Re-invent Yourself

BRAVE NEW WORLD   

How it happened or exactly when it happened I am not certain, but the business landscape shifted beneath our feet.  Way back in 2007, Facebook was a novelty website connecting college kids and young adults.  Now?  Well you know.  LinkedIn, Twitter, Tumbler, Vimeo, YouTube were terms not yet invented. Smart Phone?  The closest thing we knew of was a Star Trek tri-corder (except the current smart phone is probably more powerful.)  Now all these things are essential, everyday business and personal productivity tools. 

It’s all very exciting and it’s a wonderful time to be alive to witness this massive influx of technological innovation.

I’m 53 years old and came up through the ranks doing business in a completely different way.  No Internet.  No social media. For a long time, no cell phone. Collectively these things have reached critical mass and I am now face to face with the sobering fact that we have to reinvent our business to stay relevant in this brave new world.   How do we do that?  How do we leverage 30 years of business experience in a world that works so drastically different from the one in which we learned?

Normally this is where I would proudly declare “Here’s how I did it!.”  Well, I’m still working on that, and I think most everyone else is too.  I even think people who know enough to give seminars aren’t one hundred percent sure either.  It is simply changing too fast.

As a video producer, I am completely up to speed on the current-day production process and how it dovetails with web video, social media and technology’s ability to push a clients’ brand forward.  So there at least, I have good confidence. 

SOME THINGS REMAIN THE SAME 

• Quality still counts - A good product is key.  It used to be a brochure or direct mail piece, or a DVD.  Now it’s a video, a website, e-mail blast, newsletter, YouTube channel, Linked In Profile, and Facebook page.  It all projects an image about you.  If it doesn’t look good, neither do you.

• It’s about people - People like to do business with people, not an on-line account.  Get to know your customers and find out what drives them and how you can make their lives better.

• Experience - There is no substitute.  After years and years of producing videos an instinct develops - a subtle nuance - little things done well that make all the difference.  Time, and time alone, will teach you this lesson.

• Good manners are always in style - Be polite, say thank you, smile, get to know the people, ask about their kids, send them a card for a free coffee, follow up, and do something nice for them … and MEAN it. 

So take up these new tools and use them, but don't think they are now the ONLY things that will help you move your business ahead.  Good old fashioned hard work and quality still count for ALOT!  Boy, do I sound like my Dad or what?

David and Kathryn Seay produce marketing videos and documentaries.  They work in the Dallas area.