Perhaps you've heard this advice: Fail forward, fail fast, fail better. In the world of social media, as in many areas of life, failing isn't the challenge. Doing nothing is the real failure. Failing, learning, adjusting and trying again is totally acceptable in the new media.
I've failed a ton of times in my exploration of social media. Actually have made myself look foolish in a public forum. Lots. As I continue to learn, grow and experience success, those temporary stumbles are quickly forgotten. I have always told my sons that smart people learn from their mistakes, because experience really is the best teacher. But the wise person learns from the mistakes of others. Be wise.
If you're a small business owner looking to succeed with social media, consider these thoughts:
Don't reinvent the wheel. Examine the success of others, and copy them. One of my most successful ideas that I executed for a client's business was a totally original thought. Later, I discovered his competitor had executed a similar idea without my knowledge. By God's blessing, we actually performed better. I quickly realized that others have exceptional ideas, and I am passionate about learning from them for the advantage of my friends.
Decide specifically WHAT you are trying to accomplish through the use of social media, WHY you are doing it, and WHERE to best accomplish your goal and purpose. There are potentially infinite goals or objectives that can be accomplished, for any number of reasons or motives, through a vast variety of social media platforms (blogging, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.). You can not master every platform and accomplish all your goals and purposes at once. With a very specific goal (WHAT) and purpose (WHY), select a specific tool or platform (WHERE) and put your toe in the water.
Decide in advance what success will look like at the completion of your efforts and try to anticipate any potential challenges you may encounter along the way. It's difficult to hit a target if you don't know where you're aiming. Potential pitfalls may be avoided if you take the time to think prior to acting.
Listen, and then select a limited scope for an initial test. Explore the available social media tools or platforms, choose only one, and simply LISTEN. Don't say anything or try to sell your product or service, simply observe how others effectively communicate and behave within social media. Then try a test model or limited area for your ideas, and continue to listen and learn.
Do something. And do me the honor of learning from my mistakes. Be wise.
Thank you for sharing 109 seconds of your day,
Smitty
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Excuse me, do you have the time?
After a couple of decades of working for and with family owned small businesses, there's one thing that I know, for sure:
Small business owners are way too busy!
They are trying to simultaneously juggle numerous tasks and wear too many hats. Where in such a hectic life and overwhelming schedule can the owners of a small family owned business find the time and opportunity to figure out the world of social media, let alone apply this tremendous opportunity to their business? The small business owners that I talk with all the time want the benefit and results that the new media can deliver, but they simply don't have enough hours in the day to engage these tools for their own benefit.
Where does an Old Dog find the time to learn New Tricks?
This is a recent version of an old challenge that was clearly explained in Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey (1989). (Aside from the Holy Bible, this book has probably had a greater effect on my life than any other - I highly recommend it to any Old Dog looking to improve). Covey described this challenge as "the tyranny of the urgent". We are so busy dealing with the urgent that we rarely have an opportunity to do that which is important. We spend our lives and our work days doing what is unimportant in value, or short-lived, because the current situation is urgent or immediately demanding. Sadly, if we continue in this manner indefinitely, we never address that which is important, and we suffer the consequence.
Other challenges that I hear from business owners who have not engaged social media for their benefit include:
It's all still really new, let someone else figure it out and we'll copy them.
It's just a trend, it'll pass and the next "new thing" will come along.
I don't have the time and money to invest, and neither do my employees.
How can you measure bottom line success of such a long term effort?
We already tried it and it didn't work, we're sticking to what's always worked for us.
The other members of the family business just aren't interested and I can't do it all myself.
I genuinely empathize. Family owned small businesses are one of the things that make America great. I admire those who work hard, endlessly, and create a better life for their families and employees. Although the big corporations tend to make the national news, small businesses employ more Americans than the big corporations. It's difficult and plain old hard work to own and run a small business.
As the once-new personal computer of the past continues to help small businesses to succeed and be more profitable, social media is already making small businesses more successful and profitable, and will continue to do so in the future.
Don't be an Old Dog left behind, fast asleep on the porch. Or so busy chasing your tail that you miss something really important.
