Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with marketing

Account coordinator - what's it like?

trillian — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:52:56 -0800

What's it like being an account coordinator at a PR firm? I've read some job profiles online, but I'd like to hear personal experiences. What's the day-to-day work like, and what sort of person would be good for the job? I see there's a past question that touches on being an account exec, but this is the rung below, right?

Marketing Gurus, please help!

skewedoracle — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:23:40 -0800

How would you promote a web site for a charity fundraiser? I am involved with a small group promoting a charity fundraiser website that is running from now until April 30th. We have a very limited budget. The charity is a good one that is fairly well known among the gamer set. We are looking for good ways to involve online communities and groups that have a lot of people that check them out. Thoughts on how to do this? I don't want to self link, so if you want specific details please feel free to memail me.

Ads where a word is worth 1000 pictures

Shepherd — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:59:36 -0800

Great text-driven (print) ads from 2009? I'm currently working on a project that involves championing the text component of advertising: finding ads where the text is front and centre as opposed to the visual, and language is used intelligently and playfully to sell an idea or concept. I've got a few things lined up, from local businesses to national campaigns, but I'd like to see more ads, most likely print/billboard ads (but TV/Web is also a possibility) where the written word (i.e. visually present, a clever script read with no words on-screen won't cut it) is the star, and does its job remarkably well. Ideas?

home page introductory videos

Bacillus — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:35:16 -0800

Do you know of any sites with home page videos introducing new concepts such as the P2 for Wordpress theme? I'm introducing a new concept to the Internet through my website which would be too difficult for people to understand with a plain text and image home page, I believe they would leave very quickly without a video presentation. I'm looking for some good examples which are informative and capture attention.

Can simply be introductory video with examples, even ones with a standing person giving an oral presentation although this is not what I will be using. I will be using something more along the lines of the P2 theme introductory video.

Studies about marketing during a recession?

korej — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:34:45 -0800

Tonight someone mentioned to me a study that boiled down to the idea that businesses that keep up with their marketing in a recession tend to bounce back better, or survive better. This makes sense to me, but he doesn't have a cite for study, and I'm curious. Does anyone have an idea of where this might have been, or any other study along those lines?

Speechless Romance Game Face-arazzi

speicus — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:05:18 -0800

I've noticed that Lady Gaga likes to link up future singles with current singles in live performance. What other pop artists have employed this tactic? A couple examples: she snuck a preview of Bad Romance into her SNL performance of Love Game, and her recent AMA performance of Bad Romance seems to indicate that Speechless will be her next single. It seems like an insidiously clever, almost evil way of getting the public primed for her next release, like all her songs are mere fragments of some giant ur-pop song. Anyway, I figure she can't be the first person to use this tactic, just the latest to employ it with devastating efficacy -- so who else has done this? Who was the first?

In short, I'm looking for other pop artists who have combined two or more songs this way in high-profile performances. To clarify, I'm not looking for just any mashups or medleys, which are commonplace, but specifically instances where a non-single song is seamlessly linked to a current single in order to get listeners to pay attention. Links to video or audio are especially helpful. Thanks in advance, hivemind!

Marketing and Psychology or just Psychology?

tweedle — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:10:15 -0800

If I want to do marketing research should I double major in Psychology and Marketing? Alternately, if I enjoy research psychology and conducting studies, what are other possible careers I might be interested in? I am aware of this thread, I even posted in it! But I want personalized advice blah blah, and his question is different than mine.

I am a sophomore in college with about 50 credits under my belt after this semester. Currently, I am majoring in Psychology. After taking a marketing class this semester I figured out what I could do as a career: marketing research!!! Yeah!!!

I've always wanted to do something in experimental psychology, like researching and conducting studies. However, I've heard that most of these positions require one to become a professor, which I don't really want to do.

