From the Publisher
Is the business world as we know it moving completely online? Since you are holding this magazine in your hands right now, clearly it is not. A successful business is built from more than just one marketing vehicle. Among other things, it will consist of a great product or service, a high level of customer service, appropriate pricing and, of course, a productive marketing plan. What I am saying is that although there is much hype lauding the merits of social marketing (such as Twitter and Facebook), none of these platforms on their own will rocket your company into the multi-million dollar concern that you hope it to be. This issue of Marketplace Magazine focuses on Internet-based marketing, including websites and social media. Don’t think for a second that people are not visiting your website before giving you a call or visiting your store. A website is as much your calling card than your actual card—when was the last time you had a meeting with a new contact and didn’t search their product or service online? The same goes for sales calls. If a client is social media savvy, you bet that they will check you out on Facebook or Twitter as well. I recently spoke to a professional buyer who cancelled an order from a new supplier after reading a sexist tweet on the sales rep’s Twitter account. The buyer figured that if this is the way the rep conducted himself after office hours, her company didn’t want to do business with them. Fair? I’m not sure, and have reserved judgment. Reality? You bet. Today’s world is open to the public via the Internet and customers and clients will make their own judgment calls on what they see. The lesson here is to ensure that, as technology is increasingly linking personal with professional, your employees are well aware of the importance of professionalism in social networking and how their actions online can impact your business. Finally, I want to thank everyone who took the time to email us after our premiere issue. The response to Marketplace Magazine has been overwhelmingly positive and we are excited about some of the things we’re working on for future issues. Keep an eye on our website—marketplacemagazine.ca—as we will be introducing new content in September including video programs related to local business, finance, marketing and many other topics. If your company can provide us with an expert opinion, let me know. We are always in search of great people, companies and content to inform our readers and viewers. Email me or send me a tweet at twitter.com/glenn_tinley Glenn Tinley, publisher |