presentation/content

I've come randomly onto this topic. but it's important for me to have analyzed it at some point. it's seems I always hear "presentation is everything..." - but, wow, I really don't believe it's everything. which could be a problem, because presentation is my job.

so in pursuing this thought further, I've come up with a list of things that are often shrouded in hype/look/sound/visuals/etc and don't always deliver:

outdoor rock/pop concerts
wedding cakes
mongolian barbecues
free printers w/ purchase of laptop
all forms of rebates
university
anything that says "best in the world"
credit cards
anti-bacterials
desserts
plastic surgery
snacks
low-cost airlines
emo/indie/goth culture

and a list of things that often are poorly/moderately marketed or presented - frankly, because the content can be so good that it doesn't need any extra hype to win it's market:

fresh bread
good sound systems
national geographic
honest doctors
apple computers
herb gardens
rollercoasters
museums
fresh chips (NFLD version)
costco/sam's club
a truly good guitarist
Canada

alright, so not a complete list - and biased to say the least.

I know there are varying planes in this debate. On one level, would I try something that looks disgusting? I say yes. Does this mean I'm more optimistic and hopeful than I am doubtful? I say yes. I guess I'd rather be happily surprised than disappointed. Things that don't live up to their hype leave a sour taste in my mouth.

But another aspect - is there a level of presentation that an item has to exceed for one to even try the item? That's certainly in the lap of the beholder - what their life experience tells them, what their friends tell them, what their mood is, etc.

Marketers are notorious for telling people what they want. I recently watched this PBS documentary, and one section featured this business guru who was basically decoding human psychology to aid the marketing of luxury brands. It made great sense - tap the foundations of human desire, convert them to needs, and increase sales. Doesn't it sound sneaky?

but let's be honest, it happens everywhere. lemonade stands, cutco salespeople, car dealerships. I know I'm not impervious to marketing, but I'd like to think that I'm responsible with my purchases - analyzing need versus cost.

And in how I present myself? Well, I'd like to think that people are happily surprised and the content is good.