Weddings are often referred to as one of the most important days in a person’s life. That’s why when San Diego videographer James Costa witnessed a bride texting from beneath her veil just as the last notes of her bridal march faded, he was more than a little shocked.

Oi vey!

Costa recently posted the video clip online, and it’s since gone viral.

“I had to pull away from the camera to make certain I was seeing what I thought I was seeing,” he wrote on his YouTube page.

We can only guess what the bride could have been texting (Mom! Quick! I 4got something blue!), but no matter how bizarre it may seem, as our relationship with technology changes, the more our social behavior changes, too. A recent study reported that over a third of American adults prefer to communicate through texts rather than talking on the phone, and the average cell phone user sends and receives over 50 text messages every day (wedding days being no exception).

In the fasted-paced world we live in, more and more people are opting for the efficient, convenient and concise format that text messages provide us. Businesses are beginning to take advantage of its popularity, too, with new concepts like text message marketing, or even using bulk SMS as a quick way to send uniform information to both clients and employees.

In the meantime, let’s be thankful that she didn’t trip over her train while she was busy texting, because, well, that would have been really embarrassing.

A recent experimental study conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine tested whether smokers would have an easier time quitting if they were sent automatic reminder text messages.

Smoking habit banished... now time to help the donut addiction

According to the results, receiving encouraging personalized text messages can make a person twice as likely to successfully quit smoking.

The study took place over six months and involved 5,800 smokers over the age of 16 years old, that agreed to make a serious attempt to quit smoking. For the first five weeks of the program, half of the participants received free text messages five times a day with words of encouragement, tips to help them quit and reminders of smoking’s various negative effects.

The study further personalized the text messages with tailored advice and positive remarks that addressed the insecurities and fears many smokers have about quitting, such as whether they will experience weight gain or increase their alcohol consumption.

Participants could also get extra support at the times they needed it most, by texting “crave” to receive additional messages with information to help deal with cravings. They even had the option to request the cell phone number of another person in the study who they could speak to about their experiences.

After the five weeks were up, the participants continued to receive the same uplifting SMS bulk text messages, but only three times a week for the remaining 26 weeks.

The other half of participants received text messages, too, but only once every two weeks. However, these correspondences contained only a simple message that thanked them for participating in the study.

At the study’s end, researchers reported that almost 11 percent of participants who received the personalized messages quit smoking successfully. Out of those who received only the generic messages every 14 days, only five percent were able to quit.

When officials at Arizona State University (ASU) learned that an armed suspect had allegedly broke into a student’s dorm room on December 12, demanding money, they were able to quickly and successfully alert students campus-wide using various social media and technology.

The alerts included a bulk SMS text message that was sent to every student and faculty member’s mobile phone.

Campus police sent the emergency alert early Monday evening immediately after the incident was reported. Their message detailed the robbery and gave a description of the suspect as a black male in a black-hooded sweatshirt with a tattoo on the right side of his neck.

The alert was also sent to students and faculty via email, and posted on the school’s website and Twitter account.

“What we want to do is get information out there as soon as possible so the individual people can make a decision for themselves on what they ought to do,” said Captain Jim Hardina of the ASU police.

University officials continued to send free text message updates about the situation until the lockdown was lifted at 6:30 p.m., when the search for the suspects was called off.

“All sightings on and off campus have been negative. Shelter in place is lifted. Stay vigilant. Call 911 if subject is seen,” read the final alert posted on the university’s website on Monday.

Many colleges, organizations and businesses across the country have adopted similar SMS text messaging systems as an effective way to reach a large amount of people quickly. This service can be especially useful during an emergency situation, such as a severe weather warning or potentially dangerous criminal occurrence.

The squad is not complete, there is no cell phone!

Text messaging turned 19 years old over the weekend, and as it turns out, it’s got quite the history.

A little trivia for you history nerds.

Although the first SMS text message technology was developed nearly 30 years ago by a European global system for mobile communications (GSM) corporation, the inaugural message wasn’t sent until December 3, 1992, when it traveled via text from computer technology. This famous text was sent by British engineer Neil Papworth – of former tech company, Sema – on a computer, and received by Richard Jarvis, the director of Vodafone, on a handset phone. It read, simply: “Merry Christmas.”

Despite this successful attempt, text messaging didn’t catch on immediately. When Nokia launched the first mobile phone a year later, text messaging was one of its features (in addition to “Snake,” of course), but text messages could only be sent and received with other Nokia mobile phone users – text messages sent between different networks (from Verizon to Nokia, for example) weren’t possible until 1999.

