AC T I VAT E F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 1 / / B Y U LT R A M O B I L E
9 WAYS TO WIN REPEAT CUSTOMERS
TWEET YOUR WAY RETAILER PROFILE TO MORE CUSTOMERS What Has 2020 Taught Ultra Retailers?
C E L E B R AT I N G
BLACK
HISTORY
MONTH
A C T I V A T E B Y U LT R A M O B I L E
Ultra is spreading the love thru Valentine’s Day and extending our Holiday Promo of Any 1GB MultiMonth Plan for $10/mo to February 16th. And with a stay tuned for exciting news on the 17th! Click here for details
9 WAYS TO S H OW C U STO M E R A P P R E C I AT I O N
W
e have all witnessed much division and struggle over the past year. But we have also learned the importance of our human connections with family, friends and, especially, Customers. There are many reasons to go the extra mile to show gratitude to your Customers, and here are just a few: • It makes Customers feel important and valued
• It creates positive differentiation between you and your competitors • It results in higher Customer retention and referral rates • It’s the right thing to do! 2
Here are a few ways to make your store stand out and keep Customers coming back: SEND A HANDWRITTEN NOTE
In the days of social media and email, the art of letter writing is fast disappearing. This is still an easy and relatively inexpensive way to stay topof-mind with your Customers. OFFER A FREE SERVICE DURING A CHALLENGING TIME
During stressful times, people and businesses tend to worry mostly about themselves. Offering small add-ons, incentives and free services are small acts that Customers will appreciate.
FEBRUARY 2021
Giving a thoughtful gift will likely be a home run with Customers. Try offering a valuable birthday reward like a free phone accessory or punch card system to reward repeat Customers. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune, something small and useful for your Customers can work too. G I V E S O M EON E AN U N E X PE C T ED UPGRADE
If you’re in a position to give an upgrade or free add-on, you’re likely to make that Customer’s day. The surprise and delight factor will likely have them talking all about it to their family and friends and bringing more foot traffic right back to you. BE N D T H E R ULE S FO R A C U STO MER
If a Customer comes in right before closing and really needs help, what are you going to do? Though you might not feel like it, making an exception and staying open a little longer is likely the right thing to do to help them out and build a new relationship. E N C O U R AG E A S E N S E O F C O MM U N IT Y
Sharing helpful resources like local information and community news in an email newsletter, social media channel or bulletin board is a great way to help Customers associate a strong sense of community with your store.
SUPPORT THEIR INTERESTS, WORK AND BUSINESSES
The best relationships are mutual. If your Customers manage their own businesses or side gigs, support them any way you can by buying their products or displaying their promotional materials to return the favor. GIVE BACK TO CAUSES CLOSE TO CUSTOMERS
Consider donating a small percentage to support a non-profit, or involve your Customers in a helpful cause by coordinating a local food or donation drive. HOST A CUSTOMER APPRECIATION WEEK
For the ultimate thank you, plan a week or day that’s all about your Customers. Pool some of these ideas together and talk to your team about what they like best. You can even ask Customers about this on social media to see what they really want.
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YOUR ACTS OF KINDNESS ARE IRIDESCENT WINGS OF DIVINE LOVE, WHICH LINGER AND CONTINUE TO UPLIFT OTHERS LONG AFTER YOUR SHARING.
“
G I V E A T H O UG H TFU L G IFT
– Rumi
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A C T I V A T E B Y U LT R A M O B I L E
C E L E B R AT I N G U LT R A R E TA I L E R S
of
African
Descent
In honor of Black History Month, we are highlighting the lives and contributions of our black Retailers at Ultra! Thank you for all that you do. Here are a few of them and what they have to say about being a business owner of African descent.
NIKKI JONES AND ALLISON SMITH ABC Cellular
Who or what inspired you to own your own business? My hardworking father.
C H ICAG O, IL
Ultra Retailer since 2015 What are you most proud of about your heritage? Strength and unity amongst the community. Who or what inspired you to own your own business? Our neighbors and grandparents because they owned their own businesses. What obstacles did you face in starting your own business? As managers of the business, not many people want to deal with a woman, let alone a woman of color. But with our continued faith in the community and relationship skills, we have gained a large following of customers!
MICHAEL HEIDELBERG ABC Choice C H ICAG O, IL
Ultra Retailer since 2018 What are you most proud of about your heritage? We are very forgiving people.
