Use the Force, Luke. Go Online.

With all respect to Family Circus cartoonist Bil Keane, the Goddess is frustrated because Twitter, Facebook and other social media and networking sites still make the majority of businesspeople, especially those 45 and older, giggle. It ain't easy being an early adopter, especially one whose profession hinges on getting others to join her on the digital bandwagon.

Lately I've talked with several people in different industries and geographies who have common complaints about their communications challenges. In every freakin' example, they continue using the tactics and tools they've always used, and they're getting the same poor results.

It might anger these folks if I were to remind them of the definition of insanity, but since they have no interest in thinking outside of their non-digital boxes (or hiring me to help them do so), I guess I might as well.

Quick example: A friend was very upset that none of her many cookbooks included a recipe for rum cake. When I told her to go online, she looked at me like I was crazy. Until she found exactly what she was looking for in about 45 seconds.

Things will change. I'm just impatient. Everyone's not going to get as passionate as I do about all things Web 2.0, but I do want them to get more accepting.

NY Times columnist Thomas Friedman says we're living in a "do-it-yourself economy", which is as good a way as any to describe why I encourage organizations and individuals to blend online and old-school strategies together.

Mr. Friedman found a Minneapolis marketing agency that created a client's film for 20% of the normal cost thanks to Internet services that probably weren't available even 3 years ago. First, the agency and the client communicated almost exclusively by email, sharing documents via box.net.

(Remember what we've learned about cloud computing, kiddies. Put your files, videos, whatever "up there" where anyone can access them, and then there's no worries about files too large to mail. My Mac peeps use MobileMe -- its logo is a cloud. )

The agency in Minneapolis used voices.com for its voiceover needs, paying about 10% of what local voice talent would have charged. And, Goddess-approved istockphoto.com provided good quality images with no royalty fees.

So how 'bout you? Are you sitting inside a circa 1999 box, or are you giving a Flip camera and a creative assignment to employees or grantees and posting their vids on your website or Vimeo? Will you even consider Twitter or Facebook to spread the word about a special project in 2010?

If you can't afford a web developer, have you tried Weebly or Squidoo or other apps where even the newest of newbies can create their own sites? Heck, with Ning you can even build your own social network.

Arrange a free conference call. Easily sell T-shirts and mousepads that you designed yourself. Take a poll. It's all online.

Of course, I'd love it if you'd hire me to help you find new solutions to old problems, but I do understand if you'd rather climb out of your musty old communications box by yourself. I'll even cheer you on.