Thank you for sharing 127 seconds of your day,
Smitty
Small business owners are way too busy!
They are trying to simultaneously juggle numerous tasks and wear too many hats. Where in such a hectic life and overwhelming schedule can the owners of a small family owned business find the time and opportunity to figure out the world of social media, let alone apply this tremendous opportunity to their business? The small business owners that I talk with all the time want the benefit and results that the new media can deliver, but they simply don't have enough hours in the day to engage these tools for their own benefit.
Where does an Old Dog find the time to learn New Tricks?
This is a recent version of an old challenge that was clearly explained in Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey (1989). (Aside from the Holy Bible, this book has probably had a greater effect on my life than any other - I highly recommend it to any Old Dog looking to improve). Covey described this challenge as "the tyranny of the urgent". We are so busy dealing with the urgent that we rarely have an opportunity to do that which is important. We spend our lives and our work days doing what is unimportant in value, or short-lived, because the current situation is urgent or immediately demanding. Sadly, if we continue in this manner indefinitely, we never address that which is important, and we suffer the consequence.
Other challenges that I hear from business owners who have not engaged social media for their benefit include:
It's all still really new, let someone else figure it out and we'll copy them.
It's just a trend, it'll pass and the next "new thing" will come along.
I don't have the time and money to invest, and neither do my employees.
How can you measure bottom line success of such a long term effort?
We already tried it and it didn't work, we're sticking to what's always worked for us.
The other members of the family business just aren't interested and I can't do it all myself.
I genuinely empathize. Family owned small businesses are one of the things that make America great. I admire those who work hard, endlessly, and create a better life for their families and employees. Although the big corporations tend to make the national news, small businesses employ more Americans than the big corporations. It's difficult and plain old hard work to own and run a small business.
As the once-new personal computer of the past continues to help small businesses to succeed and be more profitable, social media is already making small businesses more successful and profitable, and will continue to do so in the future.
Don't be an Old Dog left behind, fast asleep on the porch. Or so busy chasing your tail that you miss something really important.
Thank you for sharing 127 seconds of your day,
Smitty
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
You decide
According to eMarketer.com, there were about 135 Million Social Media users in 2010 (based upon the use of any social media device at least once per month). This is roughly 60% of Internet users. In the 45-54 year old group (the home of this Old Dog at age 53), a 53% majority of Internet users were also Social Media users.
Social Media isn't coming, it's here. Are you participating?
You can:
1) Run with the Big Dogs
2) bark with the little dogs
3) or sleep on the porch
Your call, but as this shorter version of an earlier favorite video reminds us, don't wait too long to decide.
Thanks for sharing 148 seconds of your day,
Smitty
Social Media isn't coming, it's here. Are you participating?
You can:
1) Run with the Big Dogs
2) bark with the little dogs
3) or sleep on the porch
Your call, but as this shorter version of an earlier favorite video reminds us, don't wait too long to decide.
Thanks for sharing 148 seconds of your day,
Smitty
Monday, March 21, 2011
"Don't be that guy!"
People have been doing business socially for generations: over dinner, at cocktail parties, on the golf course and in numerous social settings.
Suppose you're chatting at a party, and your friend is sharing about the recent loss of a loved one or a serious concern about their child. Someone you know casually walks boldly into your personal space, interrupts your friend's heartfelt communication mid-sentence, and blurts out: "Hi, I'm Bob. You may not have enough personal life insurance in the event of an unexpected tragedy. Can we set an appointment to discuss your insurance needs?"
If you're a kind, patient person, you think "What a jerk" but say, "No thanks. Would you please excuse us?" If you're like me, a sinful person and less than patient with such a #?*@!# idiot, you react stronger and think something that would make a raunchy, foul-mouthed comedian blush.
It's no different in the world of Social Media than it is at a party. In fact, social media has been compared by many to a social party. Be sure not to behave like "Bob, the Insurance Guy" and be known by those who are listening on social media as "That Guy". The video below, featuring social media guru Chris Brogan, speaks directly to avoiding this error of ignorance. Chris is the kind of guy who can definitely teach an Old Dog a few New Tricks.
