The other day, I was watching TV, and my show went to a commercial break. During the break, one commercial came on about a chocolate making company, and they were showing where they grow their cocoa beans, and the girl advertising it took a bit of chocolate from the bean and said, "Wow, so delicious!"
After looking this up, I learned that the cocoa from the beans is actually EXTREMELY bitter before it is processed, and is actually nearly inedible because of this. It has to go through the process of production, and only after the sugar is introduced into the chocolate does it become sweet and tasty. So my question is, how can she say it's delicious when clearly it isn't?
I dislike being lied to in any form. This was nothing less than an advertised lie.
Now, obviously, you have to inspire your customer to buy your product. You can't be ho-hum about it. However, where is the line drawn between perhaps embellishing a product and lying about it?
This is a difficult question to answer, because you have to keep credibility, but if you oversell and under-deliver, then your customers will not be happy.
You might be thinking, "You're not getting the bean chocolate, you're getting the finished product, so why complain?" This is a true statement, but it's the principle; if you're going to be dishonest about something "small," what's to stop you from being dishonest about something big? Where is the line drawn?
Embellishment is a tough mark to hit while still being honest, because not everyone will think your product is great for the same reason, and they may not like it at all. That's why you have to be very careful about what you say about your product, because you may have to contend with critics who would trash your product.
What do you think? How do you hit that perfect mark between good marketing hype and embellishment without selling a lie?
Friday, October 30, 2015
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Who Do You Trust?
When asked where you buy clothes, food, or supplies, who do you trust? Some people will buy things from thrift stores, where others will only buy from places like the Gap or Belk's. Some people will buy food products from Wal-Mart, but others will not even so much as set foot in their doors.
When it comes to business, you have to figure out who you're marketing yourself to. Unfortunately, you please everyone, and so you have to choose where you plan to gather your profits. Are you interested in selling items in bulk for lower prices like Wal-Mart, or do you need to buy from places like Publix who have better quality products for higher prices? I get my fruits from Publix because they are always better than what I can get anywhere else, but I have to pay for it. But that's my choice.
Or, are you interested in selling your products for higher prices, but therefore reducing the amount of sales? "Ritzy" stores can specialize in their products, offering premium goods are premium prices, or sometimes, the location where their store is placed is what gives it value. Places like Mountain Brook in Birmingham, AL, are known for their "high style of living," and therefore things cost more in that location than they might in other places. The contrast, though, is that people who live in that area generally make more money than in other places, which allows them to afford it.
The strange thing about marketing is that you can't always predict how your customers will behave. They may not like your product because they perceive it to be bad, without even having tried or heard of anything about your company. People are weird, and their decision making is weirder, so we as business people have to ask ourselves, "We know we have a great product, but the customer doesn't. How can we make it so that they know that they will be benefited by it?"
Think about how some companies get you to "trust" them, or at least come back. It can be as simple as offering rewards for returning to as extravagant offering something like a "try it for 30 days and if you don't like it you can send it back!" sort of thing.
So I ask you, who do you trust? Why do you trust them? Does your reason make sense? Does it have to? Let me know!
When it comes to business, you have to figure out who you're marketing yourself to. Unfortunately, you please everyone, and so you have to choose where you plan to gather your profits. Are you interested in selling items in bulk for lower prices like Wal-Mart, or do you need to buy from places like Publix who have better quality products for higher prices? I get my fruits from Publix because they are always better than what I can get anywhere else, but I have to pay for it. But that's my choice.
Or, are you interested in selling your products for higher prices, but therefore reducing the amount of sales? "Ritzy" stores can specialize in their products, offering premium goods are premium prices, or sometimes, the location where their store is placed is what gives it value. Places like Mountain Brook in Birmingham, AL, are known for their "high style of living," and therefore things cost more in that location than they might in other places. The contrast, though, is that people who live in that area generally make more money than in other places, which allows them to afford it.
The strange thing about marketing is that you can't always predict how your customers will behave. They may not like your product because they perceive it to be bad, without even having tried or heard of anything about your company. People are weird, and their decision making is weirder, so we as business people have to ask ourselves, "We know we have a great product, but the customer doesn't. How can we make it so that they know that they will be benefited by it?"
Think about how some companies get you to "trust" them, or at least come back. It can be as simple as offering rewards for returning to as extravagant offering something like a "try it for 30 days and if you don't like it you can send it back!" sort of thing.
So I ask you, who do you trust? Why do you trust them? Does your reason make sense? Does it have to? Let me know!
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Risk vs Routine
I was sitting in class this morning listening to my teacher when it occurred to me that I had not had breakfast, and I knew that I was going to have to get something to eat.
