In reply to Rohit Bhargava’s blog.
Link: http://www.rohitbhargava.com/2013/10/smoothies-whiskey-and-the-art-of-secondary-marketing.html
Lately, I have been pondering business opportunities and more specifically starting my own business. Ideas seem to be abundant but quality ideas with a solid point of differentiation are few and far between. Although Rohit’s blog post and the form of marketing discussed do not necessarily apply directly to this situation, it exposed me to a whole other form of product differentiation, which in fact does apply. I was really intrigued by his smoothie example of secondary packaging in which the company sells bottles with miniature “knit winter caps.” When I read it, I immediately wanted one, and as guilty as I feel saying it, it had nothing to do with the charity implications they bring. There’s just something about free things that entices me. I would assume this is not just a sample size of one, seeing as it is a reoccurring theme in retail and it is mentioned in Rohit’s blog. When given more thought, it’s pretty clear that these caps are useless for everything besides maybe a Barbie. Yet there’s more value to a smoothie with a cool hat than no hat at all, for a reason I have yet to decipher; maybe it’s the material goods that consumers seem to be chasing non-stop these days? Whatever the reasoning is, it seems to be an important development for not only myself, but also my quest to be an entrepreneur with a unique idea or product.
This bottle of Crystal Head Vodka includes crystal head shot glasses in the secondary packaging. http://uponamidnightdreary.com/gifts/gifts-for-skull-lovers-2010-edition/8675