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What obstacles did you face in starting your own business? That the community wouldn’t accept me due to the colorism and classism, that exist in our society. CHRIS TASHER Simple Wireless NYC, NY
Ultra Retailer since 2018 What are you most proud of about your heritage? I’m proud of my heritage because it taught me how to be self reliant. It got me ready for anything and I carry that with me into my business. Who or what inspired you to own your own business? My mother has always inspired me to own my own business. She instilled that independence in me since I was young and carried it with me ever since. What obstacles did you face in starting your own business? Opening a new business in Brooklyn and in the area I opened it in was a language barrier. Many of the customers in the area spoke Creole and I have a Haitian background, but don’t speak the language, so it made it harder to connect with some Customers but eventually overcame it.
FEBRUARY 2021
BLACK AMERICAN FIRSTS While many are familiar with 20th and 21st century Black Firsts in their Field, there were many 18th and 19th Century Black Firsts whose names and stories may be unfamiliar. Their successes paved the way for others to follow.
1746: FIRST WRITER - LUCY TERRY, a slave, was the first known African-American writer to compose a work of literature. Her poem “Bars Fight,” was written in 1746 and first published in 1855. 1783: FIRST MEDICAL PRACTIONER JAMES DERHAM 1821: FIRST PATENT HOLDER OF DRY CLEANING THOMAS L. JENNINGS created a dry-cleaning process. 1822: FIRST SEA CAPTAIN - ABSALOM BOSTON captained a whaler with an all-black crew, and led the Nantucket abolitionist movement. 1823: FIRST U.S. COLLEGE GRADUATE- ALEXANDER TWILIGHT earned a degree from Middlebury College. 1827: FIRST NEWSPAPER OWNER - REV. PETER WILLIAMS JR published Freedom’s Journal in New York City. 1832: FIRST GOVERNOR - PÍO PICO: Afro-Mexican Governor Pico was the last governor of Alta California before it was ceded to the US. Like all Californios, Pico automatically became a US citizen in 1848. 1845: FIRST LAWYER - MACON ALLEN passed the Boston bar to become the First African American licensed to practice law.
CORTEZ JAMES The Hook Up C H ICAG O, IL
Ultra Retailer since 2019 What are you most proud of about your heritage? The resiliency of the enslaved, and the optimism they had for the future.
1880: FIRST US SHIP COMMANDER - CAPTAIN MICHAEL A. HEALY was born a slave in Georgia; he ran away to sea at 15. Passing for white, Healy stopped mutinies, battled firearm smuggling and rescued shipwrecked sailors. He brought medical aid to isolated villages, prevented the wholesale slaughter of marine wildlife and explored unknown waters and lands. It wasn’t until 1971 that the Navy discovered he was Black. 1884: FIRST PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PLAYERMOSES FLEETWOOD WALKER played at the MajorLeague level for the Toledo Blue Stockings. 1891: FIRST POLICE OFFICER - WILEY OVERTON hired by the Brooklyn Police Department before the five boroughs were incorporated into the City of New York. 1892: FIRST CARNEGIE HALL SINGER - MATILDA SISSIERETTA JOYNER JONES was first to sing at Carnegie Hall. 1895: FIRST FEMALE POSTAL WORKER - MARY FIELDS aka “Stagecoach Mary” was the first African-American woman to deliver mail for the US Postal Service. She was famously known to fight off outlaws and even a pack of wolves on her route.
Who or what inspired you to own your own business? My parents. What obstacles did you face in starting your own business? This type of business is saturated by other foreigners, and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to stand out from my competition.