Marketing research is sorta like that... right? I like the idea of conducting surveys, focus groups, etc., to try to understand how people make decisions about what to buy. I mean, I'm not exactly passionate about this, as I might say I am about other psychological topics I could research, but I have a vague interest in it and I don't hate it, maybe I even like it.

So, should I double major? With 50 willy-nilly non-business credits, I would have to take about 20 more than 120 to graduate. And I wouldn't be able to take ANY classes outside of psychology or business, minus the gen ed classes I haven't taken yet. Does it even matter what I major in to future employers (in any field, what if I change my mind to something completely unrelated?) usually?

I feel like I should just major in Psychology and minor in marketing, as I care more about Psychology and marketing would just be a career. If I go into marketing and decide I don't like it at all I wouldn't want all my effort to be for naught.

On the flip side, I also don't want to be wasting my time and money in college getting a degree that will make me unemployable in anything I want to do. I would rather work hard now and stop messing around than have to come back in a few years. School is a good learning experience, but the end result (a job) is very important to me, simply because I don't want to have a dead-end job the rest of my life. I want a nice relaxing job that makes me enough money to get by.

I'm probably just going to go with Psychology, but I want to know what you think. Someone in the other thread pointed out an article in Advertising Age about how marketing firms actually prefer people with degrees in something other than marketing, but is this actually true in practice? One article isn't convincing enough, I would like ancedota from people in marketing telling me how true this is. Also, please, if you can, tell me what it's like doing marketing research.

Another question is, what else could I do for a career if I am interested in psychological research? Marketing research is the only practical thing I can think of, where I will actually have a job someday (maybe), but what else is there?

Thank you for your help!

What's Cooler Than Dancing in a Train Station?

Lipstick Thespian — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:55:52 -0800

What Are Some Creative Ways To Get People Interested In A Giving Campaign? I'd like to hear from the Metaverse from any marketers, non-profit superstars, or performers about how you have created interest in a campaign, performance or idea you want to get out to the public.

I'd like to hear responses that go beyond the flyers and flashmobs level, and hopefully get inspired by your answers as well.

I'm coordinating a campaign this year and am having difficulty rousing folks to the cause.

How do you market and sell wine?

compound eye — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:49:55 -0800

my parents are in danger of losing their farm, because they aren't selling any wine. People say the wine is great but the marketing and name are ugly and cheap. My brother and I need to learn about pinot noir wines and the wine industry quickly to see if we can help. I don't really drink very often, and really know bugger all about wine. I grew up on farm in south gippsland, victoria, australia.
After I left home 20 years ago my parents began growing pinot noir grapes establishing and maintaining the winery has been very expensive.
It has been a difficult journey for them and a massive drain on their finances.

Now after 20 years of trying they are finally producing
what are said by others to be really great wines.
Oddly, I think this has been the final straw,
that they are producing great wine and still the winery is not profitable
and they are talking about selling up.

Why isn't the wine selling?
Marketing has been handled by a friend who is doing a lacklustre job.
It's only for sale in one restaurant (who love it), but it has a silly name with an embarrassing label.
It's not selling because it isn't for sale anywhere.

A wine maker and the restaurant owner have told us one batch should be selling for over $50, and the other one for a bit under, but the label and name are so bad that it makes it look like a supermarket chain's generic brand.

There is a cellar full of unlabeled wine.
My brother and I have made a new label and are preparing a website,
We want to try and get the wine some publicity and into some bottle shops, there would be no profit for us involved, we just don't want mum and dad to sell the farm. I am about to have a child and I really want to take h--* there.

But I know nothing about wine.
How can I get a trustworthy appraisal of whether it really is good wine?

My plan for going to boutique bottle shops is to be honest, without disclosing everything, and say that it has only been for sale exclusively through a restaurant, and that we have given it a new name to sell through a few boutique wine shops.

but I really don't know what I am doing

so i put my problems before the hive an call for guidance

*(promised my partner i won't disclose the gender)

Is marketing fast food by public schools a common thing?

dejah420 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:22:35 -0800

Is it common for public schools to directly market fast food to children under the guise of "school spirit"? My son started 1st grade at public school this year. So far, about once a month, the Chick-fil-A cow shows up at their school, wanders the hall and hands out these fliers that say that the class with the most kids that show up and order fast food on Date X wins a free chicken nugget party with said cow and a free recess. The class in second place of the spending race gets a free recess.