There are a few good places to go for food near where I go to school, like Pizza Hut, Domino's, Dairy Queen, McDonald's, Subway, and a few others. Now I like each of these places as a brand of fast food, but when I wanted to decide where I was going to eat, I realized that I go through a specific decision making process.
For most categories of decisions that will need to be made, I have about 3 different choices ranging from my favorite, second favorite, and so on. When it comes to fast food, McDonald's has always been my favorite fast food place, and therefore becomes my first choice. A second choice is Domino's, as I work there and have access to a discount, which is nice. Subway is a good choice if I want something on the healthier side of things.
I make these decisions with an overriding principle: I want to be happy with what I spend my money on. I have never been to the Pizza Hut near school, but I'm very hesitant to go there because I've never been there before, I'm not sure of the specials or menu items; I'm not sure that the workers there are pleasant or even competent, and for some reason, I'm not willing to risk dissatisfaction to go there and try it. Even at the places I will want to eat at, I always order the same thing, because I KNOW that what I'm getting will be good, and I will have spent my money on something I'm happy with.
There are always going to be people like me, who can only be pleased by what we know we can trust, what we like, and what we will expect to receive. If you do any less, we will most likely be annoyed, and may avoid doing business with that place, at least for a certain period of time.
Is this wrong? Maybe. However, it's simply MY go-to decision making process.
There are others, though, that always want to try new things, go to new places, eat what's different off the menu, etc. They will ask for the specials, invite their friends to try new things, and go tell others about the risks they took.
The question that comes to the marketer is this: will you try to draw in the risk taker, who will try everything and tell others, or will you market to the routine buyers, who will take more effort to try to convert, but once you do, they will be your customers for life?
It's a difficult process and a difficult thing to try to predict how people will behave, react, and decide which business they will support. What about you? Are you the risk taker or the blissful routine follower?
There are a few good places to go for food near where I go to school, like Pizza Hut, Domino's, Dairy Queen, McDonald's, Subway, and a few others. Now I like each of these places as a brand of fast food, but when I wanted to decide where I was going to eat, I realized that I go through a specific decision making process.
For most categories of decisions that will need to be made, I have about 3 different choices ranging from my favorite, second favorite, and so on. When it comes to fast food, McDonald's has always been my favorite fast food place, and therefore becomes my first choice. A second choice is Domino's, as I work there and have access to a discount, which is nice. Subway is a good choice if I want something on the healthier side of things.
I make these decisions with an overriding principle: I want to be happy with what I spend my money on. I have never been to the Pizza Hut near school, but I'm very hesitant to go there because I've never been there before, I'm not sure of the specials or menu items; I'm not sure that the workers there are pleasant or even competent, and for some reason, I'm not willing to risk dissatisfaction to go there and try it. Even at the places I will want to eat at, I always order the same thing, because I KNOW that what I'm getting will be good, and I will have spent my money on something I'm happy with.
There are always going to be people like me, who can only be pleased by what we know we can trust, what we like, and what we will expect to receive. If you do any less, we will most likely be annoyed, and may avoid doing business with that place, at least for a certain period of time.
Is this wrong? Maybe. However, it's simply MY go-to decision making process.
There are others, though, that always want to try new things, go to new places, eat what's different off the menu, etc. They will ask for the specials, invite their friends to try new things, and go tell others about the risks they took.
The question that comes to the marketer is this: will you try to draw in the risk taker, who will try everything and tell others, or will you market to the routine buyers, who will take more effort to try to convert, but once you do, they will be your customers for life?
It's a difficult process and a difficult thing to try to predict how people will behave, react, and decide which business they will support. What about you? Are you the risk taker or the blissful routine follower?
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Standing Out
When starting a business, there is a typical question that is posed to the owner, "Why should I use your company over all the others that are in your market?"
This is a scary question. Why should they? What can I do as an owner to make customers forsake the companies that they formerly bought products from? It can be difficult to stomach, especially for someone like me who doesn't like to step on anyone's toes. However, in order to be a successful business owner, I have to be ruthless, clever, and wise in regards to winning over customers, while still being legal and ethical. It is a very hard line to walk.
When coming up with a new business venture and figuring out your "competitive advantage," I have read a few tips and tricks to help you out. May I share them with you?
