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App Everywhere B2B Apps Mobile Apps Push Notifications

Push Messaging: Before you hit send

Woman being unhappy. Resolute serious short-haired woman showing stopping gesture to laptop camera during online conversation

Push messages can be one of the most beneficial elements to your mobile app, but you need to make sure you are creating and checking them correctly! Remember, you are interrupting someone with your message, so you need to make sure that you aren’t making any mistakes.
Here are a few common mistakes we have found in push messages that you should double check and avoid.

Sending too many messages

The main thing to remember, don’t get carried away and start sending too many messages – you don’t want to spam your users, this will push them away.

Messages with typos

Remember to proof read your messages! Make sure it is correct, the details are accurate and there aren’t any typos. It won’t enhance your user’s feelings about the brand or the message.

Vague call to action

Make sure your call to action is clear and compelling. A vague call to action is not going to get the click that you are hoping for.

Message isn’t relevant to the people you are sending it to

Make sure your message is relevant to your audience, this is very important in order to get the successful click rate. One thing we offer is creation of topics. We can create topics that your users can decide what type of messages they would like to opt-in to, therefore, you will be able to reach the right people for the right reasons. This is an important technique because when people get messages that are not relevant to them, your push messages will not be successful.
It is important to keep all four of these mistakes in mind when you are creating your push messages, in order to have that successful click rate! Check out our Push Messaging 101 Webinar for more information and contact our Director of Business Development, Sari Zalesin to learn more about our push messaging solution!

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App Everywhere B2B Apps Mobile Apps Push Notifications

Push Messaging: 4 Ingredients of a Good Push Message

As we have covered before, push messages are one of the key elements to your mobile app to engage your listeners and users. However, there’s a technique behind push messages that help you create the most successful messages to send your listeners and users.

Here are the 4 ingredients of a good push notification:
  1. Relevance

Make it meaningful and personal. Make sure the message is import to your audience and not just to you. The topic must be relevant, actionable and timely to your listeners. Sending a lot of messages will reduce the impact, so you really got to nail down what your listeners what to know.

  1. Brevity

You have a very small space and people have very small attention spans, so this point cannot be over emphasized. Push messages are really consumed at a glance. The user probably only has a few moments when looking at this message, so you need to be quick and get straight to the point. Just because you have a total of 140 characters, doesn’t mean you have to use them. We have seen more successful push notifications with characters between 20 and 90!
Think more like a tweet than a Facebook post!

  1. Timeliness

When you schedule your message, it really matters! There is actually an optimal time to send your messages. It will be different from brand to brand, and station to station but you can look at your statistics of your push messaging and see when you get the most responses. It is important to keep track of this and overtime you can fine tune your strategy to get the most engagement possible with your audience.
As what we found so far, the most engaging time tends to be around lunchtime, between 12pm – 2pm!

  1. Call to Action

This really has to be an important element of how you use your messages. The whole point of sending these messages is getting your audience to do something. So, make sure you are clear on what you want them to do and make it easy for them to do it. Once your user does click on your message make sure your link has a clear connection to the message. In other words, don’t make your users click around your app trying to figure out where they need to go for that specific notification. Your message should flow naturally and clearly! Push messages are a strategy to make your listeners life easier and more engaged, don’t make it difficult!
By using those 4 ingredients you will create successful push messages to engage your audience. Check out our Push Messaging 101 Webinar and contact our Director of Business Development, Sari Zalesin for more information regarding push messages! sari@jacapps.com or 248-353-9030

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Alexa Amazon Echo App Everywhere B2B Apps Mobile Apps Push Notifications Smart Home Voice Commands

3 Reasons Why Radio Stations Should Have an Alexa Skill

voice controlled smart speaker

Smart speakers give radio the chance to bring back in-home listening. Listeners can now engage with their favorite radio stations by just using their voice to ask Alexa to play their favorite radio station in their bedroom, bathroom, living room, kitchen, etc.