The popularity of text messaging increased steadily, but it wasn’t until eight years later, in 2007, that studies revealed that the average American began sending and receiving more text messages per month than phone calls. The difference was slight – 218 texts to 213 phone calls – but it’s been increasing every year.

As text messaging became more prevalent, it permeated all aspects of society. Television shows and other forms of entertainment constantly use texting to invite viewer interaction, the Obama campaign was the first political election to use techniques gleaned from text message marketing, law makers have passed legislation with regard to text messages (particularly those sent while driving) and businesses, too, are realizing the medium’s great potential as a marketing tool.

Despite a few sore thumbs here and there, not much seems to be slowing dexterous texters down.

With texting, do not have to be there to embarrass your kids!

According to the most recent studies, Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 are now sending and receiving an average of 109 text messages a day, and more than 30 percent of adults prefer texting to calling.

On November 11, a USA Today poll reached out to readers across the United States, asking what it is about the text message that’s so appealing.

Surprisingly, one very common response was from parents, who said they use text messages simply because their children do, and since texting is the form of communication that their kids respond to best, they’ve grown accustomed to using it, too.

“I have two boys away at college and they’d rather text their mom than call her,” said Theresa McCellan in an interview with USA Today.

Many also pointed out that the efficiency and convenience of text messages can’t really be beat, especially if you’re in a location where talking aloud isn’t a possibility, such as the office or a crowded room.

Still others wrote of the fact that text messages allow you to send the same message to more than one person at once, which can be very helpful to those juggling the responsibilities of work and parenthood.

Many companies have picked up on this useful aspect, too. Text messaging in the professional realm began mostly with the use of sending a bulk SMS text message as a way to reach people quickly for important updates such as safety alerts. Over the past few years, however, it has grown rapidly into a common marketing strategy, which makes use of both the popularity and convenience of texting to reach out to consumers with free text message deals, coupons and other alerts.

Your website is one of the first things a customer looks at these days, and first impressions are important, even when they take place online. Here are five website “don’ts” to ensure that your business’s website successfully represents you and your company.

For Homer, making glaring mistakes makes him a lovable doofus. But would you like Homer running your business?

1. Don’t attempt to build a website yourself. Even though building a website may seem like an easy (or money-saving) option, hiring someone to design the site for you will look more professional. As Ilya Pozin, business writer and founder of web design firm Ciplex, notes in Inc: “Your website is often where your customers’ first experience your brand. If it looks homemade, they’re going to make assumptions about your business that you want to avoid.”

2. Don’t bombard the viewer with options. If your homepage has buttons for every social media platform imaginable, a slideshow, background music and testimonials that float across the screen, you’re in trouble. I’m not saying that having any of those things is bad, just keep it simple, clear and organized, so you don’t overwhelm site users. Except maybe the background music and floating testimonials – you may want to avoid those.

3. Don’t forget your mobile marketing campaign. More and more people have smartphones, and so a mobile version of your website can be a great way to stay ahead of the game and provide viewers with more on-the-go options. Plus, you can use text message marketing to send consumers bulk SMS texts that will keep them updated with events, sales and other special offers and direct them right back to your website.

In a few easy words:

1. Image is important; take the time to do it right.
2. Keep it simple
3. Supplement your site with simple marketing tactics

If I had to guess, I’d say that Shakespeare would be a master of the free text message. If he wasn’t thumbing out praise to lovers (“Eternity was in our lips & eyes”), he’d be shooting clever one-liners (“Away, U moldy rogue!”) infinitely faster than it takes me to decipher one line of iambic pentameter.

Pretty soon, we will all be texting using iambic pentameter! Oh high school english class, stop haunting me!

Shakespeare definitely understood the power words have, but he also realized the importance of widespread audience appeal. One key to his success was that his plays contained jokes and allusions that beggars and barons alike could appreciate. From the platform of the stage, the words of his plays needed to register with each individual on some level.

Language also evolves over time, and Shakespeare took a very active role in those changes, creating over 1,700 words in the course of his writing such as “eyeball,” “drugged” and “moonbeam” (though, unfortunately not in the same sentence).

Shakespeare’s philosophy towards the written word applies to all of us, but also to small businesses using text message marketing to talk to clients and consumers: the text message is your platform, so keep your audience in mind and don’t be afraid to get creative with your words.

