Month: May 2018

The highest paying apps for Android that are free and fun

Posted on by Kick Writers

I remember the days when I used to roll my eyes at old sayings and cliches, things like it feels better to give than to receive, or an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Then I became a mom. All of a sudden, I found myself very sincerely teaching these old sayings I used to think were corny to my boys because I realized there’s quite a bit of truth to them.

And the truest of them all, at least in my humble opinion, is that the best things in life are free. I have three boys at home, three boys who love their fancy video games, but, honestly, I think they have the most fun on the random days when the weather is nice and we all get out to run around at the park. Thinking about all of this was actually a big part of my motivation recently when I set out to earn a little money by using my Android smartphone, and I decided the ideal way to do that was by finding the highest paying apps for Android that are both fun and free.the highest paying apps for android

And you know what? I actually found some really cool apps! It’s my pleasure to share what I’ve found with all of you. To borrow an old cliche, in my experience sharing really is caring. I hope you have as much fun using these free apps as I do!

Highest Paying Apps for Android #1: App Trailers

App Trailers is the first on the list of highest paying apps for Android. It’s both free and fun, and it’s also an app that my boys and I can enjoy together because it pays you to watch free videos. I like it because of the rewards and my boys like it because many of these videos are about something that’s very near and dear to their little hearts: video games.

We’ve watched videos about games from EA, Rovio (which makes Angry Birds), and plenty of other companies that my guys know far more about than I do. The more videos you watch, the more points you earn. Then you can trade those points in and get paid via PayPal, or in Amazon gift cards.  

Highest Paying Apps for Android #2: Make Money Earn Free Cash

As you can tell by the name—Make Money Earn Free Cash—this app is basically about two things: making money and earning free cash. And it’s free to download via the Play Store on Android devices.

I think of this app as no-nonsense, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a lot of fun to use, especially if you’re like me and enjoy learning about new apps that you might have otherwise missed out on. It’s pretty simple to use. All that you do with Make Money Earn Free Cash is download free apps, watch videos, and then complete offers from the sponsors, which usually involves signing up for mailing lists or taking surveys. Obviously, this isn’t always fun, but sometimes you learn about really cool new apps, and that can be a blast! When you’re ready, you can then go ahead and get paid for your earnings via PayPal.

Highest Paying Apps for Android #3: Shopkick

The last one on the list of the highest paying apps for Android is actually the one I’ve been using the longest. It’s called Shopkick, and, just like the other two, it’s both free and fun to use. How it works is that Shopkick rewards you for things you do while you’re out shopping. Don’t worry, you won’t even have to go out of your way to use it. See, Shopkick gives you points for things like watching videos, making purchases, scanning barcodes on certain products, and even just for walking into the store! You can then trade those points in and get paid in gift cards to some of your favorite stores, which is just as good as getting cash back.

But I have to say, Shopkick is my favorite just because of how thoroughly it has transformed my trips to the store.

It’s a free app for Android (and also iPhone), but more importantly, Shopkick is seriously a ton of fun to use. Finding time to get out to the store can be kind of hard, especially when you have three boys at home like I do, and, if I’m being totally honest with you here, it used to be a bit of a hassle. With Shopkick, though, a lot of times I’m having so much fun trying to maximize the number of points I get on each trip, that my trips fly by. I’ve even started looking forward to going to the store! Oh, and I’ve really started looking forward to cashing my points in for gift cards.

Those are just some of the choices, though. There are literally dozens more out there. But I have to say, Shopkick is my favorite just because of how thoroughly it has transformed my trips to the store. Even the boys have gotten in on the fun, coming with me and asking me what items they should look for to scan for points. It sounds cliche, but you really can’t put a price on that kind of togetherness.

Get to know one of the highest paying apps for Android that also happens to be as free as it is fun! Download Shopkick today and join a community of loyal Shopkickers who’ve already discovered how much you can earn with the help of a free shopping sidekick.

And, if you’re on social media catching up with friends, be sure to also join Shopkick on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for a little daily fun and inspiration.

Image courtesy Bankrx

Posted in b2c

Apps that pay you real money for real-life activities

Posted on by Kick Writers

Sometimes I feel like I’m living in a virtual world, and I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. These days, there are just so many of us out there who work online, play games online, and who most certainly have friends that they only contact through social media channels online—at least I know that I do. And I think these are all great things. In fact, some of my closest friends in real life are friends that I first met online.

