This is the season… to talk about social networking. It is really moving from a niche to the mainstream at rapid speed. Have you noticed how much faster people adapt to new tools? Not long ago most people said they would never buy anything online with a credit card. Now it is how people find spouses, and elect presidents. Don’t sit this one out, I think you will be sorry if you do.
I had a discussion with a client today who told me what a ridiculous idea facebook is. He was right. I personally like my telephone, coffee with friends, and clients. I like the play golf, and shoot emails back and forth. I miss the give and take of real live people in a room together.
This really limits us “old people.” My kids live on facebook, and 20 other social media platforms. They would rather leave the house without their wallet, than without their preferred texting device.
Young people are where marketers make their living. It is really hard to convince someone in their 60’s to make any changes more drastic than their brand of toothpaste. Young people are just the opposite. They are on the hunt for new and different things, they changes as a herd, and they spend discretionary dollars. We can’t afford to disrespect them, or preferred way of sharing information and building relationships. They spin many more plates, and share much more information than any generation before them.
It doesn’t matter if I like to hang out and poke my friends on facebook. That was never the question. The real questions are.. are there customers on social networking sites? Is it an effective way to convey your competitive advantage? Most garden centers pride themselves on being part of their community. Just think of this as another door into the community.
I am going to drag my feet to twitter, facebook, my space, linkedin and wherever else customers want to learn about gardening, and shopping at local businesses. I hope I see you there. I promise to “friend you”. This isn’t a fad. It is a really efficient inexpensive way for us to build relationships with influential customers. We do a great job, our customers will help us let the world know about it.
Jump in the waters great, once you get over the first few minutes…
I had a discussion with a client today who told me what a ridiculous idea facebook is. He was right. I personally like my telephone, coffee with friends, and clients. I like the play golf, and shoot emails back and forth. I miss the give and take of real live people in a room together.
This really limits us “old people.” My kids live on facebook, and 20 other social media platforms. They would rather leave the house without their wallet, than without their preferred texting device.
Young people are where marketers make their living. It is really hard to convince someone in their 60’s to make any changes more drastic than their brand of toothpaste. Young people are just the opposite. They are on the hunt for new and different things, they changes as a herd, and they spend discretionary dollars. We can’t afford to disrespect them, or preferred way of sharing information and building relationships. They spin many more plates, and share much more information than any generation before them.
It doesn’t matter if I like to hang out and poke my friends on facebook. That was never the question. The real questions are.. are there customers on social networking sites? Is it an effective way to convey your competitive advantage? Most garden centers pride themselves on being part of their community. Just think of this as another door into the community.
I am going to drag my feet to twitter, facebook, my space, linkedin and wherever else customers want to learn about gardening, and shopping at local businesses. I hope I see you there. I promise to “friend you”. This isn’t a fad. It is a really efficient inexpensive way for us to build relationships with influential customers. We do a great job, our customers will help us let the world know about it.
Jump in the waters great, once you get over the first few minutes…
