As you and I walk down the street, when we see cell phones in various hands, there is text messaging going on more often than talking. How did we migrate to such a way of communication?

It is amazing how millions of Americans send several text messages per day without giving one thought as to how this is changing advertising forever. We see more and more business owners adapting and using this SMS communication to the benefit of everyone.

It is abundantly clear that sending a text alert is no longer just for enjoyment. Mobile users numbering in the millions also use it to stay in touch with local store owners and retail stores.

The bottom line is, mobile SMS marketing and SMS software can and should be used by all small businesses who are still wanting to build, expand and retain their client base in a competitive world.

There are several ways that, as a local business owner, you can use cell phone advertising via text marketing to your advantage.

We will now list 5 SMS advertising tips on how you can drive higher sales to your business door in a quick fashion:

1. Contests - This is a great way to get more subscribers by offering a special prize or better discount for texting you their answer. Include a 2 or 3 day time frame for all answers and they may also send this text to a family, friend or workmate. This is true referral marketing as we know it!

2. Polls - A perfect way of keeping your buyers pleased is by listening to what they have to say. You can do this by asking for feedback or opinions on certain products you offer. Also ask that they invite their friends and families on Facebook or Twitter to join in on this fun experience.

3. News/Updates - People are busier than ever. That is why most cell phone users are always doing something on their mobile device. Keep them posted on news from your industry or stories on your website. People want to keep current in whatever industry that interests them.

4. Membership Sites - Give your members additional benefits by offering this unique way of staying in touch with them.

5. SMS Mobile Coupons - If you want your customer to come back and buy from you in the future, give them a reason to come back with a mobile coupon. Tell them to come in and show you their text mobile coupon and give them a special discount and then another coupon for their next visit.

Now there are three protocol warnings we must list here for your continued benefit:

- Don't be a nuisance or you will lose clients. Text during business hours only. Also, keep messages short and simple. Limit your messages to once or twice a week at the most.

- Don't go out and spend a fortune on SMS advertising. The best way to start is to find a shared text marketing company that will build your list of clients and automatically do some of your promotions with tools such as mobile APPs and a mobile website.

- Make it completely clear to people what they are signing up for. Make it fun for them. Send news from your industry at times, throw in a contest here and there and then periodically send a mobile coupon. Your buyers will love you for this.

It only takes a couple of minutes to send a text message from computer to your customers and the SMS advertising platform will do this for you and it is very easy to use.

Small business owners both online and offline can send St Louis coupon offers that are extraordinarily effective if you know how to use it the right way.

I don't know of any other marketing venue for staying in touch with your customer, church member or student where they actually read your important message within minutes of receiving it.

Local store owners are already seeing an amazing redemption rate of 9 percent and as high as 24 percent with mobile coupons compared to the small return of one-half of one percent with paper coupons.

I think a lot of this has to do with the simple fact that this St Louis mobile coupon is carried with them at all times. All they have to do is check their saved text messages and there it is ready to be used.

The whole idea of this marvelous SMS software is to create a fun, yet healthy buying experience for your customer. If you don't, they will go somewhere else. Save yourself time and money by using this highly profitable text marketing platform.