And friendships are not the only new thing I’ve been making in the digital world lately. In fact, thanks to a little poking around, I’ve recently discovered apps that pay you real money for your real-life activities. These apps are exactly what they sound like. Although they obviously exist solely on your phone or another compatible device, they basically track your real-life activities and give you rewards, generally in the form of cash, for the things you do every day. Isn’t that a great concept?

3 apps that pay you real moneySo, I figure why not share it with all of you fine people out there today? In fact, you might like these apps that pay you real money for real-life activities just as much as I do. After all, what’s not to like about turning the things you do every day into some nice bonus income? With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of my favorites.

Apps that Pay You Real Money #1: Gigwalk

Gigwalk is what’s known as an in-person app because, in order to use it to make real money, you have to complete tasks in person. The way it works is that let’s say you’re out for a walk, and you open up Gigwalk and see a pin at a store in your community. You simply click that pin and it gives you a task to complete.

These tasks are usually so simple that you can spend a few minutes knocking them out before continuing on your way. Examples include seeing if a brand display has been set up properly, or even doing a quick bit of inventory for a certain product. Depending on how involved the tasks are you can make anywhere from $3 to $100 per gig (although in my experience it’s generally much closer to $3). Once you complete those gigs and your work is approved, you can then get paid real money via PayPal.

Apps that Pay You Real Money #2: Field Agent

Field Agent is another one of those apps that pay you real money. Much like with Gigwalk, with Field Agent, you may find yourself doing things like checking out store displays or making sure things are priced correctly as you go for a walk or head out to shop.

Sometimes, you can even use it in tandem with Gigwalk, doing two tasks at the same store! I know I have in the past, and it’s been really productive for me. Oh, and just like Gigwalk, Field Agent pays you for your work starting at $3, and it lets you cash out and collect your money via PayPal. Basically, my advice is that if you’re using one of these, you should just go right ahead and sign up for the other. That way you don’t miss out on any chances to earn real money.

Apps that Pay You Real Money #3: Shopkick

I think of all the apps that pay you real money for real-life activities, my favorite is Shopkick. Shopkick is actually what’s known as a shopping rewards app, and how it works is that it gives you points for shopping activities that you do each time you go to the store anyway, activities like buying certain products, scanning barcodes while you’re browsing to get more information, and even just walking into the store. You can then trade those points in for gift cards, which, let’s be honest here, are the same thing as real money.

What I like the most about Shopkick, however, is that it’s turned my sometimes routine shopping trips into a whole lot of fun!

What I like the most about Shopkick, however, is that it’s turned my sometimes routine shopping trips into a whole lot of fun! Instead of a chore, every time I hit those aisles it feels like I’m on a fun scavenger hunt for points to earn as many rewards as I possibly can. I’ve even become a regular on Shopkick’s Facebook page, where I share tips, jokes, and whatever else with fellow users. I like Shopkick so much that I honestly can’t remember all that well what going to the store used to be like before I started using it—though I’m sure I wasn’t nearly this engaged. That’s why overall Shopkick is my favorite of this bunch.

The last thing I want to tell you is that I’ve been using all three of these apps for some time now, and they’ve helped me add a nice little boost to my budget, especially Shopkick. I’ve also just now started to share them with my many friends online, and they seem to be enjoying them as well! At least, they certainly seem to be awfully grateful for the advice.

So, there you have it: three great apps that pay you real money for real-life activities. I suggest using them all, of course, but if you have to select just one I would highly advise going with Shopkick. Let’s face it, no matter what you do you’re going to have to make somewhat regular trips to the store, and with Shopkick those trips become not only a way to earn yourself some rewards, but to also make every stroll down the aisles a whole heck of a lot more fun!

Looking for the coolest apps that pay you real money for real-life activities, especially one that can help you make your routine shopping trips more fun? Download Shopkick for free and join a community of Shopkickers who love the rewards of shopping with us!

Or join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and check in every day on your phone, no matter where you are, to learn about the hottest, newest deals.

Image courtesy bigtunaonline

Posted in b2c

The 2018 video advertising trends that will shape 2019 and beyond

Posted on by Kick Writers

The 2018 video advertising trends that will shape 2019 and beyond

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Video is going through a significant transitional phase as emerging video advertising trends are set to change the way advertisers approach this medium. While traditional video marketing has always had strong sales conversion potential, new formats like 360-degree campaigns, rewarded video, and live features may offer an even better benefit. That benefit is the ability for a brand to gain attention with video, even as the traditional marketing space for videos becomes a crowded and challenging area in which to compete.  

