This industry is inherently fast-moving and dynamic, so it only makes sense to use words that people hear and relate to.  However, “digital marketing solutions” and “comprehensive online marketing resources” only go so far in describing what it is you actually do.  Meaning they tell you absolutely nothing about who and what your business is.  They fail to capture what truly makes you unique from the thousands of other vendors and providers out there that want your business just as bad as the next guy.

You had a good run buzzwords.

That being said, I also realize that they are a necessary evil.  Online marketing products have generally accepted names and they cannot be changed.  It would be like trying to sell an HDTV by calling it a “space entertainment screen.”  It just isn’t gonna work.

But the quality and support for service-related industries can be drastically different from company to company.  So the question then becomes: How do you break free from the redundancy of buzzwords to explain your products in a way that is appealing? How do you get people excited about what you have to offer?

There really is no real answer for this and if there were, it would just become the new norm.  Realistically, it’s getting down to the core of what people really want.  Do they actually want a “comprehensive digital marketing solution” or do they want someone that is going to call them to keep them updated and keep up with the latest changes in the industry?

Oftentimes, customers don’t really know what they want when looking to market online. They just want a company that is going to take the time to get to know their business, no matter how big or small, and really think about the success of the company on a large scale. They don’t care about “integrated media solutions.”  They care about their business. They care about their customers. They care about making money.

Figuring out how to incorporate this in to your initial product offering is tricky. But that’s what sets you apart from everyone else. Buzzwords are popular. Connecting with customers at the deepest possible level to their business is not. Which do you prefer?

Some notable performances include Adele, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Robert Cray, Rufus Wainwright, The Decemberists, The XX and ton more. If you’re looking for some fresh jams in an intimate setting, look no further.  Plus, you know, NPR is awesome.

We decided to fly in to Dublin, rent a car and see how much of the country we could visit in the short amount of time we had planned.  While driving on the wrong side of the road does take some getting used to, you’ll never get used to the amazing countryside and picturesque architecture and landscapes.

After reflecting on the trip and all of the pictures taken therein, I came to realize that there’s a reason the people in Ireland are so happy (although you probably wouldn’t know it from all the swear words.)  There’s a relaxing atmosphere to every town you visit with an emphasis on spending time with family and friends instead of smartphones and celebrity gossip.

I posted all of the pictures to my Flickr page, but here is quick sampling for your enjoyment.

But once again, something comes out that starts off mysterious and confusing and turns in to something more meaningful. When Twitter first came out, I was skeptical.  A lot people were skeptical.  We couldn’t see the simple benefits of being limited to 140 characters. But as it grew, so did the user base and potential uses. It became a part of our lives and now is a network for information sharing and up-to-the-minute news all over the world.

So when Vine came out, I was skeptical of my skepticism.  I decided to really give it a shot. While I still have not fully mastered the 6-second looping video app, I can already see potential uses for the regular user as well as fun, personable businesses.

It’s more interesting than non-vintage, vintage-looking pictures and has more personality than snapshots of the lunch you insisted on twitpic-ing. It tells a story, but only enough where you have to choose your moments carefully.  It’s like the Twitter of video and the instant sharing capabilities shifts it closer to the fast response time of Twitter.

I’m interested to see where it will all go, and I’ll continue to try to make 6-second gold.