Article first published as Get Your ZOOVE on! on Technorati.
As the 1984 breakup of AT&T (Ma Bell) created competition in the marketplace, new and innovative services like toll free 1-800-vanity numbers gave businesses a way to give customers an easier way to remember them.
Then during the 1990's, the advent of the internet, and dot com addresses really turned things around, till everyone and his brother had domain names.
Prepare yourself for the next step in the evolution of business to consumer marketing and promotions.
A company called ZOOVE is now able to deliver vanity ** (Star Star) numbers. What could be easier than telling your customer to dial **PIZZA the next time they get hungry?
Zoove says a StarStar Number is supercharged mobile direct response, delivering content on demand - anything from SMS, MMS, web to voice services. It's completely opt-in with unlimited response options. Consumers can bypass text messaging, receiving instead real-time delivery of brand content.
The Zoove service is compatible with (I am not mentioning any names here) all the major carriers, as well as smartphone operating systems.
To get started, Zoove has you search the national StarStar registry to see if the name you want is available. If it is, they get you started in as little as 10 business days.
Great, so you are all exited now, you want to get a ** code for your business. Well, there's a little hitch. Zoove isn't exactly forthcoming with their pricing structure. In fact, on their "pricing" page, you don't get any answers. Basically, if you have to ask, you can't afford it. Unfortunately, that may give some the impression that prices are made up depending on who is asking. (two identical businesses can ask for pricing and get two different fees.)
Think about it. If most people see an advertisement for something, and it doesn't show a price, they tend to think it's either too expensive, or there is a catch involved. Either way, most people believe the seller is trying to hide something.
Yes, it is a great marketing concept, however I think a company should be direct, clear, and up front about what their prices are, not keep them a secret.
I would love to hear what you have to say. Forward to your friends and leave a comment below!