Most of these new features in video advertising trends come as a result of improved mobile technology and the platforms these consumers use on their devices. With increased access to smartphones, consumers can interact with brands in immersive environments, receive incentives for watching content, or participate in events remotely as they happen. Today’s video advertising trends show us that brands must be prepared to deliver innovative marketing content as consumers’ demand for incentives, live features, and immersive experiences grow.

 

Going Live on Social Media

Live streaming is such a favorite feature among consumers it’s even been called “the future of social media.” Most popular social platforms offer live streaming features as part of their apps, allowing consumers to film and share simultaneously. This is an area of which brand leaders can take advantage to help their content stand out.

Live video offers content without the expense often associated with creating it. Consumers tend to have lower expectations for the quality of live streams than traditional formats such as professionally-produced commercials. Live streaming allows someone to create a short, in the moment video that can be shared immediately. Some live videos can even be saved and stored, for future accessibility.

Live Internet video is expected to account for 13% of all Internet video traffic by 2021. This boost in live traffic will continue as brands start creating live campaigns as part of new product launch plans or other branded events. Those who understand the power of live content will be best poised to deliver it.

Rewarding Consumers for Watching Videos

One of the most significant challenges in video advertising is not in attracting viewers but in keeping them engaged from beginning to end. The longer a video is watched, the more likely the consumer is to retain the brand’s message or even buy its product, making full views the pinnacle of performance in video metrics. Content is just one of many factors that can determine if a video is viewed in its entirety. Some other factors to consider include:

 

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Placement:

Video advertisements play in conjunction with a featured video. Having the footage play before content is often a more effective way of gaining full views when compared to putting it in the middle or at the end of the primary material. This is because the consumer may not watch the primary content all the way to the end.

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Length versus impact:

A consumer may be more than happy to watch a 15 second advertisement, but are they really grasping the concept in such a short span of time? The purpose of the ad is to share the brand’s message and increase consumer connection. If the ad is extremely short, the consumer likely won’t retain anything from it. However, if the ad is too long, they may not watch it all the way through. Brands must test various advertisement lengths to determine the maximum amount of time needed to retain the message compared to how long consumers are willing to watch.

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Value for time investment:

The most prominent factor in whether or not the consumer will view a video all the way to the end is if the consumer feels that the amount of time spent watching the advertisement is worth it. At best, some brands hope to get passive watchers of their ads, in that the consumer tolerates the commercial until they are able to skip to their primary content but isn’t fully engaged with the ad. However, by rewarding the consumer for watching the video in the first place, the likelihood that they’ll actively watch the video increases. This active watching is where rewarded video can make a stronger impact for brands.

Rewarded video is a means of encouraging watching a video to completion by offering an incentive.  In games, this incentive might be additional lives or equipment, while in shopping apps—like Shopkick—the focus is on allowing the consumer to collect rewards points (aka kicks) for viewing specific video content. In either case, rewarded video improves:

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Engagement:

Rewarded video creates a back and forth between the consumer and the brand that isn’t produced through a standard video advertisement. The consumer gives the brand permission to show them the ad for something in exchange, heightening the connection.

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Retention:

In one study, 53% of users of new apps who’d watched one rewarded video in their first week kept the app for 30 days or more. When a company is trying to improve retention of a branded app, rewarded video can make the difference as consumers are more likely to keep an app that rewards them.

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Value perception:

One of the benefits of rewarded video is the brand is giving something that has a higher perceived value than an instant discount or coupon. When gaining rewards points, the consumer’s perception of value is worth more than the dollar amount of a reward being offered. As consumers place high value onrewards points, these act as a great motivator in the rewarded video segment.

Rewarded video can be an excellent way for brands to leverage the popularity of video while minimizing their competition. Through the incentivized experience, the consumer develops a favorable impression of the brand which can later lead to sales. These rewarded experiences are also less costly than other emerging video marking mediums.

Immersing Consumers in 360 Video Advertising Trends

One of the most advanced ways to reach out to consumers with video advertising is through immersive experiences that allow the consumer to feel like part of the advertisement. This immersive experience is a more cost-effective option than virtual and augmented reality video advertising. These experiences can also improve sales, as one study showed a 7% greater purchase intent from those who’d viewed a 360-degree experience from a brand.

