Having spent the past 7 years working in the Internet space at a variety of for-profit and non-profit companies and organizations, I've noticed that the differences between the two become increasingly blurred. While the goals of each may be different--selling software and driving traffic to media outlets vs. raising money and promoting online advocacy--the methods and overall objectives are surprisingly similar.
In both cases, everyone wants to see some kind of measurable result--whether that means selling more Adobe Acrobat 7.0 versions than the other guy, or breaking fundraising records in a time of national crisis. The tools we use to accomplish these results are also quite similar--drive traffic to the site, offer compelling reasons to buy or donate, and make a case for why your site or cause is unique. In the end, it's all about marketing and message. The tools are simply the means to an end.
Still, the importance of said tools cannot be underestimated--no one likes to see spotty product, and ease of use remains the most important barrier to overcome. But once you have a solid grip on your tools, it's all about making a convincing case.
What's even more astounding is how these tools are crossing all boundaries and closing gaps between new and old media companies, etail and retail stores, cutting edge political campaigns and old school non-profits. In many ways, the dot com boom of the late '90s is experiencing a renaissance, only this time, people are ready for it.
We're accustomed to seeing established Internet giants like amazon.com and google innovate and astound every day, but what we're seeing now are smaller operations like flickr, youtube, even small non-profits break boundaries and revolutionize the ways in which users interact with technology, and with each other. And the Internet giants are catching on, not only by acquiring these smaller sites but by learning and incorporating the successes and innovations made apparent each day.
In the late '90s, everyone who worked at a start up thought they were going to become the next Jeff Bezos. We accepted half pay in exchange for hundreds of stock options that promised to make us all billionaires before turning twenty five. People who were worth millions on paper found themselves selling off their cars months later in order to pay off unexpected debt, and suddenly everyone was applying to law school or taking off to be a ski bum in Tahoe to ride out the storm.
The storm is over, and the sun is shining. And there's more than enough sun for everyone, whether you're advocating for human rights or creating viral videos. In fact, you may just run into each other along the way.
