Marketing is still new to me. It’s more challenging than I imagined. At least it’s challenging for us as we’re building a tool that’s valuable to several different markets. There are so many marketing options for a Software as a Service startup to choose from and it’s hard to know if your real message is getting out there. The question that has kept coming up lately for me is: “How are we doing telling people who we are and why we’re unique.” Are we telling our story?
Here’s a hodgepodge of facts about our product and people:
- We’re passionate about creating really, easy-to-use, un-bloated software; that actually works.
- We want to help churches, associations and non-profits (any member-driven organization) enhance communication and community among the members of their organizations
- We want our software to be affordable.
- We really do believe that software can enhance communication and help people feel more connected.
- We don’t believe that MemberHub is a social networking site. It’s s private groups communication tool.
- We really like to serve our customers; we’re social people.
- We’re a father-n-son start-up.
- We’re honest, hard-working, good-to-know people who follow Jesus.
We’ll be sharing more with you about who we are. And if you know us or currently use MemberHub, please leave a comment and help the rest of the world learn more about us.
Thanks!
The executives who ignited the transformations from good to great did not first figure out where to drive the bus and then get people to take it there. No, they first got the right people on the bus and then figured out where to drive it. They said, in essence, “Look, I don’t really know where we should take this bus. But I know this much: If we get the right people on the bus, the right people in the right seats, and the wrong people off the bus, then we’ll figure out how to take it some place great.”
Jim Collins – Good to Great
I've been wondering about this whole 'About Us' kick that most websites are on. After learning that a major faux pas when giving a presentation is to take time out from delivering the content of the presentation and telling a little bit about yourself, it seems that websites taking space on their site to give some information about themselves goes along the same vein.
Maybe since you guys are doing this on the blog it will be OK. I just figure that if anyone actually cares to find out who is behind a website, they will do some digging and find out for themselves.
I disagree. I think it's important to the average post-modern consumer to have some sense of who they are buying from. People tend to approach large, impersonal corporations with a heavy load of skepticism. The idea of having some (no matter how small) sense of connection with a real human being behind the business is reassuring and helps break down the barriers of cynicism that most people in our culture have learned in recent years.
I also think that this kind of post on a company site is the equivalent of an offline "handshake and a smile". Both go a long way, I think.
Thanks Ben. That\'s certainly is what I\'m trying to accomplish here. Looking forward to giving you a real handshake and smile sometime soon.
I don't believe the mediums can be compared to such a degree.
When I'm at a 45 minute talk, I can live with the written bio that made me attend. Too much time telling me about your dog isn't necessary, though I don't believe offensive, either. When I frequent a blog, I expect that over time I will come to know the author, whether directly or indirectly. It builds trust, and helps the reader to understand better over time from where the author is coming.
Interesting point. About Us sections are probably not utilized to full possibility. However, I think telling a customer about yourself and company can be a great marketing tool if it is part of a larger story. That story needs to be about the customer, of course, but how can you connect your story to the customer's needs, wants, etc.
Nobody wants to read a boring or self-aggrandizing bio. However, people do want to connect and get to know other people. I think it is great to be personal, to throw open the doors, so to speak. Be interesting and be yourself, and your customers will enjoy learning your story. Just be sure to let them know how it helps them in the end – ie. in MemberHub's instance, your understanding of church life and needs.
Yea, About Us's can be boring and rigid. Usually people feel like a marketing person wrote it. This is the great thing about company blogs. You have the opportunity to really be yourself, if you want. We want to do that. We want folks to know who we are :). That in itself should be valuable. Just like you go to a local restaurant because you know the owners…and they know your name too!
I agree that getting to know the author(s) of a blog is something that encourages users to keep coming back. But when I go to something like http://cnn.com and they have an about us section, I find that utterly pointless. I already know what CNN does, and anything they put in their about us page (http://cnn.com/about) is pointless at best and propaganda at worst.
The difference there is that CNN is such a recognizable brand. And while it doesn't need to be as prominent as on a site like MemberHub, an about us section is an important way to introduce yourself to people who know nothing about you. That said, I think the MemberHub about us page could be improved.
This is the proper blog for anyone who needs to seek out out about this topic. You realize so much its almost onerous to argue with you (not that I actually would need…HaHa). You undoubtedly put a brand new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, simply great!