It would be really great to point to Bowerman’s story as a case-in-point example of content marketing at its finest, but it is difficult to do. The book was technically released before the first pair of shoes, and even before he invented the waffle tread. So, if it wasn’t true content marketing, what was it and how did it even work?
1. Put Customer Interests First
Customers like great products and they like serious benefits.
For them, things that benefit them personally are easy to justify. The Nike Moon shoes did this, but only because the customer was beginning to understand jogging and its benefits for their health. Bill’s secret goal wasn’t to sell shoes, he was simply promoting something that he believed in. This may not sound like marketing strategy, but it certainly should.
2. Base Your Strategy On A Felt Need
Initially for Nike’s audience, the felt need wasn’t for better running shoes, but for a better way to get in shape.
Certainly, running was already popular among kids and athletes in the 1970’s, but it wasn’t the widespread social activity that we see it as today. The growing white-collar workforce helped pave the way for social activities that included the promotion of cardiovascular health. Once the trend was ingrained, the need shifted and the “jogging shoes” themselves became the felt need.
ple as providing real customer value.