One example of this type of advertising is a campaign for Mountain Dew that included immersive trailers for a street basketball game sponsored by the Pepsi brand. The brand features popular streetball player Grayson “The Professor” Boucher in a series of 360-degree video ads for an event. Overall, the commercial reached a 22% click-through rate, which is significantly higher than the standard 1% rate of most video advertising campaigns. Mountain Dew was able to achieve this by using immersive ads in conjunction with:  

 

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A niche celebrity endorsement:

Boucher may not be a household name, but in the streetball community, he is well known. This partnership gives Mountain Dew credibility in a niche community, allowing them to reach out to the fans of that community through their celebrity partnership.

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Highly targeted advertising:

Again, streetball is a bit of an indie sporting event, not as widely-followed as events from the NFL, MLB, or the NBA. This niche audience offers a smaller, but less diverse pool of consumers who may be more likely to be fans of Mountain Dew. This offers a smaller, but more purchase-motivated audience for the brand.

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Social media tie-ins:

During the event, the brand tied in social media using the #GotHandles hashtag on social media. The hashtag is a play on Boucher’s goal to inspire basketball players of all ages to stay on top of their basics—like ball handling skills. The hashtag gained greater attention for the campaign when used on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

The results speak for themselves when it comes to immersive campaigns. They offer higher conversion potential than standard video while improving consumer engagement. Despite that, these campaigns are incredibly expensive to create, far more so than a traditional video ad. While technology is being designed to lower the barrier to entry in this medium, it will be some time before it’s a feature that’s affordable to all. One more cost-effective way to leverage new video innovations is by partnering with a third-party app provider.

Managing Video Experiences with Third-party Mobile Advertising

When it comes to video advertising, the trend seems to be moving the way of mobile. In fact, mobile video traffic now accounts for half of all mobile traffic. Brands must be prepared to take a mobile-first approach to offering video advertising to consumers. This mobile-first approach is often more accessible for a brand to manage by partnering with a third-party, like a shopping app, to provide videos to consumers while offering a well-rounded mobile experience. Leveraging a third-party mobile app for delivering videos offers more than a few benefits to brands, including:

 

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Greater audience reach:

Through a third-party partnership, a brand immediately gains access to that app’s existing user base. In partnering with an established app provider, this can often include millions of active users.

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Rewarded experiences:

Some shopping apps provide the option for brands to leverage rewarded video on a platform that offers points for consumers viewing those advertisements. These apps incentivize views of a brands video and gain attention for its products without requiring an immediate discount.

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Video insight:

By using a third-party, a brand can gain access to data from their video interactions, helping them discover valuable signals of purchase intent which they can then use in future advertising campaigns.

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Less competition:

When a brand puts a video on an open platform that anyone can use, they automatically enter into competition with every other brand on that platform. Shopping apps are a bit more exclusive, allowing a brand to limit the competition for views of video content within an endemic shopping environment.

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Conversion boosting features:

We know that video advertising has a high ROI. Proximity marketing—where consumers receive messages based on their location—has high conversion potential. Combining these two powerful sales converters significantly expands the impact of a branded message and could help improve sales as well.

Using mobile apps in conjunction with third parties can provide a cost-effective solution for a brand that wants to leverage video advertising but isn’t sure they’re ready to invest heavily in the technology. These apps can be a way to test the water before a brand moves on to more complex, in-house video marketing campaigns. Finally, they provide a better way to incentivize consumers without giving discounts.

Video advertising trends that will shape the future combine technological advances to deliver greater interactive experiences for consumers. Whether a brand is using live video options, incentivizing consumers through rewarded video, or promoting an event with 360-degree content, it is gaining an edge by offering content consumers are starting to demand. By making these experiences mobile, through a third-party partnership, brands will be better able to leverage trends in video advertising as they emerge.

Shopkick provides an innovative app that our partners can use to share their video messages with a broad audience of active users. For more information on our app’s video capabilities, contact us.

Posted in b2b

Celebrate Memorial Day with kicks!

Posted on by Kick Writers

When life gives you kicks, go shopping! Celebrate Memorial Day weekend with BIG kicks when you shop through the Shopkick app on LivingSocial, Kohls.com, Overstock, Groupon and more!

Thinking of heading out to stores on Monday, 5/28? Stop by T.J.Maxx and Marshalls to get BIG kicks when you walk in. Plus, earn even more when you pay with your linked card at Best Buy, Carter’s, and many more participating stores.

Happy shopkicking!

