Wednesday, 28 September 2011

The Selling Point

Why do you decide to buy something?

Commercials tell you "Only $8 a month", or "If you don't have an iPhone, you don't have an iPhone".

Is it the low cost that sells the product or is it the many features? Or perhaps it's the quality.

But I think the real selling point is opinion.

If it's good, they'll tell 10 people.
If it's bad, they'll tell 20.

You see the Netflix commercials all the time. Unlimited movies and shows at your fingertips for only $8 a month. What a deal! But desire to buy into this marketing doesn't seem to be enough for some people. Yet once they hear that it is awesome from a few people that already pay for the service, joining the band-wagon now seems sensible.

And then there is that common debate: not whether the chiken or the egg came first, but Blackberry or iPhone?

I see the iPhone commercials as a marketing technique but don't consider changing my Blackberry. This is partially because I am so comfortable with my Blackberry, but also because an iPhone monthly plan would be much more expensive. However I know a few friends who have made the switch for one reason or another. And then I have family that swear by their iPhones. The amount of good reviews that I have heard from my family and friends has caused my thought process to change. I am now eligable to upgrade my phone, and here I am, waiting for the iPhone 5 before I make the switch.

Now word of mouth may not be a selling point for everyone, but I am positive that it is a valuable marketing strategy that is highly effective for more than just myself!


enjoy life and be happy.

Thursday, 22 September 2011

Marketing

Less is more.

Or is more better?

Retail seems to market so much. Emails, emails and more emails. And sometimes pamphlets in the mail. Then when you go into a store, there is signage everywhere. In the windows, hanging from the ceiling, on the tables and the walls, and if you're lucky, you may get an extra pamphlet in your take home bag. And what about reusable bags with the logos or names! And we haven't even gotten to the TV and radio commercials. And for those who read the newspaper, there are flyers.

Are all of these marketing techniques beneficial for the company? They do not come cheap. Marketing costs money. The more marketing techniques, the more money to dish out and money is often tight.

So is one method better than the others? The different marketing techniques target different demographics or audiences. Newspaper flyers would not be best for youth just as emails would not be best for seniors.

In conclusion, selective marketing that best suits your target audience is most beneficial, right?

Easier said than done.

How do you market an event that you want people to know about without telling anyone about it? A great example would be a Flash Mob!

Or is the Flash Mob the marketing for a bigger purpose? So you don't have to market the Flash Mob because it is the marketing?

Or is there promotion needed the day of?

Stay tuned to find out How to Market the Unmarketable!

enjoy life and be happy!

Thursday, 15 September 2011

Television Tangents

How often can you watch one channel?
Can you watch a marathon of the same show for hours, even if you have seen some of the episodes?
Does it have to be your favourite show?
Marathons of Auction Hunters, Cake Boss, The Big Bang Theory to name a few.

Sure, why not right? If you have the time or need a lazy day. Or perhaps it's laundry day and you change your laundry over during commercials.

Or do you watch the commercials? Perhaps you've now memorised the commercials because channels seem to replay the same commercials over and over again. Have they run out of ads to show the viewer, or is it a marketing scheme?

Have you ever thought about the commercials you see. Some promote the qualities of the product, or the benefits that result from it. Some give the history of the product, and some advertise the experience that comes with the product.

That last one about experience is promoting their product, but they are promoting recreation and leisure too!
"Buy this product and you'll have a good time."
Does that encourage you to go out and get their product?


Did you realise that recreation is their selling point? But you don't really need their product to engage in recreation. You can do that on your own, with your friends or family, or with a new group of people that you have yet to meet.

You have access to recreation all the time!

You may not realize it, but you are caught in a cycle of recreation and leisure. A field that you probably don't know is real! Whether it is marketing that pulls you in, or it's your own motivation, you do partake in Recreation and Leisure daily by simply doing things that you enjoy, that make you happy, or that help you feel a sense of ease.

Perhaps your recreation and leisure moments are walking the dog, playing sports, reading this blog, or even watching TV (commercials included)!

enjoy life and be happy!