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A C T I V A T E B Y U LT R A M O B I L E
If you’re planning to host a holiday celebration, you should assess the current COVID-19 levels in your community to determine whether to postpone, cancel or limit the number of attendees. Choose the location thoughtfully. Indoor gatherings generally pose more risk than Headline:Indoor $16/MO outdoor gatherings. gatherings with poor 1GB/MO for 3 Months ventilation pose more risk than those with good ventilation, such as those with open windows or Subhead: Low Data, Low Cost, Great Savings doors. Consider keeping it to a timepurchase limit. Gatherings When Customers the 3-month 1GB plan, they can enjoy all the that last longer pose more risk than shorter unlimited talk and text nationwide and to 80+ international destinations gatherings. around the world. This is the perfect plan for the light data user or the user thattofrequently WiFi at home or work (or wherever else they You don’t have minimizeconnects guests ifon your guests go!). Here is what your customer can will monitor their own risk of exposure. The sizedo over the month with their 1GB of data for just $16/mo they buy 3 months. of a holiday gathering should bewhen determined hour oftoNetflix at or high resolution based on the1ability reduce limit contact 5 hours of video chat between attendees, the risk of spread between 24 hours of streaming music at 96 Kbps / MO attendees, and state, local, territorial, or tribal >400 mixed media web pages health and safety laws, rules, and regulations. 10 hours of Facebook Select your guests with intention. 10 hours of Fortnite As nice as it 300 would be for everyone to media photos uploaded to social get together, gatherings with attendees who are not adhering to social distancing pose more risk than gatherings with attendees who are engaging in these preventative behaviors. What can your Customers do with 5GB The $29 plan continues to be one of of high-speed data? the strongest in the Ultra plan line up • Visit 3,000 web pages (about 60 hours with a generous 5GB of 5G • 4G LTE of browsing) data, whichever signal is strongest. • Download or stream 1,000 songs This is the perfect plan for Customers
29
$
With 5GB of 5G • 4G LTE
who are frequently connected to WiFi and only need data when they’re not at home or at work. > > >
• Download or stream 10 hours of standard definition shows or movies • Download or stream 10 hours of standard definition video calls on Zoom or Skype
Customers will love having this competitive data amount along with unlimited international calling to 80+ international destinations at an Ultra affordable price point. A single-month $29 plan also includes $5 INTL Call Credit and $5 INTL Roaming Credit, perfect for calling abroad. 6
FEBRUARY 2021
Calling Africa with
Add to Any Plan for $10/mo
uTALK COUNTRIES & MINUTES (to Mobile + Landlines)
With uTalk, Customers on any Single-Month or Multi-Month plan get bonus minutes to 39 additional locations beyond our Unlimited 80+. Here are the destinations in Africa that Customers can call for just $10/ mo with our uTalk Add-On: >>>
500 BONUS MINUTES Nigeria 250 BONUS MINUTES Egypt Kenya South Africa (Plus Unlimited to Landline) 100 BONUS MINUTES Algeria (Plus Unlimited to Landline) Cameroon Eritrea Ethiopia Ghana Senegal Tanzania 50 BONUS MINUTES Liberia Morocco (Plus Unlimited to Landline) Sierra Leone Somalia Uganda Zimbabwe 7
A C T I V A T E B Y U LT R A M O B I L E
Catch Cupid’s Arrow Contest Since this issue is all about spreading the love, we decided to practice what we preach. Find all the cupids in this issue and send in the correct answer for your chance to win a special prize! This month we’re giving away a NEW Ultra-branded waterproof JBL speaker ($120 value)!
2 0 2 1 G OA L CONTEST WINNER H O W TO W I N Email RetailerTrivia@ultra.me the number of cupids you guess by February 15th.
M U S T I N C LU D E TO W I N : 3 Name 3 Business Name 3 City, State 3 Ultra Retailer Code 3 When you started selling Ultra
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Thanks to everyone who submitted their 2021 goals. We can’t wait to see all that you accomplish this year! Our winner was selected from a random drawing - congrats to NOE SANDOVAL FROM RED’S WIRELESS LLC IN PHOENIX, AZ! Your $100 gift card is on its way.
FEBRUARY 2021
A F R E E VA L E N T I N E ’ S D AY P O S T
We loved seeing all of your Ultra holiday social posts. For Valentine’s Day, we’ve got another post to increase engagement on your channels and build your following.
Just upload the image attached and post it on your Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Here are some caption ideas to get you started:
“
❤
What do you about your Ultra plan? For us, it’s the unlimited talk, text and data
❤
Tag a Valentine who should be saving on wireless with Ultra
❤
Tag someone to wish them a Happy Valentine’s Day
C L I C K H E R E TO D OW N LOA D
“
❤
Don’t forget to check our Social Media 101 Series from previous Activate issues to learn how to start an Instagram, Facebook and Google Business Page. 9
A C T I V A T E B Y U LT R A M O B I L E
HOW TO MAKE A
TWITTER ACCOUNT
Join the conversation with Twitter Twitter is one of the most visited websites in the world, and a great way to help grow your business. Having Twitter for your store can help you drive traffic to your store and website, engage and interact with potential Customers, gain valuable feedback and attract a bigger audience. It’s also one of the best places to find industry leaders who are sharing and talking candidly on best business practices, keeping you in the loop and helping you up your game. Want to give it a try? Here’s how to set up your profile. How to Create Your Twitter Profile Step 1. Go to Twitter.com and click “Sign Up” Step 2. Create a new account Enter your Store Name and use your email address or phone number to create your profile. Then add your birthday. This can be hidden from your public profile but is necessary to create an account.