1. Stand out.
Find some way that you are different. Whether it's a catchy name for your business, or a certain way you do business in your particular field, you absolutely MUST be different, otherwise most customers will not get out of their comfort zone of purchasing and you will be left behind. I've seen and sampled many different pizza places, for example, and each one has its own niche. The top 3 "Pizza Giants," Pizza Hut, Papa John's, and Domino's, all have a different reason that they tell you why you should buy from them. Pizza Hut goes after variety and offers an expansive line of pizza products, toppings, sides, and more to try to get you to branch out and try new things. Papa John's slogan is, "Better ingredients, better pizza," meaning that they want you to buy their pizza because it's made with better stuff. Domino's touts its amazing delivery service, saying in most cases that your pizza will be there in 30 minutes or less. As you can see, while they are all in the pizza business, they are targeting different groups of people.
2. Know your demographics.
Demographics means a number of people in a certain area who fit a certain criteria, for example, how many white males between 20-30 years old living in Hanceville. When looking for who you plan to sell your product to, know not only who you plan to target with your product, but also if it is a good idea to based on the number of people who fit your target customer who live in the area you plan to do business. You may have a great business idea, but you set up shop in a poor location. Your sales will not meet your goal there, but they may in a different area. So know who you want to do business with and where it is a good idea to do that at.
There are many other ways to make sure your product is successful. What have I missed? Tell me down in the comments!
This is a scary question. Why should they? What can I do as an owner to make customers forsake the companies that they formerly bought products from? It can be difficult to stomach, especially for someone like me who doesn't like to step on anyone's toes. However, in order to be a successful business owner, I have to be ruthless, clever, and wise in regards to winning over customers, while still being legal and ethical. It is a very hard line to walk.
When coming up with a new business venture and figuring out your "competitive advantage," I have read a few tips and tricks to help you out. May I share them with you?
1. Stand out.
Find some way that you are different. Whether it's a catchy name for your business, or a certain way you do business in your particular field, you absolutely MUST be different, otherwise most customers will not get out of their comfort zone of purchasing and you will be left behind. I've seen and sampled many different pizza places, for example, and each one has its own niche. The top 3 "Pizza Giants," Pizza Hut, Papa John's, and Domino's, all have a different reason that they tell you why you should buy from them. Pizza Hut goes after variety and offers an expansive line of pizza products, toppings, sides, and more to try to get you to branch out and try new things. Papa John's slogan is, "Better ingredients, better pizza," meaning that they want you to buy their pizza because it's made with better stuff. Domino's touts its amazing delivery service, saying in most cases that your pizza will be there in 30 minutes or less. As you can see, while they are all in the pizza business, they are targeting different groups of people.
2. Know your demographics.
Demographics means a number of people in a certain area who fit a certain criteria, for example, how many white males between 20-30 years old living in Hanceville. When looking for who you plan to sell your product to, know not only who you plan to target with your product, but also if it is a good idea to based on the number of people who fit your target customer who live in the area you plan to do business. You may have a great business idea, but you set up shop in a poor location. Your sales will not meet your goal there, but they may in a different area. So know who you want to do business with and where it is a good idea to do that at.
There are many other ways to make sure your product is successful. What have I missed? Tell me down in the comments!
Monday, August 24, 2015
Hello! My name is Thomas, and I make it my goal to always think ahead.
As a student in college, most fellow students understand the pressure of juggling life, homework, perhaps a job, family, friends, and other obligations. It can be very difficult to manage these obligations, but I have found that planning the activities of life BEFORE they happen allows me to control chaos much more easily. I think that it is very important to learn how to think ahead, so that you reduce the stress of fear, uncertainty, and doubt and enables you to do everything you need to do with a clear mind.
Let me share three things that I've found to help me think ahead.
1. Write down everything that you will be facing on a constant basis for a designated period of time.
For example, I know that I have three classes to take this semester, I know what the deadline dates are, I know about how long it takes to do the work, and that helps me to do everything in a timely fashion and get it out of the way before I go on to fun things that I want to do. I also work in the week, and I know that I need to allow for the time that it takes to do that, as well as knowing that I cannot study during that time. Therefore, I must do my work at another time, even if that means that I have to give up free time because of it. These are just a few examples of obligations that a person could have, but I encourage you to write down everything you will be doing so that you not only know your work time, but you can better define your free time.
2. DO YOUR WORK.
It is very easy to be lazy and procrastinate. I am one of the world's worst procrastinators. However, I have found that as soon as I sit down and focus on what I have to do, the fun stuff is replaced with the responsibility that I have before me, which is to do the schoolwork that I spent a lot of money on. It's also a good habit to put your electronics away from you during your study time, but in order to treat yourself for doing your work, I recommend that you set a time, say after you've worked a certain amount of time on your lesson, to reward yourself by getting your phone out and looking at it. Doing your work and AFTERWARDS rewarding yourself for it is a great motivator to keep working. If this doesn't work for you, find out your work and reward system.
