I was watching the first round auditions for American Idol last week with my wife … wondering why so many people voluntarily spend up to 4 hours of their week to watch mostly-talentless people embarrass themselves on national television. When I realized that there are a few lessons in this rubbish for us marketers.
Lesson 1: No Costumes … EVER: Some of these fools wear costumes into their auditions to try to stand out from the crowd. In reality, all it does is amplify their lack of talent and no one takes them seriously.
For marketers, we definitely want to stand out from the crowd … just remember that all of your promotions and “stunts” reflect on your overall brand image and integrity.
Lesson 2: No Dancing: I don’t watch regularly, but I know enough to understand that American Idol is a SINGING competition. Why do so many people throw poorly choreographed dancing into the audition.
We need to stick with what we do best … stay focused … and know your limits. If you’re the city’s best lender – capitalize on it. If no one knows your towns small businesses like you do – make it more profitable. When you try to be all things to all people, often the message … and more importantly, the service … is diluted.
Lesson 3: Know Your Audience: When Randy, Paula and Simon are looking for is the next great POP star. Stepping up to sing “Tip toe through the Tulips” or “My Din-A-Ling” will not qualify you for the actual competition.
What is YOUR audience looking for? Understand their unique needs and have the financial solutions and products to help them meet those needs. Don’t just push Autoi Loans because it’s spring time.
Lesson 4: Be Consistent: The only way for these kids to become the next American Idol is to be on top their game every week. We need to do the same … at every branch … on every phone call … with every employee. Remind your staff that THEY are on stage and that their performance will affect whether the customer votes you in or out this week.
By just remembering a few simple rules, you too can be A-Marketing Idol.
Lesson 1: No Costumes … EVER: Some of these fools wear costumes into their auditions to try to stand out from the crowd. In reality, all it does is amplify their lack of talent and no one takes them seriously.
For marketers, we definitely want to stand out from the crowd … just remember that all of your promotions and “stunts” reflect on your overall brand image and integrity.
Lesson 2: No Dancing: I don’t watch regularly, but I know enough to understand that American Idol is a SINGING competition. Why do so many people throw poorly choreographed dancing into the audition.
We need to stick with what we do best … stay focused … and know your limits. If you’re the city’s best lender – capitalize on it. If no one knows your towns small businesses like you do – make it more profitable. When you try to be all things to all people, often the message … and more importantly, the service … is diluted.
Lesson 3: Know Your Audience: When Randy, Paula and Simon are looking for is the next great POP star. Stepping up to sing “Tip toe through the Tulips” or “My Din-A-Ling” will not qualify you for the actual competition.
What is YOUR audience looking for? Understand their unique needs and have the financial solutions and products to help them meet those needs. Don’t just push Autoi Loans because it’s spring time.
Lesson 4: Be Consistent: The only way for these kids to become the next American Idol is to be on top their game every week. We need to do the same … at every branch … on every phone call … with every employee. Remind your staff that THEY are on stage and that their performance will affect whether the customer votes you in or out this week.
By just remembering a few simple rules, you too can be A-Marketing Idol.
If you have more lessons learned from American Idol or any other pop-culture phenomenon, please post them in the "Comments" section.
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