Big kicks through the app

May 25–28


25 kicks/$1
was 8 kicks

22 kicks/$1
was 7 kicks

15 kicks/$1
was 2 kicks

15 kicks/$1
was 10 kicks

11 kicks/$1
was 7 kicks

1,200 kicks
was 900 kicks

10 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks

10 kicks/$1
was 5 kicks

Big kicks in stores

May 28 only


200 kicks

200 kicks

2 kicks/$1*
was 1 kick/$1

6 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks/$1

6 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks/$1

6 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks/$1

6 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks/$1

10 kicks/$1
was 5 kicks/$1

200 kicks
8 kicks/$1
was 4 kicks/$1

2 kicks/$1**
was 1 kick/$1
*Scan Shopkick QR code
**You can also use your linked card at fabletics.com

 

Don’t have the app yet? Download here to start earning rewards for the shopping you already do!

Posted in b2c

How to earn free movie tickets for your entire crew

Posted on by Kick Writers

I don’t know about you, but my kids just can’t get enough of Marvel and Star Wars movies. Some days it seems like my kids are all about Captain America one minute and Kylo Ren the next. I shouldn’t complain too hard, though, because I know exactly whose fault this is—mine. I used to love superheroes and sci-fi growing up, and I couldn’t wait to share it with my kids when they got old enough.

The only hangup though is that nowadays spoilers are always a concern. Nobody wants to find out a major plot twist before actually seeing a movie. So, my kids are always insistent that we see the movies on the day they come out, and hey, if I’m being honest, I’m afraid of spoilers, too. You never know when someone’s going to drop one on Twitter! Problem is that all those first-run movie tickets get pretty expensive for the entire family. That’s why I’ve recently put my tech-savviness to the test and searched for apps and other ways to earn free movie tickets.

And you know what I’ve found? There are actually plenty of ways to do that out there! These ways are actually pretty diverse, but I’ve found a few good ones that work for me, and, as much as I’ve always loved Iron Man, there’s just something special about watching him on the big screen with the kids at a showing you got to attend with free movie tickets.

Earn Free Movie Tickets Through Theater Rewards Clubs

In doing my research online on ways to earn free movie tickets, I found that one way was through joining a theater rewards club offered by the company that runs the multiplex in your town, AMC, Cinemark, or Regal, for example. Luckily for me and my little crew of Marvel fanatics, we have one of those programs where we live that gives you discounted popcorn on Tuesdays, free tickets on your birthday, and points that let you earn free movie tickets the more you go.

ways to earn free movie tickets

So yeah, there’s really no reason not to sign up for this one. You typically just have to provide a valid email address and put up with the occasional advertisement email, which sometimes actually includes a great deal such as two-for-one tickets. You can search for your local theater online to find out if they offer this, or keep an eye out for more info next time you head out to a show.

Earn Free Movie Tickets Through Advanced Screenings

This second option is maybe not as reliable as the first one, but it can sometimes be a lot more fun. It involves being on the hunt for free advanced screenings. Theaters often do these to gauge audience reactions to films or to start generating positive word of mouth. Now, for someone like me who’s trying to take the entire crew of kids to the show, it’s tough to find one that has the number of tickets I need.

What makes it just a little bit easier though is that there are actually several reputable websites that have information about tracking down free advanced shows. Some of the sites I’ve found include Sony Screening, Gofobo, and Wild About Movies. I must say though, that they’re almost always limited to major metropolitan areas, but once in a while, they have an offer in a smaller town. Just make sure you check the sites regularly.

Earn Free Movie Tickets Through an App

The best way I found to earn free movie tickets though is with an app called Shopkick. Shopkick is what’s known as a third-party shopping app, and how it works is that it gives you points for the normal things you do while you’re out shopping. When I’m using Shopkick, I get points for stuff like making purchases, scanning the barcodes on certain items for more info, and even for just walking into the store.

Then, I can trade those points in and get paid in gift cards, including gift cards to my local theater. It’s really cool, and I’ve actually started to like shopping more because of it. Before, I used to look at shopping as a serious hassle, something I just had to do and get over with. Now, it’s a lot more like a fun scavenger hunt for points, points that I can use to earn free movie tickets for me and my crew. Basically, these days I’m turning my old annoying grocery shopping trips into superhero movies!

Put them all together, and you basically have your own Avengers team of superheroic value techniques helping you reduce the amount of money you spend on movies.

