What is bizM3?
bizM3 is a cutting edge mobile marketing technology company that provides the solutions and tools that can help you advance your advertising campaigns and deployment strategies. The first to offer a multi-channel mobile content management and distribution platform to the industry, bizM3 can produce dramatic results for your business.

What Mobile channels does bizM3 offer?

Short Code - short numeric numbers (typically 4-6 digits) to which text messages can be sent from a mobile phone. bizM3 “Short Code” is 30101.

Keywords - a word or name used to distinguish a targeted message within a Short Code Service. Think of it in terms of the Internet and domain names. Think of a Short code as similar to a domain name and a Keyword similar to a user name.

SMS Opt in - Mobile based permissions! SMS is a feature available with practically all modern mobile phones that allow users to send and receive short text messages, the “Opt in” is to protect users from unwanted text messages (SPAM). It guarantees marketing messages are always welcome because of permission-based marketing campaigns (opt-in) so messages are sent only to those who have requested them.

Voice to SMS (IVR) - Interactive Voice Response is interactive technology that allows a computer to detect voice and keypad inputs. IVR technology is used extensively in telecommunications and allows users that do not text to participate in SMS Marketing by receiving a text just by making a phone call.

Voting/Polling/Survey/Trivia - turns the standard mobile phone into an interactive terminal for participants to send immediate responses. Anyone with a cell phone can respond via SMS. Results are tallied and displayed in seconds online.

Text to Win - Text messaging platform is a more efficient, automated way to hold a sweepstakes as opposed to traditional means. Text to win sweepstakes replaced its former paper sign-ups and eliminates the need for paper and notifies the contest winners automatically via SMS when the contest is over.

Mobile Web (WAP) - “Wireless Application Protocol” is used to enable access to the Mobile Web from a mobile phone. WAP sites are websites written in, or dynamically converted to, WML (Wireless Markup Language) and accessed via the WAP browser. Before the introduction of WAP, service providers had extremely limited opportunities to offer interactive data services.

Kiosk/Digital Signage - a Kiosk can be a booth providing a computer-related service, such as an Automated Teller Machine (ATM). Another type of Kiosk offers tourist information or directions to a store in a Mall…those are some examples. Digital signage is a network of customizable digital displays that you can control electronically using a computer, allowing you to change your content remotely for the most targeted messaging possible. Both are popular mediums to launch mobile marketing campaigns.

M3 Manager - The M3 Manager and Distribution Architecture is a state-of-the-art enterprise level content management and distribution platform that allows you to create a multi-tiered user account structure on which your staff can collaborate remotely via the platform on a campaign. You may rearrange your account structure at any time to accommodate new campaign assignments or staff changes. You may also distribute selected content to specific account groups with just a few clicks. This patent pending technology will optimize your work flow efficiency within the organization regardless of the geographic or hierarchical nature of the organization.

Chit Clicks - This is the “e-Coupon Opportunity” and social network…The redemption rate of e-coupons is 11 times higher than the printed variety…Go Green! Currently under development, this online site will send coupons to a mobile phone, printer or email box. Imagine getting paid by sharing a coupon with a friend...Visit ChitClicks.com to post or get coupons.

Who uses bizM3 & why?
bizM3 has a wide variety of users. Some of the largest users of our mobile marketing services are advertising agencies and radio stations. There are also many restaurants, auto dealers, nightclubs, retailers, schools and universities, newspapers, golf courses, resorts, and salons, from small B2B to top Fortune companies.
The most common applications are sweepstakes, coupons, promotions, contests, surveys, voting/polling, product information, and mobile news alerts. All of which build a database of opt-in mobile numbers that can be used for various advertising and marketing campaigns, backed by valuable analytics and quantifiable Marketing Return on Investment statistics.

What is the difference between interactive and broadcast text messaging?
Interactive programs involve sending a keyword to the short code 30101 and getting a response message back immediately. Broadcast programs involve your sending a simultaneous text message to a large database of users.

Are any messages FREE?
Yes, inbound messages are free. We do not count inbound or received messages against the message count of your plan. Only outbound messages (messages that our system sends) are counted against your message plan.

What is a short code?
A short code is a promotional, usually five-digit number, that acts as the cell phone number. A short code is established for promotional text messaging.

