Hi all,

Well... we all have to start somewhere. I hope for this moment to be the start of a new rewarding journey on Business Forum. Pleased to meet you all... I tend to say a lot, but I love what I am doing and I really can't wait to share it with you and gain your help and advice.

One summer morning (remember those?) 2 years ago I had a unusually rare moment of clarity - not wishing to be too dramatic, a flash of insiration - a total understanding.

Most people love to be kept informed about news and services that mean something to them - the football results, special offers at your local restaurant, the latest gossip about Jade Goody(!), flood warnings.... and people generally want to know about these things quickly - instantly if possible. I know I do.. and I am sure you can think of a few examples for your own life.

4 years ago I used to go to nightclubs (trance and heavy metal mostly! - where the acts that performed had a loyal fanbase) and occasionally I could join their SMS text message services to be kept closely informed on events and promotions. Many thousands of people would join these SMS text clubs - all eager to receive the latest news. At the same time the nightclub gained an awesomely powerful and low cost marketing tool.

Well, if it works for nightclubs - why not other business, services and community groups? Why can't a Chinese restaurant on a local high street have a text club. Nothing compicated, just a tool where they can grow a list of SMS text club members and contact them every few weeks to offer 40% meal discounts or a free starter. "Show this message for a free Egg Fried Rice". Promotions to existing customers - not spam - people who have chosen to hear from you. People who a actually expect and anticipate your communication with them. Instantly - into the palm of their hand.

So... why wasn't it happening? It's so obviously effective - yet hardly anyone even knows about it, let alone considered it or used it themselves.

Why not? Well, most people simply not aware of it - they have never been introduced. Some people hear about SMS services, but dismiss the idea because either a) they beleive it will be expensive b) they beleive it will be difficult or c) they beleive it will be spam and p off their customers!

Surely though, if the customer has chosen to receive the message - and they are given an easy method of leaving the SMS text club - then what is possibly wrong with that?

Everyone is a winner - the business spends just £4 - instantly delivers its message to all their loyal, happy, customers and the text service provider (me) will make money providing the service.

So... I decided to create a tool. A business service that even the most technophobic could get to grips with in minutes. Something that could enhance the lives of millions and increase business productivity UK wide.

In that brief moment I saw what was possible - I found a purpose in life beyond the normal 9-5, beyond "the career ladder", I wanted to take control of my vocation. I realised that if I did not act on my idea I would regret it my whole life.

So.. 2 years of blood, sweat, tears, potential insanity, and sheer joy have passed. And the result? A website with nearly 10,000 businesses all communicating instantly with their customers by mobile phone SMS text messages- and millions of customers, fans, employees, members and all very happy to be part of their own mini communities.

I have some restaurants (promotions and specials), accountants (tax reurn reminders), womens institutes (meeting reminders and staffing), radoio stations (voting, text-ins), racing tipsters (betting advice, last minute odds), churches, schools.... you name it, people from the whole spectrum of life.

What do I provide?

- A simple, free, website where you can create groups of mobile contacts
- Import contact data from your website or database or spreadsheet
- Publish mobile numbers or short codes (eg 07786200965 or 86231) to receive text messages from customers (opt-ins, orders, anything!) in your free online inbox, email, or webserver.
- Send text messages from your free online interface, email application or web service from just 3.6p per message
- Send MMS multimedia messages (images, audio, video) to customers from 27p per message
- Receive MMS multimedia messages live into your email inbox from your customers
- A free API interface to send messages from your own website, database, software
- A free SMS-EMail-SMS system to send and receive texts from your email application or other email sender.

If you are unsure about any of this, have ANY questions at all, want to run any ideas pat me then please don't hesitate to get in touch!!! I am passionate about my business. Some may say obsessed.... well.. maybe once.. but now I am enjoying it so much and want to help you make full use of our services.

I can't wait to be a member of this forum. I still have much to learn about business - and will have many questions... but I hope my experiences - both good and bad - going from no business to CEO of a highly successful and rapidly expanding international mobile marketing company will be of use. I don't say that arrogantly.. I have learned from many mistakes along the way.

I am pleased to meet you everyone - I look forward to knowing you! Oh.. and I got married last month - so it has been a very busy, but wholy rewarding year and it is just getting more exciting every day

Alastair
CEO & Founder
Txtlocal Online SMS Ltd
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http://www.txtlocal.com -> SMS Marketing Made Simple

Hello and welcome to the forum!

That good to here. Good luck with things!

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Check out Zoobie's reviews on different Internet Marketing products in zoobie.tv. Also try this site for Free Affiliate Marketing Training .

welcome to the forum, thats pretty detailed and informative intro, i must say one thing, mobile market is growing fastest , you are gonna grow more rich.
basically more then branding its useful for instant updates which is the need of day, fast information is what everyone wants.

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Trade Huge
Business, Finance & trade news, info

Thanks.. I hope I can also helkp others as they help me

Thanks Anjur... that is certainly reassuring!!

I do wonder sometimes if I have missed the SMS marketing boom... and then I realise that it is actually still just starting and I could be at the right place at the right time!

Hey Txtlocal,

Sounds like a great opportunity and definitely at the right time/place. If you are interested in expanding or looking to cash in or partner up with a bigger company, let me know if I can be of assistance.

Thanks,

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-Jim *Looking to sell or buy a business or interested in becoming a business broker?

Congrats on a job well done. I like the fact that in beginning you expalined hard work and dedciation (blood,sweat and tears). I respect that b/c thats what every sucessful business model started on. You have the right ideas and dreams to make this turn BIG. Good luck to you.

Good job. Welcome to the board.

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English Chinese Translator | Chinese Translation Services

Great job, good luck to you.

The business world is so complicated and not so easy to do well in.

Hey hello txtlocal,

I wonder how did you manage to solve the network problems? I mean how do you pay for the services? Do they offer you a special service? Thank you. Valentin, Romania