AdamS wrote:

I can't remember who it was but, as someone once said - "Marketing is the art of selling rubbish to idiots"

BAND'OH! wrote:

I've never been one for marketing as it insults my intelligence; I am quite capable of making my own choices.

Just to play devil's advocate here, I feel the same way, and so does everybody else I know.  Yet, companies still spend huge money on marketing and advertising?  Are the companies throwing their money away?  Or does advertising only work on the "other guy/gal" (and of course, the "other guy/gal" also says he's immune to advertising - kind of like every one thinks they are a good driver, it is always the "other guy/gal" who is driving crazy)?  Or could it be that we don't like to admit publicly or even to ourselves that we are swayed by flashy images which tickle our base instincts?

Stan

I don't know what you mean? 

You can only buy what's being offered and some brands look alternative but are still marketed to a consumer. 

I'm in my mid 50's and agree with many comments already made, it's definitely getting harder to crack marketing.

What we do in the car industry is to try and understand our customers as much as possible, i.e. where do they buy their clothes, what magazines, newspapers they read, media influences, genres of music, age, career position, what sports they like etc so we can build a profile picture and see what common links there are.

We also "log" every enquiry and follow up (without stalking) on regular basis and focus hard on our big spending customers, as they are always lucrative.

Teaming up locally with other "like minded" brands and companies for open evenings and or "work-shops" etc (I appreciate this may not work as you have a wider geographical customer base)

Having an active Facebook, Twitter and Instagram page with say weekly updates showcasing products, facts, snippets of information and pointers.

What I do know is that you are a great company and you have a friendly and professional team working for you. 

Please keep it up and good luck Lee.

I agree with all the negative comments about marketing, with this exception...you can't and won't buy something you don't know exists. The purpose of marketing, to people like me, is primarily to let me know the item exists. After that, the marketing can tell me about it, or I will seek out info online or such if it interests me, but without knowing the product is out there it's hard to sell it to anyone.

The difference between cars and audio visual is the car is more of a consumable and publicity for luxury cars will be because of a new must have version which coincides with the customers three year buying cycle. Direct advertising of Beoplay seems excessive because there is not enough news beyond a new colour of something you already have which doesn't need replacing.

Thank you all so much for your replies, and also the kind words about what we've already done to date.. I found it quite embarrassing! 😳

Over the weekend I'm going to write some long posts about where I am now, what's changed, and where I'm going. I think it'll make a fairly interesting read, although I'm not looking forward to typing it all...  

Sometimes I wish I could teleport you all into the local pub, buy a huge round of drinks, and sit at a big, circular table for a long debate with no keyboards involved!! 🙂

Anyway - thanks again. I've very much taken on board what's been said so far, and it's given me a clearer idea of marketing in 2017.  

Lee

9 LEE wrote:

Sometimes I wish I could teleport you all into the local pub, buy a huge round of drinks, and sit at a big, circular table for a long debate with no keyboards involved!!

Lee