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It sure isn’t in this case. As you can see below, I recently installed a trial for Google SketchUp Pro.
Here’s the final “I’ve successfully installed it” screen.
Notice how it’s asking me if I want to change the default search engine in Internet Explorer?
Totally out of context.
- this application has nothing to do with search
- this application has nothing to do with browsing or Internet Explorer
- this application has nothing to do with the internet.
Yet they felt it was in-context to ask to change the default search engine in Internet Explorer.
The dumbest thing of all: The default search engine in my Internet Explorer is *already* set to Google.
Why is this even worth discussing here? Because I’m afraid that some of you are sending messages as out of context as this one.
Maybe the mistake a more subtle than this, but it still causes confusion and makes your customer wonder what planet you are on.
More extreme examples:
- When someone orders a meatless meal at a local restaurant, do they ask them if they want a meatball on the side?
- When you contact an attorney to get a divorce worked out, do they ask you if you want to buy a pre-nup too?
Make sure that the message you send matches the context of the time of delivery, whether you create software or canoe paddles.
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Andrea Dale 10.08.08 at 7:16 am
Nice little point you’ve got there. It falls into one of my rules . . .If a piece of information, word, graphic, etc. doesn’t increase the prospect’s willingness to buy, get rid of it. Thanks for your post!