Another Sunday

Disclaimer: this is very uncollected.

Biggest takeaway from Sunday: it doesn't matter who you are, how old you are, or anything, but all brands need to get better at connecting and reaching out to people on the web. I went to two panels this weekend - one on how to connect with Gen Y online and one on how to connect with Mom's online. Everyone wants brands to reach out to them in the right way. But everyone trusts people like them. Moms trust other Moms. Gen Y trusts their friends. Tweens trust their friends.

Nobody wants forced branded environments. They will participate in communities sponsored by a brand if it is about the brand's products. But they don't want Electrolux to make a forum about Mom's. Leave that to Mom central. Leave Electrolux to Electrolux.

Who was that one guy who said it? The magic is in the product. This applies to everything.

On the other hand, they want tools. Give them something they can use. If you are a grocery store, let them download grocery lists.

Also, this isn't anything crazy. The consensus was: don't be afraid of the internet, it is just a tool where moms and gen y are doing what they have always done: connected with each other. If you ignore it, it is like ignoring the conversations that they have and have had since the beginning of time. The only difference is that you as a brand can see it when it is on the internet. Moms are still connecting with each other over recommendations about what to do with their sick kid and how to teach algebra. But remember, not ALL conversation that you begin online is going to happen online. Everyone still talks in person. Moms still sit around and drink wine while their kids play, but they might also connect online. However, online stats need to be taken with a grain of salt because it is easy to ignore the person-to-person true word of mouth.

Bottom line, everyone wants tools and to be reached out to, not ignored.