I guess you got me on a video kick now and just can’t get enough of me. In the video below I tell a story about me and some of my past adventures.
*disclaimer: some of the information in this post could be considered illegal activity depending on your country, state or city. This is meant for entertainment purposes only and not as a guide to do anything that violates any national, state or local laws.
How’s that for a setup? I bet you’re interested now. Lets roll the tape. Also I noticed the auto gets a little fuzzy in some places. I apologize.
I’m sure by now you have figured out this post is about developing a story around your product. Doing so effectively can make a huge difference in profits and brand loyalty. Why do you think iPod does so well? Its not because iPods are the best made product on the market, actually they fail a lot. But nobody cares because of the emotion that accompanies the product. Everyone knows you are cool when you listen to an iPod.
It’s amazing how people are willing to purchase a sub-par product just because of how the story makes them feel. But I am not advocating for you to go out and develop a story around a crummy product just for the sake of selling more.
Next time you are about ready to go and launch a new product, look at the story you are about to tell and see how you can tell it a little better. Start by telling people how life was before you made your widget and how you thought there could be a better way. So you set out to find that way that could help all of humanity. In your quest to do so you developed your widget. Then out of the kindness of your heart you decided to share that widget with the rest of the world so they would not have to go through the same troubles and termoils you had to endure. Do this in about 30 seconds and you have a winner. What do we give them, Johnny? A shiny new widget for $19.95.
Now see, that wasn’t so hard.
Tell me about products you have purchased that totally sucked but came with a good story…
If you were interested in the knife I was talking about you can find it here for $36. The brand name of the knife was Min Sheng. Not all countries allow such things, so make sure to double check before ordering.
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I know. I couldn't help myself. I just hope that it goes to prove a point. Now I just need to work on my story telling ability and shorten it up a bit. I couldn't help but laugh remembering negotiating on a calculator in the back ally of Istanbul something just seems to comical about it.
Great video, glad to see you still doing vid posts. This was interesting, and easy to watch.
A little sneaky there what you did but I have to admit I fell for it! Very clever testing on your part!
Keep posting vids!
Creating a great story is always about fulfilling a person's need. If you find the right need to fill then you have the makings for a great story which will lead to huge sales.
Josh.. good post. Reminds me of the classic line… "It's about selling the 'sizzle' not the steak"hanji
I hadn't heard that one but it is sure true. I am definitely keeping that one in the catalogue upstairs
Definitly don't try importing anything more than a penknife into New Zealand or Austraila – it will be more than embarassing I can tell you for sure! I think you will find theser are illegal pretty much anywhere in the first world excpet the US!
I don't think I would try. Not worth the risk for a $15 trinket. Whats the crime rate like there, seems pretty tranquil?
Ok, so here I am again at work and no vids coming thru the filters!
I will check this one out tonight man.
(and, that site where you can rake youTube feeds is blocked too)
Gosh I hate corp America!
AL
Geez, no doubt. When are you going to stick it to the man and start enjoying the Internet anytime you want?
Advertising rarely works with me but when it does, it's exactly how you stated. I'm more inclined to buy when there is a story that goes with the product. Cool blade by the way. I could tell a story about Bag Balm (my corporate sponsor) but that wouldn't make an appropriate story.
Ha, I'd love to hear a bag balm story. Perhaps I should ask that street vendor if he'd like to sponsor my blog… Interesting thought there, ha.
Hey Lis, did you know you are now allowed to take knitting needles on Aussie flights and the PM has even approved metal cutlery? Honestly, the guys a moron.
Josh, you highlight good points about using video and telling a story. Would you recommend a maximum time for a promotional/story telling video?
By the way, I recommend getting the plugin called "subscribe to comments". I wrote about it here http://nine95.com/what-is-the-value-of-a-comment/. It is worth the 5 mins it will take to install it.