Old-School Marketers Still Dont Get It
Thanks to a Tweet by Jennifer Laycock of SearchEngineGuide.com I just read an article titled “Ten Reasons I wont use Social Media Sites” by a guy named John Mariotti. The site editor pointed out that this was the counterpoint to an article she published previously but went on to add that she thinks this viewpoint
“… represents the view of the vast majority of businesspeople today — they aren’t ready to drink the Kool-aid on social media sites just yet (maybe never)”
Oh my, where to begin? It’s going to be a rant, so bail now if you don’t want to hear it.
First, I have to applaud Mr. Mariotti, he spent a good deal of time rationalizing his fear of Social Media. The 10 “reasons” he has put together carry some smidgen of merit however there are NO deal breakers in his list. Only items it sounds like he does not want to deal with or find solutions to. He’s right when he says “Nothing good comes easy.” but it does not seem like he is interested in applying that credo here.
The real kicker for me was this comment …
Real business people realize that this social networking trend is superficial.
I could probably fire off a list of “Real Business People” who have invested millions into building the foundation, framework and institutions of Social Media and I doubt they did it because they were looking for a tax write-off. The growth of the industry alone should be a clue that this is not some flash in the pan. As I have stated in other articles and in presentations I have given, if you are not on the Social Media wagon train as a marketer yet, you may be too late. I have personally made 10’s of thousands of dollars through my efforts in Social Media and I know others who are using it much more effectively than I am. I would not qualify that a “superficial”.
I do think however this article might have been great if it would have focused more how online and offline marketing differs. Most of his points could have been tweeked towards this topic and it would have been a very good read. He does bring up issues that we deal with daily in Social Media marketing, however when the value is fully understood you don’t give it up so easily. Most of his issues are easily overcome with a bit of research, training or social interaction with people dealing with the same types of issues. (hint .. hint..)
So, I read down to the bottom of the article and had to see the author Bio. Wouldn’t you know it, Mr. Mariotti looks to be an Old School Marketer. I am not surprised, I speak to many marketing departments and I can always tell the folks who are scared of this new “trend” in marketing. They don’t understand why they have to change, they don’t want to change and fight it tooth and nail. This is fine in my book, its kind of like “Marketing Darwinism”, only those who evolve will survive. Soon a new stronger, faster and more social marketer will take their place.
If you read this Mr. Mariotti please don’t be offended at my rant, I know it seems targeted at you specifically, but you were just the catalyst. I see this type of thinking all the time and I never seem to understand it and your article hit a nerve if you couldn’t tell. By the Way (BTW), your response(s) to the comments on the article you wrote are one form of Social Media, so I guess you changed your mind about participating … :)
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