TOP TEN POLITICALLY CORRECT MARKETING TIPS

[Jim M]

As a result of recent observations I have decided to put together this list of suggestions to keep your marketing on the right side of political correctness.

1: Don't call new marketers newbies - apparently some of them don't like it.

2: Be sure to include disclaimers in every language to everyone and about everything in your footer - just in case someone takes offense.

3: You cannot recommend one service over another as the companies whose services you leave out may take offense and sue you.

4: You cannot use the terms male / female in your marketing and must come up with a suitable non gender specific term to address all races / ages.

5: When referring to any specific region of the world you must use map references so as not to offend people who don't live in the country you are targeting your product at.

6: You must not target any specific age group as you may be sued for ageism.

7: You must provide access to your website for those who can't access the internet at all - just in case they find a way.

8: Don't call anyone a Numpty - in case you offend someone with no sense of humor.

9: You cannot price test your product or service as the person who paid the lower price may object because they were not offered the more expensive option and have been offended at the implication they could not afford it - and vice versa.

10: You must offer all products in every delivery option imaginable, digital download, CD, DVD, VHS, Betamax, Mini DVD, etc etc etc........ in case someone can't use it...


The bottom line is - in the age we live in - we tread a fine line between saying it as it is and should be - and saying it the way the Police of Political Correctness would like us all to conform to.

As the Sgt used to say after the briefing in Hill St Blues - "Be careful out there"

[Corwinnx]

Priceless. Absolutely priceless.

-Marcus

[Derek Pankaew]

Hi Jim,

I'm so glad you put this list together. In today's day and age, we as marketers really are treading a dangerously fine line.

Although many of us continue to put ourselves on the line, having this guide on hand is such a huge help. I'll be sure to print this out and have it by my desk at all times =)

Very best wishes,

- Derek

[Mike McBride]

Jim

I'm going to have my forum lawyer (J.D. from Armchair U.) sue you for leaving out "psychic transfer," my preferred delivery method, from number 10 on your list.

Harrumph.

[Jim M]

Originally posted by Mike McBride:

Jim

I'm going to have my forum lawyer (J.D. from Armchair U.) sue you for leaving out "psychic transfer," my preferred delivery method, from number 10 on your list.

Glad to see you're on the ball Mike - It's now 12.25am here in Ireland and I suppose I'll have to shuffle off for some rest - I expect that with the time differential that will give you lawyer time to draft up a suitable response..

[Kevin Riley]

OMG, I've been guilty of number 8 on so many occasions -- especially with people like Chris Sutton.

I noticed that in number 10, you have forgotten to include neural lace. Please remedy this oversight, you Numpty (ooops).

[Jim M]

Originally Posted by Kevin Riley

OMG, I've been guilty of number 8 on so many occasions -- especially with people like Chris Sutton.

I noticed that in number 10, you have forgotten to include neural lace. Please remedy this oversight, you Numpty (ooops).

Thanks for the compliment Kevin - I'ts good to start the week with a smile

[Paul Myers]

Jim,

Yeah. What Mike said. Even *I* have a psychic version of my newsletter!

Thanks. Very funny stuff. And soooo true...


Paul

[Sagar Mehta]

Originally Posted by Jim M

2: Be sure to include disclaimers in every language to everyone and about everything in your footer - just in case someone takes offense.

That one's my personal favorite. So, how many languages are we talking about here? 200 maybe? It'd be interesting to see disclaimers in Egyptian hieroglyphs.

Thanks for the good laugh, Jim. Great way to start my evening after a difficult computer exam.

Sagar

[Jim M]

Originally Posted by Sagar Mehta

Thanks for the good laugh, Jim. Great way to start my evening after a difficult computer exam.

Sagar

Glad you enjoyed it Sagar - everyone needs to lighten up a bit and have a good laugh - even if it is at themselves...

[Alexandre Valois]

Originally Posted by Sagar Mehta

That one's my personal favorite. So, how many languages are we talking about here? 200 maybe? It'd be interesting to see disclaimers in Egyptian hieroglyphs.

Thanks for the good laugh, Jim. Great way to start my evening after a difficult computer exam.

Sagar

Don't forget cuneiform and ancient greek. And throw in some Ainu as well - Even though only a handful anthropologists around the planet would still know how to read or speak it ... you wouldn't want to alienate them, would you?

[Ernie Lonardo]

LOL just shows how stupid and nitpicky society has come.


and you know what? If you don't conform to those standards...whats the worse that can happen? some sad person has a bit-h....big deal...let em cry I say

[creative producer]

Hey, I'm offended! You forgot to include a glossary for those of us that are such newbies we don't know what a Numpty is!

[Jim M]

Originally Posted by creative producer

Hey, I'm offended! You forgot to include a glossary for those of us that are such newbies we don't know what a Numpty is!

If you really want to find out what a numpty is you need to head over to my other post on the subject in the off topic forum -

IS THE WORLD IS FULL OF POLITICALLY CORRECT NUMPTY'S?

[Paul Buckley]

I'm still scratching my head at drive through ATM's with Braille buttons

[Jim M]

Originally Posted by Paul Buckley

I'm still scratching my head at drive through ATM's with Braille buttons

Hi Paul - I've not seen those here yet - I'm in Florida all next week so I'll certainly keep a sharp eye out for them..... and any other examples of political correctness gone mad that may need to be introduced here...

[Mike McBride]

Originally Posted by Bruce_Davenport

thanx buddy for needful help...

Uhh-ohh...

[TomGuo]

You all are so humorous, hahaha

[Jim M]

Here's a cracker of a spin on political correctness taken from a french blog at:
SublimaCtion : Policitally Correct Wishes
Policitally Correct Wishes

Published 26 December 08 10:41 AM |
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular traditions at all... and a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset accepted calendar year 2009, but without due respect for the calendars of choice of others, and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, or sexual orientation of the wished.
By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms:
This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for him/herself or others and is void where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a per of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or the issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.
Please consult with your attorney before responding.


should bring a smile to a few faces

[creative producer]

Originally Posted by Jim M

should bring a smile to a few faces

Very funny. I was imagining it being read in the "rapid reader" style you hear at the end of car lease commercials. -CP

[creative producer]

Originally Posted by Jim M

If you really want to find out what a numpty is you need to head over to my other post on the subject in the off topic forum -

IS THE WORLD IS FULL OF POLITICALLY CORRECT NUMPTY'S?

Oh, so now you're forcing me to actually click on another post to get the answer!

[Jim M]

Originally Posted by creative producer

Oh, so now you're forcing me to actually click on another post to get the answer!

Just making sure you find the info as easy as possible

You're right about the 'end of ad' disclaimer - it would sound good....

[lavaleekathy]

LOL, nice one! There is little over sensitivity these days, wouldn't you agree?!