences between mobile and social media marketing? To learn where the two relate and how they differ, continue reading below.

 

Mobile Marketing

Mobile marketing is the promotion of services to consumers through mobile devices. The point is to target users on the go. There are types of mobile marketing strategies Marketing to consumers through mobile apps,  email, SMS, or MMS messaging, just to name a few. These are all online platforms that are specific to the mobile format and continuously engage mobile users.

Mobile marketing has become an integral part of marketing strategies in modern times. This is because of the widespread use of mobile phones. And also the increasing reliance on mobile technology for daily tasks. This dependency that we have developed on our mobile devices helps businesses curate a strategy to engage with us in real-time.

One popular example of a company using mobile marketing would be the Starbucks App. 

The app sends push notifications to users with personalized offers and promotions based on their ordering history and location. For example, if a user has a birthday or they’re near a Starbucks location, they might receive a notification for a free drink or a discount. 

They also have a feature that allows customers to order and pay for their drinks in advance. This type of personalized mobile marketing helps to increase customer engagement. it also drives sales for the company. If you think an app could similarly engage consumer engagement, then maybe mobile marketing is right for you.

 

Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing can include mobile marketing. But it is more specific. Social media marketing involves creating and sharing content tailored to the platform and audience to engage with followers. The goal is to build relationships, and ultimately, drive traffic and sales.

Have you ever clicked on an Instagram advertisement for a product by accident? And then found most of your following ads to feature similar products? Social media marketing is popular because of this customization of advertisements.  

Social media platforms have a massive user base. 4.9 billion of the 8 billion people in the world are using social media as of 2023. This makes it easier for businesses to reach out to a diverse audience. It’s also cost-effective. Social media marketing is relatively cheaper than traditional marketing methods. This allows businesses with a tight budget to reach a larger audience on online platforms. 

Increased brand awareness and visibility are other advantages of social media marketing. It enables businesses and entrepreneurs to create and share content that promotes engagement. When establishing a brand, it’s important to determine the demographics most relevant to you and your platform. Social media allows businesses to target specific audiences based on interests, behavior, and more. 

This ensures that the marketing efforts are reaching the right people. Allowing for the culmination of direct customer relationships, as social media platforms connect businesses with their users through a direct line of communication. Overall, social media marketing can be an effective tool for businesses to reach a large audience. It is also great for building brand awareness and connecting with customers.

 

The Difference Between the Two

While social media marketing and mobile marketing are interrelated, they are two very different marketing strategies. They both branch off of digital marketing And each leverage the use of the internet and online platforms to reach their audiences. However, mobile marketing focuses on those with internet access in a non-sedentary setting. 

As in, those who are accessing the internet from their mobile devices. While this can encompass social media marketing for those who access their social media pages from their phones, not all social media marketing is mobile marketing. Many choose to access Instagram or Linkedin from a computer instead. 

Advertising to these two types of audiences, those who aren’t mobile versus those who are, is what makes mobile marketing strategies niche. Constructing advertisements to format correctly on a cellular device, for instance, is a tactic that would apply to mobile marketing but my not be necessary in digital marketing.

This is why advertising specifically on social media apps would fall under mobile marketing. But social media marketing in general would solely fit within the realm of digital marketing. Deciding if your business model should advertise in a mobile app format or a general online one, is the first step towards narrowing the best strategy for your business to advertise on social media.

In summary, mobile marketing is focused on reaching consumers through their mobile devices, while social media marketing is focused on leveraging social media platforms to build a community and engage with potential customers. There can be some overlap between the two strategies. However, each has its unique features and advantages that can be leveraged for effective marketing.

 

Conclusion

Mobile and social media marketing are two effective marketing strategies that are somewhat interrelated. Finding the best marketing strategy for your business model, whether that is one of these two options, the combination of the two, or somewhere else, is what’s most important.

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