In the latest episode of The New Mediology, my podcast with Nathan Moore, (available in iTunes or on the podcast page for listening online) was a discussion on what it means to be thinking about online marketing in an increasingly mobile environment. The iPhone changed the rules for the Internet in mobile devices. Now Google is about to jump into the game and Blackberry isn’t planning to be left out either. These devices are changing the way people use the Internet and therefore will change the ways marketers will use the Internet to reach people. I don’t want to be too much of an alarmist here but this really seems to be something to put on your radar screen now if it’s not already. The good news is that if you’re paying attention to this now you’re much less likely to be left behind.

John W. Ellis is our first batter to step to the plate for social media batting practice. He has some great insight on what he would do with the fly fisherman example. You can see the full post on John’s blog or read most of it below…

First up: How would a weekend fly fishing guide and instructor use social media to grow his business?

Here are 3 quick tips for this small business:

1. ‘Fly Fishing Tips’ Blog
   Creating an instructional blog is a great way to target specific customers. Don’t worry about revealing too much. You want to do just the opposite. This is a great opportunity to show your expertise in fly fishing.As an instructional blog, it has a clear focus. Many blogs are all over the place and have no consistency. Creating a clear, precise blog is a great way to target customers. Remember it’s not the quantity of visitors you want, it’s the quality. Five strong customers are better then 100 5-second visits.
2. Start the conversation on Twitter
   Start following friends, colleagues and competitors. Now of course, tweeting with friends will not expand the bank account. However, it does start the conversation. By discussing “fly fishing” the conversation expands beyond friends. After friends, begin following local lodging companies, restaurants, and local organizations. Don’t just follow. Join the conversation. Make friends. Make partnerships.Twitter creates followers, it creates buzz, and it eventually creates customers. It all begins with one sentence: “What are you doing?”
3. Flickr Photo Contest
   Ask for photographs of favorite fly-fishing spots. Then, give away free instructions to the best entries.After it’s over, be sure to give something to all entries. Even if it’s small, everyone loves winning.Flickr requires minimal time and investment. Plus, it has great photo sharing tools that allow you to integrate those photos into your blog and more importantly it allows “customers” to share those photos.

   Other tips, outside of Social Media:

   • Create packages with local lodging companies
   • Place brochures in state border Welcome Centers
   • Find ways to give away lessons. A small gesture will lead to great word of mouth
   • Email is a great way to talk with customers. Look for ways to collect email addresses.

John, thanks for the insight here. Very good thoughts. Ok, who’s ready to bat next?