Not only that, but he brings home fliers from the school that announce that "spirit night" is coming. Today, we got a call (from the system that I thought was designed to only be an emergency announcement system) that reminded us to go to Chick-fil-A and spend money. Then, when I picked him up from school, he and all the other kids were plastered with a giant branding sticker in the center of their little chests reminding the parents to take their kids to Chick-fil-A tonight.

He was heartbroken when I told him that we would not be going. Apparently, they've been drilling them all week about getting a "free party" and a "get out of class free" period.

Is this as outrageous as I think it is? Is it common, and I'm just overreacting?

My opinion is that I should call the ISD superintendent to inquire why the school is trying to turn my kid into a mindless fast-food eating consumer-bot. But other parents around here don't seem to think it's an issue, and in fact were taking pictures of their kids covered in branding standing next to the cow when school let out today.

Before I go all crusader on the school district, am I being irrational about this?

(For the record; I didn't have an issue with this company before all this marketing to my kid started, and tonight as I was trying to google whether this sort of marketing was common, I came across the information that Chick-fil-A supports tea-baggers and funds homophobic organizations...so thanks to their aggressive marketing to my 6 year old kid, they're now added to my ever growing "boycott" list.)

help a guy with a marketing degree create more career options

AuroraSky — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:47:37 -0800

I am turning 40 on Friday, and getting my act together career-wise is overdue. I have had bipolar in recent years and haven't worked since April 2005, though I am getting better and believe I could get in mental shape for work in the next 12 months. I have a degree in marketing, though I graduated a long time ago (1991). Since then I have worked in sales admin (processing enquiries), did some basic marketing in a small firm (without much success, I have to say) and also was a junior consultant where I delivered presentations on internet marketing around the country (basically the same presentation in different places). The last one I was the happiest with as our company had a steady contract to do them, I got good feedback and knew I was "earning my corn". However I am now in a long-term relationship and don't want to travel all round the country. Ideally I would use the next 12 months to buy current marketing books and refresh my knowledge, then seek a position where I could learn on-the-job within an existing marketing department (being the sole marketing person in a small firm didn't work out too well for me). However I would like to think up some alternative options that I could also investigate. My strong points are patience, empathy, writing skills and working with information. My weak points are lack of assertiveness and having a hard time dealing with difficult people. I have another limitation in that because my fiancee is unable to work, once I work I will need to support us both on my salary since her benefits will be finished. So I guess I need to be making around £20,000 ($30,000) a year fairly soon after being in the new career to support two people on one salary.

Also if anyone is a marketing practitioner and could recommend a worthwhile book or online course that would be great. In some ways going after a marketing career seems the simplest since I would not have to go back to school but I am not sure my heart is really in it.

I know you are not my career advisor, but if any alternative careers that I would be qualified for with my background spring to mind please say so.

How to get a career in marketing?

kylej — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:55:11 -0800

I'm a high school student interested in a career in marketing, how do I get there and what is the job like? I'm currently a high school junior, so I'll be applying to colleges about a year from now. I've been spending a lot of time looking at different careers, and though I've changed my mind frequently, marketing seems like an interesting option that would allow be to be creative while also using my brain.

I'd like to know a little more how a career in marketing works, how an average day goes, what skill sets are necessary, where to find jobs, payscale etc.

I'd also like to know what sort of education I should get in order to get a career in marketing. Should I get a bachelors in marketing, or should I get one in economics with a certificate like this? Then should I get an mba focused on marketing? Or would something like this as a graduate degree serve me better?

If you guys think its relevant I can post my academic credentials.

