Good and Goofy Ideas - IOB - 12/22/2011

Insight on Business with Michael Libbie is our regular feature dealing with our thoughts on social media, advertising, marketing and a host of topics in a quick read, quick link experience.  Thanks for coming by.  If you would like to connect with a comment here, feel free or we can get together on Twitter @InsightADV and our advertising agency Facebook Page is right here.  Let's go:

Good Idea #1 - Eagles' Wings River Retreat

If you are anywhere in the Des Moines Metro and you're looking for a place for a business meeting, planning seminar, small party, or an afternoon with the Board (profit or non-profit)...and you want to escape the sterile environment of a hotel/motel meeting room go...here:

 

Eagles' Wings River Retreatis just minutes from downtown Des Moines and is part of Mike Taylor's food service business, In The Bag.  Nope, Mike didn't pay for this recommendation.  We just think it's a cool place.  Enjoy.

Good Idea #2 - Ed Snuffin & Iowa Computer Repair

Ed and I have been "Facebook Friends" for a couple of years.  That means we "know each other" sorta.  Last month I invited Ed to our home for an event.  In his RSVP he responded that his business, Iowa Computer Repair was within walking distance from our place in "The Village" of Windsor Heights.  This week my Bride had a major issue with her computer and I called Ed.  Not only did he get to this right away (His policy is to clear the work-bench before the end of the week.) he also loaned Georgie a computer and sat down with her to explain loads of things about Windows 7.  If you are in the Metro and you need your computer to...work.  Visit with Ed.  He's a bunch better than Big Box...any day.

It Gives Us All A Bad Name - Goofy Idea #1

They would love for me to say their name...but I'm not.  This week we received this brochure in the mail from a company based in Illinois.  They are selling Social Media Services for small businesses for $300 a year with "no set up fee".  Here is what you get:

• Weekly Facebook Post;
• A Facebook "Like" Button for your website;
• Comment to Fans on Your Behalf;
• A Daily Tweet;
• Custom Twitter Background;
• Monthly Status Reports mailed to you...

Seriously?  It's what gives those of us deeply committed to social media a lousy name.  What's really sad is somebody out there will buy this.  Goofy, my friends from so many angles.

Fix Stuff People Hate - Good Idea #3

Let's say you know people who hate a particular service or product.  It might be merchants who hate paying expensive transaction fees on credit card charges so...you invent Dwolla where each transaction is only $.25.  Or you know customers hate paying interest charges and you come up with an idea that even on your charge cards you'll not make those interest charges...sorta like Von Maur.  Or you know people hate paying fees to access their money from generic ATM's so you create an advertising supported platform...with no fees.  Or you realize that folks hate to pay shipping so you ship products from online...free.  The bottom line is find something people hate...and fix it.  Give them an alternative.  Bet it...works.

Thanks for coming by.  Feel free to pass this around...if you want.  And, do me one small favor.  Spend 20% of your holiday shopping dollars...local?  Drop the Box it means a world of difference to Main Street. - Michael

Comments

[Albuquerque Computer Services]

I can commiserate on the social media snake oil salesmen out there. We run across them on a regular basis ourselves. It's sad that these guys will certainly con some poor fool out of their money. I think that time will be the best teacher in instances like these. Eventually, it will become common knowledge that you need to be getting certain thing from a social media outsourcee.

[Michael Libbie]

Albuquerque: I've never met anybody with such an interesting name... We believe that to outsource social media is a major mistake...unless the person, company has authority and a deep, deep knowledge of the product/service/company. That deep knowledge can only come with spending time with the client. Something most of these folks don't do. Thanks for reading and for the comment. Is your last name really "Services"? - Michael