Instant Messaging Marketing

Startup company eWayDirect is offering a marketing service that sends alerts via instant messaging. Good luck, but getting consumers to download an application in this era of worms, viruses, and privacy concerns will be a challenge.

While this service does avoid spam filters, only time-sensitive sales, such as real estate or travel are apropos for instant alerts. I doubt that most people will really want their day interrupted with alerts about books going on sale or saving a few bucks on pizza.

However, watch for eBay to push out new auction alert services via Skype and Yahoo's IM where people could make their purchases using their PayPal accounts.

RSS is a better choice than IM marketing because it also avoids spam filters and doesn't require downloading a separate application.

Found via Adotas.