Advice to Old Dogs: pick a type of social media to explore and just LISTEN to what others are saying on that forum before you try to speak. Don't make the mistakes that I initially made.
(My apologies to my friends who make their living in the insurance world. It is an honorable profession when practiced with integrity. I should know - I was an insurance salesman a long time ago when I was a Young Dog. Be sure you have sufficient life insurance to cover your loved ones. Really.)
Thanks for sharing 223 seconds of your day,
Smitty
Suppose you're chatting at a party, and your friend is sharing about the recent loss of a loved one or a serious concern about their child. Someone you know casually walks boldly into your personal space, interrupts your friend's heartfelt communication mid-sentence, and blurts out: "Hi, I'm Bob. You may not have enough personal life insurance in the event of an unexpected tragedy. Can we set an appointment to discuss your insurance needs?"
If you're a kind, patient person, you think "What a jerk" but say, "No thanks. Would you please excuse us?" If you're like me, a sinful person and less than patient with such a #?*@!# idiot, you react stronger and think something that would make a raunchy, foul-mouthed comedian blush.
It's no different in the world of Social Media than it is at a party. In fact, social media has been compared by many to a social party. Be sure not to behave like "Bob, the Insurance Guy" and be known by those who are listening on social media as "That Guy". The video below, featuring social media guru Chris Brogan, speaks directly to avoiding this error of ignorance. Chris is the kind of guy who can definitely teach an Old Dog a few New Tricks.
Advice to Old Dogs: pick a type of social media to explore and just LISTEN to what others are saying on that forum before you try to speak. Don't make the mistakes that I initially made.
(My apologies to my friends who make their living in the insurance world. It is an honorable profession when practiced with integrity. I should know - I was an insurance salesman a long time ago when I was a Young Dog. Be sure you have sufficient life insurance to cover your loved ones. Really.)
Thanks for sharing 223 seconds of your day,
Smitty
Thursday, March 17, 2011
How did this happen?
Shortly before I left employment with a national radio broadcast company, where I was selling national advertising on stations and programs across the country and previously was a sales manager for a local Pittsburgh station, I began to notice kids walking around with white earphones connected to some kind of pod. I thought: "The latest fad for kids .... adults will still listen to radio. Heck, every car in America has a radio."
After I left this national radio broadcast company, the company stock dropped 90%. Along the way, I found out those white earphones were attached to something called an "iPod". Strike one.
When I received my first text message, from a friend of mine who recently created an Apple app that attracted 1.2 Million users in less than 2 months, I didn't even know how to open it. I actually didn't even care to open my first received text. I thought: "This won't catch on - I can talk way faster than I can type on those little buttons. Another fad for kids."
Wrong again. Strike two. According to Guy Vaynerchuk, in his book The Thank You Economy:
"Though girls ages fourteen to seventeen can still out-text anyone, averaging about a hundred texts per day compared to boys of the same age, who text about thirty times per day, texting isn't just for kids anymore. As of May 2010, 72 percent of the adult population were texting, at a rate of about ten texts per day. What do you think the number will look like by 2013?"
Look around you. People of all ages are walking around (and driving around) with their heads down, thumbs flying. They are texting, for sure, but many on smart phones are communicating with friends through Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and other social media of which you've never even heard. In their homes they are doing the same on computers and iPads, regardless of age.
I am a trusted advisor of a friend of mine who owns a luxury retail business. He had his most successful year in 2010, which exceeded his most successful year ever in 2009. Think about the implications of having your best two years in this economy, while other luxury retailers closed their doors. Most definitely the blessing of God. Yet, in 2010, I was telling him, "Even the big companies are still trying to figure out how to make social media work for them. Forget about wasting time there. We'll get on board when someone else figures it out and we can copy them."
Strike three. If you own a small business, it's time to figure out how to communicate with all those people who have their heads down, thumbs flying. My friend's business success before we got on board with social media only makes me excited about his future success.
