ihavebeenfloated

I posted this as a comment in reply to Anil Dash’s list of Do and Don’ts for beating the iPod.

I have to disagree with everything on this list, if only because the majority of the list sounds like exactly what a silly grown up thinks kids would want. “We think teenagers think this is cool, so let’s do it!”

I’m sorry, but for the vast majority of iPod owners, I would go as far to say as none of these things relate to them at all. I don’t own an iPod because I want to be a rock star, I don’t own an iPod because I think it has some symbolic connection with the music. I personally don’t have a problem with DRM since I don’t use it, but I know a large number of people who use DRM and have no problems with it. I own an iPod because it’s a joy to use and I have no problems with it.

Instead of thinking of “super awesome” ways to market a music player, maybe people should start thinking of ways to make a “super awesome” music player. Having a band play in some kids house isn’t going to sell an mp3 player. Having a rough design swathed in leather isn’t going to sell an mp3 player. Hell, having connectivity with other expensive geeky devices isn’t going to sell an mp3 player.

What sells an mp3 player is a well made device and word of mouth. All the geek or teen “cool” you can shove into a device or a campaign does nothing more than alienate users by pointing out what you think they think is cool. Nothing is less cool than big business telling you what you should like.

And on that note, the iPod has never said “You should like me, I should appeal to you because of all these nifty reasons.”

It said, “Hey, look at me, I think I’m pretty cool and unique, but see for yourself.”

And everyone did. And, hey, it’s pretty cool.