Timing Matters
On January 5th, 2010 by Duane Jackson
Pass through London Bridge mainline station during any evening rush hour and you’ll see someone from one of the shops there trying to get you to take a free sample of their food. Not once have I ever seen anyone stop and take anything.
It’s hardly surprising as everyone is rushing to get to a seat on their train and get home to EastEnders/their family/the cat as quickly as possible.
I’m guessing at some point the shop will give up and decide giving out free samples (or trying to) just doesn’t work.
But how different would it be if they tried giving out free samples in the morning when people are coming off the trains and heading in to work?
I actually wrote this blog entry last night at about 8pm. But there was no point me publishing it at this time as I know it’ll get many more views if I publish it during the working day and tweet about it then rather than in the evening.
Timing really matters.
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January 5th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Amazing! Different pace and place I guess, but I never have a problem when offering samples. Also I suppose if they see it every day…
I’ll think about the timing thing though. Interesting thought.
January 11th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Timing is absolutely critical – both online and offline. Sometimes I found my enthusiasm to get something out and into the open gets in the way of the ‘common sense’ approach of selecting the best time, though.
Online wise, automated scheduling/releasing can be the way to go – as you get the feeling you’ve “finished” your job, plus the benefits of information going out at the right time(s) – though this only helps if the personal touch isn’t lost!