I’ve had plenty of meetings lately with businesses that are looking for ways to connect with you. Yeah, you!
These are folks who realize the benefits of sharing information online.
I had an interesting chat today with a Twitter follower who wants my friends and followers to know about the car dealership he represents. He was interested in ways that I might share that with you, on a blog, a website, on a social network…wherever you are in the course of your day in 2010 and beyond.
For me to get involved, it has to be an idea that’s fun, and it needs to be for a product or business I can honestly endorse. I can’t hide behind anyone else on these projects–I’m the final word now, and if I disappoint you…I will hear about it. Directly. Ultimately, my only boss now is you.
Today we talked about “inbound marketing,” a term I wasn’t familiar with. After some reading, it appears to be similar to “relationship marketing,” and “permission marketing,” two ideas I’ve seen discussed many times. It all refers to a style that relies less on “buying your way in” through traditional advertising. Instead, it involves “publishing your way in,” by offering useful, interesting or entertaining content that relates to your brand or business. You present that info, and those who connect with it form a relationship with you that is the groundwork for a mutually beneficial, real business relationship.
Tell me what you think about an idea I had for my car guy: Paul Poteet has a job selling cars at “Joe Smith’s Pontiac.” And it’s not just a title. I actually spend a Saturday on the lot. On commission. For real. I’d tell you about it ahead of time, of course, in all the usual places. Would you be more likely to remember the dealer I was working for? Would you come out? Would you be interested in just seeing if I actually sold one? Would you buy one? Do you think I’m nuts? We already came up with sub-ideas. I’d be happy to give 10% of my commission (if any) to a charity. We’ve could try and plan some entertainment, ya know, face painting for the kids, etc. I think it would be fun.
What would you think? Want me to do it for your place?
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Muffinmedic says
I think the idea sounds great. Only thing: I’m not in the market for a new car, so he wouldn’t make any money off my interest. But if I knew you were going to be at a barber shop or service station or a pet groomers or doing a Live ‘Gotta Eat’… I could definitely see myself needing at least some of those services.
Please don’t be the one cutting MY hair. 🙂
DMac says
What do the commision guys think of it, who are seeing everyone line up to talk to you…? Otherwise, not too big of a stretch from the “on location” broadcasts from DJs at cell phone stores and car lots around the midwest.
I agree with muffinmedic – if you do it on lower ticket items, and then are augmenting someone else and their income (rather than displacing), I’d hop by to to buy.
Paul says
Muffin: I AM live w/Gotta Eat at Fireside Brewhouse Greenwood Wednesday from 4:30-6:30pm. Come by! That’s interesting about the commission. Of course, they’ll still be there Monday. I gotta strike while the iron’s hot:) DMac is right…it’s a radio remote on steroids.