Yesterday I got my issue of the Grand Rapids Business Journal and found an interesting article entitled “Web Ads Going Local”. There was nothing in the article that we at ManoByte have not been saying for along time. But the article did emphasize two points that we have been saying and that are worth repeating. Quoting Charles McGrath from Structure Interactive the Grand Rapids Business Journal says..
“they need to rely on creative marketing ideas online as much as they always have in other mediums, McGrath said. “It’s the same method, new medium.”
He said he’s not sure advertising firms are doing all they can to bring clients into this brave new world, especially with pure-play companies that are experts in honing in on local ad dollars.
“In general, I think agencies are floundering. They’re still thinking of the Internet as a brochure, and they’re not thinking ‘How can we take advantage of this medium,’” McGrath added. “Instead, they’re blasting the client’s message, whether it’s appropriate or not.” “
The two key points are that companies need assistance in being effective online and most agencies have not come up to speed yet.
While most agencies are “floundering” ManoByte is not. We have a process that is designed to help businesses take advantage of the Web 2.0 age. We are not a company dabbling in Online Marketing. We specialize in it! We are Grand Rapids Social Media Marketing company with over 15 years of in-house experience in using the Web and technology to help businesses be successful.
So contact us and we can help your business thrive!
Byte or get bitten!
Hi Kevin:
We’re working with several marketing agencies and we repeatedly find the same thing happening. Many agencies are still very much in the “blast your message out there” mode.
TV ads, magazine ads, and radio ads have been the standard for a long time. The old media is still there. The experience and creativity of the typical agency is good for that. (They should be, at least.)
But new media is changing everything. Search engines and the spread of broadband Internet has changed everything and continues to do so. The user has much more control.
The shift more marketing agencies need to make is like the shift from hunting to farming. Stop trying to hunt down your customers and build something that will draw them in. They are looking. Build (or grow) something they will enjoy when they get there and they will tell others.
That being said, the shift is not complete. New media has not taken over old media and won’t completely for a long time. Lots of people watch tv and read magazines. There’s still a place for traditional agencies.
But their future is declining. Hopefully consultants like yourself (and me) will help them to make that shift.
Any chance I will see you at New Media Expo next month? I can’t wait!
Corey Creed
Hippo Internet Marketing
http://www.CoreyCreed.com
http://www.HippoIMT.com
Great Insights Corey! Unfortunately I will be teaching a few Social Media Marketing class in Grand Rapids during the New Media Expo. You will have to fill me in.
I think we should have T-Shirts made up that say, “Our blogs beat your brochures.”
…and then wear them to the local Addys!
I’ll be happy to shoot video while you’re being bounced out of local ad events by angry Creative Directors.
Imagine how well that video would spread on YouTube!
The T-Shirts are on order!
Hi Kevin. I wanted to share with your readers what Manobyte has done for me and my business. Before I contacted Manobyte, I was really in the dark about how to “get the word out” about my business. You took the time I needed to help me learn and understand what social media marketing is all about and how to make it work for my home-based business. I want to say a huge THANK YOU for all you’ve done for my business! And, in addition to your professionalism, you are kind and understanding when working with somebody like me who is “green” in the area of social media marketing. I tell everybody I know about you and hope that they too, will contact you and grow their businesses with the help of Manobyte!!
Faith Avery
Living Healthier
http://www.livinghealthiernow.org
Thanks Faith for the kind words! ManoByte is on a mission to help Grand Rapids businesses thrive with the help of Social Media Marketing.
Corey,
I have to say that you put it very well…
“The shift more marketing agencies need to make is like the shift from hunting to farming. Stop trying to hunt down your customers and build something that will draw them in. They are looking. Build (or grow) something they will enjoy when they get there and they will tell others.”
Coming from Broadcast sales / marketing field and now teaming up with Kevin this is a very exciting time of all of us involved in educating business owners about this new medium.
Meatball Sundae>> Most of the buyers and sellers of old media will probably never make the paradigm shift.
From not even paying attention>> There was so much over-hype initially over new media that I stopped following it, until I saw the number of ad dollars that had been re-routed from television and magazine advertising to (mostly) Google. Boo on me for taking those years to take notice.
To believing>> I’ve watched Manobyte shape a business colleague’s blog from the decidely ignored to the heavily-visited and engaged-with category. This is what made me a believer!