What’s now?
April 28th, 2008
Everyone is always talking about what they are going to do next. How they are going to start this initiative or that social network. How they are working on the next big thing. And that’s great. It gets people excited about what’s to come. But don’t overlook what you could be doing now instead of next.
While you are creating that next great thing, you could be building a groundswell of support for launch day. Don’t go off into a corner and come back to your customers and say “ta-da!” Why not involve a select group of them in what you’re working on? Not only does it empower them and make them feel valued, but in turn they will start telling their contacts about what’s going on…and the buzz begins.
The power of now is much greater than the power of next. So don’t forget about now. Don’t wait and (hope to) get people involved after launch. Open the doors and let them in now. And then watch what happens.
Other posts by Spike.
Todd says:
One has to wonder how much more successful Coke and Bud would have been with their social media initiatives if they had followed the above advice. It’s interesting that there’s still so much corporate appeal to the “unveiling” launch instead of the collaborative launch.
Great thoughts Spike.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:02 amGreg says:
This is what Phil Vischer (creator of Veggie Tales) is doing with his new project. He has been blogging about what he is doing (see Pulling Back the Curtain - Part 1, http://www.philvischer.com/?p=98).
He is generating excitement in his audience by keeping them informed and allowing them to participate in the process.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:06 amStu says:
Very Eckhart Tolle of you to be living in the now, but it’s great advice. Our company was recently part of a 5 year strategy/planning meeting for one of our clients. Thinking about what’s going to happen 5 years out. 5 Years! If we only would have invested our combined time wasted in those meetings to figure out what we should be doing now, I’ve got to feel we would have been better off.
All that talk about getting people involved made me think about Evan Williams and twitter. I love getting his updates via twitter about life and the internal working of twitter. It seems like the almost 11,000 other of his twitter followers enjoy it as well.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:46 pmJason Keeling says:
Many Benefits to Embarking Upon the Social Media Journey ‘Now’
First exploring and experimenting with social media in 2006, it became apparent this form was going to revolutionize the world of online and offline communications.
Most organizations outside the tech world have no idea what’s happening online. Stuck in yesterday’s Internet, they vigorously uphold “the” traditional practices of PR, advertising, and marketing. Doubtful or intimidated by social media, they brush it aside, failing to realize the magnitude of insight and efficiency that could be gained.
Those businesses, organizations, and people that recognize the value of listening to their stakeholders, talking with them, and engaging them through the power of blogging, social networks, and content syndication, they’re going to be way ahead of the curve and benefiting both NOW and TOMORROW!
“Doing it right” takes time, patience, commitment, and focus. No doubt there are going to be bumps along the way, but the potential benefits are tremendous.
Like the Brains on Fire crew, I’ll be branding my business, building a blog audience, gaining valuable information, and making contacts across the globe, while my competitors are “still contemplating” whether they should step it up a notch online.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:06 pm