Many often overlook that a significant portion of what they perceive as genuine information or personal choice is cleverly crafted marketing. From the products we buy to the beliefs we hold, various messages and influences shape our decisions in ways we may not always recognize. A user asked on the forum, “What do people not realize is just marketing?.”
Here are some responses he got.!
LIGHT IN TEETH WHITENING GEL
“The light some companies advertise with their teeth whitening gel. I went to a continuing education course for dental hygienists. The instructor asked, “What does the light do?” We all answered, “Nothing.” The instructor replied, “Wrong. It makes the patient happy.”
RECOMMENDATIONS ON SHOWS
“Shows like “The Doctors” when they recommend specific products. You watch these idiots word for word vomit the commercial, and many people eat it up without looking into the product, at least with many of my coworkers (blue-collar warehouse laborers). Since the show is successful, I presume their “recommendations” are selling fairly well.”
NUTRITION LABELS
“I work in a grocery store, and the other day, an older gentleman showed me a can of tuna he had gotten off the shelf and was upset/confused by the wording. On the top, it said in bold yellow and black, “24g of protein in every can!”. Then he showed the nutrition facts where it said there was just 12g of protein.
I tried to explain to him for several minutes that each can have two servings. The nutrition label showed the per-serving amount; the big marketing text was the amount for the whole can. We went back and forth, and I couldn’t make him understand. Then he asked me how I could fit 24g of protein into 5 oz of tuna and how many grams could fit into an ounce. I had to tell him that if I knew how to do the math, I wouldn’t be working in a grocery store.”
THE UPSELLING TACTICS OF FINANCE PEOPLE AT CAR DEALERSHIPS
“The “finance person” at the car dealership. You sit across from their desk after you’ve made the deal, but before they give you the car. Yes, they’re registering it and getting you plates, but they’re also upselling left and right. Upgrades to the car, additional warranties, steering you toward a certain lender, etc. A lot of their profit is made in that little meeting.”
LOCAL FURNITURE SHOP ALWAYS HAVING “LIQUIDATION SALE”
“My local furniture store has gone out of business about a dozen times. Good for them, though! They keep bouncing back!.”
THE PRICE IS RIGHT AS ADVERTISEMENTS WITHIN ADVERTISEMENTS
“The Price is Right is just one hour-long commercial filled in between other commercials.”
SPECIAL DAYS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
“NationalWhateverDay on social media – a ploy to buy pizza, beer, donuts, etc.”
ANSWERS ON QUORA
“Every answer on Quora is praising a certain product.”
SPECIAL PACKAGING OF PRODUCTS FOR SPECIAL FESTIVALS
“The controversy over the Starbucks holiday cup. It was either last year or the year before they unveiled their solid red cups for the holiday season. Suddenly, there was MASS OUTRAGE by Christian groups. Turns out, it was a blog. Like, one blog with a guy who does Christian satire. News ran with it, back-to-back hour coverages for several days.
To no one’s surprise, Starbucks saw massive profit increases. As they probably will this holiday when the cycle repeats.”
PORTIONING OF EVERYDAY USE ITEMS
“Laundry detergent, Alka Seltzer, toothpaste, etc., all show in commercials and on the packaging that you need to use way more than you do. Alakseltzer started snowing two tablets dissolving on the box to get people to use it more to increase sales.”
GLAMOR OF GET-RICH-QUICK SCHEMES
“They lure you in with promises of making big money in just a few months, but most people don’t realize that those fancy cars and mansions they see in their videos and presentations are all rented, those maids and butlers they command are all hired actors. All this is to create an image of wealth and influence so that people will be more inclined to buy their ebooks or whatever overpriced “coaching subscription” they’re offering to these unsuspecting victims. The sales they make from their books and subscriptions are Their get-rich-quick scheme. Their “seminars” aren’t about teaching YOU how to get rich; it’s about tricking people into making them get rich quickly. Tai Lopez is a prime example of this.”
EXPENSIVE PRENATAL VITAMINS
“Medically, they’re all the same, but they range in price from $2/month to $250/month, and all of the increased price is marketing, gimmicks, and filler.”
MILITARY APPRECIATION SPORTING EVENTS
“The military used to pay sports teams to have these to get kids interested in joining the military.”
THE DEALERSHIP NAME ON THE VEHICLE
“I told them to remove it when I bought my car, and they did. It doesn’t hurt to ask. Paid thousands of dollars to you – not going to give you free advertising on top of it.”
ACTION FIGURES
“The term “action figures.” It was made to sell dolls to boys. It worked.”
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Chhavi
Chhavi Agarwal is a lawyer who quit her job to become a full-time work-from-home blogger. She shares tips and tricks on making money online, side hustles, freelancing, and blogging through her blog, Mrs. Daaku Studio. She has been featured on Forbes, Business Insider, Peru Tribune, Kentucky Today and More. Byline: MSN, AP Wire, Newsbreak