Every product tells a story.
As a business, you play a large part in what that story is. It’s called marketing.
The best products represent an idea in the customer’s mind. It's your job to figure out how to tell the story so that it resonates with your customer and sticks.
The problems happen when there’s an inconsistency between the story the customer believes and their real experience of your product.
Being an Ethical Marketer
If you’re a experienced marketer and really comprehend how people’s decision-making process works, it could be tempting to try to coerce or trick people into buying your product.
Marketer can use powerful tools: the fear of missing out. The promise of a silver bullet. The awkwardness of not being trendy. The desire for extravagance.
But just because you can use these tools doesn’t mean you should. If your product’s causing damage (to you, the customer or the environment), having the ability to convince someone they need your product doesn’t mean you should.
Would You Sell it to Your Grandma?
One of the best ways to make sure you’re an ethical marketer: ask yourself questions that give you new perspective.
If your grandmother believed your product’s story and decided to buy it, would you want her to? If the answer is no (because she doesn’t really need this item to solve her problem, or because you’ve created a false problem), you need to re-think your message.
Another good question: “If the customer I’m targeting knew all the facts about this product, was informed and aware of alternatives, would he or she still want to buy it?”
If the answer is no, consider these two options. 1. Make a better product. 2. Use your marketing skills to target a customer who does allows you to answer “yes” to these questions.
If you ever find yourself asking: “Is this spam? Is this scammy? Are we being honest?” then the fact you have to ask indicates it’s a good time to reevaluate your message.
Consider the Customer
Ultimately, when it comes to marketing your product, service or even idea, it’s always a good idea to ask:
“Will this message benefit my audience? Does it have their best interests at heart?”
If you can honestly say “yes,” then full steam ahead. It’s time to tell your story.
Contact Printech for everything you need to market your business!