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Step 3. Verify your account (if signed up via phone number) Check your phone for texts or a call with a verification number. Step 4. Pick a profile picture and fill out your bio Upload a profile photo that fits nicely in a small circular space. Your store logo is likely your best bet. Make sure it’s clear because your profile picture doesn’t just appear on your profile, it’s the image that will be associated with every Tweet you share. Introduce yourself to the world with your bio in short, sweet sentences that tell people what you do, what value you bring–and why they should follow you. Make sure to add a link to your website, your location–and include your current hours. Step 5. Start tweeting You’ve got 280 characters to say something engaging. No pressure! Help your followers
FEBRUARY 2021
learn about you by tweeting what you have to offer and about your business.
valuable insights on how to give them exactly what they want.
Find and follow news sources, brands and people. See what tweets resonate with you and your followers. Then tweet, learn and repeat!
• Have conversations with your followers and the people that you follow. If they comment on your posts, make sure to engage by responding to them or liking their response.
Twitter Tips HOW TO FOLLOW
• Follow Topics you’re interested in learning more about. Then weigh in (tweet) on these subjects if they’re relevant to your brand. To learn more about Topics and how to find them, check out: https://help. twitter.com/en/using-twitter/follow-andunfollow-topics • Keep following, unfollowing and learning. Twitter is best used to consistently discover new people and content that you can potentially share. W H AT T O P O S T
• Retweet content that is relevant, entertaining or valuable to your followers. • Sometimes 280 characters is too much. Say what you need to get a clear point across in your Tweet, and remember that you don’t have to use every character you have. • Keep Twitter content unique. Most people will not follow someone on Instagram and Twitter if the content is the same. Tip: Instagram is a visual platform. Twitter is driven by your unique voice and point of view.
• There are several ways in which you can engage with the content that you see on your feed from the people that you follow. To learn more about the different ways in which you can engage, visit https://help. twitter.com/en/using-twitter#tweets. U S E D I R E C T M E S SAG I N G
• Use Twitter’s Direct Message feature to address any customer issues. If you see a customer that has complained about a product or service at your store, address it in a tweet publicly, then DM them or ask them to DM you, so you can help solve the issue out of the public Twitter feed. ou can use Direct Messages to have •Y private conversations with people about Tweets and other content to build relationships and your network. Learn more about how to send and receive direct messages: https://help.twitter.com/en/ using-twitter/direct-messages Want more? Here’s an expert’s guide on building a community on social media.
• Share video, images and GIFs. Mixed media is another way to show your unique personality with followers. H OW TO E N GAG E
• Use Twitter to listen, not just to speak. Like all social media, listening to how your Customers interact with your product, or industry as a whole, is a great way to find
WE’RE HERE TO HELP!
If you have any questions, reach out to us at ultrasocial@ultra.me and we’ll be happy to help.
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A C T I V A T E B Y U LT R A M O B I L E
THE ULTRA MOBILE APP! CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO HELP CUSTOMERS D O W N L O A D T H E A P P.
Help your Customers manage their Ultra account by reminding them to download the Ultra Mobile app. Customers can check their data balance, add more INTL Call Credit and more with the app. We remain committed to helping you and your Customers stay connected with the newest technology and an improved app experience!
5
$
BONUS ON NEW ACTIVATIONS who download the app within 24 hours of activation.
AVAILABLE ON
to respond to calls, emails and always willing to help. More importantly, he is super-knowledgeable about the industry... To sum it up, the entire team at NIWDA has just been exceptional. It’s a real pleasure to work with an organization that really values and listens to its members. Whether you are currently operating or looking to join the wireless industry, in either case, I would encourage you to join NWIDA.” The National Wireless Independent Dealer Association (NWIDA) is a wireless dealer trade and advocacy group and is specifically designed to support Independent Wireless Retailers across the USA. Think of what AAA does for automobile drivers, that’s what NWIDA does for Independent Wireless Retailers. Regardless of what wireless products are offered, NWIDA can help Retailers with growing their business each year! “I have had the pleasure of working with Adam Wolf, President of NWIDA (National Wireless Independent Dealer Association) for several years now. Adam has been a real asset for our company and me; he is quick 12
– JOSE DE LA FUENTE, MR. QUICK LOAN INC
To become a member or for more information about NWIDA, please check out http://www.nwida.org As an Authorized Ultra Mobile Retailer, you get 20% off any 3, 6 or 12 month NWIDA membership by using the discount code ULTRA. Or you can try NWIDA on a 2 month trial for only $1.00 by using the code ULTRATRIAL.”
