Fried Logic

Major Culture Shift and I’m Jumping on the Band Wagon

I’ve been at the Internet Summit in Raleigh, NC the 15th & 16th of November, and I have to admit I left feeling like a changed woman.  As for any conference, the speakers and sessions can be hit or miss.  I gained some valuable industry tips on paid search, digital marketing and SEO but the most impactful event for me was the keynote speaker, Gary Vaynerchuk.  Prior to the conference, I’d never heard of this guy and now I can’t wait to read his book, The Thank You Economy and use his business practices in my own life.

Gary focused on the current cultural shift and the fact that social media and community involvement online is why marketers need to change their strategies. No longer are people responding to the “Push” style of advertising.  They are becoming blind to the television ads, the online ads, and who listens to the radio these days anyway.  After the talk I was kicking myself for not understanding the value of the social community.  I personally don’t care to share my weekend business on Facebook.  I don’t care if your kid turned 3 today and got cake all over their face.   I’m not interested in using social media as a personal outlet.  BUT to dismiss if for those reasons is why most business owners and brands are missing out on a huge opportunity to build relationships with their customers and potential customers.  You don’t use these outlets to sell products, you use them to gain trust and build relationships.  You need to be there when all those people are spending 6-9 hours a day surfing Facebook and StumbleUpon.  Be there when their bored, spark their interest and sell them something down the road when they realize you have a product or service they need.  Interact with them.  Talk to them and get to know them personally.  Show them you actually care about them as a person.

The clouds parted and the sun came down on me while I was sitting with 1,800 other people in that room.

“Hello Christina, welcome to the other part of digital media, the world of mass communication.”

Alright PR and Social Media department I get it.  Sorry it took so long!  You’ll be proud that I just opened a Twitter account (@FrenziedArtists).  Someone come talk to me about how to use it please!