The one area I’ve tried to keep up with technology is with my business. I did not learn computer drafting in college. There were no computers when I went to college. But as soon as the personal computers became available I took an intensive course in CAD (computer aided drafting). At the time, I remember colleagues arguing that it couldn’t compare with hand drawings. I believe that arguement may still be going on. I now use software for rendering presentational materials, creating three dimensional models, inserting landscape schedules and plant pictures in drawings.
This past winter I decided I needed to update my website. My previous website was a Flash site put together ten years ago by a fourteen year old computer geek (and I mean that in the most endearing terms). It was a nice looking site at the time, but clients had trouble logging on, it was impossible to find, and I had no control over the content. I began to research how to create my own website. I read books on HTML and CSS. I purchased Adobe Dreamweaver. Then I read that websites are no longer the “in” thing . . . WHAT! Websites are static. You need a dynamic site. You need a blog. OK, so I start researching blogs. I decide WordPress. org is the platform I will use. But first I need a hosting site. I get one. I create my website and attach my blog to it. So that’s done. Phewww.
Not so fast. How do I get people to see it? People tell me I need to optimize my SEO. I’m getting dizzy with all these acronyms. I need to be on the first page in a Google Search I start adding plugins, widgets, keywords, you name it. I enter ‘NJ landscape architect’ into my browser. I come up on PAGE 19!
I do more research. I realize I need to link with others. But how do I do that? I break down and attend a seminar at Rutgers entitled “Internet Layer Six – The Future of Customer Engagement” with speaker Mark Schaefer. According to the course description it will be about “engagement on the social web”
Now let me explain. Personally, I have adopted new technologies, way past the time they’ve become commonplace. It’s only been a few years since I hooked my TV to cable. I still don’t have a ‘smart phone’. Mine is dumb. Anyway after attending this seminar and seeing all the amazing things that the future will bring, in addition to my website and blog I am now on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google +1 and they are all linked together. So, bring on the conversations, lets start a community, I’m ready to go.