[ubuntu-uk] ubuntu-uk-marketing

[alan c]

Rob Beard wrote:
> alan c wrote:
> 
>>> Why not contribute to the existing marketing team? Why "fork"?
>> 
>> The existing marketing team is not UK specific. The UK media, 
>> temperament, retail environment etc are all specific to uk.
>> 
>> A recent discussion  (for me) on the (global) marketing list included 
>> an off list discussion with an apparently USA guy. From his response 
>> to me it seemed he had misinterpreted one of my points about a shipit 
>> leaflet. It was not really important except I concluded that the 
>> environment and culture he was apparently working in was very 
>> different to mine in berkshire uk.
>> 
>> I would still very much want to remain on the global marketing list, 
>> but see an advantage in having more local movement and focus.
> 
> I certainly think that if in our local areas we do marketing events, say 
> an Ubuntu/Linux open day at a local computer shop, or as you do Alan, 
> computer fairs etc, it would be interesting to make note of the feedback 
> from such events so we know what works well and what doesn't work.
> 
> Down here in South Devon we don't seem to have any computer fairs (which 
> is a real shame as I used to enjoy going to them when I lived in Derby & 
> Norwich).  I was thinking as a way of spreading the word we could maybe 
> setup a table at a Sunday market or car boot sale and give out leaflets 
> and CDs either free or cheap (say £1 each for a CD).

I have seen an interesting effect. I stood all day first at an event 
offering CDs totally FREE.
I seemed to get suspicion and was mostly ignored.

I did the same thing again on a later occasion and asked a small sum 
(between 50 pence and a pound depending on the item).

I got a totally different reaction. Still some people were not 
interested of course - they were busy doing their own thing, but when 
interest was taken it included discussion and information, but ended 
with a typical and familiar 'Retail' transaction of handing over this 
small sum! Occasionally a very 'windows oriented' person does a 
genuine double-take at the price and still thinks there is reason for 
suspicion at the very low price, but I say that it is cost of 
materials only, the software is free, 'that is the point'. And this 
seems ok.

I concluded that it is most useful to match people's expectations - 
they do not expect a gift - and then the reactions are normal! They 
even stop and read about Freedom Software! On some occasions once 
people know what is happening, they say 'keep the change' (not often), 
and if there is a reason to gift a CD or so I do, if it is appropriate.
-- 
alan cocks
Kubuntu user#10391