Old Dogs + New Tricks = $ Bling $
Thanks for sharing 131 seconds of your day,
Smitty
After I left this national radio broadcast company, the company stock dropped 90%. Along the way, I found out those white earphones were attached to something called an "iPod". Strike one.
When I received my first text message, from a friend of mine who recently created an Apple app that attracted 1.2 Million users in less than 2 months, I didn't even know how to open it. I actually didn't even care to open my first received text. I thought: "This won't catch on - I can talk way faster than I can type on those little buttons. Another fad for kids."
Wrong again. Strike two. According to Guy Vaynerchuk, in his book The Thank You Economy:
"Though girls ages fourteen to seventeen can still out-text anyone, averaging about a hundred texts per day compared to boys of the same age, who text about thirty times per day, texting isn't just for kids anymore. As of May 2010, 72 percent of the adult population were texting, at a rate of about ten texts per day. What do you think the number will look like by 2013?"
Look around you. People of all ages are walking around (and driving around) with their heads down, thumbs flying. They are texting, for sure, but many on smart phones are communicating with friends through Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and other social media of which you've never even heard. In their homes they are doing the same on computers and iPads, regardless of age.
I am a trusted advisor of a friend of mine who owns a luxury retail business. He had his most successful year in 2010, which exceeded his most successful year ever in 2009. Think about the implications of having your best two years in this economy, while other luxury retailers closed their doors. Most definitely the blessing of God. Yet, in 2010, I was telling him, "Even the big companies are still trying to figure out how to make social media work for them. Forget about wasting time there. We'll get on board when someone else figures it out and we can copy them."
Strike three. If you own a small business, it's time to figure out how to communicate with all those people who have their heads down, thumbs flying. My friend's business success before we got on board with social media only makes me excited about his future success.
Old Dogs + New Tricks = $ Bling $
Thanks for sharing 131 seconds of your day,
Smitty
Monday, March 14, 2011
Things Change
Earlier, I expressed a concern that Old Dogs who fail to learn New Tricks may get run over by a vehicle with the license plate "FUTUR". A friend of mine emailed that he wasn't worried about getting run over, but rather, being left behind. He said it better.
The video below is a wee bit dated. But the information is so exceedingly thought provoking, I'm betting you won't bail out until it is completed.
Things change. Don't get left behind.
Thanks for sharing 305 seconds of your day,
Smitty
The video below is a wee bit dated. But the information is so exceedingly thought provoking, I'm betting you won't bail out until it is completed.
Things change. Don't get left behind.
Thanks for sharing 305 seconds of your day,
Smitty
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Word of Mouth
"Word of Mouth equals World of Mouth." Erik Qualman in socialnomics
Ask any small business or family business owner what is the best type of advertising, and the answer will likely be "Word of Mouth." Not only is word of mouth the cheapest form of advertising, it is also the most effective. Why? Because of relationships: 78% of consumers trust recommendations of their peers, and only 14% trust advertisements.
A word of caution: word of mouth advertising in the age of social media spreads like a nuclear reaction (as the video below demonstrates). If the restaurant serves cold food delivered by a cranky server followed by an overpriced check ..... word of mouth through social media will destroy this business. The transparency of communication today forces businesses to pursue excellence. One might argue that this is not only good for the consumer, but also good for society as a whole.
Customers strongly expressing an opinion, positive or negative, is the crucial element of business success. Care not only about, but for, your customers and have no fear that your business will explode like an atomic bomb.
Enjoy the video!
Thanks for sharing 147 seconds of your day,
Smitty
Ask any small business or family business owner what is the best type of advertising, and the answer will likely be "Word of Mouth." Not only is word of mouth the cheapest form of advertising, it is also the most effective. Why? Because of relationships: 78% of consumers trust recommendations of their peers, and only 14% trust advertisements.
A word of caution: word of mouth advertising in the age of social media spreads like a nuclear reaction (as the video below demonstrates). If the restaurant serves cold food delivered by a cranky server followed by an overpriced check ..... word of mouth through social media will destroy this business. The transparency of communication today forces businesses to pursue excellence. One might argue that this is not only good for the consumer, but also good for society as a whole.
