More Advice that Keeps Me in Business
An article by Mal Warwick that I caught wind of via The Agitator, has a bunch of helpful tips. I want to focus on the last paragraph.
Oh, one last point: The technical demands of raising money online can be daunting. Chances are, unless you or a member of your staff is a dyed-in-the-wool geek with a broad knowledge of what works online, you’ll find your organization’s performance on the Internet to be limited if you try going it alone.
I couldn’t agree with Mr. Warwick more, and not just because groups needing help keeps the checks coming. I think the rapid nature of technology change requires organizations to employee someone who is steeped in this world every day.
So the question becomes, if I need help how do I choose? There is something economists like to call information asymmetry at work here. You don’t know what you don’t know and unfortunately I’ve seen this used to sell people technology they didn’t need.
I would say it’s important for you to judge technology consultants on what you do know. Do they understand writing for response? Are they dedicated to learning and accomplishing your measures of success? Are they interested in building a site that impresses their techy friends or accomplishes your goals?
If they understand and articulate what you do know, chances are they will do a good job on what you don’t know.
