Author: Vince Kattoula

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Mobile Apps

The Day the Mobile App Won

By: Vince Kattoula

If you live in Southeastern Michigan, there’s a good chance you went to sleep without power on Wednesday night and woke up without power on Thursday morning. Throughout the day on Wednesday, a severe wind storm caused the second largest power outage in DTE Energy’s history. High winds ripped countless trees from the ground, many of which fell onto DTE’s poles and power lines triggering more than 850,000 homes throughout Michigan to lose power.
Most people were not at home during the height of the storm, prompting them to check DTE’s website. However, their only option was DTE’s mobile app since the website crashed due to the high amount of traffic. People who were home during the power outage, used the app to find out how long it would be before their power was restored. Using the app, customers can report an outage, check the status of an outage, and view an outage map all from their smartphone. The DTE Energy mobile app is available for free on iOS and Android.

This is yet another reminder why mobile apps hold the advantage over mobile websites. A well designed mobile site can take care of many problems, but it still can’t do things a mobile app can do. First, apps are less vulnerable to this type of situation. As long as the cell towers are working, apps can be accessed for news and other information. Mobile apps can also send push notifications, be accessed offline, and send geo-targeted messages. They also offer another way to get in front of your customers while securing a spot for your logo on their device’s screen. Being able to accommodate consumers when they need you the most is just as important for them as it is for you.
This got us thinking about the numerous uses for apps beyond the typical. Apps are great during emergency situations like the wind storm in Michigan on Wednesday. They’re also very effective when critical messaging needs to get out in a hurry. The best way to communicate with people is on their smartphone, and there’s no better way of doing that than with an app. So when it comes to your mobile strategy, don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Click here to set up a conversation about how we can help with your mobile strategy.
So be sure to keep your smartphone battery charged, and we hope everyone’s power comes back on very soon.
You can also give us a call at 248-353-9030 or email sales@jacapps.com.

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Mobile Apps

5 Mobile Apps That Help You Save Money

By: Vince Kattoula

Mobile apps are a great way to help you relax after a long day. With all the games and media apps out there, it can be easy to get distracted and end up spending countless hours wasting time. But apps don’t always have to be time-wasters. They can help you be more productive throughout the day, and some even save you money.

Here are a few of those money-saving apps.

Mint.
With Mint, users can manage their money and keep track of their finances with ease by bringing together their bank accounts, credit cards, bills, and other investments. By seeing everything in one place, you can save time and money since there’s no need to log into multiple apps or websites. The app offers tips to save money, pay off debt, grow your credit score, and ways to better manage your budget. And, best of all, it’s free.

Mint is available on iOS and Android.

RetailMeNot.
RetailMeNot is an award-winning mobile app that helps people save money while shopping and eating out. With deals from over 50,000 retailers and food offers from thousands of local and national restaurants, this app offers tons of ways to save. A savings map with all the offers near your location alerts users about nearby deals.

RetailMeNot is available for free on iOS and Android.

Ibotta.
Ibotta helps people save money in a different way. Instead of hunting down promo codes, clipping coupons, and screenshotting barcodes, Ibotta helps you earn cash back on the brands you love. How it works is simple. Users unlock savings when they shop then submit their receipt or link their loyalty card to verify their purchase. After that, they can cash out using PayPal, Venmo, or a gift card. According to Ibotta, they’ve helped users save over $150,000,000 since their launch in 2011.

Ibotta is available for free on iOS and Android.

GasBuddy.
With a community of 60 million users who provide information about gas prices, this app helps people find the cheapest gas near their location. These stations can be found by distance or price, and users earn points and achievements for reporting gas prices. Furthermore, users can enter to win $100 in free gas every day! As if saving you money wasn’t enough.

GasBuddy is available for free on iOS and Android.

