all about qtags

How to use qtags for opt-in group

Envy Magazine Houston (soon to be launched in Dallas too) - uses a qtags text-in program to build an opt-in group for news alerts.  They publish the call-to-action 'text "envymag" to 78247 (QTAGS) to get on the VIP list'. 

And then they push alerts (e.g. party updates / where DJ AM is appearing, etc) to the live opt-in group.  Because their audience is vest in the brand and truly does want to know - they have very low opt-out activity.

This would work great for any advertiser with a vested audience.  We're starting it Sept 17th with Communities in Schools Houston.  Kicking it off at their annual fund-raiser - and asking people to text 'helpkids' to stay in the know.  Now CISH will be able to communicate with these folks long AFTER the event and solicit their help for future programs; like money for school supplies, and other programs to support the kids.

Real-time performance knowledge

With each live qtag word, we provide a live performance link, which shows volumes of text, by date/time and % of click-through to the qtags inbox link.

We also monitor the 'error' text rate and update the client.  So for example, if client wants audience to text 'hellothere', but they are texting 'hithere', we tell them so signage can be modified and improved.

Here are some of the things we are learning from a current campaign with Popeyes Chicken.  [text 'popeyes' to QTAGS 78247]

• times people are texting the word 'popeyes' -- it tends to be (big surprise) noon - 5pm; but surprisingly there is a bunch of volume after 5pm and at breakfast time
• days people are texting -- it tends to be early in work-week (guess we all have more energy then)

And, really interestingly -- we see that the Popeyes customer really wants to have a conversation with Popeyes.  They are vested in the brand and we are seeing a real desire to talk!  For example - we see lots of 'free-form' texting...and folks are providing there full-name, address -- and a thank you for the offer! 

That's pretty cool feedback for an Advertiser -- and only 1 week into a campaign!

Envy Magazine update

Here in Houston, if you want to stay in-the-know re: nite-club openings, celeb parties, hot-bands, you text 'envymag' to QTAGS (78247). Since January 2006 Envy Magazine has been sporting that call-to-action on their strike team, on their sites and at parties.  They now have over 700 people in an Envy alert group and they use qtags text to send them news alerts about 2x a month.  Because they keep the news brief & interesting, they have had VERY few opt-outs!

And - in addition to building a group of over 700 people, they are getting an 18% click-through to their site via the qtags in-box stored link.  Great way to connect people with more info!

More on Popeyes - where is our Blimp?

Popeyes of Toronto Canada has lost their blimp - it floated free from a store recently and is floating around somewhere in the friendly Canadian skies!  If you are a reader in Canada and return it to a Popeyes outlet, you could be eligible for $1500 of free-chicken from Popeyes.

If you see it, text 'blimp' to 78247 (QTAGS) & you'll get instructions on who to contact to get your free chicken! 

Excerpt from Sarah Dobson's 8/18/06 article in MarketingMag.ca

Missing blimp sparks Popeyes contest:

Consumers should keep their eyes peeled for a 20-foot inflatable blimp featuring the Popeyes Chicken & Seafood logo for the chance to win a year’s worth of chicken.

The restaurant chain has launched a promotion around the runaway blue and white blimp after it unexpectedly left its roost atop a Hamilton outlet. It was last seen flying over Burlington , Ont.

New to the chain, the inflatable blimp was intended to rotate amongst all 31 Popeyes outlets in  Ontario , but it vanished after less than a day of use. As a result, participating Toronto-area Popeyes franchisees are offering a gift certificate for $1,500–equal to about a year’s supply of its New Orleans-style fried chicken–to the first person to provide credible information that leads to the safe recovery of the blimp.

“It was an interesting opportunity that presented itself–it’s definitely a general interest story that had some talk value that would be wise to share,” says Emir Tahirovic, account director at Brainstorm Group in  Toronto. “We though it would be a very simple and straightforward approach to spreading the word.”

–Sarah Dobson

Popeyes adds spice with qtags

Today Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits is launching a qtags text program designed to spice up customer interaction!  Customers are invited to text 'popeyes' to QTAGS (78247) for free food.  The invitation is posted on reader boards outside restaurants through-out Texas & on door-clingers.

