Consumer Power
During my brief foray in the outdoor writing industry, I learned several valuable lessons. Advertisers call the shots. Editors are simply trying to balance the needs of the reader with the demands of the advertisers. No editor is willing to give real estate to a bad product review. There is too much advertising revenue to lose. Magazines and their content are bought by advertising dollars. This gives companies in the hunting industry considerable power.
Power. It’s a simple word that holds tremendous meaning. In the hunting industry, power is everything, and power belongs to the rich. Writers and editors who don’t recognize their power are quickly dispatched. It shouldn’t be this way. The philosophy of hunting magazines, blogs, and television shows should be to remain blind to power.
It’s time for the power hungry companies in the hunting industry to recognize that their power was given to them by the little guy – the consumer. Their power and authority is only a stewardship. It’s only on loan. It’s temporary. It can be given, and it can be taken away. It’s time for consumers to hold them accountable for what they do with it.
Some companies have lost their way. Once they reach the top of the industry, they became stagnant. Instead of improving products and being innovative, they spent their time protecting their power. How can you tell when this has happened? Products rushed to market without proper testing, voluntary recalls, high rates of return, product failures, increased spending for advertising, bullying tactics of dissenters, and fear of competition are all symptoms. You’ll never see it, but ask the insiders who see it all the time. Use your money to steer the industry. Support companies that tell the truth and who don’t use their power to control information!
http://www.scienceofthehunt.com
Related posts:
Category: Dr Shawley's Blog