Customers strongly expressing an opinion, positive or negative, is the crucial element of business success. Care not only about, but for, your customers and have no fear that your business will explode like an atomic bomb.
Enjoy the video!
Thanks for sharing 147 seconds of your day,
Smitty
Monday, March 7, 2011
Ever felt Old?
Our eldest son, Greg (age 25), had a successful heart transplant this past Thanksgiving night. We are blessed: Greg continues to recover, and Jesus Christ has carried us through some difficult months on the prayers of many faithful, caring, loving individuals. It is hard to articulate how much family, loved ones and faith mean when you are in the proverbial "eye of the storm". My son is one of my closest friends whom I admire deeply and respect immensely. His courage and belief in Almighty God continue to be an inspiration to me. As you can imagine (and as some of you reading this may well know) due to Greg's situation and other struggles, 2010 was a challenging year for my family and me.
This calendar year is certainly a vast improvement over 2010 in many ways, but at the outset of 2011, I was feeling really old. Like about 93 years old rather than my soon-to-be 53 years. One would think that I would have been elated and energized by Greg's miraculous, life-saving surgery. Although profoundly grateful, I'm a little ashamed to admit that I began the New Year just kinda worn out. This malaise carried over a bit to my work, where I genuinely enjoy (and feel called to) helping family owned small businesses succeed. Hence, part of the reason for calling this blog Old Dogs, New Tricks when I started it earlier this year - - I was feeling a little old and worn out.
At the same time, my lack of knowledge concerning new technology was overwhelming and also was making me feel old. Actually, to a thumbs-flying, texting young adult, I am old.
In a world of escalating Social Media, I was experienced in the old ways of successfully communicating. The stock price of the broadcast company for which I once worked dropped 90% within one year. Radio and TV advertising joined newspaper advertising in rapidly spiraling effectiveness. The old ways of helping my friends succeed and feed their families were deteriorating. It was painful watching small business owners struggle in a tough economy.
Until recently, I knew next to nothing about things like Facebook, blogs and YouTube. I was, and continue to be in many ways, an Old Dog in need of New Tricks. I have chosen to learn about these new technologies with the hope of helping my friends to succeed in the Social Media arena. Having learned a deeper level of being personally vulnerable in 2010, I am willing to be transparent and appear naive (and just plain ignorant!) in an effort to encourage those who are intimidated by the new technologies of Social Media.
Old Dogs, New Tricks is an exploration of the blooming Social Media phenomena, and how these evolving tools may benefit small business owners, for whom the vast majority of Americans daily work. If you find this information terrifically useless, I genuinely apologize. Forgive me, please (life really is too short). If you own a small business or know someone who does, something in this blog may one day inspire you with a "New Trick" that may save you marketing dollars, give you a competitive edge and improve your bottom line. I learned back when gas cost $1.39 per gallon that helping business owners with their business actually helps their lives, and every life that business touches.
Life continues to change at an ever increasing pace, whether or not we choose to participate in this change which surrounds us. I'm ready for some New Tricks. Maybe we'll learn one or two together.
Thank you for letting me share my heart and for sharing 159 seconds of your day,
Smitty
This calendar year is certainly a vast improvement over 2010 in many ways, but at the outset of 2011, I was feeling really old. Like about 93 years old rather than my soon-to-be 53 years. One would think that I would have been elated and energized by Greg's miraculous, life-saving surgery. Although profoundly grateful, I'm a little ashamed to admit that I began the New Year just kinda worn out. This malaise carried over a bit to my work, where I genuinely enjoy (and feel called to) helping family owned small businesses succeed. Hence, part of the reason for calling this blog Old Dogs, New Tricks when I started it earlier this year - - I was feeling a little old and worn out.
At the same time, my lack of knowledge concerning new technology was overwhelming and also was making me feel old. Actually, to a thumbs-flying, texting young adult, I am old.
