Are We Too Focused on the Next Big Thing?

I swear it was within 24 hours of Periscope launching a few weeks ago that I saw the first post “15 Ways Brands Can Get the Most out of Periscope” (or something to that effect).

While it’s all fine and well to have an eye to the future, I firmly believe that we are still not totally up to snuff on the present. Brands are still struggling to figure out how to make the most of their blog and Twitter, which have been around for years, and now we have to worry about maximizing our exposure on all these new tools too?

The pressure is on for many businesses and organizations to figure out how all this stuff works. I speak to people on a regular basis who are still perplexed about how to use social media. Those of us who are “old timers” (I’ve been around this social game since about 2006, and have been online since ’97) consider this stuff old hat, but I believe we are in the minority. Many, many folks out there are still learning the basics. I can only imagine how they must feel when they are suddenly faced with new discussions around new tools. Even us old timers feel a sense of “tool fatigue” sometimes.

But all hope is not lost. If you’re one of those people who are still getting a handle on social media and our new digital world, don’t worry so much about that “next big thing”. Focus on the tools you’re comfortable with, and figure out the best strategies for leveraging them in your business. Read up on the trends but don’t feel like just because everyone is now talking about live video streaming that you have to jump on board. Even go so far as to play around with the tools. Being an early adopter doesn’t mean that you have to dominate new platforms. It’s good enough to just be aware.

Focus on the things that have a payoff for you and for your business. Don’t worry so much about the rest.

What say you? Do you think we’re too focused on the next big thing?