Sunday, November 22, 2015

Black Friday

Black Friday is a day of deals and savings, right? Black Friday is really a marketing scam if you all haven't figured that out by now. So you go out of your way to rearrange your schedule and even take off work so you can be in line at 2am and sit in the possible miserable weather conditions to save a few bucks. Not to mention, once again, are you just going for the things that you really need or are you going to get caught in the moment of the shopping experience and buy more than you came for and probably didn't need. That's the marketing end of this Black Friday that businesses look forward to. Not only are they selling it a little cheaper than the regular price, but they are betting on the volume that they are going to sell. You, as the customer, is caught up in the shopping experience and the holiday spirit and more than likely going to buy other items that you didn't come for. Not to mention everything that you bought that is not on the Black Friday sale list. If Black Friday was really for the customer, the businesses wouldn't start advertising this sale a month in advance. It's a way to get the commercial end of the holiday's started and the businesses profiting from it. Happy Black Friday!   

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Smartwatch

A few years ago the idea of a smartwatch was like a science-fiction movie. Not only in the last couple of years has the smartwatch become a reality, but now the competition of other companies getting into the market with their version of the smartwatch as well. All the new technology this day and time is great and endless of what you can have and their uses. For the most part, anything you want, information wise is at the tip of your finger. I am not one of those that has to have the latest of technology or the look at what I got attention deficit syndrome or the out doing the Jone's stratagy. My question to the world is, when is enough, enough. Can you justify the cost and how much it really needs to be in your everyday lives. The marketing of all these new items is great, but the general public does not take the time to realize how they are being controlled and manipulated by the marketing of these new products. You like the newest and think that you have got to own it without realizing that you only will use this new item at about 5% of its function ability. You probably already have a device now that does everything that you need it to do without the cost of the new device just on the market. Do you really need a watch to keep in touch with the world with your every single heart beat? Stop and think, this new technology marketing concept is great if you need this in your business, but for the individual, this technology trend is controlling your everyday thinking and lives. Take a moment and evaluate just how much technology you really need and level out with that.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

RV Parking Ownership

In Cullman, Alabama we have the beautiful smith lake. People from all over the country come here and buy lake lots and build their dream homes. There is just one problem and that is that the price tag for a lot on this lake is expensive. Some of these lake lots sell for more that some people have in their homes. Then there is this rv campground that I heard about that you buy your rv spot instead of rent for the night or week. When I first heard about this along with the price tag, I thought that this was crazy and could not see it being successful. Then I looked at this from a need and a marketing angle. There are people who own rv's that would like to own a piece of the lake as well, but know that this is all too expensive. This campground marketing plan enables these people to do both.  There are people who own rv's and have paid a lot of money for them and enjoy the camping world. But the average person cannot afford a rv and a place on the lake both. The man who started the smith lake rv park saw a need and noticed a marketing possibility. He put a plan together and started out small to see how it would do. The need was there and after 2 years, he has started clearing off for phase 2 of the campground. He owns the campground and maintains it but you buy the lot within the campground and you own that lot. With ownership of this lot you have a boat slip for your boat with golf cart access to it so you don't have to walk. Being a part of this campground also gives you access to 2 ponds, swimming pool, laundry mat, water falls by the boat docks, and a social gathering house. The way this is set up, its like a little neighborhood or think of it as your lake family every weekend. Now you can take your rv to your lot on the lake and enjoy being on the lake. This enables people to double their pleasure of their investment instead of missing out of enjoying the rv at the lake. Figuring out where there is a need for a service and knowing how to market it can be very profitable.

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Presidental Election

As we all have heard with the advertisements and debates on TV that the nation is gearing up for a presidential election in 2016. Some people like to hear what the candidates have to say and how they present themselves under fire from the press and the mudslinging from the other candidates. Other people could care less because for the most part, same oh, same oh. They make a speech or a campaign promise that they won't be able to keep or don't even try. Elections and all the bad mudslinging that always seems to be the norm gets the general public disgusted and some get down right mad. But have you ever thought to take a minute, let the smoke clear out and look at all this from a different angle. The truth about the election candidates is that they are marketing themselves to the voters and in the presidential election, making sure they get the attention of the electoral voters. There is no difference in these guys and girls going after each other and making the other look bad than two companies doing the same about a product or service. Do me a favor and watch the next presidential debate with a marketing approach and you will find the mudslinging a lot more interesting and sometimes even down right funny.