Here are 3 reasons why radio stations should have an Alexa skill:

 
1. Engage your listeners by bringing back listening to your home
Alexa skills are giving your listeners the opportunity to listen to their favorite radio stations in their home! One key trend to keep in mind is that consumers are forming new habits and radio broadcasters have an opportunity to benefit from the changes in technology, voice, and interactive audio devices. Consumers today ask their Alexa device what the weather is like, to set a timer, or make a grocery list. They also want to listen to music while cleaning their house, cooking, relaxing, hanging out with friends… and now they have the chance to  just ask Alexa!
2. Control the Listener Experience 
Many radio streams are available today on Alexa through TuneIn. So, one may ask, “Why do I need an Alexa skill if I’m already on Alexa?” There are so many stations on TuneIn that many have the same name and you cannot be sure listeners will find your stream. Additionally, with TuneIn there is no opportunity to offer on-demand listening to your shows or your podcasts.
Having your own Alexa skill allows you to showcase your station’s personality right up front. It allows you to truly connect with your listeners and control their experience by making sure they are tuning in to your radio station.
3. Claim your name
When dealing with Amazon Alexa, you will ask for the radio station by name and Alexa needs to know the right phrase or “invocation”. Searching for content by voice doesn’t let you show the top ten search results, instead if offers only the top search result. So you have to get it right!
When you are thinking about getting an Alexa skill for your radio station, keep in mind the invocation names of the voice web are assigned on a first come first serve basis.
UX
 
Here’s a little fun fact to wrap it up…Some stations are finding that as much as 25% of their streaming is on smart speakers!
Smart speakers are truly taking over. They help build your audience, engage your audience, and connect with your listeners now more than ever.
We would love to talk mobile strategy and Alexa skills with you to help engage your audience. Contact our Director of Business Development, Sari Zalesin. sari@jacapps.com or 248-353-9030

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B2B Apps Mobile Apps Push Notifications

Push Notifications 101: Webinar Recap

Recently, jācapps COO Bob Kernen presented a webinar about push notification and how  they create powerful engagement with radio listeners.  Like any aspect of a mobile app, function needs to support a larger strategy.  Push notifications are exactly that – they empower a radio station to connect directly with the audience to drive engagement as well as listening.  They are simple and effective, and every mobile app should include them in their app.
Throughout this webinar Kernen talks about the basics of push notifications, best practices, common mistakes and our effective push notifications solution.

Here are some of the key findings you’ll hear on the webinar:

 
Why push:

  • They increase engagement
  • They increase ratings
  • They increase revenue

Great uses of  push notifications:

  • Breaking news
  • Event reminders
  • Program alerts
  • Weather updates
  • Contests
  • Coupons and discounts

How push notifications work:

  • When a listener clicks on your push notification message they’ll be sent directly to your app or web page for more information, to register for a contest, or to engage with some content, like a podcast or video.
  • Push messages are also effective alerting the audience to something coming up on the air (a special guest, a contest, or even a special song) or an event or concert that is about to start.

Why push notifications work:

  • They appear on the most important device a listener can have (and sleep with) – their smartphone
  • Urgency
  • Timeliness
  • Call to action


The four crucial elements to developing a good push messaging strategy:

  1. Relevance
  2. Brevity
  3. Timeliness
  4. Call to action

Having these four key ingredients will help stations create the most effective and successful push message to radio listeners. Download our webinar to see how each of the ingredients are broken down further to be sure the perfect message is created.
One thing to remember is that you still need to do a little maintenance with your push notifications after you hit “send!” This will help you track and create the best push notifications possible. This deals with the analytics of push notifications. As Kernen states “The objective is to continually improve your messages to improve your results…and it does take time”
One last thing to touch on…our team has built a push notifications solution that truly fits the radio and media industry, here’s why:

  • Affordability
  • Simple and easy-to-use
  • Use topics to target just the right listeners
  • Schedule messages in advance
  • Analytics package.

We’d love to help you take your mobile app to the next level with our push notification solution! Contact our Director of Business Development, Sari Zalesin sari@jacapps.com 248-353-9030
Don’t forget to check out Push Notifications 101 Webinar to get the full details on our affordable, easy-to-use push notifications solution!

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Android Auto App Everywhere Apple CarPlay B2B Apps Mobile Apps

Are Apples Best Days Behind Them?

Koszalin, Poland – November 29, 2017: Space gray iPhone X and black iPhone 7. The iPhone X and iPhone 7 is smart phone with multi touch screen produced by Apple Computer, Inc.

A question that keeps coming up… Are Apple’s best days behind them? The answer is “No, Apple’s best days are far from over!” Apple’s smartphone market share is increase!
According to eMarketer, iPhone’s market share in the US continues to grow, despite the challenges they have in oversea markets. Today there are 105.2 million people around the US that use Apple for smartphones or around 45.2% share of the country’s smartphone market. However, the growth doesn’t stop there, Apple’s market share will grow 0.1% each year through 2021.
“The variety of iPhones available at different price points has contributed to its continued success in the US,” said eMarketer forecasting director Shelleen Shum. “The Apple ecosystem along with the brand’s reputation for creativity and privacy, is still remarkably effective in maintaining user loyalty and attracting new users>” In fact, privacy was the hot topic a their recent press event.
Although Android will continue to take over the US smartphone market and growing 3/3% to 124.4 million people, Apple will still increase smartphone market share!
Additionally, the major players that carry the less-expensive smartphones overseas, will not have an immediate threat in the US because of the lack of availability from the local carriers. Overall, total smartphone usage will grow a huge 3.05 this year in the US market, reaching 232.8 million people! Smartphone usage will surpass 705 of the US population.
We offer both Apple and Android mobile app platforms and would love to talk to you about your mobile strategy!
Contact our Director of Business Development, Sari Zalesin sari@jacapps.com or 248-353-9030

