By Josh Long

AT&T has introduced a mobile toolkit to help small and mid-sized businesses promote their companies by using a combination of interactive messaging platforms.

Those platforms include text and picture mail, email, voice broadcasting, Facebook widget and online sign-up page, Twitter feed compatibility, mobile coupons and mobile voting.

The messaging toolkit is particularly tailored for restaurants, retailers, healthcare offices, real estate agencies, places of worship, auto car and financial services firms, according to AT&T. 

Small businesses are increasingly implementing mobile marketing solutions into their marketing portfolios. These solutions help drive demand for products and services among consumers,” said Suzanne Hopkins, an IDC research analyst with mobile consumer services, in a statement AT&T issued. IDC expects small businesses will consider web-based and mobile marketing solutions from outside companies, such as AT&Ts Messaging Toolkit.”

AT&T said its toolkit also includes templates and aids to help in campaign message design and development as well as contact list management.

Many small businesses rely on grassroots marketing to survive, especially in a tough economy,” said Chris Hill, AT&T vice president of advanced mobility solutions. We recognize that text messaging and multi-mode messaging are widely used, and we wanted our customers to have access to that broader audience, in addition to active social media channels.”