Can I get my own short code and what is a shared short code?
Yes, you could get your own short code, but they are quite expensive. The cost for a standard short code is around $1,000 per month and around $2,500 per month for a vanity short code. A vanity short code is a more memorable number; 30101 is a vanity short code, because it’s so easy to remember.
In addition to the monthly cost, there is a start up cost of several thousand dollars plus several months of work to get a new short code. The technology behind bizM3 can support other short codes, but most people opt to use the shared short code technology.

What is a keyword?
A keyword is the word that is sent to 30101 that identifies your service; for example, text bizM3 to 30101. Keywords are not case-sensitive; therefore it doesn't matter if you capitalize some, all or none of the letters of the keyword. When advertising a keyword we recommend capitalizing the keyword in your advertisement so that it stands out.

Who owns the keyword?
You can use the keyword for as long as you continue to pay for the keyword on a monthly basis.

What if I need to buy more keywords?
bizM3 allows for you to purchase additional keywords for $15 each per month or you can purchase bulk keyword packages for as low as $5 each per month.

What are the advantages and disadvantages to a shared short code?
The advantage is cost. bizM3 has already paid for all the start-up and monthly costs for the shared short code and many organizations use the same short code.
The only disadvantage is that no two users can use the same keyword. It is possible, although unlikely, that the keyword you request is already being used by another organization. A keyword compares to a “DOMAIN NAME” you can only have 1 Domain name.

Who has ownership rights to the database?
The great advantage to mobile marketing is the database that you create. You own the data and bizM3 has no rights to the database. The database will never be re-sold or used for any purposes other than your own. The data is protected by FCC regulations and therefore the actual mobile numbers can’t be seen in their entirety to prevent “Spamming”. bizM3 works in strict compliance with FCC regulations to protect our clients and the interest of the mobile user.

I need to keep more than one database of my users. Can bizM3 do this?
Yes, you can maintain multiple databases for different promotions, regions, clients or any other purpose. The DATA will be 100% secure and safe from anyone having access to the DATA.

How many messages are sent per minute?
That’s mostly up to the “phone” carriers. bizM3 will pass off the messages to the “Mobile Phone” carrier. The carriers are companies such as Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T Wireless. Once the messages are delivered to the carrier, it is up to the carrier to deliver them. It is our experience that most messages are received by the recipient in a matter of seconds.

Are there start-up or monthly costs?
There is a one-time set-up fee for the installation and integration of your 2 back offices and software programs. A monthly fee is then charged based on the customized package, depending on the number of text messages sent, keywords needed, along with the other tools used. Check out the bizM3 pricing page for the sample packages available.

I am new to this and don’t know what size package to buy. What if I need more text messages?
If you exceed your allotted text messages and are paying by credit card or PayPal, bizM3 will continue to run your promotion by charging the overage rate per text for your package. Separate SMS text message packages can be purchased and used anytime; texts are charged depending on your package from 4 to 8 cents and can be bought in blocks from 100 to 50,000.

What if I don’t use all of the text messages?
Text messages acquired in your SMS packages are carried over to future months, although text messages in your original package do not.

How do I cancel the service when the promotion is over?
Simply fax bizM3, 877.442.4963, and we’ll cancel the program at the conclusion on the anniversary date assuming at least seven days prior notice.

What is an “opt-in”?
It is required that you have some form of opt-in from the members of your database. The opt-in process confirms that you are not sending SPAM to cell phones. For example, SPAM is sending out text messages to a cell phone that didn’t request the text or agree to be included in the marketing campaign. bizM3 gives you the tools needed to make sure the Opt-in process is in compliance with the FCC regulations.

How do I create the opt-in database?
Most marketers use an interactive text message program to create an opt-in database. Other times, there may be a registration process via your web site or at your location. bizM3 provides you a COMPLETE BACK OFFICE with all the tools you will need to create an effective campaign tied to analytics to manage your campaigns.
It is important that if you use a registration process other than an interactive text message that you maintain the necessary documentation to validate the opt-in.
The opt-in process is actually what makes mobile marketing so effective. It means that a consumer has elected to receive your messages.

Can I just buy a list of phone numbers that permit text message advertisements?
No, just because somebody has chosen to opt-in to receive text messages from one organization does not mean that another organization can send messages to them. If you are buying a list from a third party source, you are breaking the FCC regulations. If bizM3 discovers that you are using a list of cell phone numbers that have not opted-in to your specific promotion, your account and program will immediately be terminated without refund.

