Naked Conversations

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I picked up this title during our stay in Amelia Island last Christmas. The library options were limited so it was either this or 49 Ways to Improve Your Birdwatching by J.S. Bank. I suspect you would have chosen the same. First things first, a small disclaimer: this is not my usual blog post. Tune in next time for my commentary on Martha Stewart’s sewing crafts or DIY fabric stenciling.

I listened to a webinar this week as part of my Kindermusik training. It is called “Talking to Today’s Mom”. It highlighted the power of consumer reviews in influencing buyer decisions {particularly ours, ladies}. I may have started doodling a bit at this point in the lecture. Sales and marketing have never really been my thing. I’m an artist {insert dramatics here} for crying out load. But the social media stats {i.e. Facebook, Twitter, blogging, etc.} suddenly made my ears perk up, and it reminded me of what I read in Naked Conversations last winter. Try this on. Did you know that in 2010, Facebook reported over 400 million users?  4…0…0…,0…0…0…,0…0…0… {Yep…. that’s 8 zeros… just checking}. I ask you: what on EARTH did we do before Facebook?

My training requires listening and discussion so I’ll clue you in to part of my response.

“The stats regarding brand purchases and the psychology behind social media confirmed a theory I have questioned about my generation for some time. The pendulum has swung from my grandparent’s generation who was impressed by glossy slogans and well-manicured hands to a generation influenced primarily by word of mouth and more down-to-earth marketing approaches. My generation wants to keep it “real”. We get frustrated when we’re on the listening end of a pre-recorded message. We prefer a REAL person who breathes and sneezes on the other line, thank you. We might not give a second glance to a billboard sign with larger-than-life advertising phrases that include the words “top-rated” or “money-back guarantee”, but we’ll read a blog full of tpyos from top to bottom because REAL people can’t spell. REAL people write like they talk. REAL people are more likely to purchase something because their college roommate swears by it and not because it was featured on the Home Shopping Network. Commercials don’t influence buying power. We do! REAL stories. REAL spellers. REAL people!”

Thanks for indulging the social-science nerd in me for a moment. Have a great weekend keeping it “real”.

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