subject: Marketing is Funny Business [print this page] We all hate those annoying pop-up advertisements that show up on pages where we are actually trying to figure things out or purchase something. Through no fault of their own, people will inevitably come across some sort of marketing scheme or scam when they are using the Internet. For instance, the other day, I was showing my grandmother how to use the Internet on my laptop because she is going to be getting her very first computer (a laptop) for Christmas. While I was showing her around on my computer and letting her figure things out for herself, she came across this large advertisement on one web page and asked me about it. When I looked closer, I could see that it was some sort of an advertisement that was marketing some sort of too-good-to-be-true product. I quickly shoved it off as something that was utterly useless. However, my grandmother persisted in wanting to know more about it. I am almost convinced that if I hadn't been standing there, she would have probably bought whatever it is those people were selling!
Marketing is a funny business. Because of a few bad apples, most people are distrustful of marketing advertisements. Even Craigslist has gotten hit with a few bad advertisements that have caused users to be somewhat distrustful. What are you going to have to look for in a marketing ad to recognize it as something that you should really steer clear from? For starters, many false or misleading marketing ads will use a color scheme that will be overly flashy. This is an attempt to try to get the user to delve further onto that particular person's web site with the hopes that whoever the user is, they will eventually purchase whatever service or product that is being sold. The other thing that people need to be aware of is the fact that when you read a marketing advertisement, it should clearly state almost immediately what the purpose of the advertisement is (both by picture and/or video) as well as a brief description of the product and/or service.
The first clue that a advertisement isn't living up to its expectations is when you get to the end of the ad and you wonder who the company is, what they were selling and what they wanted from you as a consumer. Take Craigslist jobs for instance. If you are applying to a job on Craigslist, there are some job postings in which the 'employer' will give a clear title for the job but will then follow up with a vague description and then no inkling as to what the potential employee can be expected to get paid. Steer Clear! Whether you are applying for a job or trying to purchase something off of the Internet, you should always be able to answer the question as to Who is selling you the product, What the product or service is, Where the product/service/job is located and How much you can expect to pay/be paid.
