Flint Adds Unique Customer Management and Enhanced Social Marketing Features to Its Mobile Payments App

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Flint Mobile, Inc. (www.flint.com), the mobile payments company that enables on-the-go businesses to accept credit or debit card payments through their iPhones without extra card reader hardware, unveiled new social marketing and customer management features at the Macworld/iWorld conference today. Available for free on the Apple App Store®, Flint is the only company in the mobile payments market to offer searchable transaction data for customer marketing as well as customizable Facebook integration to increase word-of-mouth referrals.

Flint's new customer management features allow merchants to easily filter transaction data by a broad set of parameters including the product/service name, purchase date, transaction amount, card type, transaction memo, loyalty offer, and other customizable details. The data can then be downloaded along with customer email addresses and used for marketing and reporting purposes. For example, a photographer could quickly pull a list of all the customers who purchased "Portrait Shoots" in December so that she can send them a special offer for Valentine's Day. 

The new release also simplifies how small businesses integrate their Facebook marketing efforts with the payment process. In seconds, a merchant can link their Facebook® Page to their Flint account and enable an online social dashboard. Once linked, the merchant is able to prompt its customers to post ratings and reviews to Facebook from the electronic receipt of every transaction. Flint's seamless integration with Facebook APIs allows a merchant's customers to quickly share recommendations with their friends and simultaneously post a testimonial on the merchant's Facebook Page. 

Approximately 13 million local businesses now operate pages on Facebook*, but according to the SMB Group's 2012 Small and Medium Social Business study, many small and medium-sized businesses struggle with Facebook marketing. Sixty-two percent of SMBs cite lack of time as a major roadblock to effective social engagement, with "difficulty integrating social media with other business activities" as another serious hurdle**. Flint offers an easy way to integrate social marketing into payment transactions and, as a result, help merchants generate more customer referrals. 

"Flint's mission is to empower small businesses and individual entrepreneurs to easily accept payments and maximize their client relationships—all through a simple, mobile-centric approach," said Greg Goldfarb, co-founder and CEO of Flint Mobile. "We're encouraged by initial user successes and are excited about our roadmap of differentiated, customer-driven capabilities."

Availability:
Flint can be downloaded for free from the App Store at http://bit.ly/UIFXpG. Users can activate their account in minutes through the app or at www.flint.com and immediately realize the full benefits of Flint without waiting to get any additional hardware.

The app requires iOS 5.0 or later and is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad Mini devices. Flint is very well suited for the iPhone 5 since it doesn't rely on the headset jack, which was moved to the bottom of the phone. Flint also provides a free online activity portal at www.flint.com, where users can manage their transaction history, social dashboard, and profile.

Over 20,000 users have downloaded the app since its initial availability approximately two months ago, and the average transaction size processed through Flint has been well over $100.  Unlike other mobile payment apps, the company is particularly focused on underserved, on-the-go users who operate outside of traditional storefront environments. Core user segments to date include: photographers, consultants, beauty professionals, IT and computer services, therapists, fitness trainers, crafts makers, and specialty contractors. 

About Flint Mobile, Inc. 
Flint is the mobile payments company that is creating the easiest way for mobile, non-countertop businesses to accept credit cards and find new customers through integrated marketing. A registered Payment Service Provider, the company's iPhone app enables users to accept credit card payments easily and securely using only their phone – without any additional hardware. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Redwood City, California, Flint is backed by top-tier venture capital firms Storm Ventures and True Ventures. For more information, visit www.flint.com.

© 2013 Flint Mobile, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Flint and the Flint Mobile are trademarks of Flint Mobile, Inc. All third party logos and trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

* http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/06/facebook-small-business-stats/

** http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2012/10/31/small-businesses-dont-have-time-for-social-media-and-dont-track-results/

SOURCE Flint Mobile, Inc.