One thing I should mention before we wrap up here today is that you can actually use all three of these techniques to maximize your productivity as you earn free movie tickets. You can and should use your movie rewards program every time you go watch a film, just like you can and should use Shopkick each time you go to the store. One of the keys to making this work is consistency, sticking with these apps and using them all the time.

Put them all together, and you basically have your own Avengers team of superheroic value techniques helping you reduce the amount of money you spend on movies. At least that’s the way I look at it. But as I said, I grew up with superheroes and Star Wars and all that, so forgive me for being kind of a nerd!

Ready to start having fun with your shopping while at the same time earning free movie tickets for your entire crew? Download Shopkick for free and join a community of loyal Shopkickers who’ve already discovered how rewarding—and fun—shopping can be!

And, if you love using your smartphone to stay up on social media, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for daily shopping inspiration. 

Image courtesy Maglara

Easy money: apps that pay you to grocery shop

Posted on by Kick Writers

Hey everyone, I think it’s time we talk about easy money. It sounds great, right? But what does that really mean? In my own experience as a mom raising three boys and trying to keep my monthly budget tight, easy money tends to mean anything that reduces my spending. This happens through reduced prices, rebates, and—my personal favorite—apps that help you save money on purchases.

In my world, there’s no easier way to save money than by getting rewarded to do things like grocery shop, which, with three growing boys at home, has basically become a second job. If that sounds too good to be true, just wait! Today I’m here to share my three all-time favorite, easy money apps that pay you to grocery shop.

Getting Easy Money with Couponing Apps

There’s a whole category of apps—digital couponing apps—that are largely replacing those paper coupons of yore. My favorite of the bunch is SnipSnap, which lets users take pictures of printed coupons and then transforms those into digital, mobile-ready ones. easy money apps that pay

With SnipSnap, I just go over the ads that come in the mail or in the newspaper and take pictures of all the ones I want to use. I don’t have to cut them out like I did in the past, and I don’t have to jam them into my cluttered purse, where I face a risk of eventually losing them. I can also browse an online directory of coupons my friends have snipped, and I can download and use those, too. It’s a free and easy-to-use coupon experience, minus the risk of papercuts!

Superstore Savings: The Walmart Savings Catcher App

I divide my time pretty evenly between the stores where I live, including my own local grocery store, Target, and Walmart. I’ve found though, that the Walmart Savings Catcher App is a pretty great way to make sure I get the best possible price that I can at Walmart. It’s easy to use, too. All you have to do is scan your receipt after your regular trip to Walmart.

When you’re done, the app checks the prices you paid against the prices that are currently being offered by other stores in the area. If there’s an instance where you could have gotten a lower price somewhere else, Walmart gives you back that difference. Basically, remember those ads that used to say we’ll match the lowest price? What this app does is find the lowest price for you, and then it goes ahead and matches it.

The Best of the Easy Money Apps: Shopkick

Those other two apps are great, but my all-time favorite of the apps that pay you to grocery shop is Shopkick. Shopkick turns every trip down the grocery aisle into a kind of scavenger hunt for rewards points, called kicks. Scan the barcodes on certain items and get kicks. Scan your receipt after making certain purchases, get even more kicks. Sometimes, you can even collect points just for walking through the doors of certain stores! You can then trade those points in for gift cards to some of your favorite stores.

In my opinion, those gift cards are easy money. The app also has a feature that allows you to make a grocery list of everything you need before you get to the store, and when you add an item to the list it will tell you about eligible sales and rebates. It makes planning my grocery runs way easier.

In my opinion, those gift cards are easy money.

While Shopkick is my favorite of these so-called easy money apps, I should note that I really love to use all three apps at once. All three are really easy to use, and they also save me money. I use my digital couponing app to save money at the register, scan my receipts at Walmart to make sure I get the lowest prices and use Shopkick to collect points to trade in for gift cards! I guess you could say that when it comes to making easy money, apps for grocery shopping are the way to go.

Get to know one of the best easy money apps that pay you to grocery shop, as well as one of the best shopping apps period. Download Shopkick’s free app today and join a community of loyal Shopkickers who’ve already discovered how much you can earn with the help of a free shopping sidekick.

And, if you’re on social media catching up with friends, be sure to also join Shopkick on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for a little daily fun and inspiration.

