You get what you ask for

Unless you've begun screening out all the bad financial news lately, you've probably heard that GM, Ford and Chrysler are asking for a bailout. In the most simple terms, congress said "What do you plan to do with your bailout?" when the Big 3 asked. They didn't seem to really know what they would do with the money, just that they needed it. Congress said "Uhhh, you can't just have $25 billion. You need a plan first." and the auto execs hopped back onto their private jets to Detroit to figure it out.

Of course, this blog really isn't about the failing economy or the automakers. The point I'm trying to illustrate is that you need to have a plan before you spend any money. Too often a business will dive into a marketing initiative with little idea what they want out of it. Or almost worse, unrealistic expectations. That's why it's so important to work with someone who can step back and look at the big picture. You'd be surprised how much integration and cross-pollination you can get between "traditional" advertising and "new media" like Twitter, email, web video and the rest of the social media that's out there. That way you're not just taking a shot in the dark, but rather casting a very strategically placed net.

Oh, and another lesson to be learned from the Big 3: Don't rest on your laurels. The businesses with the best chance of survival in the future are the ones that aren't afraid to make themselves obsolete. They realize that if they don't obsolete their own business model (by improving some aspect of it) then a competitor will.

Plan for the future and embrace the change it brings.

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Reel Motion Media Inc., is a Video & Web Marketing company that understands how to maximize your company's exposure in the internet of tomorrow. Reel Motion has full video production capabilities and an experienced web marketing staff that will make every dollar of your budget count, even if your budget is only a dollar. Contact them today at info@reelmotioninc.com for more information on taking your company to the next level.