by Alex Roldan
My attention was caught by some staff inside the technician’s booth who were giggling while watching something on the computer monitor when I arrived at Radio Mindanao Network-DXDC one afternoon last week to prepare for my daily radio program. I wondered what they were so excited about and my curiousity got the better of me so much so that I found myself joining them inside the booth. What I saw made me laugh louder than the rest.
It turned out that they had been watching a video clip reportedly produced locally by a group calling itself Camus Boyz – a group of kids on Camus Street here who had uploaded on the YouTube several humorous video clips that would certainly cheer up anybody’s day.
One thing immediately came into mind after watching some of the video clips. If these local boys can make a video production, no matter how crude by professional standards, but able to attract, can this be a way for small businesses that want to advertise their products or services but cannot afford the cost? I am not only referring to video production, but the use of technology whose advances nowadays would, I am sure, is starting to redefine the advertising market?
Others would think that media campaign using the computer would not reach your intended market as this is broadcasted through the web. It is like a shotgun whose leads would scatter all over the place hoping that any of it would hit the target. But, the fact that the local boys were able to get the attention of their neighbors in the city, therefore, it can be designed to direct to a specific market area. And, at the same time reach other consumers who may not be near your business location, but just the same needs your services or product.
Of course creativity to catch attention in YouTube is very difficult for those who do not have advertising skills and experience. But with a little help from your fiends and experimentation, a common digital camera and cheap computer software can make a difference to your business. Just a hint if you want to produce a good ad for your business that will be posted on the web, think of the prohibitively expensive, spots on TV and billboards. The idea that traditional advertising method would punch a large hole in your pocket will surely make your brain swirl to find creative ways.
The importance of computers for businesses of all sizes nowadays becomes next to none. It will not only make filing and typing jobs easy, but when connected to the web, it levels the playing field for large and small businesses as they now have the same access to information such as product user’s demographics, habits, and interests which can be reached through customized ads.
Another potential media carrier for your business is the very popular social networking on the web. It will not only help you get comments about your products or services, but it is the cheapest way to generate buzz about your business. Referral from your friends or simply to make them aware of the existence of your business would then be easy and cost-effective. You can even make promotional sales in Twitter or Facebook. You do not need to be a tech savvy to learn this, all is needed is your determination to create a customer base and engender growth of your business.
Blogging or developing a web site is again very useful to a business. If you are afraid that no none will visit your site, do not worry. There are myriad marketing techniques that can direct consumers to a functioning website that costs little or nothing to build, even without coding experience, on sites like Jimdo, Doodle Kit or Weebly. Don’t be afraid to solicit ideas from your friends who know some techniques, or scour the internet for other techniques.
The payoff for engaging in creative, new advertising endeavors can be remarkable. The new technology offers an assortment of opportunities and choices for those who want their business thrive in today’s competitive market. A good product alone cannot survive without a good media campaign. The advances in technology make all businesses equal in terms of reaching their market no matter how big or small your capital is.
The world may have become smaller because of the information technology, but it also cracked wide-open the huge market for all who are willing and fearless to face the challenge.
For comments, e-mail to: roldanalex@yahoo.com
