Tony Funderburk

An article I just read about ad-blocking apps asked if the “end of the mobile ad industry is already in site“. I don’t think they will. But so what if they completely destroy mobile advertising. Or at least destroy it in its current form. Even if they do, here’s why that shouldn’t worry you. Because they can’t block you from advertising your business on your own website.

Do this with your own website.

Upload a video about your goods and services and information on your home page. Or any page you decide to make into a landing page. It’s not a typical advertisement. It’s just you (or someone you trust) talking about your business. Think of it like sharing a video or pictures of your trip to the islands with your friends and family. Only it’s you talking about your gizmos, gadgets, and golly gee’s. You’re not selling. You’re telling.

And here’s the good news. Your non-ad advertising can’t be blocked. (At least, not yet. But give the wrong people enough power and who knows?) Fact is…your story (ad in disguise) might even get shared. If you make it entertaining, engaging, and/or educational.

Ad-blocking is an excellent tool for those nuisance ads. You know…like lawyers telling you how much they care about you. Or drug companies telling you how they can make your life better. And how about other companies telling you how you can sue drug companies, insurance companies, and lawyers? Yeesh. Spray some of that ad-blocking on me right now.

But there’s potential downside to ad-blocking apps, too. They might also block all the mom and pop businesses. And they just want to get the word out about their restaurant’s special of the day. Or their 50% sale on auto parts. Or a variety of other everyday useful things. And that’s not helping anyone. Small mom and pop businesses are still the backbone of America. In spite of what you might have heard about behemoths like Amazon, etc.

So, my suggestion is to focus more on the story of your business.

Then figure out cool ways to tell it so viewers might even want to share it. You might (and I certainly will) call this “digital-word-of-mouth”marketing. Who knows? Maybe even your whatchamacallit could go viral.