There’s no doubt that smartphones have changed how humans both communicate and spend their time. This year, smartphone users are forecasted to reach 2.5 Billion worldwide. Since the release of the iPhone in 2007, a lot has changed. In fact, according to some reports, people are checking their smartphones on average of every 12 minutes. No longer is the smartphone seemingly an addition to life, now, it has become an extension of life.
But did you know that people in the US are abandoning access to social network sites via desktop computers at a staggering rate? This year, the majority of social media users are now exclusively accessing sites via their mobile devices. In fact, it is forecasted that a huge 52% of US social network users will be mobile-only in 2019.
Mobile Marketing Should Be A Priority
With most users now running searches, surfing the web and using social media exclusively through a mobile device, brands are already behind the eight ball. There has to be a focus on creating mobile-targeted content that is specifically designed for the mobile user, both in size, production, and intent. That goes for videos, graphics and text content such as blog posts and ebooks as well.
So, how are we using our smartphones each and every day and how does their usage impact digital marketers? For many, usage can be upwards of 2 hours and 57 minutes per day. Often times beginning with the smartphone alarm going off in the morning, and ending with one last check before we go to sleep. Recently, Text Local conducted a survey that provided an all too familiar glimpse of life on planet Earth, with a smartphone in hand.
What Makes A Smartphone Smart?
We use smartphones every single day, but when is the last time we hit pause and asked what is it that actually makes them smart? For years, we have heard that a single smartphone has more processing power than the computers that put a man on the moon, and while that is technically true, it’s that our smartphones run off of a mobile operating system and function like a mini-computer that makes them smart. For certain, there is more to the smart of a smartphone than that, but how are we using our smartphones each and every day?
A Day In The Life Of A Smartphone
It’s absolutely fascinating to read studies that affirm what we think we already knew about just how much smartphones have become a part of our daily lives. And, how important it is, if you are in the world of marketing, to understand the power of smartphones in reaching your targeted audience. We might know our message, but do we know our audience and how and when best to reach them?
Let’s take a walk through a typical day of a smartphone, courtesy of Text Local, and their consumer research on usage.
Let The Day Begin
It’s morning, and this means that 56% of smartphone users are waking up to the sound of their alarm clock on their smartphone. And for many more, due to smartwatches, they’re reviewing an analysis on how well they slept, or not.
Within 15 minutes of waking up, roughly 51% of smartphone users will be checking their email, social media notifications and SMS. Shortly after, and for those who use public transit to and from their place of employment, 20% will talk on their phones during this time and 80% will be sending text messages while walking on the streets.
How are we doing so far? Does this describe your smartphone use habits? But, let’s not stop here, there’s a lot more of the day left. So, how much are we using our devices while on the clock? Let’s see if you can relate.
At Work Smartphone Usage
In the early days of mobile phones and even then, smartphones, companies would provide devices for their employees to use for company use only. With the advent of smartphones, it’s all about BYOD, or bring your own device. This can be a challenge from many companies on many fronts.
Challenges like monitoring the amount of personal time employees spend on their smartphones while on the clock to ensuring these devices, if connected to their networks, are properly secured and are low risk for being hacked, are some of the most common scenarios modern companies are facing.
Who wants to carry multiple phones anyway? 28% of smartphone users use their phones for work calls while 24% of them will also receive SMS from businesses, while at work. However, it’s not all work for smartphones users. These devices can sure be distracting as 79% of those surveyed will respond to personal messages from friends while at work and 30% will be checking their social media throughout the day as well.
Thankfully, we just clocked out and we’re ready to head home for the night. But clocking out doesn’t mean signing off. For smartphones users, this is truly when the day begins.
Smartphones: Our Evening Companion
A great way to transition from work to home is by putting those earbuds in and listening to music. And, if you rely on public transport, it can be both loud and crowded. That’s why 47% press play and listen to music, podcasts, or even audio books as they make their way home.
But how else are smartphones users connected with their devices at night? For starters, 51% say they may use their device during family time. What are they doing instead? Before 64% of them put their smartphone down and grab their tablet, many of them are connecting with friends via SMS or IM. while 23% of them are shopping online. Of them all, 53% will use their smartphone to browse online for at least an hour. Remind me, what times of the day are you trying to reach your customers again?
Mobile Marketing Is More Than Cut And Paste
There is no easy way around it, mobile marketing is more than cut and paste. We might know our message, but do we know our audience and how and when best to reach them? What does a day in the life of your smartphone look like and that of your target customer online?
