Connecting with Customers on an Emotional Level When Marketing Tech Products.
Maryann Okonkwo - MBA, PSM I
Product Marketing Manager @ Microsoft | MBA in Marketing
It may seem counterintuitive to use emotional appeal as a marketing technique in the technology sector, since products are typically linked with functionality and features. Even in the realm of technology, consumers' emotions play a significant influence in shaping their decisions.
Today, we will dive into why an emotional appeal is so important in tech product marketing and provide exemplary cases of campaigns that tapped into consumers' sentiments to great effect:
Technology product marketers might benefit from tapping into consumers' emotions to forge a stronger connection between their products and services. Emotional considerations can have a significant impact on purchases, even if tech products are typically connected with logical factors like specifications and performance. Engagement, loyalty, and sales can all be boosted by appealing to customers' excitement, trust, convenience, and empowerment.
Understanding Emotional Appeal:
Marketing products with emotional appeal entails appealing to a customer's feelings in order to forge a stronger connection with them and persuade them to make a purchase. Joy, nostalgia, anxiety, and empathy, are just few of the emotions that can have a significant impact on consumers' final purchasing decisions. By appealing to consumers' sentiments, businesses can make their products more memorable and approachable, which in turn boosts brand loyalty and revenue. Read more here
Using Feelings to Sell Technology:
One of the best examples of emotional appeal in tech marketing is Apple's "Shot on iPhone" campaign. Apple appealed to consumers' feelings of creativity, inspiration, and self-expression by presenting breathtaking images and movies recorded by iPhone users. The commercial praised the iPhone's camera and all it could do, but it also managed to tap into the emotional resonance of recording special moments with one's own camera. Apple established a strong relationship with its customers by highlighting the aesthetic value of photography while at the same time promoting the technological prowess of its camera. I remember that it was this campaign that sold me on the iPhone camera quality.
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Google's annual "Year in Search" movies showcase key events and stories that captivated the world that year, eliciting a wide spectrum of emotions from viewers. Emotions like sympathy, longing, and optimism are triggered by watching these clips. Google's ability to provide information, connection, and inspiration is bolstered by this video, which reminds viewers of the experiences and feelings they had with the company during the year. Watch year in Search 2022 here .
Microsoft's "Empowering" Ad Campaigns: In a series of ads aimed at women and minorities, Microsoft successfully exploited emotional appeal to win over consumers. Microsoft's #MakeWhatsNext campaign, timed to coincide with International Women's Day, celebrates women inventors and inspires girls to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Their "Make What's Next" campaign, for instance, targets young women and emphasizes feelings of strength, determination, and the ability to overcome obstacles in order to inspire them to seek jobs in technology. The Xbox Adaptive Controller was unveiled with the "We All Win" campaign, which highlighted the benefits of the device for people with mobility impairments. These ads present Microsoft as a company that is concerned about its customers' happiness and success by appealing to their senses of inspiration and empathy.
Methods for Using the Power of Storytelling in High-Tech Advertising:
As we can see, marketing with heart is essential for success in the highly competitive world of high-tech goods. When marketers take the time to get to know their customers on an emotional level, they are better able to craft ads that appeal to their customers on more than just a logical level. Emotional appeal may greatly improve tech marketing, as shown by the discussed examples of Apple's "Shot on iPhone," Google's "Year in Search" movies, and Microsoft's empowerment ads. Technology companies may win over customers in a cutthroat market by appealing to their emotions with techniques including narrative, simplification, personalisation, trust, and human connection.
Question: What other campaigns connected with you on an emotional level? - I remember one of my favorites being the 'Like A Girl' Always campaign .