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More money on less investment, that\u2019s the dream, right? Well, counterintuitive as it may seem, flash-in-the-pan tech fads and trends may be just the way to achieve that. With the right tools, you can associate your SMB with popular new technologies without much investment. These are our five tips on how to cash in on things as silly and childish as Pok\u00e9mon GO and as technical and trendy as the internet of things.<\/p>\n
One of the biggest indicators of how successful your SMB will be in making big gains off of a new trend is how early you get in. Fads, especially in the tech world, can come and go in no time. Be careful not to invest in resources with a long-term commitment like new logos or graphics, but instead in low-cost workarounds like special promotions and social media campaigns that put you front and center immediately. Once the popular kids have moved onto a fresh fixation, you\u2019ll be ready to move forward without skipping a beat.<\/p>\n
How can you get up to speed quickly without investing too much in permanent resources? The trick is to hijack existing opportunities and strategies for your own message. For example, John Deere has been selling farming equipment for over 150 years, with no signs of slowing down. But with a creative combination of existing GPS technology and mobile devices, they quickly jumped to the forefront of the \u201cInternet of Things\u201d craze by connecting their vehicles to crop planning practices.<\/p>\n
So you\u2019ve identified a trend you want to cash in on and you\u2019ve commandeered existing tools to help sell your product. How else can you gain momentum? Social media is everywhere nowadays, and it doesn\u2019t seem to be a dying trend. However, it\u2019s no panacea; simply posting \u201cWe\u2019ve got a promotion on all seasonal products #inserttechfadhere\u201d won\u2019t bring obsessed customers to your doorstep. Take a minute to understand the mechanics of what pulls everyone away from work, friends, and family, and show participants you\u2019re one of them. Is it competitive? Polarizing? Take a stand or pick a team and invite customers who are \u201con your side\u201d to get a discount.<\/p>\n
With a little creative brainstorming, most business models can actually integrate their product or service with a passing trend. Chatbots have been shoring up the \u201cdeep learning\u201d revolution, and clothing retailers have come up with a really creative way to employ them to drive sales. By simply providing their chatbots with a fashion tree, the bots can ask basic questions which whittle down clothing recommendations to those that align with customers\u2019 tastes.<\/p>\n
What if you can\u2019t find a way for your products or services to directly interact with the blazing new trend? The next best thing is to provide solutions to problems presented by it. Does interacting with the popular app or activity eat up a lot of mobile device battery? Remind passersby your outlets are available for customers, or that you sell mobile battery packs. Does it require driving all over town? Remind customers of your latest car rental promotion. Sometimes just associating yourself with the trend is enough.<\/p>\n
Not sure how to integrate your business with the latest fads? We\u2019re the experts on all things technology related, from the most recent to the ancient. As a small- to medium-sized business owner, getting the most value out of your technology investments is crucial to getting your foot in the door and working your way toward bigger profits. From machine learning to Pok\u00e9mon GO, no question is too trivial — ask us today!<\/p>\n