January 12, 2010
Do-It-Yourself Technology Support for Online Media Grows
Savvy small businesses in travel and tourism are finding real benefits with do-it-yourself learning resources.
A popular Youtube video by Socialnomics author Erik Qualman suggests that social media is the biggest economic shift since the industrial revolution. With Facebook now common in television sitcoms scripts and Google an everyday verb, savvy small businesses – especially those in travel and tourism – have recognised that social media is a phenomenon that can’t be ignored. But those businesses have to either learn by trial-and-error or get help, and slowly the markets are responding to these learning needs with resources for the do-it-yourself business owner.
When computers first came out, not everyone understood how to use them properly nor how to maximise their use. But tutorials soon came to the market, giving users the ability to find learning products to suit their style and needs. Social networks and online technology have matured extraordinarily quickly, and learning needs are slow to catch up, but it is likely this year more resources will be made for the typical business consumer to help them understand the changing landscape. “Do-It-Yourself isn’t perfect for everyone, but just like with DIY household repairs, the people who resonate with these kinds of solutions will demand them from the market, especially small businesses” says Andy Hayes, Managing Director of Travel Online Partners, an online technology consultancy.
Last year, the Partners launched a library of do-it-yourself resources to a limited audience. Momentum and interest in the site’s selection of resources specifically aimed at small travel and tourism organisations has continued to grow, particularly since the company continues to release additional guides and tools, both free and premium.
“While businesses can do some trial and error to find their way around online, I had a lot of people asking me why there wasn’t a single repository of information that a small business could access and understand,” says Hayes. He adds, “we learned a lot of lessons the hard way and wanted to share those with others in a non-intimidating way.”
A membership programme aimed at tourism boards and destination management organisations have also recently launched by Sheila Scarborough and Becky McCray under the brand Tourism Currents. The founders say that “the key to moving from ‘looking into’ social media to effectively using social media.”
Many small organisations, including the Partner’s non-travel industry clients, have raved about the guide offering. Tina McAllister, a ghostwriter and editor, says the guides are “tons of information without coming across as a potential ‘my head is gonna explode’ kind of product…For tons of folks out there – these guides will be a real eye-opener.” But travel businesses themselves are loving the targeted DIY support, such as online travel agent Donna Zabel, who mentioned one guide she read “used specific examples to support general statements, which was very helpful….I have found too many ‘helpful’ books or articles are long on glib statements of ‘what’ to do and woefully short on ‘how’ to do it.”
Travel Online Partners has several new guides being produced covering both traditional business topics in the online sense, such as online public relations, as well as new game-changing technologies, like mobile. These new guides will complement other new features like TOP Radio, the company’s new podcast programme launched this month. As well, Tourism Currents is planning a new round of advanced courses for those that graduate through their first programme. As the Socialnomics video featured above mentions, “Welcome to the Revolution.”
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