Okay so you want to make an impression. London based company Black Astrum has garnered some buzz from the likes of Huffington Post and others on the web offering for sale, diamond encrusted business cards. Sold in packs of 25, 50, or 100 the price is about $1500.00 per card. That’s correct one thousand five hundred dollars per card. Now here’s the rub. The company will not sell to just anyone. According to what I have read you must be invited or solicited by Black Astrum. If they feel you are worthy you can buy from them.
There are a number of marketing lessons lurking between each of these diamond chips. The first that occurs to me is the power of exclusivity. Do you have the nerve to turn down a client because their company does not fit your exclusive profile of who you want your client’s to be? Maybe we should all do that more often. Do you even have an idea of what kind of clients you want. Consider this before you just toss this off as arrogant or stupid.
As a related example, I attended an online webinar this week given by a marketing consultant that offers some of the same services I offer. I learned she charges almost $15,000.00 (fifteen thousand dollars) for a one day consultation. Makes me think I may be selling myself a little short. Maybe we all need to be fishing in a bigger pond.
Another lesson is to ask “what does your business card say about you?” Are you just trying to get the cheapest deal you can find? Are you maybe getting a nice card but then you don’t want to give them to anyone because you determine no one is worthy? I have seen this happen often. Would you spend $150.00 on each business card? How about $15.00? What about $1.50? The average card is closer to three cents and many people act like that’s too much to invest in a potential client.
The third marketing lesson is the idea of offering a seemingly outlandish product for the purpose of getting free publicity. How could you elevate your product or service to a seemingly outlandish level? What would you have to do to offer your product or service for 1,000 times the current price?
Add three zeros to your average price then ask what you would have to do to get that price. For example my book sells here for $15.00. If you are the sole owner of your business, and have been in operation for at least two years, and are stuck trying to figure out how to market or position your product or service; for $15,000.00 you can get my book and one full day of personal consultation with me (lunch included) just email reno(at)renoweb.net for more details.
Stop and consider some of these questions. I would love to see some comments.
This is such a great point. There are so many businesses who have no clue who their clients are and although the business may be a great service/concept they are selling to everybody and running around in circles trying to please everyone. Sometimes I think it makes sense to find your basket and fill it to the brim instead of spreading everything so thin. As for outlandish product offers? It could work, but I’ve seen it backfire before as well. Good article. Thanks!
Exclusivity! This is a concept I’ll really have to ponder. What a great article. Thanks
You brought up some really good points. You do have to know who your clients are and be able to say no or turn some away. Because if you work with the people that you want to work with, you both will have better success, they will be happy with your work and tell others and you will have a much easier go at making them happy.
WOW, that is expensive. I guess there is a market for it, you just have to be very affluent lol.