Push Marketing Headache
When did a forum become purely a push marketing vehicle?
My divine friend Natalie and I headed out last week to attend a light weighted mum's forum. With goody bags on offer we expected that there may be some product offerings pitched our way, however, what we did not expect, was for unwanted products to be 'promoted' within the first 5 minutes of the presentation, and for the "forum" component of the night to be a 2 minute quiz. With three hours of presentations, all aimed at getting us to buy, the event ended on time with not a minute to spare. No opportunity to converse, share throughts or build contacts, we had to wonder, what has happened to the concept of a forum.
As a mum, I would relish the opportunity to get involved in round table discussions which promote topics on work life balance, parenting and building support networks - both business and personal. And I would like to be able to do so without the transparent push marketing techniques Natalie and I were sadly exposed to.
Yet to date, I have to say, I am yet to see this provided in the market.
What is your experience of parenting, networking and work life balance forums? Do you think this is effectively provided for, or do you think, with the emergence of social networks, that this is no longer relevant or necessary.
I would love to know your thoughts on this.
Warm Wishes, Michelle
My divine friend Natalie and I headed out last week to attend a light weighted mum's forum. With goody bags on offer we expected that there may be some product offerings pitched our way, however, what we did not expect, was for unwanted products to be 'promoted' within the first 5 minutes of the presentation, and for the "forum" component of the night to be a 2 minute quiz. With three hours of presentations, all aimed at getting us to buy, the event ended on time with not a minute to spare. No opportunity to converse, share throughts or build contacts, we had to wonder, what has happened to the concept of a forum.
As a mum, I would relish the opportunity to get involved in round table discussions which promote topics on work life balance, parenting and building support networks - both business and personal. And I would like to be able to do so without the transparent push marketing techniques Natalie and I were sadly exposed to.
Yet to date, I have to say, I am yet to see this provided in the market.
What is your experience of parenting, networking and work life balance forums? Do you think this is effectively provided for, or do you think, with the emergence of social networks, that this is no longer relevant or necessary.
I would love to know your thoughts on this.
Warm Wishes, Michelle
