Make sure images are turned on in your email client for this one...

It all started like this:

This is John Sowash. John helps schools better implement their Chromebook and 1:1 programs. He's at Chrmbook.com. I saw his message and said:

So I moseyed on over to his website, Chrmbook.com, and took a look:

His website has a ton of valuable info. But he asked for my advice on how I might present his business in a way that goes against what's expected.

Here's what I said to him, with some extra commentary thrown in...

***

Everyone who visits your website will expect to see almost a reliance on tech, with kids staring at screens.

So I told him...

Teachers, parents, kids all are becoming aware of the time they spend on screens, regardless of the actual effects, the perception that maybe it's "too much" is growing.

Anything you can do to emphasize how you "free up time for better teacher-student connection" or "help Chromebooks become the path to better class discussions" or even kind of challenging teachers by saying "are you too reliant on Chromebooks? - here's how to shake things up"

The expectation will be that you'll be all about having the kids on the Chromebook as much as possible, more or less staring at the screen. As much as you can kind of contrast that, while of course still legitimately talking about the services you offer..that's what I'd do in your situation.

I see two kinds of information on the website:

1) is stuff about you, particularly the testimonials. And that makes sense because it's your site. The other stuff is all about Chromebooks, Google, etc.

What I see as kind of missing is anything about your unique approach. In other words, what makes you different than the Ditch Book Guy, Alice Keeler, etc. Why should people care about your approach to using Chromebooks? I'm sure there's a compelling reason. That might be something to try to emphasize more.

For example, my friend Dave Stuart has a site where he really emphasizes the teachers that he's talking to - they're teachers that are dedicated, lifelong learners but are also tired and they want to make teaching efficient and sustainable. His ideas are built around that. His website is here:

https://davestuartjr.com/

So, I would emphasize using Chromebooks to leverage more face-to-face interaction and discuss the unique angle that you bring to teaching the use of tech in the classroom.

***

*The email was real, the cartoons were not : )

PS - Please check out John's website at https://www.chrmbook.com/, connect with him on LinkedIn, and listen to his podcast, The Chromebook Classroom podcast.