Are You Swiftly Killing YOUR Financial Future?
Don't get defensive, and don't become offended by the
points made in this article -- this is meant to HELP you. So if you're ready to
learn how to avoid a common marketing faux pas, then put on your thinking cap
and let's get to work! :)
And, what's this suicide marketing "no-no"
that's could be killing your profits? That would be...
LACK OF ORIGINALITY.
Yep, you heard right. Get your complimentary barf bags
from that overhead compartment -- you'll need 'em for this one. Are you sick of
hearing the same dried-up cliches over and over again in sales letters, ads, and
every day business talk? You know, the ones loaded with overused phrases like
"It's a WIN/WIN situation!"
"Houston ... we have a problem."
"It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings."
"Drive your hit counter CRAZY!"
And so on. If you're not sick to death of the lack of
originality displayed at every turn, you soon will be. It makes me think,
"Uh oh ... here we go again! Just another marketing
know-it-all that thinks (s)he's hot stuff because (s)he's learned a 'popular'
catch phrase."
I guess some people say,
"Everyone else uses it, so it MUST be okay!"
Uhhhgggghhh ... Gag me with a spoon!
I mean, really. Aren't YOU fed up with all of the
"FREE" this and "NOW!" that, "SKYROCKET" this and
"BOOST" that? BE ORIGINAL, for goodness sakes. Whether you're willing
to believe it or not, this can be affecting your advertising and sales results
in a very bad way. And what's worse, some of our International business people
or newer clientele may not have a clue as to what these cliches even mean.
And what about:
"This DUMB little ad..."
Oh? If it's so dumb, why the heck were people using it?
That ad was plastered all over the Internet, and quickly became ineffective for
that reason. These people should have gotten a clue AND a THESAURUS. If you're
worried that using a thesaurus isn't "modern" enough, you might try http://www.thesaurus.com
;-)
Are YOU still assassinating your financial future with
this one often-overlooked marketing "no-no?" If so, this is your fair
warning. Sure ... SOME of those overused, washed-out cliches may still be
working, but for how long? I know it may be tempting, but don't let the Internet
and all its splendor overtake you. One quick remedy is to come up with your OWN
catch phrase.
It's simple, really.
Create your own metaphor that's easily applicable to
the type of business you're in. Can't think of a new one that 'tickles your
fancy?' Then try thinking of a well-known saying that ISN'T used commonly in
your industry. My own personal saying is
"Do not pass 'Go.' Do not collect two-hundred
dollars."
You probably know that phrase is well-known to Monopoly
players all over the world, but NOT in business. You can apply it to anything
you don't want your listener or reader to do, just as you would any of the less
original sayings you hear every day.
But, 'if push comes to shove' ... just don't use one.
;-) They can cloud your message, and it can make you seem less than creatively
inclined. You've been warned -- now it's up to you.
|
Home