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App Everywhere Mobile Apps news and press Push Notifications

3 March Madness Bracket Apps That Will Keep You on Top!

Two excited friends or roommates watching tv on line in a tablet sitting on a couch in the living room at home

March Madness can be some people’s favorite time of the year! It allows them to connect with family and friends and cheer on their favorite basketball teams! With march madness starting we think it would be fun to share with a few of our favorite bracket apps that easily keep you engaged with the games!

Here are 3 March Madness bracket that’s that will keep you engaged:
  1. CBS Sports

CBS Sports app allows you to create your own bracket or create a bracket with your friends and family! During the games, the CBS app will send you notifications on how your bracket is doing. But wait, that’s not all, the CBS app also allows you to go in and look up scores, rankings, stats, watch the games live, and more. The CBS app creates the ultimate March Madness experience.
Download the CBS app here: Android and iOS
 

  1. ESPN Tournament Challenge

ESPN Tournament Challenge app allows you to create a free bracket app to stay in tune with your family and friends. There are push notifications that keep you informed on how your teams are doing. This app is completely free! But there’s more… this app also allows you to enter to win different prizes!
Download the ESPN Tournament Challenge app here: Android and iOS
 

  1. NCAA March Madness Live

Not only is NCAA March Madness live one of the best apps to watch the basketball games on, but it also has a great system for your brackets! It allows you to play with friends and family or you can even play against celebrities!! This app goes far beyond just brackets, it brings you live game streams, behind-the-scene videos, highlights, and also allows you to opt-in to push notifications to stay on top of scores when you can’t tune into the game!
Download NCAA March Madness Live app here: Android and iOS
 
Mobile has made life easier for you to stay engaged with your family, friends, and co-workers! Check out these cool March Madness apps to stay in up to date with your basketball teams!
As always, we’d love to talk mobile with you! Contact our sales team to set up a conversation to learn more about your brand’s mobile strategy! Contact us at sales@jacapps.com or 248-353-9030

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App Everywhere Mobile Apps news and press Push Notifications Radio

7 Basketball Apps That Are Nothing But Net

Unrecognisable male watching sports on live streaming online service, view from above

Are you a basketball fan that loves to stay up to date on your favorite teams?! With March Madness coming right around the corner, we thought it would be fun to share our choices for the best apps to keep us on top of the games when we are on the go!
 

Here are 7 mobile apps you should be using this March Madness season:

 

  1. NCAA March Madness Live

Not sure what television station your basketball game is on? No problem! NCAA March Madness Live has every game available to watch! This app goes far beyond just live game streams, it offers behind-the-scene videos, highlights, and also allows you to opt-in to push notifications to stay on top of scores when you can’t tune into the game!
Download NCAA March Madness Live: Android and iOS

  1. CBS Sports

CBS Sports app can do it all! No matter where you are are what you are looking for, CBS Sports app has you covered! This app offers you breaking news, blogs, game coverage, and sending you to the right place to catch your favorite games!
Download CBS Sports: Android and iOS

  1. Fanatic

Are you away from friends and family and looking to watch the game with people?! Don’t worry, Fanatic app has the answer for you! This app allows you to comment and connect with people while watching the game! What’s better than being able to connect with your fellow fans and cheer on your favorite teams?!
Download Fanatic: Android and iOS

  1. Thuuz

Getting stressed out because there are so many games going on and you are unsure on which ones to watch?! Thuuz has the answer for you! This app rates games on a scale from 0-100 and tells you whether a game is worth watching. Additionally, you can have the app track your favorite teams and players and it will notify you when its time to tune in!
Download Thuuz: Android and iOS

  1. WatchESPN

ESPN being one of the top sports stations has all the latest news and updates for you! Nothings better than being on the go and being able to log in to ESPN and get the latest news, highlights, scores, and more. ESPN app is a must have for the 2019 March Madness season!
Download WatchESPN: Android and iOS