Will it cost the recipient to receive my text message?
Standard text messaging rates apply. The vast majority of people who will opt-in to receive your text messages will have some kind of a text message plan with their carriers.

How long can a text message be?
160 characters is the limit per text message for all carriers in the United States. You can choose to send a text message that is greater than 160 characters in length, but such a message will need to be continued on a second text message.

How can I confirm that a text message was received?
Unfortunately, the carriers do not provide reporting on the receipt of text messages. While we can confirm that a text message was handed off to the carrier, we cannot confirm that each text message was received.

A member of my database did not receive the text message. Why not?
The most common reason that a text message was not received is that the recipient’s cell phone was turned off at the time that the carrier sent the message. It is also possible that the recipient was outside of an area where the carrier service was available. Finally, it is possible that the member has service with a carrier that does not participate in the short code business.
The most common reason is a misdialed number or when you send a message and you receive another message coming in at the same time. These are all Mobile Phone Issues and will vary depending on your phone type.

What carriers does bizM3 work with?
For traditional HTTP-sent text messages, bizM3 works with the following carriers: Alltel; AT&T; Boost; Cellular One; Centennial; Cincinnati Bell; Cingular; Cricket/Leap; Nextel; Sprint; T-Mobile; U.S. Cellular; Verizon; Virgin.

If a carrier is not listed here, does that mean that we can’t include them on our database?
If a carrier is not included here, it’s probably because they are a third-tier carrier that does not participate in the short code system. There is, however, still a possibility that we can reach these users through the SMTP (email to cell phone) protocol known at bizM3 as Economy Bulk Delivery.

What is Budget Bulk Delivery (SMTP service)?
bizM3’s Budget Bulk Delivery service sends messages to cell phones via email rather than through traditional text messaging. This service is cheaper, but less reliable than our Premier Delivery service.

How can a consumer opt-out of the service?
It is required by FCC REGULATIONS that we remove users from the database when they choose to opt-out. A recipient can opt-out by sending a return text message with the word STOP in the text; most carriers and service providers include “Reply STOP or HELP” in each text as an industry standard.

Some other bulk SMS services say that I need to know the carrier of each of the cell phone numbers in the database. Is this true?
No, the cell phone carrier is not required to be provided with bizM3. If it’s an interactive text message program, bizM3 recognizes the carrier when the consumer first participates. If it’s a broadcast text message program, bizM3 does a database inquiry service on a large cell phone database prior to sending the first text message to them. Unlike some other providers, we do not charge anything additional for this database inquiry service.

Can bizM3 send messages internationally?
Currently, we support text message delivery only in the United States and its territories. We will be able to send global messages in early 2010.

What if I send a broadcast text message and somebody hits “reply” and sends a message back to us?
Our software is designed to receive replies depending on the campaign you are running. If you do want to receive replies back from those you send broadcast messages to, this can be accommodated by using one of bizM3’s voting, polling, survey, or trivia tools.
Keep in mind that 30101 is a shared short code so if somebody replies to a broadcast text message, we may not know which customer the reply is intended for. The way to solve this is to say “do not reply to this message” in your broadcast message.

What reporting data will I receive from bizM3?
bizM3’s online reporting system includes the following data: date; time; cell phone number; carrier; message received; correct or incorrect answer. We can always create a COMPLETE CUSTOM SOFTWARE SOLUTION of any size to accommodate your business needs.

How quickly can I get started with bizM3?
Upon receipt of payment, you can get started. If you use a credit card or PayPal, the approval online is immediate.

What if I want to pay other than credit card or PayPal?
bizM3 can provide traditional email invoice methods on special request.

I am an advertising agency and wish to be a reseller of bizM3. Can you accommodate this?
bizM3 was established so that it can create a “white label” site for advertising agencies and other large users with multiple customers. Call for a customized proposal as this is our area of expertise.

Does bizM3 have an affiliate program?
Yes, you can become an affiliate of bizM3 and receive a commission and monthly residuals for any sales that you make. Our mobile marketing affiliate program is one of the best ways to add additional revenue to your bottom line. We have created our company to provide opportunity for many people to supplement their income by sharing our product to business owners.