Passionate Consumerism?
I recently posted something on Facebook. It felt kind of weird. I posted something on a business’s facebook page. In particular, I was posting a comment about International Delight Coffee Creamer. They make a flavored coffee cream that actually is great. (I found this out in a free coupon promotion they did before Christmas. I will buy more and more of this. It may become a line-item in the Mackay family budget.)
We’re such different consumers now. In 1910, you might’ve told the dairy guy at the grocery store that you enjoyed the cream. He might’ve passed it along to the farmer / cooperative that he got his cream from. It probably all would’ve happened within about 15-20 miles.
Then, in the 70s – 80s, things moved farther and farther away, and there really wasn’t much outlet for feedback. This led to all kinds of consumer research being important to industry.
Now, if a company works their social media strategy correctly, they can connect with customers and potential consumers directly, carry on a dialog about what’s working (and what isn’t) about their product, and get free, effective research.
I have to imagine that it’s good for consumers, for the most part. But, are we essentially telling business how to get in our pockets?
On the flip side, it opens up the opportunity to be a passionate consumer. We have more opportunities than ever to tell our friends / sphere of influence, just how good (or bad) a product is. This means that it should be harder than ever for bad products to survive.
Have you become a passionate consumer yet? Do you warn your friends and family off when you have a less-than-optimal experience?
“Have you become a passionate consumer yet? Do you warn your friends and family off when you have a less-than-optimal experience?” Or, do you have blind taste-tests with numerous brands of the same product and score sheets?
Now, about that delightful coffee creamer–sure it tastes good, but is it full of artificial flavours and other assorted chemicals? Inquiring minds want to know.
It is definitely full of artificial flavors and other assorted chemicals, with a healthy dose of high fructose corn syrup on the side!
I’ve warned people about this blog, but people don’t listen to me…
I have a small sphere of influence.
No, no… it’s totally working Justin.
Warning people off? Someone you know insisted I post an accurate negative review of a restaurant we lunched at – although it was deserved I felt terrible at the thought it might impact their livelihood.
What do you think?
Hey Aunt Deb, I guess from my perspective, it’s not the bad review that might impact their livelihood, it’s the bad service and/or food and/or experience that they’re providing that IS impacting their livelihood. If they’re paying attention, your bad review might keep them from spiraling out of business. If they’re not paying attention, if they simply take offense and keep on doing what they’re doing, then they will eventually turn enough of their customers into non-customers, and they’ll be done.
I guess what I’m saying is, you do the best for them when you are honest. It gives them a chance to change and improve.
If you’re going to argue that it’s for the best interest of the restaurant, then wouldn’t it make sense to just send the “review” directly to them?
Probably not… isn’t that like sending a bug report to microsoft? Until you make it public, they’re going to ignore it or write you off as a crazy person.