  1. TuneIn Radio

Are you on the road and can’t watch your favorite basketball games?! No problem, TuneIn Radio has the answer for you! This app allows you to listen in to your favorite live game broadcasters! TuneIn Radio helps you not miss a second of the game!
Download TuneIn Radio: Android and iOS

  1. theScore

Are looking for more than just watching the game? theScore app gives you in-depth information and deep stats for serious basketball followers! Stay in the loop with by opting-in to push notifications to get all the updates on scores, big plays, injury reports, and more!
Download theScore: Android and iOS
 
As always, we’d love to talk mobile with you! Contact our sales team to set up a conversation to learn more about your brand’s mobile strategy! Contact us at sales@jacapps.com or 248-353-9030

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App Everywhere B2B Apps Mobile Apps Push Notifications

Join us at NAB!

Connect with us at the NAB Show, Where Content Comes to Life in Las Vegas, NV, April 6-11, 2019!
NAB is the ultimate event for media, entertainment, and technology professionals looking for new and innovative ways to create, manage, deliver and monetize content on any platform. The NAB Show is the best place to be to learn all the new ins and outs about media, entertainment, and technology.
Our jācapps and Jacobs Media teams attend every year, and one thing our teams have noticed is that one of the best things that NAB does is bring together the entire media world. This includes professionals from all different industries, including; advertising, app development, artificial intelligence, audio, augmented reality, broadcast, cable, cloud solutions, cybersecurity, digital video, digital signage, eLearning esports, film, game development, government and military, houses of worship, in-vehicle entertainment, IOT, IT, live events, mixed reality, mobile, online video, podcasting, post-production, radio, retail, social media, sports, streaming, system integration, television, virtual reality, 5G, and more! Six full days of the opportunity to get your hands on the latest technology, but thats not all…
We would love to meet one-on-one with you to discuss your companies mobile and digital strategy!
Contact us at sales@jacapps.com or call us at 248-353-9030 to schedule a meeting and take your business to the next level in the mobile and digital world!
We can’t wait to see you at NAB this year!!

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B2B Apps Mobile Apps news and press Podcasting Push Notifications Radio

New Comedy App Announcement: The Bob & Tom Show

Laugh Your App Off With New Comedy App for “The BOB & TOM Show”, Bringing the Funny to Your Fingertips
INDIANAPOLIS, IN, February 26, 2019 — The BOB & TOM Show , a favorite of millions and one of the longest-running and highest-rated radio programs in America, announces the launch of its new comedy app, created by award-winning mobile strategy and development company jācapps. The BOB & TOM Show app offers BOB & TOM fans the ease of listening to the show on their local station, as well as one-touch access to the BOB & TOM Comedy Channel, called “BOB & TOM 24/7”.  “BOB & TOM 24/7” features The BOB & TOM Show live every weekday morning, plus classic highlights, bits, songs and segments from the show’s rich archive of digital audio content. “BOB & TOM 24/7” also lets listeners replay the latest BOB & TOM Show.
The new app is loaded with listener-driven features that bring the funny to listeners’ fingertips, enabling them to easily join and become a BOB & TOM VIP and giving them access to The BOB & TOM Show Podcast and to The BOB & TOM Show Comedy Archives, a treasure trove of laughs from the packed BOB & TOM Show vault. The BOB & TOM Show app also allows BOB & TOM fans to watch the program live each weekday morning via a multi-camera, live video simulcast that adds another dimension to The BOB & TOM Show experience.
John Kesler, Chief Operating Officer, The BOB & TOM Show, said: “jācapps created a custom app that is simple to use, elegant looking, and a way for our fans to interact with the show, while enjoying an affiliate’s stream.”
Fred Jacobs, President, jācapps and Jacobs Media Strategies, said: “It’s a rare brand like BOB & TOM that has so much deep, rich content – perfect for a premium mobile experience. Working with their outstanding digital team, we’re excited about this new app. Now their listeners can enjoy the show any time and anywhere, and never have to worry about missing anything.”
The BOB & TOM Show is exclusively distributed by Westwood One and airs live weekday mornings from 6am-10am Eastern on 103 stations across the U.S. and on the American Forces Network worldwide. Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, The BOB & TOM Show features comedy, news, sports, lifestyle content, and interviews with today’s top actors, celebrities and newsmakers. The show is America’s leading media outlet for the best and developing comedians on the circuit, and also features live performances from musicians from all genres of music.
 
