03/16/12 by Bryan Butler | Blog, Industry Blog | No Comments »
As Cellit creates mobile applications, it’s only natural that we make the occasional app for tablets as well. The third generation of iPads was released today, to fanfare and long lines, but what really changes? Aside from general technology updates, the major improvement is the addition of the “retina display”, which the iPhone saw in the forth generation, almost 2 years ago. This doubles the resolution for the screen, from 1024 by 768 pixels to 2048 by 1536 pixels. Since the screen is the same physical size, it means that the pixels are smaller.
Though most people probably won’t notice it, being a visual person, the older screens tend to look a little fuzzy, or pixallated to me. These higher density pixels mean that the image can look crisper. The issue that I’m sure a lot of users will run into (if they become aware of such things) is that their old applications don’t look as nice on the new iPad. Unless the developer has taken the time to update it, all of the images will be at half the resolution of their display. (Note, that since text is created dynamically from vector files, it only effects any pixel based (raster) graphics. That is to say that text will look crisper than ever.)
I’ve created two images; one is half the size of the other. The smaller image is what would normally have been displayed mobile phones, tablets, or your computer monitor, the width being 94 by 76 pixels displaying at 72 ppi (the larger one being double the size).
Now that I’ve got these images, I can use them in a website (or application). Normally they would display as seen above, but I can declare the width and height and make them what I will. If I tell the larger image to display at the size of the smaller one, I get something like this:
The browser scales the larger image down, and so they look practically the same on a computer, since the screen resolution is 72 ppi. If you were to view this same webpage (or application) on something with a higher resolution (Apple isn’t the only one to offer “retina displays” in their devices, many of the new Android models also have a higher pixel density), you would see this:
This screenshot on the retina display shows that the smaller image is being blown up to twice its resolution, hence the fuzziness that becomes apparent on these new devices. Don’t be surprised if you download your favorite application, and it doesn’t look as sharp just yet. I’m sure the developers are scrambling to update the graphics.
09/29/11 by Cellit Staff | Blog, Industry Blog, Marketing Blog | No Comments »
Having established relationships with bar owners and managers, while also working in a bar myself, the universal consensus of a bars biggest struggle is this: How can a bar get more customers in—and even more importantly—stay longer? Below are a few tried and true tips to keep your seats filled and your taps flowing.
- Host trivia nights using The 3rd Degree: Install and play the exciting new bar trivia system powered by Cellit. Play 4 games per night (one game alone is 20 minutes long) competitively and give out prizing to the team who wins the most games. New and engaging trivia questions, along with entertaining video clips, keep bar patrons in their stools and the drinks flowing.
- Utilize a mobile club to bring patrons in during non-peak hours: This concept is simple, pain free, and effective! Start by offering a strong incentive to customers to joining, such as 10-15% off their bill. Then, during your slower hours, send a message to your subscribers with exclusive and exciting offers. Try promoting buy one get one free entrees redeemed between 2-5 pm, one free appetizer redeemed during weekdays only, $10 off their bill if before 6 pm… the list goes on! You’ll be pleased patrons are coming in during non-peak hours and patrons will be happy being rewarded for being part of your mobile club.
- Make use of the social media and new technology today: No, seriously, DO IT! We all know an email list is a marketing tool for bar owners to grasp the attention of bar patrons, but let’s be honest… who really looks at ALL their emails nowadays? I sure don’t, I have over 2,000 emails in my Hotmail account alone. There are new ways to get the attention of your bar patrons. Have a Facebook page for your bar and do fun competitions with it, “the 100th person who ‘likes’ us will win a free gift card!” Give a $2 beer special to patrons if they check-in via Foursquare, create a upcoming event text messaging campaign for your bar to keep bar patrons informed, create a Twitter account so followers can know about exclusive events going on in your bar. The possibilities are endless and inexpensive! You just need to get started.
Need more help? Give me a call! We’re here to help, and love working with clients to get their programs off the ground!
09/16/11 by Steve Nahrup | Blog, Industry Blog, Marketing Blog | 2 Comments »
On a daily basis, I work with salons and spas to deliver simple to manage and affordable mobile programs. I support customers on how to use mobile as a strategy for gaining new clientele and engaging current customers. Here are my top five ways spa and salon owners are leveraging mobile solutions:
1. Appointment Reminders: Sending timely reminders of upcoming appointments is an effective tactic for the salon and spa owner, as well as the customer. The owner will experience fewer skipped appointments, which result in less empty chairs, driving revenue and maximizing salon utilization. Text reminders capture the customer’s attention on a personal engagement level and are therefore more efficient than typical direct mail and email solutions.
2. Mobile Coupons: Delivering discounts via mobile is effective and fully trackable on behalf of the salon or spa owner. Cellit’s cutting-edge integration technology can directly ensure your salon’s mobile coupons are redeemed and fully tracked. Be aware that some discounts that are too specific will most likely not yield the same return as overall percentage discounts.
3. Tips Program: Often, sending simple text messages advising customers on how they can use products can be a fantastic way to increase brand loyalty. This will lead to cross-sell opportunities, and potentially product and clientele referrals.
4. Loyalty Programs: Build strong incentives for your customers to come into the salon or spa on a more consistent basis. For example promoting an offer that drives purchase “After 5 appointments your 6th one is FREE!” Using the Cellit Widgit, the customer’s phone number is entered in the point-of-sale system with every purchase. Our system keeps track and automatically sends coupons when appropriate. This simple technology can be the difference between losing a new customer and retaining that customer for years to come.
5. Integrated Promotions: In addition to using mobile marketing as part of your strategy, spa and salon owners can take advantage of the rising popularity of websites such as Groupon and LivingSocial. These daily deal giants are great for bringing in a rush of customers for a short period of time, but the chances of them coming back anytime soon are slim. Using your mobile club along with the daily deal can turn that one-time coupon cutter into a repeat and loyal customer. Simply inform the customer when they present their daily deal voucher that they can receive deals such as this on a consistent basis, simply by sending a simple text to join the mobile club loyalty program.
Mobile marketing, when part of a larger marketing initiative, can be a powerful strategy to create a loyal and valuable clientele base. With just a few simple tactics, it is easy to start leveraging mobile to create brand awareness and customer loyalty. Still need help? Feel free to contact me for any additional questions and to get started!
08/16/11 by Stephanie Hernandez | Blog, Industry Blog | No Comments »
As many of our clients are aware, the compliance message is the first message a user receives upon opting in to a mobile program. This message lets subscribers know what program they have joined, how many messages they should expect to receive per month/day, any charges associated with the program, how to opt-out and get help.
Another area to remember compliance and legal requirements is in the promotion of your mobile program. Another example of the compliance language is the fine print/legal copy in any form of mobile call-to-action (print, radio, television, mobile web, web, social media, the list goes on and on…).
Recently, the CTIA or International Association for the Wireless Telecommunication and the Mobile Marketing Association have been conducting industry wide audits in an effort to keep the mobile space safe for consumers. Cellit’s conservative standpoint on industry accepted and compliant programs has been a longstanding viewpoint and has pushed us to the forefront of the mobile industry. We believe that by encouraging our clients to run compliant mobile programs, they are able to earn the respect of their subscribers and thus increase sales and brand loyalty.
As an account manager with Cellit, I take every opportunity I have to review all client mobile calls-to-action before it hits print. In the end, we like to see every program be successful and an error in compliance language can have a negative impact on your mobile program and brand.
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