Your grandmother probably never used a microwave, even if she had one in her kitchen. "Those things can't cook right! Besides, they're dangerous..."
Your great grandmother probably felt the same way about the toaster.
It seems like every past generation has to hold fast to the way they've always done things - and dismiss any new tool, technology or idea. I'm not going to go into the psychology of it, but it's always been that way and I'm sure it will continue.
Don't let that happen to you.
My Rabbi just gave a speech where he criticized the use of social media and twitter. He's generally a very progressive guy, but he said these forms of communication don't really promote the kind of closeness and community that he believes are essential. "A tweet doesn't take the place of a hug," he concluded.
He was right - but he wasn't completely right.
Of course, he was talking about religion, and your interest is in marketing. But I've heard the same thoughts voiced by many marketers - especially older ones.
Social media offers you excellent (and generally low cost) ways to engage and communicate. If you're not using these tools - for any reason - you're missing an important opportunity.
But they shouldn't take the place of other marketing efforts. They are simply one more way to get prospects and customers interested and involved in your products and your brand. And once they demonstrate their interest, you can then engage them in even closer and more personal efforts.
The question is not "To tweet or not to tweet." The question is - how can you deliver a tweet and a hug?