Thanks everyone! Sorry if I sound completely clueless!

How Do I Catch Your Eye With This?

aliceinreality — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:42:46 -0800

I just started at a web development/SEO firm here. We're looking to present a seminar on social media and marketing, but we're really unsure exactly what's going to grab people about it. If you got a postcard about a seminar like this at your business, what would make you read it rather than throw it away?

Taking on the juggernaut that is Ebay?

pakoothefakoo — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:25:14 -0800

Taking on the juggernaut that is Ebay? I'm very well aware that there are numerous of failed Ebay/CL clones out there, but I have an idea for some kind of online marketplace that is a mix between Ebay and Craigslist using some kind of automated arbitrage system (I won't go into details, as it is not pertinent to my question).

Ebay and Craigslist are outliers, they both filled the need while there were no other alternatives and became a beast surviving on its own inertia. Other than technology costs, the barrier to entry in this business is quite high because people are loath to switch and it's difficult when you don't have any buyers or sellers using your system.

So my question is it possible to form a similar, successful business and reach critical mass in this day and age? If so, how do I convince people to use it when I have no critical mass?

I do believe that my vision is nifty, but I am aware of incredible challenges of getting people to use my system, is it worth trying?

Looking for fellow marketeers

OctopusRex — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:46:27 -0800

Intelligent marketing discussions online? I'm looking for a place where intelligent marketeers with a strong academic outlook hang out, where I can discuss topics like "Best practices in B2B-marketing for niche players in the service industry?"

Need software that does project management, email marketing and advanced analytics

Incy — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:26:33 -0800

I am looking for an email management program (like campaign monitor) that also includes email analytics (like google analytics) and project management tools (like basecamp). I am in a small marketing department at a non-profit that relies heavily on email (100K+/month messages sent). My google-fu has failed me so far, I can't find anything that has all three components. Does anyone know of a one stop shop that does this? Also open to a using several programs as long as we can get them to work with each other.

How to start marketing a dental office.

beingresourceful — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:52:45 -0800

How do I start marketing a dentist? How do I effectively start marketing a dentist?

She has been a dentist for thirty years (many of those years as a professor), and now she has started her own practice.

She can do cosmetic dentistry, but she really likes pediatric/adolescent dentistry. She is also excellent (and I think prefers to work) at what I could call "major" dentistry, requiring going under. Her practice is located inside a hospital -- definitely something most dentists don't offer. She seems to think cosmetic dentistry is over-saturated (but if your idea is good I can convince her otherwise). I think she really likes those dental-insured patients that need extensive work.

I haven't marketed dentists before. How do I get this lady new clients? I want her to make lots of money, so I can ask for and make lots of money. If it's not win-win, I'd rather not take the job.

Hiring marketing professional for freelance business

The Dutchman — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:28:25 -0800

I am a freelancer in a sub-genre of graphic design. In a bid to get more clients, I'm attempting (through Craigslist) to hire a marketing professional (or professionals). My general idea is that they would work to get me more clients, and I would give them a percentage of sales resulting from my work with those clients. My question here is what the specifics of the deal should be. My initial thought was 15% of income for life on the clients they bring me. Does that sound reasonable? Too much? Too little? The wrong way to go about it entirely? I really like the commission model, at least for now, because I don't have money to lay out up front and I like that we both benefit or both don't. Is there any kind of standard for this kind of relationship?

What's my (potential) job title?

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:09:46 -0800

Another "what's my job title/description" question. Difficulty level: yet to be created, largely secular position within a religious community. A local religious congregation with far more financial resources than actual congregants is looking to create a position to address its shrinking, aging membership. I imagine this would involve some marketing, some outreach, some "relational organizing"* (though not all members may be comfortable with the seemingly politically tinted term "organizer," at least without some sort of modifier).

Are there precedents for this kind of position in other congregations? What kinds of job descriptions are out there? What kind of job titles would be appropriate?

