Mobile payments began as a unique way for smartphone users to pay for goods or services.
The solution wasn't widely available as every credit card had its' own gateway or application to accept payments. For many business owners using a mobile payment processor wasn't worth the extra cost and effort in the beginning.
As more mobile phones became enabled with better internet software people wanted an easier way to pay. Apps for these phones became more popular. Start ups, like Square, came along to make accepting credit cards on the go easier. PayPal, another payment processing giant, offered their own plug in processor.
Today more people are paying with mobile apps and more businesses are able to accept credit cards or other digital payments on the go.
So how do you let customers know you're hip to mobile payments?
Advertising
Of course the first answer would be through advertising.
When marketing to your audience slip a reference to mobile payments into your ads. With video advertising you can demonstrate the mobile processing to customers.
Text or picture ads can include a reference to the payment solution. We know that most people do not fully read text ads which means that the font used for payment information should be displayed in plain sight.
Your website can include a banner that states, “Now accepting mobile payments!” or if your business is brick and mortar, place a sign where customers are sure to see it.
Sandwich board signs are popular to place in front of such stores. The signs catch attention of all passerby.
Word of Mouth
Word of mouth advertising is the best kind of marketing.
When people use your product or service, they tell others. While we'd like to think that people run right out to tell their friends about how great you are, usually this type of advertising is more subtle.
A friend may mention they need something you sell and your customer will tell them about you. Some customers will post on social media accounts when they encounter great service or a cool new product.
If you're the only business in your area accepting mobile payments, it is more likely that your customers will tell their friends who may be frustrated with the inability to pay in this manner at other businesses.
Social Networking Blasts
If your business has social networking accounts (and if not, get some), you can send tweets or status updates about your new way of payment acceptance.
Most people access their social networks via mobile means, at least your target audience does so. Facebook allows pages to 'highlight' updates which means they are larger than regular updates. Customers will see highlighted posts before regular updates in many browsers.
You may also use an email newsletter to reach people on your networks. Twitter users often share links to online 'newspapers', a virtual newsletter that anyone can read, not just subscribers.
If your content is interesting your followers may share with their friends. In every newsletter display that you accept mobile payments.