BestParking.
Driving around the city looking for parking sucks. What sucks even more is the fact that some of these lots charge an arm and a leg just to park your car. BestParking is a great app to avoid this since it finds the cheapest and most convenient parking facilities in 105 cities and 115 throughout North America. BestParking is so confident that they have the most accurate data out of any parking app out there that they offer a $5 Starbucks eGift to any user who reports inaccurate information. The app boast more than 2 million downloads and 1 million monthly users.

BestParking is available for free on iOS and Android.

Have a recommendation? Click here, give us a call at 248-353-9030, or email sales@jacapps.com to let us know if there’s a mobile app you think we should add to this list. As always, you can also reach out to us for input on your mobile strategy.

Categories
Mobile Apps

What You Should Look for When Choosing a Mobile App Developer

mobile app developer

Finding a mobile app developer who understands your vision and knows how to execute it is not easy. Finding an app developer to help you is a great idea, but finding the right partner is more important in the long run than saving a few dollars. Here are some things to look for when choosing a mobile app developer for your business.

Can they do more than code?

A good development company should be able to guide your brand from strategy to concept to code. If they don’t have a strong knowledge of your business they’ll never be able to give you the creative input you need. If they have experience with similar businesses, that’s even better.

Can they back up their work?

If they have created some kick-ass apps, they will have clients willing to back them up. Look for developers who can easily provide client contact information so you can get real feedback on their work, and the experience of working with them. Explore their social media sites and make sure to check their website for any testimonials and any other feedback from their customers. Click here to see what some of our clients have said about working with us over the last couple years.

Can you “develop” a relationship with them?

Mobile app development is not a one-and-done process – it’s much more than that. There are constant changes to the Apple and Google operating systems that will require updates to your app. Look for a developer that will stay by your side throughout the life of your app.
Our Monthly Maintenance Plan, or MMP, includes preferred and automatic responses to major Android and iOS upgrades that affects the app’s performance. It also includes automatic inclusion of major templates upgrades when made available. This is just another way we strive to provide our clients with the best possible customer service.
The right mobile app developer will add value in more ways than just development. In turn, this will help your business reach more of your target market and maximize your revenue. Click here to reach out and get more of an idea of how we can help your brand with mobile. You can also call 248-353-9030 or email sales@jacapps.com.

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Alexa Amazon Echo Smart Home

The Connected Home is Changing, Thanks to "Alexa"

By: Vince Kattoula

If you were at CES last month, one name you heard everyone saying is “Alexa.” As the voice of Amazon Echo, many device makers were featuring her in their products – and for good reason. By this summer, it is predicted that nearly 30 million families will have added some sort of smart technology to their household. Therefore, we’re confident that voice command technology will quickly gain traction in homes, condos, apartments, college dorms, and even hotel rooms.
Devices like Echo and Google Home appear poised to be the new technology (and with certain new home door locks, literal) gatekeepers in the home. They provide the interface to all kinds of other devices, appliances, and other ordinary household objects that are rapidly becoming part of the “Internet of Things.” These gatekeepers not only provide consumers unheard of control over their environment, they are yet another source of user data.
By collecting and analyzing data on consumer behavior, brands can create improved and more targeted ad campaigns. Alexa and her competitors are even interfacing with one of our favorite topics around here: The Connected Car. Our partners at Ford understand how important voice command technology has become. Earlier this year, the automaker announced a partnership with Amazon that would bring Alexa into Fusions, Explorers, Escapes, and their other vehicles. Connecting the home and car will empower drivers to start their car with a simple voice command, or turn up the heat before returning home.
From playing a stream or podcast to setting the temperature or turning on the lights, there’s a lot these devices can do. At jācapps, we have been working on developing “skills” for Alexa. We’ve been playing with our Echo (and yes, our Google Home) because of its huge potential to redefine the way consumers inform and entertain themselves where they live.
So, in our ever more “connected” world, it appears that offering consumers just a smartphone app won’t cut it anymore. Your brand needs to follow your audience wherever they may be. This means offering them apps everywhere (or App Everywhere℠ as we like to say) in the car and now … in their homes.
Click here to reach out to us with questions about your brand’s mobile strategy for 2017. You can also give us a call at 248-353-9030 or email sales@jacapps.com.

