What is Bluetooth Marketing?
Bluetooth Marketing is the process where a retailer sends marketing material to customers. This generally involves setting up a Bluekulu Media Server in a window or at a point-of-sale with the multimedia content. The server then scans for new phones in it's vicinity and sends out the content to the user's phone.
Whoa, hold on there. What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a system used in phones and other devices to transfer data using radio waves, much like a normal radio or wireless internet. It is widely used for communication between mobile phones and bluetooth car kits However, it is also used (mainly by teenagers) to transfer pictures between mobile phones.
And what does Bluekulu do
Bluekulu develops a Bluetooth Media Server that allows retailers and marketeers to send out messages to peoples phones.
Where can it be used?
The Bluekulu Media Server can be used at point of sale locations, shop windows, poster boxes, bus shelters, Pubs and clubs, fast food restaurants, cinemas, etc. The system needs electricity to run and Ethernet (a computer network) for configuration and reporting. Most customers put the server in their shop windows to get best coverage.
Is it spam?
The phone owner has to accept the message on their phone so it is not spam. That is not to say that every effort should be made to make the customer feel that they are getting something of value. Spam is about perception and by sending content that is useful to the customer. Content such as special offers, coupons, funny videos, minimises that perception.
Is it secure?
Bluetooth is quite secure these days and after a few mistakes in the early days of bluetooth on phones (c. 2002) security is tight. There is no risk to peoples' phones.
Do many people have bluetooth turned on?
About 85 percent of phones have bluetooth turned on and are capable of receiving bluetooth messages. As an example, a Bluekulu media server on a high street in Cork city, Ireland found 75 thousand unique phones over a 3 month period.
What sort of content can be sent?
Images, animations, text, music, ring tones, and video. Some phones have limitations but the Bluekulu system will try to determine the format of the data to send.
How do I change the content?
The Bluekulu Media Server has a built in web server that allows you to configure the unit. Simply browse to the device in your web browser and upload new content. The system can also work over wifi or using USB 3g modems.
How many times will the customer receive a message
The system will send out a message along the lines of 'Would you like to recieve a message from
I have a shopping center and want to use several devices, but I don't want the customers to be annoyed by messages
That is no problem. The Bluekulu Media Servers can communicate with each other to ensure that an 'Accept' or 'Reject' on one device is shared with the other devices. This uses the internet so the devices could potentially be hundreds of miles apart, say two airports.