Comments on: Marketing Through Storytelling

By: Steven Bradley

Steven Bradley — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 22:14:27 +0000

I agree. I don’t think most buy the expensive sports car as part of a mid-life crisis thing, but some certainly do. And I also agree at times it’s finally being able to afford something you’ve always wanted.

By: Vincent

Vincent — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 10:46:04 +0000

Not sure most men over 40 buy expensive sports cars just to try and convince themselves they’re still young.

Could simply be that by that age they are more able to afford what they most wished when they were younger

By: Steven Bradley

Steven Bradley — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 05:44:52 +0000

I don’t think this is an issue of men and women or of emotions. Why do men buy expensive sports cars when they turn 40? They generally aren’t driving faster. But it’s a way for them to convince themselves they are still young. Men want stories just as much as women do. The stories may be different, but they still want stories.

It’s true that you and I might logically look at the various computers and operating systems when makiing a choice. I too use Windows, mostly because it’s what I’ve known for so long and it’s the OS I know best. I also have a good idea of the strengths and weaknesses of each and agree that the best decision for buying one should come down to those strenghts and weaknesses.

But I can’t deny wanting a Mac or learning Linux in part just to be off the beaten path and see myself as someone different from the majority. It’s part of the story of Macs and Linux.

Outside of the basics, food and shelter, we all buy based on wants and the emotions tied to those wants. It’s been shown often that people are less interested in the features of your products than in the benefits they will get from your products. Thos benefits are telling a story about what the product will do for you.

By: Yuri

Yuri — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 00:22:32 +0000

I have to disagree with Master Seth here, slightly. Those who are less influenced by emotions (like men), will still learn the exact benefits of the product.

Take Apple and PC. While I know how they both started and work (and I truly sympathize with Apple), I still use PC, because a) I don’t know about Macs here b) I won’t spend my time on learning a new interface, unless absolutely compelled by Apple.

Same with Linux and Windows. While I don’t particularly love Windows, I like Linux for its passionate community and that it works. Someday, I’ll have a Linux box to test-run my websites, but until then, I am using Windows, because I don’t have to learn all that Linux stuff.

I am sure women would fall onto emotions, though. You can surely tell how fluffy and cute your kitten is to sell anything feline-related to women.

Now that when you don’t want to engage your readers with emotions, but to understand something about the product, that’s another story. If your story teaches something, then you can tell something that basic copy can’t.

Inserting a meaningful story or two should help personalize a product or whatever and connect with the readers.