Technology Doesn’t Matter, Sort of

Man, am I going to catch some heat on this one.

Unless you read all the way through this piece.

But if you are all about the tech and ignore the rest, you may win for a moment, but not forever.

What am I talking about?

My usual stuff, marketing, media, advertising and wait for it…

Human Relationships.

The question I get asked either directly or it’s implied is, “What is the best way for my business to spend money to get new customers?”

That’s not a bad question, but it’s usually the wrong question when it’s asked.

It’s 2017, the smartphone revolution isn’t going away.  The idea that we would walk around with a phone attached was a crazy idea a years ago.

But now we are a few years into the mobile revolution and the small screens have taken over.  Nearly anything you want to know or do is available with an app on your phone or tablet.

If you were to try and reach new customers by chasing after the latest and greatest technology, you’d likely be losing money and frustrated.

I am going to date myself here, but I remember when my father in law had a dial-up phone connection to get online with his Gateway computer that had less tech power than my last couple of phones.

Recently I was at the Fort Wayne Social Media and Marketing Breakfast and the topic was Snapchat.  How to use it and not abuse it.

As I looked around the room, I saw a whole bunch of business people who were frustrated because now here’s another platform they have to start using to get customers.

Maybe.

Maybe not.

I just told an advertising partner of mine that it was okay to stop tweeting.

You really don’t need to follow the crowd and do everything.

You need to pick and decide what ways you are going to market your business.

Those choices should not be based on the hottest trends.

They should be geared to how is the best way to reach out to your current and potential customers, and how to engage with them both online and offline.  In person and over the phone.

Before you decide to jump on the next new thing, talk to someone who can help you look at the big picture and do some long range planning.  (When I do it, I become your marketing coach.)

Now I’m not saying ignore technology, but you need to have your priorities in order.

Let me leave you with a simple, “starter” technology checklist.

1. Do you have a professional website that is current?
2. When I say current, I mean mobile friendly. Is yours?
3. Finally, here’s a place you can go to see if Google thinks your site is up to snuff: https://testmysite.thinkwithgoogle.com/

If your business doesn’t pass, then forget about anything else, and get on it.  Need help?  Ask me.