Another Clueless Media Company
Well, hello there! We’re ANOTHER CLUELESS MEDIA COMPANY. You may already know us and even if you don’t, we think you’ll enjoy a peek at our YouTube videos. So, we sent you the enclosed DVD for your viewing pleasure. We pulled a few of our favorites, where we talk about things such as alligators, the environment and, ok, a little about ourselves. Enjoy!
Seriously? Ok, first –who the heck sends a DVD through the MAIL of their YouTube work? Were they afraid I wouldn’t have access to the WORLD WIDE web? I mean, I work at an interactive agency for goodness’ sake!
The clueless media company spent a pretty penny on the snazzy tin case and yet the cover note (copy referenced above) was pasted onto red construction paper that was hand cut on three sides and machine cut on the fourth. Frankly my Kindergartener could have done a better art job.
Second, the copy stinks. I don’t really care about you, or alligators or what you think about the environment. And I’ve yet to see a YouTube video that I ‘enjoy’. Want to know what your business can do for me. Preferably in a minute or less. Save the other stuff for your spouse, your children and your mother.
Finally, don’t mix your channels. If someone calls you, do you email them back? Well, don’t do it with your marketing either. Taking videos that you’ve posed on YouTube and now showing them as glorified screen grabs seems bizarre at best and more than a little self-serving/attention-seeking.
I’m not naming this firm because, clearly, they are struggling enough as it is. But honestly, if you are an entrepreneur and even *think* that something like this would be a good idea, please PLEASE think again. As for the clueless media company, the survival of the fittest applies to more than species.
I won’t pry but can venture a guess or two who the nameless firm “could” be!
In all seriousness, I like the point you make about not mixing channels. It’s a good rule of thumb although I think there are times when exceptions are ok. Examples: I can e-mail you back a response to a voice mail you left me about a web site URL or link to a online PDF.
Ken Burbary
June 19, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Great point, Ken. The exceptions you mention are demonstrating the principle of respect that my post addresses. Think through what the recipient needs to do with the communication and help to make it easier for them.
Lori Laurent Smith
June 20, 2008 at 11:24 am
It’s about the customer, not about you. Sales 101. They didn’t get it.
A company decision maker who needs a DVD of Youtube vids or anything online probably won’t buy into the social space anyway. If there is anything I’ve learned – people either get it, or they don’t. There is almost no in between. Obviously, we have a salesperson or marketing director in this situation who doesn’t get online, they’re just trying to sell it the way they know how.
Even if they make the argument that the CEO knows DVDs and not Youtube, the reality is that most times that kind of stuff gets thrown in the big round file.
jeremiahstaes
June 20, 2008 at 3:48 pm