Image courtesy Wavebreak Media Ltd

Posted in b2c

Mobile advertising companies: how to choose the best one

Posted on by Kick Writers

Mobile advertising companies: how to choose the best one

It seems that mobile advertising companies are everywhere. From the established offerings of Google to small start-up app developers, everyone wants to cash in on the popularity of mobile. As of January 2018, 77% of adults in the U.S. have a smartphone, making this an advertising market with massive reach and a major impact. However, the skills that mobile advertising companies offer can vary quite a bit. Finding the best mobile advertising companies is about looking for the five factors that set them apart from the rest: a strong user experience, innovative features, anti-fraud compliance, detailed analytics, and an established reputation.

Those five factors ensure a mobile advertising company has the technology, clout, and dedication to service and customer experience that a brand needs to boost sales through mobile marketing. Mobile advertising is competitive but very lucrative for the brands that manage their campaigns effectively. Brands should partner with companies that offer the features consumers demand along with the technology, experience, and reputation a brand needs to pull market share from their competitors.

Giving Customers What They Want With a Strong User Experience

Consumers have already voted for the kinds of apps they appreciate, and companies should take note. The top downloaded apps in both the App Store and Google Play offer similar sets of features: they provide a fun experience, incentivize activity, and engage consumers with video. As such, a good digital advertising company will offer the following options:

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Gamification:

Gamification takes a regular, mundane event and makes it fun. It’s a proven method for gaining consumer attention. Gamification can be taken very literally, in that brands create a mobile game based on their product, or it can be a strategy based around gaming, one that’s designed to incorporate something else. Popular fitness trackers that offer users challenges for meeting certain exercise milestones are a prime example of this form of gamification.

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Rewards:

Rewards often go hand-in-hand with a gamification strategy, as they recognize a user’s accomplishment. Consider Shopkick, which takes consumers on a digital scavenger hunt to find products and locations. When those consumers go to certain locations or interact with participating products, they receive point rewards—known as kicks—which can later be redeemed for gift cards. Such rewards are often viewed as being more valuable than their face value amount, thanks to the embedded emotional reward the consumer receives in earning the reward and again when collecting on it later.

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Video:

Of all the digital advertising channels, video is the most powerful at converting passive viewers into active shoppers. In one study, it was noted that adding a video to an email marketing message increased click-through rates by as much as 300%. Using video ads in a mobile advertising campaign isn’t just an option, it’s a necessity. Consumers prefer video to both text and image-based advertising, and it’s capable of reaching active and passive audiences. When working with a mobile advertising agency, look for companies that offer video platforms.

The best mobile advertising company will provide the features users demand. Working with them, you can offer consumers a better customer experience, while also staying ahead of the competition. Offering advanced tech features that other companies haven’t yet adopted is also a good way to stand out.

Adding Advanced Tech to Gain Consumer Awareness

Being among the first companies to deliver innovation is always a good way to excite the consumer. Some newer marketing options out there haven’t yet found digital advertising market saturation, which gives early adopters an edge due to the limited pool of competitors. A few emerging technologies to consider include:

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Geotracking:

While beacon technology has been around for a few years, companies are finding more precise methods of geotracking in apps to pinpoint a consumer to their location within a store. This allows for better, more accurate mobile advertisements that reach consumers at that all important moment when they’re in the shopping aisle.

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Augmented Reality:

A few companies have rolled out their own augmented reality (AR) apps as a means of tying the digital and physical worlds together. Because AR is in high demand, the best mobile advertising companies are seeking out ways to leverage AR to engage with consumers.

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Voice-based Assistants:

Smart home devices, like smart speakers and wearables, primarily rely on voice to allow users to work with them. Companies planning marketing campaigns in the future may need to look for ways to offer voice integration.

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Mobile Pay:

Consumers are shifting their payment methods to the digital universe with mobile wallets. As the technology becomes more widespread, expect consumers to want more mobile payment options. Mobile payment options are also a good time for upsell opportunities since additional products and services can be recommended to the consumer based on what is in their shopping basket.

Adopting advanced tech—like any of these four features—will help a brand stand out. Moreover, integrating them into your mobile strategy could help improve the adoption and retention of your branded app. A publisher offering these services is one that’s clearly at the forefront of trends. However, remember that all the high-tech features in the world won’t mean a thing if that company can’t provide high-quality traffic.

