Retro Marketing: Are We Living in the Past?

“You’re living in the past man!” My cousin Samara would say…(Yes that's me at 2 years old playing dress up in my mom's wig and shoes.)

My cousin would always joke around about my fascination with the past. Just from looking at my DVD collection or the television shows that I watch such as...
• TV LAND
• NICK @ NITE--especially Bewitched reruns!
• Any VH1 Totally 80’s or 70’s show
• Old Cartoons
• My Colombo Box set (hey it was on sale) LOL
• Good Times reruns
• My CD collection

Oh yeah, I get a rush watching things that remind me of the good old days.
Well, my “good old days” were great! I must say that I had a wonderful childhood thanks to my mom.

When the memories flood in, when the smiles come across our faces from nostalgic moments …that’s when we usually open our wallets to turn back the hands of time even more. Wouldn’t you agree? Just look at how we run in droves to X-MEN, Fantastic 4 and Spiderman movies for example!

Living in the past, as cousin Samara says, is what drives so many sales. Retro Marketing, Nostalgia Marketing is an extremely effective push button. Memories of love, our childhood, and comforts of home…these are the few elements that urge us to buy. They keep us brand loyal as well, because of those fond memories.

Brand loyal consumers are what you want, because they are self-confident in their purchase. They don’t hesitate...they don’t compare. They stick with the tried and true.
Think about it, how many things do you have in your cabinet or fridge right now, because that’s what you grew up on? Think about the things you own, because it reminds you of YOUR good old days that you just can seem to let go of.

Some examples you might find:
• Campbell’s chicken soup in case you get sick
• Quick Cocoa that your mom would make you every night…oh maybe that’s just me.
• Eighties Tee shirts, because we look so cool rocking that Atari or Rubix Cube logo
• The Best of New Edition CD because you still have a crush on Ralph Tresvant.
• That Totally 80’s cd, because Billy Joel was the man!
• That cool Retro lamp and office furniture you bought from Target, because there was no denying that the 70’s were just so FUNKY!

Nostalgia grabs you tight and hugs your heart and yes, tugs your wallet.

I just laugh when I look at my husband Hasan get all goggled eyed when the commercial for the Transformers movie comes on. “We gotta go see that, baby!” He says. It’s like he’s 10 again reading the comic book.

So tell me, are we living in the past? Were the days of yesteryear that much better? Don’t look at me, just turn on the TV or look at your MP3 collections.

That 70’s shows
The Wonder years
I Love Lucy
The Jefferson reruns don’t stop…
Nostalgia marketing creates magic memories and I have to say that I’m a big fan of it!


Why use it?
• If you want to sell the spirit of an event/product or service
• Hit that emotional push button in your audience to evoke good memories
• Show the fun energy of your business, product or service

How to use it:
Now I’m not saying to show up to work with an Angela Davis Fro and a Diashiki with a peace sign emblem around your neck, however there are some things you can do from time to time if this approach will work for your audience.

• You can use it in your design with a retro font (Target and Ikea's designs are very retro)
• Throw a retro party for your business i.e.: 70’s or 80’s party
• Jingles for your business that can be memorable (This will be! Everlasting Love…EHarmony commercial)
• Music you play in your office
• Antique furniture
• Gifts for clients such as (Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Billy Holiday, Mile Davis, Isaac Hayes Boxes). Of course, find out their musical taste first.
• Special celebrity guest speaker i.e. get Patti Labelle
• Slang, old school terminology: Groovy, funky…
• Vintage clothing (From Salvation Army to Urban Outfitters)


I’ll be back soon, I have to go pick out my ‘fro. LOL
Listen to the show we did on this topic called RETRO MARKETING: http://www.ownyourpowerradio.com

Own Your Power,

Simone

www.ownyourpower.biz

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