Marketing lessons from the guy in the red suit.
1. Santa knows his brand and sticks to it. He doesn’t try to lose weight, even when tempted by the latest Zumba dvds. Because he knows the big ole belly is part of his image. And he never contemplates getting a mohawk or shaving his beard.
2. When kids complain about their presents, or forget about the presents he worked so hard to build, he doesn’t write a blog post complaining about it.
3. He doesn’t reveal his secrets, so there is always an air of mystery.
4. He knows his target audience. When people stop believing, at whatever age, he doesn’t try to convince them otherwise.
5. He knows branding takes time. After all, he spent thousands of years building it.
6. Once he created his brand, he didn’t stray from it. Winter is his thing. He doesn’t try and take over summer or spring or go Hawaiian or anything like that.
7. He didn’t go solo. He recruited a team: Mrs. Santa, Rudolph, the elves – and then helped promote them too.
8. He didn’t make the whole Santa thing about him. He made it about others and giving, thus incorporating his audience.
9. He never lets marketing take the place of making good solid toys.
10. After creating his image and product, he didn’t spread himself too thin by tweeting about the cold weather or the icicles that form on his beard.
11. He never has negative ad campaigns against other toy makers, thus perpetuating his image of kindness.
Any other Santa tips? Please, share.
This is just too sweet.
Love this, Laura!! Very cute, but applicable!
Thanks Anne and Jody – It’s a result of watching too many Christmas specials!
Oh, Laura, this is AMAZINGLY good! Too bad we can’t all have such an irresistible audience, huh???
Love your blog, Laura.
Blessings,
Patti
LOVE this! Creative and right on. 🙂
Thanks Patti and Jennifer! Off to visit your blogs.
I loved this post Laura. It was cute, funny, intelligent … it was great!
Thanks for your sweet comment at my place.
This is soooo clever and a good lesson!
Who knew we could learn so much from the guy? Great tips 🙂
Ha! I love it!
Thanks everyone! 🙂
Thank goodness he doesn’t do the mohawk. Punk Santa wouldn’t sit well with me, or my kids.
🙂
Very witty–I love it! 🙂
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
Those are awesome and very comparable. That Santa is one smart cookie.
Best post ever! I’m sure you’re at the top of Santa’s Nice List this year! 😉
I’m tweeting this!
Very clever!! And absolutely right on. That’s a keen mind you’ve got there, Laura. 🙂
LOVE this! Awesome job, Laura
Excellent! Love this, Laura! Who knew we could learn so much from this guy? 🙂
I love this! Too funny! I’m including it on my Friday’s Links. 😀
I love this! Too funny! I’m including it on my Friday’s Links. 😀
(Okay, I’m having trouble posting. Hopefully it works this time!)
Great post, Laura. Fun to read!!
One more Santa tip: He checks his list twice. (A very thorough guy.)
Well, that Santa. He’s definitely a marketing genius.
How funny! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by my blog! Good luck with the agent pitch contest! 😀
Love this post!
#6 especially fascinates me. I agree with it, but not all businesses/brands do. Take golden oreos, or whatever they’re called. No, no, no. What are oreos if not absolutely one-of-a-kind BLACK chocolate cookies? Put double stuff in if you want. Or make the stuff in holiday hues. Even coat the whole cookie in stuff. But do not tamper with the basic chocolate cookie. That’s what oreos ARE! With any variations, you have to know what you’re about at your core, and NOT vary that.
I agree with Patti. Santa is a very smart. 🙂
OMG this is filled with awesome. Santa, you are my hero! 🙂
I loved this! Santa is a genius!