Americans are the targets of many corporate promotions, where companies attempt to induce us to purchase their products and services. Yet, one of the most difficult to detect promotions is the “quiet promotion”. This type of promotion is often overlooked by American employees and customers, as companies are getting crafty in how they lure us into spending more.
What Is a Quiet Promotion?
A quiet promotion is a manipulative corporate marketing tactic which businesses use to get people to purchase certain items. It is a form of “guerilla marketing” which uses subtle tactics to influence behavior without the customer being aware of it. Examples of quiet promotions are:
- Price incentives – For example, a store may quietly give you a better price on a product if you choose to buy a certain number of items.
- Loyalty points – Sometimes stores will quietly give you points when you purchase something, or when you spend a certain amount. These points can be used to get discounts or free items.
- Subscription offers – Companies may offer special discounts or incentives to those who subscribe to their services.
How Are Businesses Getting Away With Quiet Promotions?
Businesses are getting crafty in how they market to us. They are relying on our apathy and lack of awareness to get away with using quiet promotions. For example, often times promotions are advertised in places where we may not look- such as email, online ads, and even small print on the back of product labels.
Businesses are also relying on us forgetting the details of their promotions. They know if we can’t remember the details, then we won’t notice when they change the terms or conditions of the promotion.
Why Does it Matter?
These quiet promotions can have a big impact on your budget. If you’re not aware of the games being played, then you might be missing out on saving money. Additionally, as an employee, you should be aware of these tactics as well. Companies are often using their own employees to promote their products and services, without providing adequate compensation or credit.
How to Protect Yourself
As a consumer and employee, here are a few tips to help protect yourself from quiet promotions:
- Research. Before making a purchase or signing up for a service, do some research to understand the terms and conditions of the promotion.
- Know Your Rights. Make sure you understand what rights you have as an employee and customer. This includes being aware of yourself of any deceptive marketing practices.
- Opt Out. If you feel like a promotion is not in your best interest, then make sure you opt out.
In Conclusion
It’s important to be aware of the manipulative tactics used by businesses. This means being vigilant in our search for quiet promotions, both as an employee and customer. By understanding how businesses are taking advantage of us, we can protect ourselves from becoming victims of the quiet promotion.
