Shame Based Marketing

in #marketing7 years ago (edited)

I usually discuss mental health, philosophical and existential issues on here.


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However, I want to discuss some business related issues that currently annoy me.

I am seeing more and more of a particular marketing tactic and as a small business owner, it thoroughly annoys me. Specifically, it has to do with what I call shame based marketing tactics.

As someone who markets my business, I have discussed my struggles with marketing in the past. As a business owner and psychotherapist, I want to market my business both accurately and with a strong sense of ethics.

I do not guarantee anything when it comes to my brand other than I will work with you to the best of my ability. So what do I consider to be shame based marketing?


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The other day, I received a marketing email from a company newsletter I subscribe too. The exact contents of the email newsletter are unimportant.

The newsletter was describing tactics one should be using in their marketing campaigns targeting potential customers. What I found annoying was the phase: “If you are not doing X then you’re doing it all wrong.”

Maybe I’ve become more sensitive since becoming a business owner but I see these shame-based marketing phrases all over the place.

Essentially if you don’t follow my advice than your incompetent and your business will fail. Sometimes these shame-based marketing messages are subtle and sometimes not so subtle.


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Has anyone else noticed these marketing messages? Do they really work as a strategy?

When it comes to social media marketing, I have constantly read that it is all aboutadding valueto the marketplace, or helping others (by making them feel good, right??).

Shame-based marketing tactics seem to be the opposite of that attitude. Shame-based marketing tactics knock people down rather than build them up (i.e. “you’re a loser if you don’t do X”).

Maybe I am being too sensitive. However, I have made the conscious decision to no longer buy products or continue to read articles and posts created by companies that use such marketing tactics.


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Will it make a difference, absolutely not in terms of business practices of these companies but such a decision will fall in line with the personal creed I now operate by.

Have you seen such tactics by companies as well?

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There's a lot of marketing techniques out there to create a "sense of loss" if you don't hop on the bandwagon... It's all about keeping up with the Jones'.

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Marketing is very important. It is also very difficult to do because there are so many different places to market your information. I wrote a book called Affiliate Marketing Expert that shows readers what it takes to be an affiliate marketer and how to do it.

In addition, I write several blog articles, some of which on affiliate marketing, that may interest you.

Thank you!
Spencer Coffman
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