The faucet has been dripping incessantly for the last three weeks and enough was enough. Saturday morning came around and there I was, head stuck under the kitchen sink, trying for the third time to fit a new shut-off valve to the faucet just so I could change the washer. After a water-soaked kitchen floor, several trips to the Home Depot for various washers and now a new valve to shut the water off, it struck me that things never used to be this difficult. Okay, so the analogy with technology isn't quite the same - or is it? After all, it wasn't that long ago that websites were new and text based, and to publicize your products and services it was all in print. The face of business has been changing in-line with technological changes and with new technology comes new opportunity. Social media and networking has changed our way of life and the way we interact with family, friends, colleagues and customers.
Go to any downtown area today and see for yourself - how many people are sitting or walking, talking, texting, surfing and tweeting on their Smartphone’s? We're not talking about the youth here either, AARP Global Network recently polled 2000 American boomers over the age of 40 and 90% use a Smartphone on a daily basis, you're probably one of them! The way that business is conducted has changed dramatically over the last ten years of so. For some; the web, social media and online marketing has become the lifeblood of new business, having fully embraced the technology and tools available, whilst others are digging in, heads down and hoping this is another fad that will just fade away given enough time.
Social media and online marketing tools can make a difference to your business in a positive way but only if you are willing to embrace the technology head-on. Making the mistake of trying it out and testing the water won't bring you results. Instead, as a business, your company culture needs to change to take on the new technology and make it work for you. As times have changed, and the methods of marketing delivery have evolved, the question has become less "how much" and more "how often".
Social media tools are paving the way for marketing campaigns that are less costly and reach a wider audience. Getting your social media strategy defined correctly can and will save you time and money and with the right strategy will come results. So I guess there is a parallel to the faucet in my kitchen. If you want to save yourself scraped knuckles, hours of frustration and unforeseen costs, don’t wait until it’s too late or do it yourself, ask an expert!