Mom Accuses Walmart of Going After Girl Scouts
Says Retailer Rolls Out Private-Label 'Fake' Thin Mints, Tagalongs
By Jack Neff "The exclusivity of Girl Scout cookies is what makes the cookies really sell," Ms. Harquail writes. "But now, Walmart is shoving itself in front of these little girls, and knocking on your door to sell you their almost-as-good fake Thin Mints and fake Tagalongs, whenever you want them."
This is a case of a good story getting passed around. Sure, we aren't very fond of Wal-Mart's practices in so many areas AND Wal-Mart gives back, offers lower priced items of varying qualities to those that are most price-conscious.
As many people do - we react to headlines - the sound bite, the one photo with caption without taking the time for the full story, both sides or to check the facts. We are too rushed or not interested in the truth, just the initial sensationalism of the story. I have to admit, I fall into that category from time-to-time. I was sucked into reading this story AND all comments following it because of the headline that arrived in my inbox. It made me click. You are reading this because the my own headline made you click. It worked.
Full AdAge story here - read the comments, as well >>
Thank you for clicking to read my full story. Read below for the rest of this experiment and lesson.
The lesson is from both ends: as the poster or originator of the information, and as the recipient and future distributor of the same information. How many times do your friends forward emails to you without checking them for hoaxes? This is particularly common with those who have just caught onto this whole "Internet thing." Before getting sucked into the National Enquirer version of the news, take the few extra seconds to check the source, logic of the story and, yes, if it is actually a story and not a hoax.
If you are sending out information:
Learn your lesson from this. A GREAT headline can make the difference in your news being deleted, tossed or ignored; or actually opened, clicked and read. Ideally, then it would be passed along to more networks.
With the evolution of technology, social media and more devices, we all seem to fancy ourselves as writers. Well, we're not all writers. Some can express themselves quite frequently; but a true, talented and professional writer knows how to get others interested in reading your expression, message and opinion. If you've spent a lot of money to develop a new product, packaging, legal fees, trademark; don't skimp on the marketing and public relations. This is where your next big investment should be. Get the message out to your targeted audience. Have it well-written to show how much care you put into your new "thing" you want us all to buy or believe.
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