Do you have the permission to market something to me?
Have you ever received a weird phone call from someone you don’t know, asking you if you’re interested to sign up for so and so plan? Or have you ever received an email from some unknown online stores asking you to buy from them?
If yes, then what was your response back then?
I believe your response should be quite similar to mine – hang up the phone (or demand them to tell you how they got your number), or ignore them completely (ignoring them means blacklisting their email or number once and for all).
The thing here is that most people do not like to be contacted by someone they don’t know, particularly when that someone is trying to market something to us. This someone should know that by contacting us without our permission, he has actually made us feel uncomfortable or even angry. And I’m pretty he knows that when a potential customer is angry, the deal is as good as gone.
That’s why businesses should actually learn about permission marketing. Seek permission before contacting people because if you don’t, you will just get ignored FOREVER.
p/s……. businesses who are good in marketing their products know that it’s best not to market something to someone who didn’t ask for it. No permission = no marketing. So they prefer to market it to people who are actually interested in their products and these individuals will actually help to market via word-of-mouth. That’s why you don’t see Apple or Microsoft approaching people without permission. Because they know that if their products are good and the people who are interested KNOW that their products are good, the words will spread.
I’m not sure if this is true but I was told that Malaysia was supposed to implement a personal data protection act 7-8 years ago. This would make it an offense for personal data to be collected and sold to other companies without your permission. This is usually how our details get leaked to unsolicited marketers. Any idea if this has been passed into law?
Damien Tan
25 May 09 at 2:47 pm
@ Damien
They will be losing one good business opportunity.
I’m not aware of such ruling. Hmm… but if this has been passed to the law, maybe there are some folks who can no longer afford to buy another BMW or Merc?
Alvin Lim
25 May 09 at 2:59 pm
well , i rather have some stranger marketing a product to me …
than my own friend marketing a product to me ..
you know all those ” bro , wanna have lunch? ”
and its either network marketing/insurance
gapnaps last blog post..Shredamerica Finale
gapnap
25 May 09 at 10:05 pm
@ gapnap
Why? Is it because it’ll feel awkward when you want to reject them?
Alvin Lim
26 May 09 at 9:14 am
Ya, I think sometimes it is hard to reject someone you know. But for me, I reject with my honestly and I can understand the feeling is not easy.
Back to the topic, I think this is called “Brute Force” approach. They just want to try 10 customers and as long as 1 customer is responding, they get the business. This is sometimes why SCAM works because it maybe very clear to you but not for the others.
ChampDog
27 May 09 at 9:22 pm
@ ChampDog
Yea, relatives or good friends are very hard n awkward to reject. But for me, if I can help, I will help. If it’s something I really don’t like, I will just be honest. Kacau me somemore, and that fella will get it from me.
9 : 1 ? Hmm maybe they should consider the power of word-of-mouth?
it might end up 9000:1
Alvin Lim
27 May 09 at 10:15 pm