How Social Marketing Gets You To Do What They Want You To Do

"Social" Says Who?Who benefits if you do what they want?
The term "Social Marketing" was probably coinedPolicy
by someone who wanted it to seem differentThe political environment needed to support
from what it really is.change for the long term.  Who's in power? 
It's really just plain old marketing.  But instead ofWho wants what?
getting you to buy a bar of soap, or a certainPurse Strings
brand of beer, or a particular service, socialThe resources from foundations, government
marketing tries to get you to do what thebudgets, or donations needed to fund the
marketer thinks is "good for society."program.  Who's got the money?
So they tell you.Changing public behavior is a long-term process. 
Social marketing seeks to sell ideas, attitudes, andLike all social marketing, it requires increased
behaviors.  Issues which have been targeted byeducation and the repetition of messages.
social marketing campaigns include:Successful Campaign Examples
- PollutionSocial marketing has targeted a number of issues:
- Drunk Driving- In Seattle, the "Get-in-the-Loop" campaign used
- AIDS Awarenessretail partnerships, on-shelf signage, paid
- Substance Abuseadvertising and media relations to increase the
- Early Cancer Detectionpurchase of recycled content products by 27
- Fire Preventionpercent.
- Disaster Readiness- More than 52 percent of the U.S. population
- Energy Conservationrecognizes the Energy Star label due to public
- Blood Drivesservice advertising, media relations and retail,
- Medical Research Fundraisingmanufacturer and utility partnerships.
- Water Quality and Conservation- The average seat-belt usage rate in North
 Carolina jumped from 65 percent to over 80
And it would be hard to find someone who wouldpercent in the first six months of the "Click It or
argue that these issues are not important.Ticket" campaign.  In addition, the campaign is
Social marketing provides a mechanism forcredited with producing a 14% reduction in traffic
tackling such problems by encouraging people tofatalities
voluntarily adopt a specific behavior.- The percent of Florida middle schoolers who
- Don't smokesmoked cigarettes fell from 18.5 to 8.6 percent
- Don't over-water your lawnwhile the percentage for high schoolers went
- Don't pollutefrom 27.4 to 20.9 as a result of the Florida
- Recycle glass and plastic bottles"Truth" anti-smoking campaign.
- Get out and vote- PeachCare for Kids, created by the Georgia
 legislature in spring 1998, is designed to provide
When planning social marketing campaigns,children's health insurance for working-class
marketers know it is essential that an emphasis isfamilies.  This program has helped 57,000 children
placed on the audience's perceived needs.  That'sand accepts applications at the rate of 500-1,000
because the ultimate objective of social marketingper day.
is to influence action.  Achieving that goal is a- Results for Switzerland's "Stop AIDS" campaign
much more ambitious -- and more blurred --indicated that between 1986 and 1990, condom
bottom line.sales had increased by 80 percent (from 7.6
After all, how are "they" to know if you are reallymillion to 15 million units).  Condom use among
turning off the water when you brush?17-30 year-olds increased from 8% to almost
I'm Your Friend, and I Have Your Best Interest at50%. Condom use among 31-45 year-olds also
Heart.  Really, I Do.  Pay No Attention to Thatincreased during that time (from 22% to 35%).
Man Behind the Curtain.- The "Florida's Water:  It's Worth Saving"
Social marketers feel "I'm my brother's keeper."campaign (which I helped create) achieved all
"Do what I want you to do; it's good for you." objectives for the St. Johns River Water
And they are often very sincere about it.  AndManagement District, and post-campaign research
they may even be right.revealed 89% resident compliance with local
Social marketing differs from other areas ofwater restrictions.
marketing only with respect to the objectives of 
the marketer's organization. Human nature never changes.  But human
The objective?  Changing your behavior andthinking does.  There was a time that most
saving you -- and society -- from yourself. people thought it was cool to smoke.  Now,
The planning process takes asmoking is something you try to "quit."
"consumer-approach" into account by addressingSocial marketing helped make that happen . . . for
the elements of the marketing mix.better or worse. 
Like commercial marketing, social marketing usesConclusion
"The Four Ps" to define the total marketingSuccessful social marketing uses carefully crafted
picture:-- and often crafty -- messages that make an
Productemotional connection.  It can fundamentally
The specific change in awareness, attitude, andchange behavior to save lives, sustain the
behavior.environment, and make communities more livable.
PriceIt can also trick you into following a social agenda.
The psychological barriers that often preventThe average consumer is exposed to 3,000
behavior change.  Inertia is a very powerfulmessages per day. To effectively compete with
competitor.this message overload, social marketing must
Placereach its target several times through different
The distribution plan and media channels used tomediums before an impact can be expected.
get the word out.A good messaging platform is simple and provides
Promotionboth knowledge and motivation needed for the
Tactics and strategies used to persuade theaudience to act. 
audience.And the best tell the truth . . . and tell it well.
However, marketers must often add the followingFollowing these steps will start a path to a social
that are unique to social marketing:marketing campaign that delivers measurable
Publicsresults.
The many different audiences – internal andThe question is . . . do you want to do what
external – involved with the approval or"they" want you to do?  Do you have all the
implementation of the program.  Who's got theirinformation you need to make an informed
hand in it?decision?
PartnershipRegardless of what "they" want . . . it's still up to
Like-minded organizations solicited for involvementyou.
in order for the program to be truly effective.