Categories
Alexa Amazon Echo Smart Home

The Connected Home is Changing, Thanks to “Alexa”

By: Vince Kattoula

If you were at CES last month, one name you heard everyone saying is “Alexa.” As the voice of Amazon Echo, many device makers were featuring her in their products – and for good reason. By this summer, it is predicted that nearly 30 million families will have added some sort of smart technology to their household. Therefore, we’re confident that voice command technology will quickly gain traction in homes, condos, apartments, college dorms, and even hotel rooms.

Devices like Echo and Google Home appear poised to be the new technology (and with certain new home door locks, literal) gatekeepers in the home. They provide the interface to all kinds of other devices, appliances, and other ordinary household objects that are rapidly becoming part of the “Internet of Things.” These gatekeepers not only provide consumers unheard of control over their environment, they are yet another source of user data.

By collecting and analyzing data on consumer behavior, brands can create improved and more targeted ad campaigns. Alexa and her competitors are even interfacing with one of our favorite topics around here: The Connected Car. Our partners at Ford understand how important voice command technology has become. Earlier this year, the automaker announced a partnership with Amazon that would bring Alexa into Fusions, Explorers, Escapes, and their other vehicles. Connecting the home and car will empower drivers to start their car with a simple voice command, or turn up the heat before returning home.

From playing a stream or podcast to setting the temperature or turning on the lights, there’s a lot these devices can do. At jācapps, we have been working on developing “skills” for Alexa. We’ve been playing with our Echo (and yes, our Google Home) because of its huge potential to redefine the way consumers inform and entertain themselves where they live.

So, in our ever more “connected” world, it appears that offering consumers just a smartphone app won’t cut it anymore. Your brand needs to follow your audience wherever they may be. This means offering them apps everywhere (or App Everywhere℠ as we like to say) in the car and now … in their homes.

Click here to reach out to us with questions about your brand’s mobile strategy for 2017. You can also give us a call at 248-353-9030 or email sales@jacapps.com.

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Uncategorized

Key Takeaways from Digital Marketing Boot Camp 2017

By: Vince Kattoula

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the inaugural Digital Marketing Boot Camp hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber. The event took place at the College for Creative Studies (CCS) in the A. Alfred F. Taubman Center for Design Education. It was a crowded room filled with much energy and inspiration. Here are some key takeaways.
Sola Obayan, Founder and former President of the Social Media Association of Michigan, had this to say about running a successful marketing campaign: “Start with WHY, then HOW, then WHAT.” Currently, she leads 360+ strategic marketing programs as the Principal Consultant at BTO Solutions. Throughout her presentation, she stressed that one thing to focus on in 2017 is your brand’s website, as well as optimizing messaging. Before she left the stage, Sola challenged each one of us to find out our purpose, cause, or belief that inspires us to do what we do. Do you know your WHY?
Sarah Grajewski, Director of Search at MLive Media Group, says “If a business doesn’t show up on the first page of Google, they don’t exist.” Search advertising is the low-hanging fruit of digital marketing. We all know how important it is for our brand to show up in organic search results. Michael Taylor II, Partner and Creative Director at SS Digital Media, reiterated this point at DMBC 17. Improving your website’s search engine ranking help customers find you. In fact, it drives more traffic to sites than paid searches, social media outreach, email marketing, and referrals combined.
What stood out to me the most was Marcus Burrell and Eric Thomas’ presentation about taking a human approach to social media. Both Marcus and Eric are Senior Partners at Saga MKTG and their goal is to help organizations tell their story to bridge gaps and inspire people to action. They mentioned that instead of talking to their audience only when they need to, brands should be talking to their audience on a regular basis – just as you would with your friends and family. Thomas went on to say, “People don’t care about your brand. They care about humans. Humanize your brand and people will care about it.”
I left CCS feeling engaged and inspired. It’s safe to say that I’m looking forward to the next digital marketing event hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber.
Special thanks to Brenda Meller from Walsh College for the invite!

