We’re used to thinking of the emergence of online communication in stages:
- the birth of the Net
- the shift to Web 2.0
- the emergence of the mobile net.
But it’s time to kick the distinction between the Net and mobile into touch and truly accept that the Net is mobile.
Quite frankly, there is no distinction between the Net and Mobile anymore. At least not here in Sweden. The Net is mobile. It’s readily available all over the city on 3G and 4G as well as wifi. And we’re consuming the Net like never before.
Take a ride on the T-bana in Stockholm and you won’t see us Stockholmers surfing on netbooks and laptops. That’s what’s going on in cafés across the city. On the metro, however, everyone seems to have an iPhone or Android and is browsing online, checking their mail, tweeting, or checking into Foursquare between stations. It does’t matter who you look at: teens and business people have smart phones everywhere you look. They’re on Foursquare, Formspring.me, Facebook, and various Swedish social media sites. 24/7.
Online is Mobile Now
When it comes to online content marketing we’re now talking about online content in a web browser but also on a smart phone.
So stop sticking your heard in the sand. You’re gong to have to embrace mobile if you’re going to reach your audience as just another part of your online campaign.
Social media sites like Twitter are great for short conversations on the go, but it’s getting to the stage where you’re at a restaurant and someone says something or has a question and someone else is checking it online. On their phone. Even the choice of your restaurant may be decided by mobile access to the Net.
“Hey, lets eat Italian! Anyone know of a good restaurant round here,” you might say.
“Foursquare says Big Italian Restaurant on Stockholms vägen is great! Six people recommend it,” says someone else.
What this Means for Your Business
It’s time to stop thinking of the Net and mobile as separate aspects of your online marketing. The Net is now truly mobile – and your online marketing needs to be accessible everywhere!
The release of the iPad has taken the (mobile) Net to yet another level, and Apple’s announcement of a new iPhone today will only drive more people to smart phones and online. I’d bet on that.
So look at your online content marketing strategy critically and ask yourself whether it’s ready for the web of 2010. A web that is available and being used by everyone everywhere.
Ask yourself:
- Is your business blog easily accessible on a smart phone?
- Do you have an iPhone / Android / iPad app?
- Do you even have a mobile strategy?
If you don’t, it’s probably time you started investigating how you can ensure that you’re communicating effectively on a mobile platform.
If not, you run the risk that your very best efforts will go the way of the Dodo.
The mobile net is increasingly ubiquitous. We’re getting more and more used to accessing the Net whilst on the go, out and about.
What are you doing to mobilize your online content?
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