It has been some time since my last post, “What Food Taught Me About Internet Marketing.” Since then, I’ve been busting around my country doing business and helping others in many ways. I came to realize, after speaking to one of Malaysia’s state assemblyman, that there’s a power factor in which businesses can succeed. The many ways to do it can include off, on and above the line marketing while still pioneering the fronting of a ‘Township’s Website’.
What I’m talking about is, you can engage government bodies (in Malaysia’s case, we only have 13 states, thousands of towns) to supplement their web presence and structure, turn it into a robust site offering various information, crunches and media, monetize through ads, sales, leads and referrals, gain business networks through your initiatives, venture into new businesses (apart from what all of us here are doing), build political awareness, and so much more.
I was thinking community site, job opportunities, town services, promotions from different businesses around the town, state and town government information, contribution pages for individuals from different backgrounds, business affiliation (group meetings), current agenda announcements, etc. This can be good for businesses alike. And the people would be:
- Developers. From here, they can reach out to the local community of this and that town, from different states, shapes and sizes to perform research and feasibility studies.
- Property Agents. From here, they can sell/rent houses easily, while taking complaints and compliments.
- Managements of sorts. From here, they can know what the community wants and what problems/forthcoming issues arise.
- Advertisers. From here, they can advertise to their local target market. It’s easy, fast, and efficient since you do not need to go halfway around the world to grab their products. It may just be 3 miles away from home.
- Engineers. Those who are in the web line can propose and discuss creative notions while befriending new acquaintances.
- Businessmen. Exchanging business prospects, networking, new ventures, and ease of communication between local businessmen.
- Politicians. When garnered enough attention, they can move into web ‘marketing’ themselves (which won’t be as huge as what you saw on TV during Obama/McCain’s election)
- Government officials. The police can enforce, monitor, view and understand their locals better through here, as they get first-hand information from the community themselves. They can also post ordinances, garner the attention of fresh and young entrepreneurs, look for suitable co-workers or contractors, etc.
There are probably tons more as time passes. The better part of it has yet to come.
- If your approach is somewhat different, and involves certain officials (through your network) of the government body, you may just attain new government projects.
- If your approach knocks the brains out of these people (they are super impressed), you may just get lucky in your future ventures.
- You may be granted GOV domains.
- You’re doing your community an honorable service.
- You’re helping many businesses (involved directly and indirectly) grow.
- If you tilt it further into growing, this is your chance to make an impact on your community.
Although I may not understand how systems in the US work, I believe this is a chance for me here in Malaysia. Every time I drive along the city and look around (out with my friends or alone), I see huge potential in businesses of every industry. Through my research, studies and surveys, there are still many out there who do not know of these potentials, but fall back on traditional ways of expanding their business.
While there is so much to give to the community and so much money to make here in Malaysia, it’s only one country alone. Take Southeast Asia. What would happen next? It’s no more than 10,000 visitors, with average respondents of 10% and conversion of 1% and average check of $1,000. It may just be 10 times or more the figure than you can make out there.
As always, I’m happy to hear comments, suggestions and opinions from the marketing industry out there, including you, the reader.
