Saying Goodbye to Blockbuster…
We can all agree it was an event that had several enjoyable stages. First, of course, you did the preliminary lap around the store to see if any newer releases were available. This was immediately followed by a deep dive into older movies you might want to rent again. Afterward, a secondary visit to the new releases was the only responsible choice to ensure you didn’t miss out on anything during the first lap. At some point, you had to stop and check out the movie posters and merch just for funsies. Finally, the whole experience ended by perusing the snack selections and carefully deciding what candy would accompany your delicious blue bucket of buttered popcorn. It was an experience!
Over time, Netflix came along, and in a few short years, Blockbuster was no more. Some of us may have held on to our Blockbuster cards a little too long, along with the hope it would return. But ultimately, Blockbuster bit the dust.
Why?
The answer is simple. Convenience.
The general population realized they would rather stream something and have thousands of titles readily available immediately. So we slowly evolved into the Netflix and Chill generation. To be honest, it makes sense. People realized they had a lot more time to get busy if they didn’t have to get dressed and walk around Blockbuster for an hour. In fact, by the time you finished reviewing all the rental options, picking up your snacks, and driving back home, there probably wasn’t very much time left on your date to seal the deal anyway.
While the Netflix and Chill phenomenon might have helped people have more of the chill portion of the evening, it also brought other conveniences. No trips to the store if you feel like staying in… No more dealing with returning movies…(Or the late fees that could rack up if you forgot to do so!)
Yes, we love to Netflix and Chill too, but we are, at the end of the day, a marketing agency, and it isn’t what we are really here to discuss. There is an interesting pattern to note. We are willing to bet that the same people who reluctantly held on to their Blockbuster card probably also resisted jumping on the social media bandwagon.
Heck, you might STILL be resisting pulling the trigger on becoming more active on the various social media platforms. It can be overwhelming, and we get it. But it can also be extremely worth it. Also, we are now in 2022, and the reality is… social media isn’t going anywhere. In order to stay relevant, it is quite necessary for business owners to get active and stay active on social media platforms.
Rather than focusing on the negative aspects of social media, let’s talk about what sets it apart from more traditional forms of marketing. Developing a digital presence allows you to:
- Reach a larger amount of potential customers.
- Strengthen your relationship with current clients.
- Share information about the people behind your business.
- Develop a stronger brand voice.
- Conveniently advertise without waiting for print materials to be shipped and distributed.
- Share constant photos of your work to showcase your results.
- Start with one or two platforms and post consistently. It is more impactful to dominate a smaller number of networks than to post on five inconsistently.
- Try to avoid sales posts on a regular basis. If you want to build trust with your audience, begging them for sales is not the way to go. Providing value absolutely is the better option.
- Use the analytics to your advantage. Checking your page’s insights can help you understand what types of content make the most impact.
- Gather some pictures or ideas for posts when you are getting started so that you can schedule them out in advance. If social media already overwhelms you, the pressure to share something daily can become quite stressful.
While this takes work, traditional forms of marketing also require work, just a different type of labor. So the real question is, are you avoiding social media because you love traditional marketing that much? Or is it just out of your comfort zone?
Sometimes, potential clients look at the Facebook page of a local business before even visiting their website. Seeing a lack of posts or no presence at all might lead them to question if your business is still running.
While tackling social media may seem daunting, it also provides endless opportunities. Rather than being scared of them, try to embrace the excitement of these opportunities. These platforms offer the chance to share much more information about who you are and the work you do. They also allow for endless chances to engage with your customers and potential clients. Remember that every interaction is a chance to make an impression.
If you aren’t even sure how to get started, we suggest following these tips:
The bottom line? As a business owner, if you want to succeed, you must progress and stay current with the trends of the times. And speaking of business owners, did you ever hear about John Antioco, the CEO of Blockbuster? He was actually given the opportunity to buy out Netflix in the early days. The newer company was struggling and wanted to be bought out back in the fall of 2000.
Why didn’t he do it?
The answer is not related to money. He had the funds to buy Netlfix out at the time. He simply did not want to do it. He didn’t even consider the streaming service to be a threat. He felt they couldn’t even be taken seriously and were just a passing fad. This singular decision led to the demise of his company. We are guessing he majorly regrets the choice to this day.
The moral of the story is?
Refusing to make progress can destroy your business. Holding on to your Blockbuster card and avoiding social media might just turn out to be a mistake that costs you everything in the end. Don’t believe us? Ask John Antioco how he feels about his past actions now. The world is changing, and the only true way for a business to remain successful is to grow with the changes.
Plus, progress isn’t without its rewards. Without the decline of Blockbuster, our society wouldn’t know the joy of Netflix and Chilling. https://tenor.com/bhSSj.gif
Kimberly Tice
CCO