Categories
Mobile Apps Podcasting

Podcasting Can Help Your Brand Grow, Here's How

By: Vince Kattoula

There seems to be a podcast for just about every interest out there. With the right content and an effective strategy, a podcast can help grow your brand and even capture new leads. To stay relevant, and to maintain your place as one of the 27 apps that smartphone owners use on average, podcasting should definitely be a part of your content and marketing mix.
Building meaningful relationships with consumers takes effort. As you work to move customers down the sales “funnel,” podcasts can be a great tool to complement your efforts. Through a podcast, you can connect with your audience on a personal level, inform them about subjects relevant to them and their decision about using your product or service, and speak directly to their interests. It’s an awesome platform to keep up with your brand for a busy professional who’s always on-the-go.
Blogs are a great way to get your message across to your target audience. But, unlike podcasts, they cannot be consumed while driving or while doing other activities, like exercising or cleaning the house. Thanks to the ease with which people can listen to them on their mobile devices, podcasts can attract people who are not as interested (or don’t have the time) in consuming written content. Having a podcast available to share with your audience during whatever activity they may be doing increases your chance of engaging with them further, as well as introducing new people to your brand.
If you’re currently involved with podcasting, or looking to get involved, make sure to check out the largest gathering of podcasters in the world at Podcast Movement. This year, it takes place in Anaheim, CA from August 23-25. And, if you work in/around radio and would like $100 off your Podcast Movement registration, our sister company, Jacobs Media, was nice enough to provide a discount code. Use JACOBS100 for the $100 discount when you register here.

Podcast Movement 2017: Broadcasters Meet Podcasters

One of the best things about the apps we build here at jācapps is the podcasting feature. It is second only to the stream in popularity. Click here to get even more of an understanding of how podcasting can help your brand. You can also reach out to us at 248-353-9030 or sales@jacapps.com.

Categories
Mobile Apps Podcasting

Podcasting Can Help Your Brand Grow, Here’s How

By: Vince Kattoula

There seems to be a podcast for just about every interest out there. With the right content and an effective strategy, a podcast can help grow your brand and even capture new leads. To stay relevant, and to maintain your place as one of the 27 apps that smartphone owners use on average, podcasting should definitely be a part of your content and marketing mix.

Building meaningful relationships with consumers takes effort. As you work to move customers down the sales “funnel,” podcasts can be a great tool to complement your efforts. Through a podcast, you can connect with your audience on a personal level, inform them about subjects relevant to them and their decision about using your product or service, and speak directly to their interests. It’s an awesome platform to keep up with your brand for a busy professional who’s always on-the-go.

Blogs are a great way to get your message across to your target audience. But, unlike podcasts, they cannot be consumed while driving or while doing other activities, like exercising or cleaning the house. Thanks to the ease with which people can listen to them on their mobile devices, podcasts can attract people who are not as interested (or don’t have the time) in consuming written content. Having a podcast available to share with your audience during whatever activity they may be doing increases your chance of engaging with them further, as well as introducing new people to your brand.

If you’re currently involved with podcasting, or looking to get involved, make sure to check out the largest gathering of podcasters in the world at Podcast Movement. This year, it takes place in Anaheim, CA from August 23-25. And, if you work in/around radio and would like $100 off your Podcast Movement registration, our sister company, Jacobs Media, was nice enough to provide a discount code. Use JACOBS100 for the $100 discount when you register here.

Podcast Movement 2017: Broadcasters Meet Podcasters

One of the best things about the apps we build here at jācapps is the podcasting feature. It is second only to the stream in popularity. Click here to get even more of an understanding of how podcasting can help your brand. You can also reach out to us at 248-353-9030 or sales@jacapps.com.