More personally, as a possible candidate for this position (who doesn't foresee a long-term career in religious/faith-based management, but would like to transition into non-profit management or academia after my education is complete), what kind of title do I want to make this position seem relevant to the unchurched?

If you yourself do this kind of work (either as a minister, lay leader, or staff), I'd welcome any ideas or resources as well on where one might start.

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relational_meeting

Are there privacy-respecting Facebook quiz apps?

ausernamenooneelsehas — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:43:08 -0800

Are there application platforms for building quizzes on Facebook that are not EVIL? I want to build a quiz as part of a marketing campaign, but I know that many of the applications are pretty nasty in their data mining. Any advice?

Looking for info on marketing to children

elpapacito — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 07:46:37 -0800

I am researching the topic of marketing to childrens and tweens and looking for related of books / e-books ,papers,journals, websites/databases. Any recommendation ?

Do online companies need toll free numbers?

ckohrman — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:14:20 -0800

Do online companies need 800 numbers if most of their sales are online from their website?

What's the earliest online loyalty program you ever heard of?

imbecile000 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:53:04 -0800

Can you find public domain proof of the existence of an online loyalty program (or marketing materials claiming the capability to produce such a thing) in 1995-1996 (or earlier) with unique codes/PINs on product whereby you enter those codes to collect points online and then can have multiple ways to redeem the points? KEY CHARACTERISITICS:
- The process that is used for participation is that of the Internet.
- It’s a loyalty type program so the consumer would be required to set up a profile.
- There is a UNIQUE number on product, and that number is HIDDEN until after purchase: could be latex covered, printed inside packaging etc.
- The consumer uses their points like a currency; game play, choose a product etc. The points are stored with the consumer profile in an electronic manner and redemption – all without human intervention.

There are two key dates and objectives;
October 1996: Goal is to find any public information that is distributed in the US. This can be an article, a newsletter, a web site, direct mail etc. This article would speak to the CHARACTERISTICS above and be published prior to October of 1996.
January 1996: Any of the information suggested above (October 1996) as well as any invention documents that were not in the public. Could be anything that some inventor may have created in the US that would address the points above.

Grassroots Marketing Resources

JakeTimberlake — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:47:03 -0800

I'm about to open a bar, and I need some guidance on how to market it during the pre-opening stage. Anyone recommend any books/blogs/websites/resources? Help me brainstorm + study the right resources.

So we just signed the lease, and we're in the building. I've got my construction guys working on the renovations and the designs. I've got my GM and AM working on the permits and the legal stuff. I'm in charge of the marketing.

The bar is targeted towards the 25+ crowd, with a specific emphasis on the hipster crowd. We're aiming not to get pigeon-holed though, so a broad marketing plan is essential.

Can anyone recommend any tried-and-true books (or other resources) about buzz building, grassroots marketing, and the like? I want to make sure that we are the talk of the town on opening night.

Can I grow my writing indoors?

miniminimarket — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:06:34 -0800

I'm a freelance writer who mostly does entertainment writing, but I want to branch out into copywriting. What's the best direction for me and what are the next steps? I'm a writer and editor in my late twenties. Currently I write for websites and consumer print magazines about entertainment (music, mostly). I've always been interested in online stuff that a lot of work friends weren't keen on -- maintaining an online presence, social media, finding out CTRs on email newsletters and Twitters...

I've written a few press releases and artist bios, and I've done a little content writing. I think I could be great at writing web copy, with my interest in and knowledge of social media as an added value for clients. But if I were to do this, I would want to as a freelancer, since I'm already a full-time freelance writer.

For fun and learning I've read The Copywriter's Handbook, Hey Whipple, and many marketing books, both theory and practice, and a few new books on social media marketing.

So, next steps: What's the best way to build a portfolio? Do I really need to go intern somewhere or get a staff job before I can go freelance? What should my list of services include? And how could I use my experience as a freelance writer?

Thanks in advance for any tips and advice.