A C T I V A T E B Y U LT R A M O B I L E
NFOEVBERM UBAERRY 22002201
WE’RE SPREADING THE LOVE BY
CONTINUING OUR
Retailer Incentives EXTENDED THROUGH FEBRUARY 28TH!
N E W AC T I VAT I O N & P O R T I N B O N U S
40
$
$20 Activation Bonus on All New 3, 6 and 12 Month Multi-Month Activations + Plus an additional $20 if a Port In (Paid Out Based on 4th Month Recharge) This is in addition to the 20% Airtime Margin paid on all New Multi-Month SKUs
UPGRADE BONUS
10
$
$10 Upgrade Bonus for every Single-Month Customer that upgrades to any of our 3, 6 or 12 Month Plans or $10 Upgrade Bonus for every 3-Month Customer that upgrades to a 6 or 12 Month Plan
See Retailer Comp FAQs for more details 13
ULTRA MOBILE'S CLASSIC PLAN COMPENSATION PROGRAM
ULTRA CLASSIC PLAN
As you know, we have always been an industry leader Ultra Mobile Retailers will now earn 15% residuals on with paying strong residuals, helping to ensure our new and existing customers in your base!* Yes, that Retailers have recurring revenue with Ultra, we realized is right; we are paying 5x more residuals than before. OM P E Nyour S Ashare! TION PROGRAM that it would help even moreC if we increased
RESIDUALS
INSTANT SPIFF
AIRTIME MARGIN
5
5%
FOR NEW AND EXISTING CUSTOMERS!
15%
$
CLASSIC 1-MONTH PLAN
CLASSIC 1-MONTH PLAN REFILLS
15
10%
2- 24 M O. FOR CLASSIC 1-MONTH 4 - 24 MO. CLASSIC 3-MONTH 4 - 24 M O. F OR EX IST ING CUSTOME R S
5x more
$
residuals residuals than than before. before. 3% FOR MONTHS 25+ 6% IF ON AUTO RENEW
CLASSIC 3-MONTH PLAN
CLASSIC 3-MONTH PLAN REFILLS
AVAILABLE VIA ULTRA MOBILE AUTHORIZED TSPS!
See RETAILER COMP FAQ ULTRA MULTI-MONTH & FLEX PLANS
Earn your Instant Spiff and Airtime Margins with Epay, IAS and T-Cetra for all Ultra Mobile Classic 1-Month and Classic 3-Month Activations. *Paid based on tenure of account.
F OR D ETA ILS
s
C O M P E N S AT I O N P R O G R A M
Multi-Month
YOU'LL EARN
20
%
AIRTIME MARGINS OR AUTO RECHARGE MARGINS
Our goal for the new Multi-Month Plans is to help Customers save more and help our valuable Retailers make more! Here we break down everything you need to know to get paid for growing that base.
Ultra Retailers like you will earn a fixed margin up to 2x the industry standard rate on all Ultra Flex sales you make.
Not getting 20%? Reach out to your Ultra Master Agent or Sales Representative to learn how! Or click here to view our Retailer Comp FAQs now! 14
RETAILER SUPPORT Ultra is supported by our incredible Retailer Support (RSR) Team. Our trained staff strives for one-call resolution while providing technical assistance, as well as general support. We also provide Retailer tools to assist Customers directly on UltraAgents.com via the ‘Manage Subscribers’ tab.
RETAILER SUPPORT CAN BE REACHED AT :
855-664-6638 RETAILER SUPPORT HOURS : English: 6:00a - 6:00p PST / 9:00a - 9:00p EST Spanish (Press 2): 6:00a - 6:00p PST / 9:00a - 9:00p EST Chinese (Press 3): 6:00a - 6:00p PST / 9:00a - 9:00p EST
CUSTOMER SERVICE Please share our Customer Service number with your Customers should they wish to speak with a Care Representative who can provide account support.
Ultra Mobile Customer Service can be reached at 888-777-0446 or by dialing 611 from their mobile phone.
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