Categories
Mobile Apps Radio

4 Reasons Why Your Radio Station Should Have a Mobile App

Radio Apps

By: Vince Kattoula

Investing in mobile apps is crucial because your audience’s attention is literally in the palm of their hand. A mobile app helps your station engage its best listeners, enables new listening occasions (the gym, the house, etc.), and connects your brand with new listeners. Here are some ways your audio brand can benefit from having a mobile app:
Apps build brand recognition
Considering that the average US adult spends about 2.8 hours per day consuming mobile media, having your brand’s logo on your listeners’ screen is extremely valuable. Furthermore, according to eMarketer, the average smartphone user spends 85% of their smartphone time in apps, compared to 15% on the mobile web. This means that a clear majority of that media being consumed is being consumed using an app. The more listeners see your logo, the more they’ll recognize your brand – which is why you shouldn’t just assume that listeners will find you on TuneIn, iHeart or the mobile web.
Apps drive engagement
One clear advantage apps hold over mobile websites is the ability to create highly specific, individually customized messages that users will find relevant – such as special offers and events. Using the proper analytics, your station can personalize the experience and, in turn, offer more value and provide a place for your listeners to interact with your brand and each other.
Push notifications are a powerful way to keep listeners up-to-date with information about contests, events, weather and traffic. Your station’s most loyal fans will likely opt-in to these notifications, which means they’ll always be informed about and connected with your content and your brand.
Apps increase loyalty
A mobile app for your audience provides your brand another opportunity to sign up new listeners and to also say “thank you” to your existing listeners. Creating offers that are exclusive to your app will keep listeners coming back for more, resulting in a stronger relationship with your brand. However, we’ve said before that having an app is only half the battle. This still holds true. Promoting and marketing your app requires real focus and attention. Check out our blog “3 Keys to Effective App Promotion” for some great ways to successfully promote your mobile app.
Apps generate digital dollars
Watch our webinar on Monetizing Mobile to get a better understanding of how to generate additional revenue for your radio station using mobile apps.
Click here to discuss your station’s mobile strategy, and what we can do to help. Also, you can give us a call at 248-353-9030 or email us at sales@jacapps.com.

Categories
Mobile Apps Smart Home

Mobile Apps Play to the Home Crowd

By: Vince Kattoula

Over the last year or so, mobile apps have followed us from our smartphones and tablets to our cars and homes in multiple ways. We can thank devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home for leading this app revolution into our homes. These devices are capable of voice interaction, music playback, making to-do lists, setting alarms, streaming podcasts, playing audiobooks, and providing weather, traffic and other real time information. They can also control several smart devices when used as a home automation hub. Personal assistants and voice commands, along with the apps and devices that use them, have been with us for some time now. Gartner reports that the use of these personal assistants, such as Siri and Google Now, has grown from 31% to 35% from 2015 to 2016. As the months go by, more consumers are becoming less apprehensive about this kind of technology.
As it becomes more seamless and intuitive, voice control in the home has the potential to become one of the biggest tech hits of the year. There are currently about 250 devices that are certified to work with Echo, which presents an opportunity for several brands to gain a strong presence in consumers’ homes. Furthermore, Amazon has encouraged rapid development of third-party applications with its open-systems approach and even financial incentives for some partners. Apple also understands this challenge, which is why they have built an app, called Homekit, solely dedicated to whole home automation.
What this means is your brand needs to start thinking about how it will interact with consumers beyond their phone, tablet, and even their car. How will voice controlled technology impact your brand’s identity and they ways it engages your consumers? It may seem like something far off in the future, but the sales of Amazon Echo and Google Home this past Christmas, would seem to indicate that the future is closer than you might think.
We can help you with those questions. Click here to reach out to one of our mobile experts, call 248-353-9030 or email sales@jacapps.com.