This is exciting for us as we are working with Fogarty Klein Monroe, Houston's larged advertising agency, and new AOR for Popeyes. In fact, in an interesting twist...qtags first presented to FKM last summer before they had Popeyes as a client, and the then summer interns who were preparing a mock-presentation to Popeyes, chose to use qtags as an integral part of their pitch.  Something must have jibed because the next thing you know, FKM won Popeyes as a client, and Popeyes is using qtags text.

This is the second 'restaurant-oriented' qtags text program launched in as many weeks; check-out our release re: Red Robin restaurants from last week!

Brandmovers and qtags

We are very excited about our alliance (recently announced) with Atlanta-based Brandmovers, Inc because it is a bit like the peanut-butter + chocolate situation.  (anyone remember that Reese commercial from way back when?).  qtags supplies Brandmovers with mobility, and Brandmovers supplies qtags with turn-key microsites (hot word of the week) that deliver coupons, rewards, contests and bottom-line, help advertisers build loyalty.    [Listen to podcast interview from PR Web re: the alliance]

One of the most powerful aspects of qtags text is the ability to help someone 'bookmark' a web-address or landing page (and therefore brand info) - right in the moment they see the ad.  You text the 'word' to QTAGS (78247) and get a reply message with an embedded URL link.  You don't have to write it down, wait til you get home, try to remember.... - you text and you have the info saved.  In case you lost your text message on your mobile - you can always retrieve it at your in-box at www.qtags.com.

Now - with Brandmovers -- the advertiser can create a robust and powerful URL landing to include in this reply text.  They can setup a coupon delivery site (complete with barcode and authentication services) in about a week, and for under $5,000.  That is a pretty good deal.

Brandmovers has an A-list client portfolio -- Ari Gold would love to represent them. 

..a plug for PR Web.  I had been using a more traditional wire service, but ran across PR Web at a WOMMA conference (they were a sponsor).  They have great features like podcast interviews, technorati tags, and RSS.  It is an easy service to use and I highly recommend them. (... they are cost-effective too).

Our first program of the alliance is for Red Robin restaurants - and will go live the last week of August.  I'll post when the word goes live - it's under wraps at the moment. 

We're working on some programs together for a grocery chain, a cellular provider, a tourist board (nice sunny destination), and more.  I'll keep you posted. 

qtags on Tech Now

Mike McGuff of Tech Now (airing on Houston KPFT and KTRK-TV) asked 'what are qtags'? 

He writes:

I'm always a sucker for an interesting Houston-based tech company. It sounds like founder, Allison Gower could be on to something:

When you text to 78247 (qtags), you immediately receive a text message with information about the advertisement or promotion displaying the qtag text service. We also store a web-link about that advertiser in your own private qtags.com inbox. You can access your inbox by logging in to the right of this page

The interview aired (Aug 9th) and here is the podcast - - Download technow_qtags.mp3

And on his blog he has a link to the 'full-interview'-

Vote 4 Me

Since November is coming up quickly - there is lots of discussion of voting / building voter registration and the various 'new-tech' methods being integrated in the race for office.  Lots of chatting about how sms/text can be used by politicians to build communities, send news alerts, get people registered, and leverage volunteers. 

Here's a recent Newsweek article that provides a great overview.

If you are a candidate for any type of office, consider using qtags text to power-up your campaign.  We are spam-free, do not charge texters (std msg rates apply), and provide a message foot-print in two places (online & on the mobile phone). 

Real-time reports show volumes of text, click-through, originating area-codes and date/time stamp.  This gives you ability to react, adjust and improve your message.

Why would you not use the technology that the under 30's use ubiquitously?

qtags text is free for non-profits.

Texting for a Social Cause

Michael Tangeman  of Media Mindshare writes;

....Couple of responses to my blog of last week on cause-related social media campaigns and surveys, tips on innovative campaigns, best practices, etc.

John Wagner of Wagner Communications emails a note about an interesting use of text-messaging in voter registration campaigns developed by his client, Allison Gower, at qtags: “It’s all set up through her company, qtags, so all a candidate or group would have to do is claim it for use in getting people to register and vote.” For third-party non-profit voter registration efforts, there’s no charge “because qtags provides its service free-of-charge to non-profits.”

The word referred to is 'vote06'  - text it to QTAGS (78247) to get link to voter registration site.