With apologies to Shakespeare
March 13th, 2008 posted by Debra YemenijianAll the Web’s a stage,
And all the B2B companies merely players:
They have their products and their services;
And one company in its time runs many campaigns …
I read with interest a column in the March 10 issue of BtoB Magazine titled “Should your next hire be a theater major? Maybe.” The article asserts that the key ingredient often missing from B2B online creative is a strong point of view. It continues to say successful point of view requires showmanship, “that extra and sometimes daring ingredient” that makes B2B buyers — not unlike theater patrons — want to come back for more.
As it turns out, good old-fashioned theatrical skills, or at least the ability to think like an actor or director, are just as important online as they are on the boards.
When rehearsing a production, actors and directors immerse themselves in the world of the play, searching for points of view that will make all aspects of the production believable. Actors and directors consider certain flourishes and techniques to carry the story along. When performed properly, the play should leave audience members talking, creating a buzz for the show and perhaps the theater company.
Now, consider B2B marketing. Expert marketers are always looking for innovative ways to compel buyers to their client’s door. Not unlike live theater, the Internet gives companies a stage for showcasing interactive and entertaining information that’s pertinent to their products and services. And with the right programming — blogs, Web casts, wikis, rich media and more —B2B consumers are more likely to remember you because you have entertained them.
So, like an actor exploring a new role, take risks with the tools available in WEB 2.0 to find out what works best for your company. Start a blog commenting on the state of your industry or engage in a viral marketing campaign using YouTube as your launch pad.
Take some risks. It’s what has gotten many fine actors to where they are today. With some creative forethought, it can work the same for B2B.
March 19th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Well put… I must say that not only is showmansip lacking but bringing the character to life. Like an actor embracing a role, a website or marketing piece must reflect the emotion, culture and tone of the content to convince the audience, or the prospect, the message is sincere and not just words.
There are a lot of theatre majors out there looking for work… marketing may be a good “day job”!!
April 4th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Debra, this is dead center. I know a lot of actors and directors and can verfy that theatre majors are great for a lot of jobs in marketing. They are imaginative, passionate, and extremely hard working. You’ll find many to be excellent writers as wel as good performers.