I believe strongly that business provides a service, and your marketing should be no different. Your site visitors have a problem—and it’s up to you to solve it. After all, why would they seek you out if there weren’t a specific need? Sure, there are those impulse and luxury buys, but the reason you go looking for something is to fulfill a need (even if it is frivolous). If you solve their problem they might even become your customers. If you don’t, well, it’s sayonara, baby. And they probably won’t come back.

In this age of online interactivity, the Web provides so many ways to provide utility to your customers. Look at all these “thought leaders” out here providing info so you’ll come have a look at what we have to say and, should you feel comfortable with what we have to say, maybe even hire us or use our services.

And you know when you can custom order a pizza online, the age of utility has arrived. It is the future so don’t ignore it. But utility doesn’t just have to be online. There are lots of ways to provide utility. The bottom line is that age of pushing your advertising out to consumers is nearing an end and the age of your consumers looking for what you provide have begun.

I found this slideshow by Paul Isakson a month or two ago. It really sums up “The Future of Marketing + Advertising.”