Comments on: Marketing Choices: Truth vs. Manipulation

By: A Race to the Bottom | Small Business Marketing Consultant

A Race to the Bottom | Small Business Marketing Consultant — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 10:41:12 +0000

[…] Marketing Choices: Truth vs. Manipulation […]

By: hamilton

hamilton — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:29:15 +0000

In reply to Silvia Larrave. Gracias por su comentario. Su ingles es mejor que mi espanol, pero espero que Ud sigue comentando en mi pagina.

By: Silvia Larrave

Silvia Larrave — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:34:50 +0000

I agree with Hamilton, nothing is in the furthest of the companies interests than to decieve in any form. In a context in which we can agree to be connected it is of no use to persue sales in anything other than a win-win way. If I decive you then that makes it a louse-win. that allways generetes resentment and it is allways cunterproductive in the long rage of things.
I really admire and respect he who understands the ethics an practically of marketig at the same time! thanks for the article!

By: hamilton

hamilton — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 14:05:57 +0000

I disagree. There are manipulative arguments — efforts with the intention of deceive — that have nothing to do with perception. They are what they are. I simply believe manipulation is wrong and, as the internet continues to place more control in the hands of consumers, less effective than truth.

By: Tammy @ printing company

Tammy @ printing company — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:01:02 +0000

There is no real good or evil in it, just what you and others around you perceive to be. A business has an objective that must be realized, most of the time that is making money, but there can be smaller objectives that are productive and seen as “good”, such as recycling.

By: A Race to the Bottom

A Race to the Bottom — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:56:08 +0000

[…] Marketing Choices: Truth vs. Manipulation […]

By: hamilton

hamilton — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:11:34 +0000

A guarantee is one of the more interesting concepts in this context. In the wrong hands, it’s a tool to manipulate. A fundamental goal of all marketers must be to take as much risk as possible out of the equation of buying. A guarantee, a price-match, both take risk away. Unfortunately, the bad guys know this.

The reality today of the guarantee: much of its power and impact are gone from overuse. In situations where you would expect a money-back guarantee, everybody has one. When everybody has one, the leverage is gone. What if a doctor offered a money-back guarantee? Or, heaven forbid, marketing consultants?!

The good news is the consumer gets smarter every day. Information (the internet) helps consumers make better choices. It doesn’t take too long for word to spread about a company’s “real colors” on the internet.

Thanks for contributing to the conversation Alan.

By: Alan

Alan — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:57:52 +0000

In reference to the guarantee only, I think the money-back guarantee is an ethical way of backing up your product or service.

How about the if/then/else guarantee? Is this too manipulative?

I.E.

“IF you buy our pain reliever,
THEN your muscle pain will go away
or ELSE we will refund the full purchase price.

GUARANTEED