“QR Code adoption up 1,135%”There are a lot of headlines lately that are probably making you say WTF more often than Snoop Dogg at a Miley Cyrus concert. Yes, technology is advancing at an alarming rate but don’t forget, we live in Saskatchewan.
I don’t think most companies and organizations in Saskatchewan need an app. We’re still pretty far behind the technology curve. So if you think developing an app as your next strategic move, I’d look into it a little deeper. One organization that does have an app is the U of S, so obviously we need to ask the question; why doesn’t the University of Regina have one?
Before you go developing god knows what kind of app for your company make sure you ask the difficult questions along the way.
Why do we need an app? What incentive is there to downloading our app? Will an app make it easier for people to _________(fill in the blank) at the University of Regina? Is it just our website in a different format? Who is responsible for updating it? Is our app worth talking about?
Just because you’ve read some tool is “ubiquitous” doesn’t mean it’s a smart option for your company.
Just because “everyone’s on there” doesn’t always mean you need to be.
Just because something is technically “free” to use doesn’t mean you’ll have the time to use it effectively.
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
When you pour sour milk into a glass, it comes out in globs and chunks, not very consistently. When you dabble in one medium and then try a different tactic it is not very consistent, that does not help your brand. People notice consistency.
When your efforts are focused on a certain task over time, by default your competency increases and you create consistency. Your customers or clients have an expectation of your work and you must deliver on that expectation consistently. People notice consistency.
In a world where products and businesses can be developed over night, it can be difficult at times to differentiate the good ones from the bad. Whether you own a small business or are developing your next marketing campaign, keep in mind that consistency over a period of time speaks louder than any chunky one-off sour milk promotion. People don’t like sour milk, but love consistency.
“You can be traditional in a non-traditional medium and as well, you can be non-traditional in a traditional medium.”
I heard this for the first time on the Six Pixels of Separation podcast. Joseph Jaffe said it to Mitch Joel talking about what is currently taking place across all mediums. I think that statement is very applicable for areas such as Saskatchewan, that have a much slower adoption rate for online technology and media. Let me explain.
In Saskatchewan companies need to focus on bridging the gap between traditional and new media. It would be ignorant not to be exploring what you could be doing online as well, to spend your entire budget on internet marketing. If you can figure out how to be non-traditional in a traditional medium you already have a head start on the competition. So how could you go about doing this? Simple.
Begin by knowing that your customers have the most marketing influence in the World, give them the tools to spread your message. Put your web-site on all printed material, if you’re on Twitter put your username on your business cards and e-mail signature. Start producing content that your followers would want to consume Continue Reading
