Drinking Through the Digital Fire Hose

Posted by Rahna on January 8, 2009 under Branding, Social Media | Be the First to Comment

I gave a talk today on Top Secrets of Digital Branding, kind of a Digital Marketing 101 course that covered the basics of various on-line and e-mail marketing strategies. It reinforced to me how wide the world is and how varied the world is. 

 

I am in a unique position where I work with both large corporations and small businesses.  In the past, I have found that the marketing tactics of each are completely unique—large corporations using “traditional” vehicles like TV, newspaper, and print, while small businesses get the most out of guerilla marketing tactics like direct mail, windshield flyers and word of mouth campaigns.  Of course, the internet has changed all that, and now, small businesses are able to leverage digital marketing opportunities in amazing ways.  I have found, actually, that in many cases, small businesses are much more savvy about digital marketing and branding opportunities than large corporations.  The big players are just now turning to the internet to see what it has to offer in the way of low-cost, high-touch marketing and branding opportunities.

 

But that wasn’t the case in this room.  It was interesting to see the reaction of the audience.  There were some people who were very knowledgeable about the digital world, some web designers who obviously know a lot about all things digital.  However, most of the people there, although they have the website, really aren’t up to speed on all that the social media world has to offer.  I tried to give tips and basic information on website content management, search engine optimization, blogging, social media sites, book marking sites, email marketing, and any other digital marketing tool you could imagine.  The audience members, while taking notes furiously, also looked like they’d been drinking through a fire hose.

 

So many business people are starting to explore this new digital world.  Some are puzzled, some are frightened, and some just have that “deer-in-the-headlights” look.  All of the advances and changes and opportunities in the digital world, when we try to take it all at once, can seem completely overwhelming. 

 

My advice to them (and to you, dear reader) is to jump in–get started.  Just do something.  You don’t have to be an expert in everything, but you should at least find out about and get started on advances in digital marketing.  There are so many low-cost opportunities out there for anyone who wants to market anything that it behooves you to at least explore the options.

 

I’m in the industry and I know I don’t know everything.  As a matter of fact, there’s a lot I don’t know.  I do an email newsletter, I blog (obviously) and I contribute to other websites.  I engage in electronic PR.   I have a Twitter account, but I don’t tweet…although, perhaps that is something that I’ll start to do more of this year as a part of my New Year’s resolutions.  I think I’ll go take my own advice…..What about you?  What digital programs are you taking advantage of?  What are you scared of?  Let me know and we’ll figure it out together!