Marta Kagan is a bonafide marketing genius. At least that’s what she calls herself. She’s right.
Marta works for Viximo, the Boston-area virtual goods startup, and the company just released an iPhone app called TrueFlirt. Since Marta is tasked with getting folks to buy the app, she came up with what I think is a pretty awesome strategy. I’ve always been a huge fan of Marta’s work, as she is truly creative and original. You’ll see in the voice she uses. Here’s the message I received on facebook:
** 48-HOUR FRIENDS-ONLY OFFER: FREE $10 ITUNES CARD **
Just when you thought friending me on Facebook couldn’t be any more thrilling, I figured out how to make it just so! Some people might call it "bribery," I like to call it "marketing". Basically, it involves me giving you a $10 iTunes gift card — and no, you don’t have to do something crazy like eat bugs to get it.
Here’s the dealio:
1. Go to the iTunes App Store now and download TrueFlirt, the sexy little iPhone app (built by my posse here at Viximo) that lets you flirt—with style. TrueFlirt is just $3.99 through Valentine’s Day—and much less filling than those sugary Necco hearts. Here’s the link: http://tinyurl.com/TrueFlirt
2. FLIRT WITH ME! No, really. TrueFlirt lets you send virtual "flirts" to other iPhone users. To get your $10 iTunes gift card, you’ll have to send that first flirt to me.
Personally, I’d love for you to send the Love Potion flirt (I’m kinda thirsty), but I’ll let you take your pick—there are 10 gorgeous "flirts" to choose from.
Here’s the number to send your flirt to: 617-417-7444
(No, I wont tell your girlfriend—or boyfriend or husband or wife—that you sent me a flirt. It’s all good, clean fun in the name of "marketing," remember?)
**IMPORTANT: Be sure to add a message with your email address so I can get you your iTunes gift card lickety split.**
3. Rate & review TrueFlirt at the iTunes App Store. (Here’s the link again http://tinyurl.com/TrueFlirt)
4. Join the TrueFlirt Facebook ‘Fan Club’ here: http://tinyurl.com/TrueFlirtFans
5. (Optional) Tell your friends! Know someone who has an iPhone? Think they might like a free $10 iTunes gift card? Forward this message to them.
So let’s review—
How to Get Your Free $10 iTunes Gift Card—without even leaving your chair:
Buy the app, send a flirt, write a review, join the club, pass it on…!
Easy peasy rice & cheesy.Isn’t Facebook friendship a beautiful thing?
Flirt on,
Marta**Note to friends who don’t have an iPhone:
WHAT?! YOU DON’T HAVE AN iPHONE YET?! Honestly, I’m not even sure why we’re friends. (Just kidding.) Seriously – I’d love to share the wealth with you despite your poor choice of technology, but unfortunately TrueFlirt was made only for the iPhone. Get back to me when you’ve realized the error of your ways. 😉
Marta also duplicated the message on her blog in a post called "Flirt with me. I dare you. (I’ll also give you $10)"
Personally, I think this is awesome. If I had an iPhone, I’d do it in a second. Why? Well, first of all, people with iPhones buy songs on iTunes. So it would just make sense economically to spend $4 to get a $10 iTunes card. Second, I’d tell people I know about the deal since it’s basically a free $5 for doing something insanely simple.
And since her free $10 iTunes promotion is only good for 48 hours, it’s not like Viximo is going to continue to lose money acquiring each user. Instead, they’re basically paying a small amount of money to build buzz, thus moving TrueFlirt up in the iTunes App Gallery. Right now it has 22 Reviews (not bad for one day), a few of them are 5 stars.
I think this is excellent. Thoughts?