In a world of escalating Social Media, I was experienced in the old ways of successfully communicating. The stock price of the broadcast company for which I once worked dropped 90% within one year. Radio and TV advertising joined newspaper advertising in rapidly spiraling effectiveness. The old ways of helping my friends succeed and feed their families were deteriorating. It was painful watching small business owners struggle in a tough economy.
Until recently, I knew next to nothing about things like Facebook, blogs and YouTube. I was, and continue to be in many ways, an Old Dog in need of New Tricks. I have chosen to learn about these new technologies with the hope of helping my friends to succeed in the Social Media arena. Having learned a deeper level of being personally vulnerable in 2010, I am willing to be transparent and appear naive (and just plain ignorant!) in an effort to encourage those who are intimidated by the new technologies of Social Media.
Old Dogs, New Tricks is an exploration of the blooming Social Media phenomena, and how these evolving tools may benefit small business owners, for whom the vast majority of Americans daily work. If you find this information terrifically useless, I genuinely apologize. Forgive me, please (life really is too short). If you own a small business or know someone who does, something in this blog may one day inspire you with a "New Trick" that may save you marketing dollars, give you a competitive edge and improve your bottom line. I learned back when gas cost $1.39 per gallon that helping business owners with their business actually helps their lives, and every life that business touches.
Life continues to change at an ever increasing pace, whether or not we choose to participate in this change which surrounds us. I'm ready for some New Tricks. Maybe we'll learn one or two together.
Thank you for letting me share my heart and for sharing 159 seconds of your day,
Smitty
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Does President Obama owe his place in history to Social Media?
Consider these facts about the 2008 Presidential Election, taken from socialnomics by Erik Qualman:
* Obama raised a record amount of money for a Presidential campaign
The total was $660 million, allowing him to outspend McCain nearly 3-to-1
92% of the donations to the Obama campaign were in sums of less than $100
* Obama had over 3.1 million fans on his Facebook page
Add "Pennsylvania for Obama" and the top-20 pages: the total tops 5 million fans
McCain had 614,000 fans on his Facebook page
The next highest fan page was only 1,700 fans on a page for wife, Cindy McCain
* Consider the total views for Obama via YouTube:
Over 110 million views
An estimated 14.5 million hours of viewing on YouTube
Estimated cost to purchase in commercial time? $47 million
Interesting. See polling question to your right or add your comment below.
Any Old Dog looking to learn New Tricks will find Erik Qualman's socialnomics interesting reading (see Blog Archive - in the Doghouse video for February 22, 2011 blog post)
Thanks for sharing 71 seconds of your day,
Smitty
* Obama raised a record amount of money for a Presidential campaign
The total was $660 million, allowing him to outspend McCain nearly 3-to-1
92% of the donations to the Obama campaign were in sums of less than $100
* Obama had over 3.1 million fans on his Facebook page
Add "Pennsylvania for Obama" and the top-20 pages: the total tops 5 million fans
McCain had 614,000 fans on his Facebook page
The next highest fan page was only 1,700 fans on a page for wife, Cindy McCain
* Consider the total views for Obama via YouTube:
Over 110 million views
An estimated 14.5 million hours of viewing on YouTube
Estimated cost to purchase in commercial time? $47 million
Interesting. See polling question to your right or add your comment below.
Any Old Dog looking to learn New Tricks will find Erik Qualman's socialnomics interesting reading (see Blog Archive - in the Doghouse video for February 22, 2011 blog post)
Thanks for sharing 71 seconds of your day,
Smitty
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
What are THEY saying about you?
Talk about a creative way to complain to 10,000,000 "friends"! The video below is incredibly clever, and has been viewed over ten million times. You don't have to watch the entire video to realize how badly this airline wishes that they could roll back the clock and have a "do over". But you'll probably watch the whole thing anyway - - it's just that stinkin' creative!
If you own a small or family owned business, truly care about your customers and have no fear your business will suffer this kind of damage. Shame on United Airlines!
Thanks for sharing 311 seconds of your day,
Smitty
If you own a small or family owned business, truly care about your customers and have no fear your business will suffer this kind of damage. Shame on United Airlines!
Thanks for sharing 311 seconds of your day,
Smitty
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