About The BOB & TOM Show
The BOB & TOM Show is a hilarious blend of comedy, talk, news, and sports and is one of the longest-running and highest-rated radio programs in America, airing live weekday mornings from 6am-10am ET. Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, The BOB & TOM Show is a favorite of millions and features news, sports, lifestyle content, and interviews with today’s top actors, celebrities and newsmakers. The show is also America’s leading media outlet for the best and developing comedians on the circuit. More than just a comedy show, The BOB & TOM Show also features live performances from musicians from all genres of music. The BOB & TOM Show is now heard on over 100 radio stations from coast to coast and the American Forces Network worldwide, in addition to The BOB & TOM Show podcast. Parodies, songs, bits, and more are produced by a large staff of writers, musicians, performers and misfits. In addition, The BOB & TOM Show has released more than 60 comedy albums, CDs and DVDs, and expanded its brand with popular live comedy show tours. For more information about The BOB & TOM Show, visit: www.bobandtominfo.com or contact Todd Alan at talan@westwoodone.com or at 212.735.1107.
 
Download the new The Bob & Tom Show app through iTunes or Google Play!

If you are interested in us, the apps we’ve built, or a product of your own, contact us at sales@jacapps.com or 248-353-9030
Categories
B2B Apps Mobile Apps news and press Podcasting Push Notifications Radio

New Comedy App Announcement: The Bob & Tom Show

Laugh Your App Off With New Comedy App for “The BOB & TOM Show”, Bringing the Funny to Your Fingertips

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, February 26, 2019 — The BOB & TOM Show , a favorite of millions and one of the longest-running and highest-rated radio programs in America, announces the launch of its new comedy app, created by award-winning mobile strategy and development company jācapps. The BOB & TOM Show app offers BOB & TOM fans the ease of listening to the show on their local station, as well as one-touch access to the BOB & TOM Comedy Channel, called “BOB & TOM 24/7”.  “BOB & TOM 24/7” features The BOB & TOM Show live every weekday morning, plus classic highlights, bits, songs and segments from the show’s rich archive of digital audio content. “BOB & TOM 24/7” also lets listeners replay the latest BOB & TOM Show.

The new app is loaded with listener-driven features that bring the funny to listeners’ fingertips, enabling them to easily join and become a BOB & TOM VIP and giving them access to The BOB & TOM Show Podcast and to The BOB & TOM Show Comedy Archives, a treasure trove of laughs from the packed BOB & TOM Show vault. The BOB & TOM Show app also allows BOB & TOM fans to watch the program live each weekday morning via a multi-camera, live video simulcast that adds another dimension to The BOB & TOM Show experience.

John Kesler, Chief Operating Officer, The BOB & TOM Show, said: “jācapps created a custom app that is simple to use, elegant looking, and a way for our fans to interact with the show, while enjoying an affiliate’s stream.”

Fred Jacobs, President, jācapps and Jacobs Media Strategies, said: “It’s a rare brand like BOB & TOM that has so much deep, rich content – perfect for a premium mobile experience. Working with their outstanding digital team, we’re excited about this new app. Now their listeners can enjoy the show any time and anywhere, and never have to worry about missing anything.”

The BOB & TOM Show is exclusively distributed by Westwood One and airs live weekday mornings from 6am-10am Eastern on 103 stations across the U.S. and on the American Forces Network worldwide. Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, The BOB & TOM Show features comedy, news, sports, lifestyle content, and interviews with today’s top actors, celebrities and newsmakers. The show is America’s leading media outlet for the best and developing comedians on the circuit, and also features live performances from musicians from all genres of music.

 

About The BOB & TOM Show

The BOB & TOM Show is a hilarious blend of comedy, talk, news, and sports and is one of the longest-running and highest-rated radio programs in America, airing live weekday mornings from 6am-10am ET. Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, The BOB & TOM Show is a favorite of millions and features news, sports, lifestyle content, and interviews with today’s top actors, celebrities and newsmakers. The show is also America’s leading media outlet for the best and developing comedians on the circuit. More than just a comedy show, The BOB & TOM Show also features live performances from musicians from all genres of music. The BOB & TOM Show is now heard on over 100 radio stations from coast to coast and the American Forces Network worldwide, in addition to The BOB & TOM Show podcast. Parodies, songs, bits, and more are produced by a large staff of writers, musicians, performers and misfits. In addition, The BOB & TOM Show has released more than 60 comedy albums, CDs and DVDs, and expanded its brand with popular live comedy show tours. For more information about The BOB & TOM Show, visit: www.bobandtominfo.com or contact Todd Alan at talan@westwoodone.com or at 212.735.1107.

 

Download the new The Bob & Tom Show app through iTunes or Google Play!

If you are interested in us, the apps we’ve built, or a product of your own, contact us at sales@jacapps.com or 248-353-9030