Welcome to 2012 and Web.Search.Social, the online marketing magazine for YOU… smart businesses everywhere. Web.Search.Social was born out of a desire to share real, honest, no-nonsense information about the world of online marketing with business people and entrepreneurs who are tired of being bamboozled by the “get it cheap/get it fast/get it easy” crowd that pitches snake oil marketing tricks.
As you (as a smart business) know, there’s nothing cheap, fast or easy about marketing – or anything good in life, for that matter! Marketing is a labor of love – one you undertake for the love of your business and its success. And that’s why we’re here. To offer you tips, advice, insights and inside information about marketing online, offline and everywhere in between. Since you must be dying to know how we got here…
In The Beginning. Sort Of.
First there was a great void… and a large explosion… and then dinosaurs and stuff… Joking, joking. First, there was a conversation, and then an explosion. It started sometime around October.
Ralph: We should launch an online magazine.
Me: I was thinking the same thing.
Ralph: Can I have a sandwich?
And so we started working on the concept for our new magazine. We had run a blog and it had served a purpose, but its time had come… and gone. We needed something more. More authors. More content. More often. And a format that would invite people to sit awhile with a cup of coffee and a bagel.
And in November:
Me: I’ve put together a concept. What do you think of it so far?
Ralph: I like it.
Me: Pass the cookies.
The process continued, moving a bit of content here, deleting a bit of content there, deciding on a format, un-deciding on a format, re-deciding on a format. If the internet had a giant pen with red ink, we would have used an awful lot of it. But finally we solidified our ideas and were pretty happy with the outcome. We took a day off to pour the celebratory whiskey.
Then in December:
Me: We need a logo and brand.
Michael: When?
Me: Today.
During the last few weeks of December there was much running around and screaming, gnashing of teeth and pulling of hair, a lot of broken links and failing forms and ugly photos. There was a lack of sleep and a lot of cookies. But we’re proud to say that we achieved our launch goal and here we are – dinosaurs notwithstanding.
We hope you enjoy the ride with us.
And Now For Some Resolutions
A crossing into the New Year wouldn’t be complete without a resolution or two so we’ve got a couple we think you’ll approve of. Feel free to add your own at the end.
I resolve to be dedicated to making my business a success. Easily sidelined as we get lost in the day-to-day grind of getting things done, closing deals and meeting deadlines. But a successful business is more than a completed to-do list and a balanced checkbook. All smart business owners pay attention to their businesses and their marketing. This year, take a moment to lift your eyes above the grind, look out over the tops of the trees and get the big picture. Spend as much time working on your business as working in it.
I resolve to be honest and realistic in my business dealings. Sometimes we’re so anxious to win new customers or please existing ones that we sugar-coat the truth… sure I can have that done tomorrow, and practically for free! It’s not malicious but it’s still detrimental. Vow to be truthful and set realistic expectations, even when your customers don’t want to hear it.
I resolve to be grateful to my customers. It’s easy to get complacent or just plain busy and forget that our customers are the reason for our success. The greatest, most efficient, brilliant business in the world is nothing without its customers. Show that gratitude in everyday dealings, from Facebook interactions, to Twitter messages, to email campaigns. Don’t leave the gratitude for the holidays this year.
I resolve to make money. You may love what you do and do what you love, but if you’re in business for any other reason than to make money, that’s called charity! It’s been a tough few years in a down-economy and everyone deserves to breathe a little easier this year. Together, with support from friends, colleagues, business partners and customers, we can help each other succeed.
So stick around and check out some of the articles we’ve published. We’ve made it easy for you to browse by category, author and even topic. This magazine is for you, so join the conversation. Let us know what you think or what you’d like to know more about so we can provide the content you want and need.
Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter where we’ll be publishing more marketing news and tips. And sign up in that little box on the right side of this page for email alerts so you’ll always know when there’s a new article available.
Happy new year… and many happy opportunities!
