Blog 1
What would a marketer need to create “an accurate and rich persona” of myself? If I had to name 10 characteristics/behaviors/predispositions to illustrate myself, I would say that: 1. I am, like just about every other person my age is, concerned with material things. I like to have the newest things that are out if I will use it. Whether it is cars, phones, gaming consoles, etc., when those ads come out for a new x box or playstation, phone, or whatever, I always take notice. If there is some kind of new technological capability out that not many people have, and I know I would use it, I’ll usually think about it and consider getting it.
Although, if there is something really fascinating out and I’ve already thought about buying it before, I could be at a Best Buy and see it and price would not be a heavy factor. Therefore, for certain items, I hate to say it, but I can be an impulse buyer. That goes for my phone, and T.V., I had already looked at both items before and wanted them, but had put off shopping around. Whenever I got to the store and looked around, I had sold myself on the fact that it was a good deal, and it probably would not be worth it to save $50 by buying it online; no salesman needed for these items. But I also think that goes for just about everyone else my age. And it never helps to have your friends shopping with you for high ticket items. So my 3rd is not only being a very friend oriented person, but keeping up with them. If I go T.V. shopping with any of my buddies, they will try to sell me on buying a T.V. faster than the store rep can walk over (and if you have ever been to Conn’s, that’s pretty fast).
“I’ve got this T.V., you need to get the same”, “I just got this new truck, you need one too” – If a friend has something, and loves it; more than likely he will tell 5 of his friends and try to talk them into getting the same thing or something similar. I would say that most of the stuff I own, I bought it because my friend really liked his. Ipod, T.V., watch, etc.—not to say that I don’t use that stuff, but I probably would have gotten a less expensive model, or whatever. But going back to friend oriented person, I would say that the other part of #3 is that I hang out with my friends a lot. So if you had sold one of my friends on coming downtown Saturday night to Gruv, then there would be a few of us going.
This ties into my next point, I like to go out/have fun. If I’m not in school, I’m working year round except for Sept/October. When I do get free time, I will not be sitting around watching the sun rotate; I want to be doing something fun with some friends. Whether we’re going downtown, taking trips, or just hanging out at my place we like to stay busy. But whenever I am in school, I only work 20 hours a week or so, so it is usually a little bit more laid back. So school is my #5. Everybody has quizzes, group assignments, and tests at school, so it is not hard to say that I am school oriented 9 months out of the year.
Also, I like to travel. During the summers I usually travel to different states to work, and go on vacations different times of the year. It is great, because I grew up in a small town called Forney and did not get to see much outside of Texas. With being in school, and having an income it’s travel primetime right now because once I get into my career and have to really situate myself, traveling will be much harder.
Having a busy schedule also ties into my next 2 characteristics, outgoing and independent. With always moving and meeting people in sales, talking to people is my job every day, and since I don’t really receive any aid from my parents I feel much more independent. It is a feeling of accomplishment to have or do some of the things that I do.
And since I have to work a lot, I am very interested in business professional tools/appearances. Soon as the blackberry tour came out, I had to have it. It has so many business apps, like the Sales CRM application that lets you keep track of all of existing, and potential customers with the touch of a button! Not only gadgets either, I like to look right for the job too. Whether it’s a business presentation for McCombs or I’m doing a presentation for a customer, people want to feel like you know what you are doing; that you are professional.
To kind of tie this last one with all of the rest is that I like to look maintained. Just like most other people in America, I exercise, try to dress nice, do my hair, brush my teeth, wash, take supplements (vitamins, skin supplements, etc.) The way you look gives someone that initial first impression which can make or break that relationship, and whether I am selling someone an alarm system, going to class, or going out for the night, you never know when it will have made the difference to look nice. Look good, feel good, sell good.
