Advertisers' Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shooger?

Shooger is a mobile marketing company that connects local businesses with customers via advertising on mobile phones (text message and Smartphone).

What does Shooger do?

  • Provides businesses an easy way to send updates, coupons, specials, and other deals directly to customers' phones
  • Allows businesses to create a group/network of opt-in subscribers
  • Connects local advertisers with people looking for quick deals in real-time

Why should I advertise on mobile?

  • It provides great reach. Mobile is the most broadly used media in the world (more than TV or internet), and 95% of text messages are read immediately after received.
  • It is targeted. Customer's must "opt-in", or text in your keyword to become a subscriber and receive updates and coupons from your business. "Opt-in" advertising engages your customers on an ongoing basis to keep them coming back and spending more.
  • It is cost-effective. Our basic package is only $24.95. When compared to TV, radio, print or outdoor media, the ROI can be much higher with mobile adverting.
  • It is multi-purpose. Not only do you send deals via text to subscribers, but your business is also searchable by category, location, and keyword on our Smartphone app. Customers can click to view your menu online, get directions to your location, and share your deal with their friends.
  • It is time-sensitive. You can update your promotions, coupons, and specials and send to your subscribers in just minutes.
  • It is responsive. A typical mobile campaign response rate is around 10 – 25%.
  • It is easy to track. You can login to your merchant account at any time and see how many subscribers have opted in to your business.
  • It is secure and spam free. Way to communicate with your customers.

How does it work?

  • Register your business online. It just takes a few minutes to set up a new account, create a promotion, and go live.
  • Spread the word by incorporating your keyword into all your existing advertising.
  • Watch it work. See customers present their phones in your store and monitor your subscribers through your mobile ad account on Shooger.com

What is a Smartphone?

A Smartphone is a mobile device that has more advanced capabilities than a regular cellular phone (web, apps, gps, etc.). For example, iPhone, Android, and Blackberry phones are all Smartphones.

What is a business keyword?

This is a special code word for your business that will be used for customers to subscribe to your business location and receive your deals. Your keyword is usually your business name (example: "VANDYKE" for Van Dyke Cafe). You can use up to 10 characters and it can be all letters, all numbers, or a combination of letters and numbers.

What constitutes a subscriber in Shooger?

Anytime a user opts-in to your network (via Smartphone OR text message) they are a subscriber until they decide to opt-out.

Does this cost the subscriber anything?

Message and data rates may apply, depending on the customer's mobile carrier and phone plan. We have no control over, and do not profit from, these charges in any way.

How do I tell my customers about the mobile promotions program?

We will provide you with marketing graphics and content to prominently display in your existing print advertising, e-mail marketing, on your website, and in-store marketing collateral. Be sure to ask your Yellow Page/Newspaper/Billboard sales rep to print the text graphic with your customized business keyword on your existing ad.

How many promotions can I send in a month?

You can create as many promotions as you like but a subscriber can only receive 4 promotional text messages in any given month. If you make all of your promotions active, your subscribers will receive them automatically via text message in 1- hour increments. You also always have the option to schedule your promotions as you like, in "Advanced Settings".

NOTE: A Smartphone user will see every active promotion you have.

Your welcome offer is automatically set to "always active". We recommend that you schedule your other promotions so they are sent according to when you want your customers to see them. You can change your welcome offer at any time.

How often can I send new promotions or alerts to my subscriber list?

You can send up to 4 messages per subscriber, per month via text message. There is no defined limit to the amount of Smartphone promotions you can have. However we recommend no more than 25 active at any given time.

How many merchants can a customer subscribe to?

There is a 100-subscription limit per user.

Can I send my deals at specific times?

You can schedule your deals to be sent between a specific time-frame. Messages can be sent between 10am - 8pm EST, any day of the week. For example, if you are a restaurant and offer a happy hour, you can send a text message alert a few hours in advance of your happy hour.

How long can my message/deal be?

They can be up to 110 characters long, which include spaces and symbols. Using our deal templates, it's easy to create an effective offer while staying within these limitations.

How do customers subscribe from my website?

We will provide you a form that you can post on your web site that will allow your clients to subscribe to your text program directly from your site. However, to ensure that people are willingly being added to the service, they will go through a standard verification process on their phone.

How do my customers redeem the deals from their cell phones?

There are several ways to redeem your deals:

Text message: Deals are also redeemed by displaying the offer on the customers' phone. You also have the option to add a redemption code to these offers.

Smartphone: Deals are also redeemed by displaying the offer on the customers' phone. You also have the option to add a redemption code to these offers.

Online Some of our merchants have online storefronts as well. Redemption codes are a great way to track sales conversions.

What is a short code?

Short codes are special telephone numbers significantly shorter than full telephone numbers (usually 5 or 6 digits) and are designed to be easily remembered. Our short code is 79338 (which spells SWEET on your dial pad).

What is included in the cost?

  • Up to 30 text messages per subscriber a month and unlimited web and Smartphone searches
  • Opportunity to build a network of engaged consumers (similar to an email blast but more convenient)
  • Adds response mechanism to your print ads
  • Integrated marketing channels (print, outdoor, mobile, in store)
  • iPhone, Android & BlackBerry apps allow new customers to interactively search and find your business

Will this service work with all mobile phone carriers?

Our network covers 99% of the US market, including: Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint PCS, Alltel, Boost Mobile, CellularOne, Dobson, and US Cellular.

The Shooger app is available in the iPhone App Store, Android Market and BlackBerry App World. You can also easily download these from our homepage at www.shooger.com

Is this spam?

No. Cell phone users will only be able to receive your coupons if they give you their permission to send them by "opting-in". Customers do this by texting your business keyword to our shortcode, 79338 (SWEET). We append "Reply STOP [KEYWORD] to unsubscribe" to every message you send out, to ensure the user always has an option to stop receiving messages.

Who do I contact if I have a question?

You can send us an email to support@shooger.com, or call our customer service line at 1-800-429-0514.

When can I get started?

Right now. Register your business online and start sending deals to customers today. www.shooger.com/BecomeAdvertiser.aspx