No one wants to be sold to. Or worse, lied to. Which is why Schifino Lee, an advertising agency, doesn’t believe in advertising.
Intriguing campaigns are still king at capturing attention, but holding it now means less professional copy and more conversations.
So don’t sell. Connect.
The how is easy. Your audience is looking for something to belong to, something to root for, something to believe in. You can offer that. You can offer a cause. Companies like Coke, Apple, and TOMS are wildly successful, blossoming through the stratosphere because they offered a cause. Coke had happiness, Apple had a new way to think, and Tom gave back. Those are all big ideas that people believe in. Groups they want to assimilate with. Causes they want to be a part of.
Which means, you need to know your true product.
If you make widgets, make them because you have a reason in doing so. Maybe you think you can provide adventure, stir an emotion, help the elderly. But it’s not just a widget, its an opportunity. Here’s an example:
A coffee shop brews coffee so good it’s worth waking up an extra five minutes for. That five minutes could be used to do something nice for someone. Your brand is about doing something nice. “We believe five minutes can change the world” becomes your platform. You don’t make coffee, you make compassion. That’s your true product. And you get to reach a new audience. One that likes coffee. Another that wants to do some good.
No more shrugging of the shoulders saying “I dunno. I exist to make money.” Instead, stand for something. People will follow you. Give them something to root for, they will cheer you on. Give them something to believe in, they’ll believe in you. Give them a cause, and they’ll buy your product.
Go team.