Seeking Out Companies That Combat Ad Fraud

Any company engaging in a mobile marketing campaign needs to work with those who combat ad fraud. Ad fraud associated with pay-per-impression and pay-per-click campaigns can vary  but typically uses false traffic—which appears to be coming from real users—to collect revenue from a company that has paid to display an ad. To avoid the possibility of this kind of fraud, work with a company with a proven track record of combatting ad fraud, seek out industry recognized anti-fraud credentials from respected organizations, and ensure the company you choose has policies that protect both the users of the program and the clients they partner with. To verify this, look for:

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Partnerships with the Trustworthy Accountability Group:

This group provides a TAG Certified Against Fraud Program certification badge for publishers that meet certain guidelines in actively preventing fraud.

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Audits from the Media Rating Council:

MRC compliance covers the proper measuring of traffic. To be considered MRC compliant, a company needs to pass an audit of their prior traffic and measuring processes.  

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Clear User Terms:

When working with a mobile app, you should carefully review the terms of service users of their service sign to ensure that data is stored carefully and collected legally. Consumers must give retail mobile apps permission to access user information and the permission type should be clearly stated in the user agreement, so the company ensures they’re only accessing data that the consumer agreed to release.

Companies that have these certifications and protocols in place are ones that are prepared to offer real, relevant traffic for your mobile app marketing strategy, which provides a greater impact for marketing budgets while also giving relevant information to marketers. The data required to validate traffic is the same data needed to advise on marketing campaigns.

Gaining Detailed Analytics Through Mobile Marketing Moments

A good mobile marketing platform doesn’t just offer impactful campaigns, it also gives the data needed to create better campaigns in the future. The data a mobile platform can gather through customer permission can be used to gain valuable insight on clear purchase indicators. This data can give information on:

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Incremental Sales ROI:

With the right data, brands can see exactly how marketing impacts a customer through all parts of the purchase journey. This allows brands to adjust or expand strategies as needed.

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New Customer Acquisitions:

Companies should be able to see how many individuals who purchased something through the campaign are new—versus returning—customers. New customers are necessary for gaining market share. Data that shows how effectively a campaign converts new customers into buyers will directly impact the company’s bottom line.

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Ad Impressions and Completed Views:

These metrics offer  insight particularly on video ads, which can be expensive to produce and roll out on a mass scale. This data informs brands how long users are watching videos, the completion rate as well as the actions taken afterward. Such information helps determine the level of brand awareness created by running mobile ads and whether the ad is worth rolling out on other mediums.

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In-store Product Engagement:

Getting consumers to engage with products in the store is often the first step on the path to purchase. In-store product engagement, whether it’s obtained through geotracking-based data or barcode scans, shows a brand how often consumers are seeing their product in-store as well as how often those consumers make a purchase afterward.

These are only a few of the insights that are available through a well-managed mobile marketing campaign. Platforms providing this data use it to both show the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, and to give advertisers insight into consumer behaviors. This goes a long way towards helping a brand build the reputation it needs to gain attention in the crowded marketplace.

Vetting the Reputation of Mobile Advertising Companies

Attracting the best user base means working with the best companies. Mobile advertising platforms are only as good as their reputation, so you want to thoroughly vet the mobile advertising company you’re considering. The best way to do that is online.

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Look for testimonials and case studies:

Brands with proven experience share that experience via their client testimonials. However, when looking at these testimonials, you need to look for real numbers that discuss incremental sale lifts and new customers acquisitions. This will provide the real data needed to determine if a company can deliver impact.

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Seek out online reviews:

Consider looking for online reviews in places like Google and on industry-specific sites. These can provide the customer’s perspective and will help you determine if the firm is a good fit for your brand.

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Find company leaders in the news:

Often, when a company is particularly promising, information about them is available from interviews the leadership team has completed in publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, The Business Journal, and more. Such stories are typically a good sign that the company has come up with an innovative idea or product and can give you the edge you need. Just be careful of “advertorials,” which is an article that a company has paid to have placed in a magazine. (Most are identified as such.) While the company may still have a strong base of industry knowledge, the article is not unbiased like a regular article in the business or marketing news section.

A little reputation research will help you differentiate experienced mobile advertising companies from those that may not have the clout your brand needs to stand out. Read all the reviews, good and the bad, to make a determination about the company before you enter a contract. After checking the company’s reputation, you can then move on to vetting their features, certifications, and advantages.

Hiring a mobile advertising company is essentially about establishing a partnership: You want any company your brand associates with to reflect well on you. By thoroughly vetting and evaluating mobile advertising companies, and by hiring only the highest rated that can deliver emerging tech, you can see a strong ROI on sales, new customer conversions, and market share growth.

Shopkick is a mobile app offers real marketing insight and ROI to our partners. For more information, contact us.

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