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A day doesn't pass that I don't get asked to follow some business on Facebook, Twitter, or some other social media, networking site. Maybe I'm just too old; maybe I'm not in touch; or maybe I don't understand the intrinsic value. But just what can a bar of soap or a carbonated power beverage tell me through the magic of their "page" that would endear them to me? And am I really going to click "LIKE" for my favorite brand of hemorrhoid cream?

Since before the advent of the Burma Shave sign series (Google it if you're not of a certain age), marketers and advertisers have been trying to get our attention. We are honestly enamored by their process. We sing along with the jingles - are you really stuck on Band Aid's or is the song just stuck on you? We incorporate their slogans into our every day life - just where is the beef? Mad Men is one of television's most popular new dramas. All this is because one group (sponsor) wants another group (consumer) to interact (purchase) on some level.

I'm a lover of the internet. It is truly powerful, accessible, and useful. For goodness sake, I'm an adopter of the blog. My question is, "How do I most efficiently and appropriately use this channel to accomplish my business & banking goals for those I want to serve?"

A recent estimate from a marketing friend of mine is that the average internet user will be bombarded by well over 200 electronic messages and solicitations before getting to the point of choosing a lunch spot on any given day. Thanks to the advent of the extended umbilical through your very smart smart-phone, the access starts long before you sit at the computer in your home or office. With all that information streaming in front of you every day, does any of it help you choose the who or the how of your financial services provider?

Here's my personal commitment. As always, it is you who will decide how to interact with us. We'll open the door here at 9 am and hang around until 5 pm, if you want to come by and see us in person to do your banking. We'll offer the Merchant Remote Capture services and online banking through this website to let you take care of business while in your favorite pajamas, if you like (but please consider changing before reverting to the first option of visiting here). We will do our very best to stay current on the tools and techniques of the banking trade, so you have every option and opportunity afforded to those who choose bigger banks. If its voice mail you hear, it's because I wasn't able to answer the phone and not because we refuse to let you talk to a real human being. If you like ATMs, we've got them, but if you want to come in and chat with Tim while he counts out the dough, that's okay too.

And if I ask you to follow me on some of those social media sites, I'll try to make sure and have somewhere to lead you that actually makes the journey seem worthwhile.

Gregory Patton