A text message is, after all, one of easiest and most popular ways to communicate, with billions sent and received every day. New York Times business writer Mark Cohen even referred to a text as “the closest thing in the information-overloaded digital marketing world to a guaranteed read.”

So yes, I think Shakespeare would definitely be pro-text messaging – just so long as people make sure to silence their cell phones during his live performances, too.

Whether your company is using Twitter, Facebook, blogs or text message marketing as the primary way it advertises, remember that no matter how informal the medium, it is still a representation of your company. Over the years, many businesses have made mistakes with social media, but if you follow these simple steps, yours won’t be one of them.

Social media is about connection with your image

• “Leaving the office! Who wants 2 get WASTED?! #thankgoditsfriday”

Keep it PG, people: Some companies have tried to use social media to give their company a sexier, edgy vibe. While innovative marketing techniques and witty content are always appreciated, you still need to play it safe – leave the sex, drugs and expletives to the real rock stars.

• “Our agents provide the highest quabity.”

Edit your work: Social media is a bit more informal, but that doesn’t mean you should be lax with spelling and grammar – all that does is make you seem unintelligent. Mistakes do happen, but if you set it up so that you (or a trusted employee) must approve all posts and messages beforehand, you can help alleviate the risk of an error, because once you post a comment or send a bulk SMS text message, you can’t take it back.

• “Buy my amazing product here and here and here!”

Socialize: The point of social media is to interact with clients, associates and consumers directly. Bombarding your pages with shameless self promotions everyday is taking advantage of the fact that they allowed you access into their personal lives. It may also make others tire of you and your business quickly. Be thoughtful and considerate about what kind of supplementary content you post, and don’t go overboard. People always see through it.

Since most Americans keep their cell phones near them at all times, text messaging has become more popular than traditional phone conversations, according to recent surveys. Now doctors are trying to harness the power and popularity of text messaging to help young adults who are struggling with their drinking habits.

Text messages can improve your health

As it turns out, text messaging can have positive applications outside of the marketing world, as it can help those suffering from addiction, according to Dr. Brian Suffoletto. An assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, Suffoletto recently conducted a study aimed at determining whether weekly text messages could contribute to a person’s ability to cut down on drinking.

“Cell phones have become an appendage of our bodies, so for an assessment of actual drinking behavior, it potentially becomes more accurate,” said Suffoletto in an interview with CNN.

The participants consisted of young adults (18 to 24 years old) whose habitual drinking had gotten so out of control that they’d ended up in the emergency room at least once. The study then provided these individuals with a free text message service to help them monitor the amount of alcohol they consumed.

After sending in tallies of the amount of alcohol they drank each week via text, participants either received bulk SMS text messages with positive, encouraging feedback, or – if they reported that they were still drinking heavily – messages that warned them about their intake.

This method is known as “participatory health,” and by the end of the 12-week study, those involved reported consuming two less drinks on average, and drinking heavily on 3.4 fewer days each month.

Several recent studies have used text messaging to help people cut back or quit on other unhealthy habits, such as smoking, and reported similar positive results. Researchers suggest that the success of a text message-based support lies in its anonymity and its ability to reach people at all times, unlike traditional meetings with a sponsor or a therapist.

A bulk SMS text message alert can be an effective way to reach a large amount of people quickly, especially in an emergency situation.

Try not to cry wolf Verizon.

It is, however, important that the situation actually exists.

Verizon made a formal apology yesterday after sending a text message to a group of New Jersey residents, which claimed that there was a “civic emergency” in the area. You can read more about the incident here.

The text message was sent to the phones of some Verizon users in the Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties, who became panicked when their phones made a strange beep and the words “extreme alert” filled the top of the screen in bold lettering.

The body of the message read: “Civil Emergency in this area until 1:24 p.m. EST. Take Shelter Now U.S. Govern.”

According to a spokesperson for Verizon, the text message was actually just part of a company test, and the fact that it was a trial was supposed to be included in the message itself.

But, the text message sent had no such wording, and so those on the receiving end believed that there was a real emergency. As soon as the text was sent out, local police stations reported that they began receiving a huge influx of calls from frightened and confused citizens.

In Monmouth County alone, Sheriff Shaun Golden reported that the police had received 174 phone calls within a half hour of the message going out.

“This test message was not clearly identified as a test,” Verizon spokesman David Samberg said in a statement to press on Monday. “We apologize for any inconvenience or concern this message may have caused.”