Marketing with Moxie

Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty | Source: New York TimesSteve Jobs unveiled the much-anticipated iPad today, basically an iPhone on steroids. It's sleek. It's cool and it's not as expensive as some people expected. Woo hoo!

The early reviews from gadget-heads are mixed. Check out this review from Gadget Hound Ben Peterson. While the opinions of techno-prognosticators will matter to Apple and it's marketing efforts, for small business owners the most telling and important "quote of the day" (according to Time Magazine) comes from Apple's Steve Jobs, "It's phenomenal to hold the Internet in your hands."

So whether or not you run out to buy one of these hot new gadgets to run your business, the important takeaway from a marketing perspective is that now more than ever, you need an internet marketing strategy. Think of this device as a Yellow Pages for George Jetson. No more paper. The world will be at your customers' fingertips where ever they go and I expect that the iPad will spawn many competitors.

Need to find a reputable financial planner?  There's an app for that. Looking for advice on how to get approved for a loan?  There's an app for that. Need a plumber?  There's an app for that.

Yes, the digital information age has arrived and what you say about your company on your website matters now more than ever. It's about content. Your website can no longer be a pretty digital brochure with flattering pictures and descriptions of your product or service.  Frankly, no one cares about your product or service. They care about what it does for them or their business. For customer's to find you on the iPad, you'll need dynamic content that targets your niche market and explains what makes your business unique - and a social media strategy to get found - from a blog to Facebook, Twitter and more.

Apple knows this. This product will make people feel smarter, cooler and more productive.  It will entertain them and their friends.  

Are you and your business ready?  Do you have an app for that?