3. Allow yourself some time to relax.
Rest is SO important to human's well-being. I personally try to avoid doing assignments at the last minute because I know that I'll be working when I want to sleep, and I LOVE my sleep. I need it. So that's why I plan ahead, so that I can prepare for rest time. I HIGHLY recommend that you find something that interests you and do it. (Once you've finished your work that is.) No one remains mentally healthy by constantly having to deal with work, deadlines, and the like. Play is just as important as work, just in a different way.
These are some mindsets and activities that I use to help me prepare for the chaos which is life. Even if my methods do not work for you in the same way, I encourage you to find a system of control that will allow you to manage your life effectively.
Please feel free to comment with your self-management techniques. I would love to see them!
As a student in college, most fellow students understand the pressure of juggling life, homework, perhaps a job, family, friends, and other obligations. It can be very difficult to manage these obligations, but I have found that planning the activities of life BEFORE they happen allows me to control chaos much more easily. I think that it is very important to learn how to think ahead, so that you reduce the stress of fear, uncertainty, and doubt and enables you to do everything you need to do with a clear mind.
Let me share three things that I've found to help me think ahead.
1. Write down everything that you will be facing on a constant basis for a designated period of time.
For example, I know that I have three classes to take this semester, I know what the deadline dates are, I know about how long it takes to do the work, and that helps me to do everything in a timely fashion and get it out of the way before I go on to fun things that I want to do. I also work in the week, and I know that I need to allow for the time that it takes to do that, as well as knowing that I cannot study during that time. Therefore, I must do my work at another time, even if that means that I have to give up free time because of it. These are just a few examples of obligations that a person could have, but I encourage you to write down everything you will be doing so that you not only know your work time, but you can better define your free time.
2. DO YOUR WORK.
It is very easy to be lazy and procrastinate. I am one of the world's worst procrastinators. However, I have found that as soon as I sit down and focus on what I have to do, the fun stuff is replaced with the responsibility that I have before me, which is to do the schoolwork that I spent a lot of money on. It's also a good habit to put your electronics away from you during your study time, but in order to treat yourself for doing your work, I recommend that you set a time, say after you've worked a certain amount of time on your lesson, to reward yourself by getting your phone out and looking at it. Doing your work and AFTERWARDS rewarding yourself for it is a great motivator to keep working. If this doesn't work for you, find out your work and reward system.
3. Allow yourself some time to relax.
Rest is SO important to human's well-being. I personally try to avoid doing assignments at the last minute because I know that I'll be working when I want to sleep, and I LOVE my sleep. I need it. So that's why I plan ahead, so that I can prepare for rest time. I HIGHLY recommend that you find something that interests you and do it. (Once you've finished your work that is.) No one remains mentally healthy by constantly having to deal with work, deadlines, and the like. Play is just as important as work, just in a different way.
These are some mindsets and activities that I use to help me prepare for the chaos which is life. Even if my methods do not work for you in the same way, I encourage you to find a system of control that will allow you to manage your life effectively.
Please feel free to comment with your self-management techniques. I would love to see them!
Sickness vs Work
How do you work when you just don't feel like it?
I've been sick for the past week with fever and other things and I have not felt like doing anything at all. Fortunately, I haven't had a whole lot to do which let me enjoy my sick bed. However, I got to thinking, how would you force yourself to do your work when you physically cannot be bothered to?
There are times where we all have to force our way through a project we'd rather forget about, but what helps you to do it? I have 3 recommendations for ways to focus and get the job done, even when you don't feel 100%.
1. Do a little at a time.
My grandmother always said, "Take it one day at a time," meaning don't always look at all the things that you have to do in the future, but do one project at a time. If you have to do homework for three different subjects, then don't worry about doing all three. Just do one, usually the easiest, and get it out of the way, then take a break. After you finish, rest, play a game, get something to eat, whatever. Just regain your strength. Don't wait too long to start the next subject, though, or you'll lose motivation.
2. Do the easy stuff first.
As I said before, I prefer to start with the easy stuff, because, obviously, it's easy, but it also helps to chip away at the mountain of stuff that I have to do instead of tackling it head on. Once I get one thing done, the rest seems easier, and interestingly I get more motivated by succeeding in the small things, making the other things not so bad. This is true in any aspect of life to be honest.
3. Rest up afterwards.
It's really important to not wear yourself out. Breaks are NOT for the week, and some have said to me. Breaks are for the smart people who know what their limits of energy are and account for it. If you do not feel like going on to the next project that you are facing, don't. Come back when you have the energy and motivation to do so.
These are actions that help me focus on getting things done efficiently and not wearing me out. What ways do you use to help you? Comment and let me know!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)