Don't Leave the Mass Market Behind

By Paul | Posted January 14, 2009 | 4 Comment(s) | Filed in: Internet Marketing

The problem with being an innovator or early adopter is that you can get bored with what’s hot and new before the mass market catches up.

As a result, consultants and agencies (PR, SEO, Web, Interactive, etc.) are left chasing what’s “next” instead of evolving their services to bring what works to the millions of businesses stuck in a rut of tradition and conventional wisdom.

So, while many of us may be tired of talking, writing and reading about Twitter, blogging, social bookmarking, social networking, SEO, PPC, landing pages, Web 2.0 and inbound marketing, don’t lose sight of the fact that the vast majority of potential clients have no idea how to embrace these tools/strategies and use them to help grow their businesses.

There is much to be shared and learned. I hope that those with the knowledge have the patience to educate, and the foresight to deliver services that will help the mass market of small-to-midsize businesses persevere and thrive.

Resources for Those Getting Started

•    HubSpot Internet Marketing Blog
•    Web Ink Now by David Meerman Scott
•    Web Strategy by Jeremiah Owyang
•    Mashable
•    Techipedia
•    The Future Buzz

If you have other blogs that are great for beginners, please add them in the comments below. Thanks.

Paul Roetzer is founder and president of PR 20/20, a Cleveland-based inbound marketing agency and PR firm. He blogs here, and tweets there.

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Follow me on Twitter: @paulroetzer

Comments

peter caputa

January 14, 2009 at 10:49am | Permalink

Well said. I've seen way too many wannabe SEO "experts" jump on the social media bandwagon. Basics first. Then, experiment.
Ashley Malone

January 14, 2009 at 7:33pm | Permalink

I must say, it's nice though to read blogs (i.e. PR 20/20's) that do pin point the most recent fads in marketing and public relations. Although it may be boring or redundant to those who already do know the "hip" marketing techniques that are going on, I am still in the "I know a bit of this and a bit of that" phase, where I want to read about all the NOW social media aspects so that I can somewhat keep myself up to pace.
David Ascot

January 16, 2009 at 5:28am | Permalink

That's great, I never thought about Donât Leave the Mass Market Behind like that before.
Christina Christian

January 23, 2009 at 3:18pm | Permalink

Thanks for the reminder that we're not all on the same page. I've found it difficult to demonstrate patience when I'm so enthusiastic about the tools and the benefits they could provide. I'll remember to evaluate the steps I took to get to this point of enthusiasm and understanding.