There’s nothing worse than getting that one email from a brand you liked, after you’ve already bought something somewhere else. The discount code arrives late, the follow-up message shows up hours after you’ve closed the tab, or the “we miss you” email pops into your inbox… three months too late. Well, at that point, the moment’s gone. The mood’s changed. The interest? Well, that’s completely evaporated. It doesn’t matter if it’s a mobile marketing strategy or email marketing—well, it doesn’t matter what the marketing is in general.
Honestly, brands don’t always mean to be late. But they often are. You got the late check-in, follow-up, and show-up, where the customer is. We’re living in a world where attention spans are short and options are endless, and being even a little bit slow can cost a lot.
Seriously, this just can’t be stressed enough!
Timing isn’t Just Nice to Have
Here’s something to think about: getting the timing right isn’t just polite, it’s strategic. Mobile marketing strategy absolutely has to be! It’s the difference between someone feeling seen and forgetting you exist. That window where someone’s actually interested? It’s smaller than most brands think.
It’s not open all day. Sometimes, it’s open for a few minutes, just long enough for someone to compare options, get distracted, or decide they’ll “come back later” (which usually means never). Want to know the worst part? Well, a lot of brands do have the right message. It just lands too late.
Real-Time is Better than Perfect Timing
Okay, so don’t judge immediately, just read this and really let it sink in. Okay, so there’s a big difference between “good timing” and “real time.” One tries to guess when someone might be ready. The other is just there. Basically, right when the thought happens, the scroll stops, or the cart hovers at checkout.
So, real-time engagement feels like someone’s actually paying attention. It doesn’t have to be loud. It just has to be present. Something like a quick reminder, a prompt nudge, or a little encouragement at the right moment can go a long way.
Honestly, it’s a really good idea to just consider getting a solid SMS marketing strategy set up. But why this method? Well, texts don’t get buried under newsletters. They don’t need perfect formatting or a big campaign push. They just show up, get seen, and usually get opened. Believe it or not, but it’s one of the few channels that can still feel instant without being intrusive.
Stop Waiting for Customers to Come Back
A lot of brands operate like people will circle back on their own. They’ll remember that ad or come and find the website again after lunch. But most of the time, that’s not how people work. Harsh, yes, but you need to know!
Well, generally speaking, people get busy. They mean to come back, finish checking out, or read the thing you sent. But if the moment passes, it’s usually gone for good. Just don’t make assumptions, okay?
Don’t Just Follow Up
The fix for being too late isn’t sending more emails or setting up auto-responses. It’s about paying attention to when the customer is ready and showing up for that moment. In the end, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about being present. Because of showing up five minutes too late? That’s still too late.
Photo by Liza Summer; Pexels
