Marriage Moats-Marketing

Published: Thu, 01/12/12

Marriage Moats

Caring for Marriage

(If you want to hear Lori read the story click) here

When I write an email on Google, ads appear that pertain to my subjects. Sometimes they are dead on. Since I write a lot about marriage, there are often ads for relationship tips, or dating services. I got one about a divorce package, for only $99. A steal, surely, but I did not click.

Once I wrote a story called "Lift Me Up" and the ad that appeared was for a forklift. I was not currently in the market for heavy equipment.

I sympathize with retailers trying to reach a target audience. It must be tough. When we were driving on an interstate through Georgia last year I saw a billboard for grandfather's clocks. I wondered how effective their signage was for the average traveler. The picture was pretty and all, but I would not expect those babies to be an impulse item. Later on, on the same stretch, there was an ad for dentures. Do people pick those up on a weekend road trip?

"Bessy, my teeth have been falling out lately. Whatcha say we stop in for a look see?"

I have my own issues with marketing. Even something as gratifying as dinner can have road blocks. I yell to the wind that supper is ready. No response. I call louder, but Zack has earplugs in, the twins are reading Charlotte's Web upstairs, Benjamin is flinging birds at pigs like there is not tomorrow and John is absorbed in an international email. John eventually looks up and asks if I called the kids.

"Yes, I did," I sigh.

"Did they hear you?" he wants to know.

"That is their problem. I made dinner, the least they can do is come."

He sees it differently, and gets up from his chair to make noises closer to the ears of the potential eaters. They scurry down and dig in.

Google and Apple spend a fortune pointing their messages in the right direction. They do not seem convinced that their job is over when the Macbook comes off the assembly line.

I suppose I could learn from Steve Jobs. He found ways to get the full attention of his clientele. We were on a summer vacation during the unveiling of a new Apple product and our son spent a chunk of time following updates on Twitter. I wish my family would follow me on Twitter about 5:30 each night, or on Saturdays when I am drumming up chores that need to be done.

"ldry nds fldg"

"trsh cns fl"

"spg rdy"

But alas, that is not to be, so I slog through the effort to deliver my messages in a way that interests them. I snuggle up next to John on the couch and smile. Remarkably, that gets his attention.

Photo by Chara Odhner

you can support us at