The Marketing Agency Talk

For any businesses who make their bulk of profits from the Christmas season, we are already in the red alert period to execute the year-end marketing and advertising campaign. You might be in serious trouble when you have not started to think about it. Usually, we will start brainstorming for that unique marketing strategy for Christmas as early as in April. The early bird always catches the worms. Starting early means we have lots of time to review our ideas, revise our story boards, comb the libraries and internet for resources, produce TV commercials, design advertisements and printed collateral as well as commission overseas factories to work on the giveaways or bonus items. There is a lot of grounds to cover.

So when my niece emailed me this site on Christmas Tree Farm in June, I wasn’t as surprise as she was. Her comment was “Why would they start marketing now? It’s so early. Who would order a Christmas tree now?”. Nothing unusual really. Some people do not make a purchase decision until they have shopped in 25 stores to compare quality and price. While others will do so the very minute they are reminded of their needs. Either way, it’s always better to start early to claim mind share (so-called “first-mover” advantage).

Well, I visited the site and then did nothing. But when required to get a big, live, Christmas tree and a Christmas wreath for my client’s store entrance for my client, I remembered this unique Christmas Tree Farm site. See, they claimed my mind share.

The site does not thrill with fabulous web design or great photography but it scores exceptionally well in the “unique selling proposition” department. Christmas Tree Farms tells us exactly why we should buy from them. Look at what they have to say at it’s FAQ section:

Freshness - “We are Christmas tree farmers, and that allows us to provide you a farm fresh tree. We do not use “drop shippers” to send out trees. Every tree comes to you from our farm.” This ensures you receive the most fragrant and most beautiful tree. In contrast, most trees purchased from a tree lot have been cut 4 to 6 weeks prior to the date they are sold.

Quality - Every tree offered by ChristmasFarms.com is graded as a “Grade 1” as specified by the National Christmas Tree Grower Association. This is the highest designation available and is not found at many tree lots.

Convenience - All of our trees are carefully packaged and delivered directly to the address of your choice. Your tree will be fresh and beautiful, and ready to be the centerpiece of your holiday festivities.

Guarantee - We are 100% confident that you will enjoy every item you receive from ChristmasFarms.com. But if for any reason you are not completely satisfied, please let us know and at your preference, we will immediately ship a replacement item, or refund your money. We are building long-term relationships with our customers, and will do whatever is necessary to ensure your satisfaction.

When we are competing in a loud, noisy market where there are lots of marketers fighting for the same pie, we got to differentiate ourselves. We have to prove to our target audience that we are not just one of them. We are different. I like Christmas Tree Farm’s assurance that I am getting a tree nurtured specially for the occasion. I like to know my tree is a “Grade 1″ category even I have not the faintest idea how to differentiate a “Grade 1″ from a “Grade 2″ or even a “Grade 0″. Still, the feeling that I got something good definitely feels good. Since they are so confident of their products by offering me a replacement or a refund, I have no reason not to pick them. Ordering online save me the time and hassle to go down to the point of purchase to pick and choose. Somehow, it gives me the assurance that I’ll get a glorious sweet smelling tree.

Assure your customer will ensure you your money pot at the bottom of your Christmas Tree during this ho-ho-ho season.

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