Episode 6 of #InTheLab – What’s the Future of Marketing?
What is the future of marketing?
The answers simple, social objects.
What does that mean for your company or organization? You need something, something tangible, something people can use/wear to show their support to your company or cause. Think about it, what we wear and support is a reflection of what we care about. More and more as a society we’re looking for meaning, a deeper feeling from what we’re doing and where we are spending our money. Consumers aren’t dummies, you can’t fool people, you can’t be gimmicky, and you can’t waste people’s time.
If you give someone something adorning your company logo and they immediately put it aside or don’t say anything about it, you aren’t finished.
A business card can become a social object
(My very first business card)
A billboard can become a social object
A Youtube video can become a social object
The way you treat others can become a social object
(Westjet is talked about regularly because of being friendly, providing exceptional service, and telling jokes on flights.)
How you create awareness about your charity can become a social object
Who would have thought that video taping yourself dumping a bucket of ice water on your head in full clothing and then tagging three friend would have actually taken off. It blew up! This is a great lesson that there is no bad idea when you coming up with new ideas on how to spread the message of your cause.
Gelato can become a social object
The sink in a fertility office can become a social object
The Google logo can become a social object
After hearing Russia being against gay marriage Google showed the world how they feel about the topic with this logo rendition above. Good for you Google.
An initiative your company takes on can become a social object
Shirts you and your girl friend wear to a ball game can become a social object
A letter can become a social object (its much easier to create social objects if you’re Tom Hanks)
The footer on your website can become a social object
Your Youtube channel can become a social object
Bethany Mota has over 8.4 million subscribers on Youtube. That’s basically a group of people the size of New York city getting an email every time Ms. Mota updates her Youtube channel.
Your birthday can become a social object
A game can become a social object
A calendar can become a social object
Yes this is the calendar in my apartment currently.
Your AMA (ask me anything) on reddit can become a social object…..if you Alec Baldwin
Anything can become a social object, you just have to try. And no you aren’t going to make everyone happy, and sometimes you may tick some folks off, that means you’re on to something. If you’re upsetting some people more likely than not you’re making other people really happy. That’s what really matters, if some people love what you are doing and would miss you if you’re gone, you’re on to something.
