ADVERTISING, MARKETING, FUNDRAISING

 

          Sometimes when I can’t sleep, I lie in bed and watch TV. I am amazed at the number of products I could purchase simply by calling the phone number on the screen or visiting the dot com location for the product. I swear if I were to purchase each and every product advertised, I would be the healthiest and most attractive person on the planet. I’ve also noticed that when the price is advertised, it’s usually $39.95, but wait, there’s more. You can get a second bottle free and sometimes even another product to try thrown in for free. Sometimes there’s free shipping too.

          As for Facebook, I don’t know if anyone else has noticed all the various products that can be purchased that will provide better skin, thicker hair, longer nails or other merchandise that will enhance some portion of your anatomy. It also seems like many of the products are advertised by some form of come on that invites you to see which five creams or lotions are the top ones. Again, if I were to purchase all these products, I’d undoubtedly be the best-looking old lady with luminous skin and thick hair down to my butt.

          I wonder if there was some kind of worldwide meeting where the various companies voted on how to split up the advertising location. That wouldn’t surprise me one bit.

          As long as I’m ranting about the different types of merchandise I can obtain to enhance my overall looks and health, I want to say something about all the oh so sad commercials for the various non-profits. If I were a parent with an ill and/or physically needy child, I definitely wouldn’t want to put my kid on national TV asking you to donate, “…just $19.00 each month.” And why is the figure $19.00 each month? Does that figure get more people to donate as opposed to say $15.00 or $20.00.

          There’s also the nonprofit that seeks your financial aid when it comes to all the doggies and kitties who are mistreated and in need of help. This commercial shows photos of dogs and cats in horrible circumstances. Now, I’m not saying there aren’t any animals that are mistreated like that because there definitely are. The commercial also indicates that ONLY 3,000 more doners are desperately needed IMMEDIATELY. Why 3,000 and why repeat that number over and over for months. Is no one donating? I would be more inclined to donate money if the photographs weren’t so sad.

          My final whine has to do with the various organizations to which I have donated money. Why do they have to keep sending me notification after notification requesting additional donations? And, why, if funds are so depleted, do they offer me a special gift when I return my form and a check. The gifts range from shopping bags, thermometers, plants, trees, cards, self-addressed stickers to a wide variety of other items. Wouldn’t the money spent on the “free” gifts be better spent on whatever that organization is trying to save and/or improve?

          And, okay, I know absolutely nothing about advertising, marketing or fund-raising, but these various methods implemented from for-profit as well as non-profit companies have come to annoy the hell out of me. Could you tell???