When it comes to using social media with maximum efficacy, you’ve got to know your clients.
Let’s take Twitter for example. So how do you do that with one-way communication like Twitter? At FocalPoint we say, “Listen. Tweet. Listen. Then listen again.”
It was a little over a year ago that I wrote a post entitled, What’s All The Buzz About Drone Videos? In this post, I took a closer look at what drones really are (and aren’t), how they are being used and what benefit they might have to your business. A large reason for me writing the post was that drones were a hot topic at the time in the video production world and I was getting asked several questions about my viewpoint on drones. Fast forward to over one year later and drones are still a very hot topic.
A lot of the discussion around drones still stems from the whole “newness” factor. As I mentioned in my previous post, a flying helicopter with a camera isn’t really new, but an unmanned flying helicopter with a remote control is a different ballgame. Business and the general public have misconceptions about what a drone actually is and, often times, only hear the “bad” things. That being said, there have been some important updates since my last article that I want to share.
The FAA confirmed during a recent press conference current drone owners – and not just new purchases – will have to be registered. Officials hope to have the rules in place by Christmas, when as many as 700,000 drones are expected to be sold.
Currently, only commercial drone users are required to register with the FAA. Other drone users are required to fly devices below 400 feet and obtain FAA permission before operating within five miles of an airport. Operators are also supposed to avoid passenger planes.
The FAA will establish a committee of government and industry officials, as well as drone users, to work out the details of the registration system. It’s unclear if all drones will have to be registered, though the AP reports that toy and other small devices will likely be exempt.
Nobody knows exactly how many of the robotic aircraft are already flying around, but most estimates top 1 million. This means plenty of people will need to get familiar with these new regulations. As with many things drone related, when it comes to laws there is a lot of gray area. This means it’s likely there will be reports of mishaps with unregistered drones showing up in the news.
The crazy thing about drones in the news is that the discussion rarely is about video. With the exception of this drone fireworks video below that now has over 12 million views, the #1 reason drones make headlines is regarding safety. While it’s completely understandable because there have been some safety issues, it’s a shame because these devices can capture some magnificent HD quality video.
As a marketing professional and owner of a company that provides HD video production services, my hope is that the conversation surrounding drones will make a shift toward one with positive sentiment. I’d like to see the necessary laws get put in place and misunderstandings be resolved so we can all focus on using these devices in the way in which they were intended – to capture high quality video from a unique perspective.
As with all new technology, it takes time for people to understand it. The same is true with drones. Once the dust settles on the law updates and adoption of these devices continues to accelerate, business usage will grow. This is what is exciting about using drones to shoot video, take photos, etc. The sky is the limit (literally) to what can be done using drones in industries such as real estate, agriculture, sports, etc.
Want to talk more about using drones for video production? Here’s my card so you can get in touch!
Some years ago, I met with a potential marketing client over lunch. It was the president of the company. I had heard from him that he was not pleased with his existing marketing program, so this meeting was an opportunity to listen and learn about his business and talk to him about FocalPoint’s work. I was thrilled to get the appointment and wasn’t sure what to expect.
After talking about his present marketing strategy and how it didn’t seem to result in the sales volume he had hoped for, he asked me a pointed question he knew would put me on the spot.
“What can your company do that will get us where we want to be?”
At first it appeared to be a golden opportunity to plunge in and talk up our firm. But frankly, I didn’t want to give a sales pitch based on platitudes, in fact, I never give sales pitches.
“I honestly don’t know,” I said. There was a stunned moment of silence. I was pretty sure I’d lost the opportunity, but I also knew I didn’t have the background on his business that I needed to provide a qualified answer.
“I don’t want to be presumptive and offer you something that sounds good, but is based on nothing. You know much better than I do about what is going on in your industry and your business. I need to know much more before I could even begin to come up with marketing strategies that might make sense for you.”
I was being brutally honest. I wasn’t ready to talk about specific strategies to market his business. But I wasn’t sure how my answer would be received.
Interestingly, everything about that meeting changed in that moment. Instead of having a typical business meeting, we began to have a real conversation. We both dropped our pretenses and did a lot more listening than posturing or selling.
Although that happened a while ago, it fascinates me how life lessons present themselves in unexpected ways. This one has stayed with me at FocalPoint, and it’s one I share with those I work with. Being frank and open and asking a ton of questions is a big part of the way we handle new business.
So, what can you tell us about your business so that we can begin to work together as a part of your trusted marketing team?
Here’s my card. What can I do to help you? Or feel free to send me an email brien@focalpoint.co
Networking or word of mouth is still among the most powerful things you can do to expand your sphere of influence, increase your base of potential clients, and grow your business.
This is why at FocalPoint, we encourage networking. Our best tip? Ask the most influential friends and powerful business associates you know to introduce you to the people they think you should get to know to expand your business. Be sure you ask for a warm introduction – a shared business card followed up with an email to both you and the new contact.
I know what you’re thinking. People often agree to network with one another and don’t follow up. It happens to me as well. So make sure you agree to do network for them first. Then do it. Chances are good you will receive the same treatment in return.
Then what? Reach out. Get to know them those contacts. Emails are great for that first introduction. But a 30 minute coffee first thing in the morning is even better. Especially if you buy. Talk about your company and what makes it tick. Tell them what your perfect client looks like. And your next product launch. The best thing you can do is ask for their advice. People love to offer advice. They feel good offering it and you build a bond. You’ll now have a new contact who is going to look out for you and send new business your way. And maybe provide you with a new business idea or two you hadn’t considered.
Someone ultimately knows someone that can help you out and even better, will want to.
Networking. The incredibly powerful, original marketing tool that still works wonders. It’s personal. It’s effective. And the best part? Other than your time, it’s free.
Here’s my card. What can I do to help you?
