Swimming with Social Media
Tonight I went to swim laps at Bally’s. I’m getting to the point where I’m finally starting to build up my endurance. I think I’m swimming about 30 laps in a row – before having to take a break. When I swim I like to reflect on my current projects and Social Media clients. I think it would be really cool to come up with a series of Social Media based tapes that I can listen to while swimming 
Clients, Trees & Companies
Tonight in the Hot Tub I met a man named Louis. Louis owns a Landscaping Company. As is often the case – he started off by asking me what I do for a living. After I explained what Social Media means – he looked pensive and then said: “It’s interesting that you mention that. I’ve noticed over the last year that it takes more and more personal conversations with potential and current clients in order to keep or secure their business.”
He then told me a story about a client who asked him to cut down a Great Oak Tree. The Tree was dropping acorns in his lawn and he had decided the best course of action would be to chop it down. Even though Louis would make far more money if he cut the tree down and hauled it away – he instead told his client it would be more cost effective and prudent to just cut the limbs of the tree back. In fact the tree added about $10,000 worth of value to the property and would serve as the first line of defense during a storm. The customer of course decided to keep the tree.
But that’s not all – because of his candor and concern – the customer then had Louis look at several other trees on his property – and he ended up making even more money than he would have had he chopped down the Great Oak. In Louis’s words – “It’s about more than just the money, I have to think about the client, the tree, and my company. If I only think about the money – sooner or later the client will get wise and realize I’m taking advantage of him. If I only think about the client – I might not make enough money – and eventually I’ll go out of business. If I only think about the tree – then chances are that both my company and the client will lose. I’ve got to consider all three in order to make an effective decision.”
I told him I thought that analysis was spot on – except that he was forgetting one part of the equation.
Don’t Forget Community
Community. See – by saving the tree – Louis not only helped increase the clients property value and protect the home from storms – he also helped the client’s neighbors, the neighborhood, the environment, and ultimately the world. Remember – “A Tree is a Thing of Beauty” so both the neighbors and the neighborhood benefit by it’s existence. Plus trees are good for the environment – and every tree saved is ultimately good for the sustainability of the world. Wow – who know that incorporating community marketing into your business could be so beneficial?
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Erica OGrady is the CXO of Peanut Butter Media. She is currently HOMELESS while working on a project called Twilight & Tea. Erica is a Writer, Adventurer, Explorer who Still Believes in Santa and Following Your Bliss -- For more information Text ERICAOGRADY to 50500