What's the biggest challenge or frustration you're having right now? Here is what I HATE!

[RainWolf]

Ok, so this is a bit of a rant.

You cannot throw a paper plane without either hitting
- a social network, or
- a social networking expert.

And the thing that pisses me off the most is that the moment a "new" social media network comes out everybody jumps on it. So even if your ads are doing well, 5 minutes later everybody else jumps in and then people start ignoring the ads.

To be completely honest, I actually hate social media! There, I said it. I remember the good old days when Adwords was the best way to advertise online. Google places listings were not taking up the whole f****ing page, so your business actually had a chance of getting seen.

But now everybody is everywhere, everyone is screaming "Hey, look at me! Buy from me!"

And then everybody with their ironically un-unique message "We're different from the rest". Or "Plumbing with a difference." Or "Our results are guaranteed." REALLY?

I don't know where things are going, but it appears almost every business today is becoming a commodity.

Whatever man.

[Rant over]

 

[Peter Bowen]

I got all vexed about more or less the same thing last night and spewed it out here earlier today: http://www.pete-bowen.com/bad-marke...-who-says-your-business-needs-a-facebook-page

Warning, it contains the word "balls" which might offend some.

 

[directmarketingadvice]

To be completely honest, I actually hate social media!

Fine, then don't use it.

Who says you have to advertise using every available channel?

Steve

 

[That Bates Girl]

I don't know where things are going, but it appears almost every business today is becoming a commodity.

Whatever man.

[Rant over]

But that's the way it's always been, and the way it always will be.

New technology often leads to what Clay Shirkey called 'mass amateurism', and things that used to be a job are now simply a skill.

The printing press made the job of the scribe obsolete overnight (well, over a good few decades in reality). And 40 years ago you could get a job as a typist.

Industries maintain professional standards partly as a sign that they, as people, have invested time and money into achieving the high level of skill needed to enter the industry in the first place.

Remove the barriers to entry and it's no surprise that industry-wide professional standards start to slip.

Over the next 10 years, every one of us will find that something we work hard on, something that we've spent hours (or weeks, or years) learning to do, can now be done, to a reasonable - good enough for most people - standard, by almost anyone, for almost no-effort, and almost no cost.

And we will all think that it's terribly unfair, and that people should still pay us what they used to pay us, because damn-it, we invested a lot to be able to command that sort of fee!

The only way to survive is to start thinking about the stuff we do that might be commoditised as though it already were a commodity. Then work out what value we can add to that commodity, and start 'selling' that instead.

We don't have scribes any more, because there's no market for people to "write stuff down" - but you can still earn a living as a calligrapher, because people will pay for things to be written down beautifully.

Lyds

 

[garyk]

Remove the barriers to entry and it's no surprise that industry-wide professional standards start to slip.

Over the next 10 years, every one of us will find that something we work hard on, something that we've spent hours (or weeks, or years) learning to do, can now be done, to a reasonable - good enough for most people - standard, by almost anyone, for almost no-effort, and almost no cost.

Bang on, unfortunately most service industries are just commodities and it is typically (but not always) price driven. There is less loyalty now.

And we will all think that it's terribly unfair, and that people should still pay us what they used to pay us, because damn-it, we invested a lot to be able to command that sort of fee!

The only way to survive is to start thinking about the stuff we do that might be commoditised as though it already were a commodity. Then work out what value we can add to that commodity, and start 'selling' that instead.

Yes or realise your time is better spent doing something else. My background is tech. and the only money I directly make from it is consultancy. If its straight out coding its far better to outsource as its cheaper and far less of a headache. Something I tell those with dreams of making it big with their 'app ideas'. Its not a technical problem you have if you don't have programming skills, its a marketing/awareness/monetary problem you have. I might not like it but the simple fact is I can find better labour for cheaper.

Gary

 

[RainWolf]

Fine, then don't use it.

Who says you have to advertise using every available channel?

Steve

Are you the world's spokesman for social media?

 

[directmarketingadvice]

Are you the world's spokesman for social media?

Are you suggesting my statement was wrong? If so, lay out your reasoning...

Steve

 

[RainWolf]

Are you suggesting my statement was wrong? If so, lay out your reasoning...

Steve

Steve, my reasoning is that you're absolutely right.

 

[Cynic]

Not sure I get the premise of this post....to just vent ? Your business can either adapt or die...

 

[RP Branding]

Not sure I get the premise of this post....to just vent ? Your business can either adapt or die...

I wouldn't necessarily say it's an adapt or die situation. Some companies are in a kind of industry where social media isn't essential and they can get by without spending hours a day on Twitter and Facebook.

That's not to say it can't bring in a great amount of business though.

 

[Cynic]

I wouldn't necessarily say it's an adapt or die situation. Some companies are in a kind of industry where social media isn't essential and they can get by without spending hours a day on Twitter and Facebook.

That's not to say it can't bring in a great amount of business though.

I'm aware of this...I meant more of him reminiscing the good old days when it was just Google Adwords... I personally see facebook and twitter as more of consumer engagement portals than a place to solicit sales directly