Which of Your Target’s Rules Are You Breaking

niche market cartoonWhile having dinner with my family the phone rang. When we checked the message after and it was a gal my husband used to work with who has a habit of only calling for favors. She is surprised and down-right angered that other women in town aren't friendly to her. She continues to ignore the unwritten niceties and general rule "don't call me only when you need something" and is shocked that people don't welcome her around town. It occurred to me that this same scenario happens in business constantly. Are you breaking the rules of your target market and don't even know it?


Catty Chick Aside...or is it?
  Can you afford to rule out perceptions - right or wrong? Not in target marketing. Sure, social media is providing us with the ability to "spin" the press. However, if you are in a tight market you cannot come blazing in telling everyone who's been there for years, "Hey Y'all, there's a new sheriff in town." You'll be ostracized in a heartbeat.

What Options Do Mavericks Have?
  If you think you can change the status quo, you better have thick skin, lots of time, money and stamina. Your targets are still human. Even if your product or service is for their lawn, pet or computer they decision maker is human. You cannot dominate a market that you tick off.

Isn't Conformity Bad Marketing? Absolute conformity is bad - definitely. Maverick can be brilliant. Just take a look at the current Old Spice campaign. Now, that's being maverick without ticking anyone off. If you are going to go maverick be creative, helpful, daring or entertain. That will take the edge off of your departure from the norm. Finding synergies and causes in common with your target will do the same.

Lesson learned both in life and business: don't underestimate or insult the crowd - no matter how stupid they appear from your perspective. And if you insist on being a maverick, don't be crude, a know-it-all or mean. Try using their interests as the ice breaker; the attention-getter. They are not going to change, but your marketing campaign can.
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