open-marketing campaign?
 

I lifted this from the thread about step 4 because it has only very loose relevance to that subject.

Anyways, there's been some people (myself included), who are a bit perplexed with how little space was given to the n900. Now I thought that rather than simply sitting around and complaining, it would be nice to actually do something.

FACT: The N900 has already created quite a buzz, but could probably do well with an extra push (what device couldn't)
FACT: Nokia do have A LOT of phones to focus on so I at least can forgive hem for not making all their marketing about this one in perticular.

So my proposal is that we create an "open-marketing" campaign where everyone can contribute ideas, strategies etc. and we could thus create an executable campaign from the community for the launch of the device.

In order for this to be executable however we need to keep in mind that it should probably not be too time-consuming, and not require any money on the part of the people involved. It should of course also be legal, both regarding the individual countries and Maemo/Nokia wise.

So far my suggestion of shouting "Maemo on Nokia" from a window has been replaced with the, probably, much more effective idea of people involved changing the status on their social network to include the link http://bit.ly/4uqsTe (maemo.nokia.com/n900), submited by joshua.maverick.

More input please!? :)

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

well, certainly...everyone can post to other boards they are registered at...with links, signatures, avatars, news..regarding the N900... like for a month..that could help for sure...and also spread the word among friends too...

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

Personal advertising like that only works if the person isn't a fanboy. Tunnelvision fanboys that insists their singular worldview applies to everyone else will only be a turn off to whatever it is you're pushing for.

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

I dont think it matters if its from a fanboy or tech fan or nokia themselves. The point is getting the word out and enabling the public to decide for themselves after visiting the website. Simply putting a link to maemo.nokia.com won't make you fanboy.

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

fanboys are a pain... look at the macheads with their iphones and macbooks.

but i think i have converted at least my wife... i talked so much, saw so many videos that she said that she wants to buy one already :P she didnt even see the device yet.

but dunno how good will it be for her cos she isnt a geek and she wont have the same usage as geek... i am trying to tell her not to buy it full price (like me) and wait for some operator (if ever) will give it with a plan.

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

I think everyone has raised some very valid points.

Although posting links and talking to friends for a month would definitely get the message out there, people tend to get annoyed if they're badgered about something repeatedly.

Also the comparison to mac fanboys is interesting, despite (or perhaps because of) their presistence mac is now considered the cool thing to own.

I think it might be more effectful to have a shorter campaign and try to get more people involved (3 guys posting for 30 days vs. 30 guys posting for 3).

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

Interesting thread, thanks! Can someone move it to the Community forum?

After Nokia World the next big stop is the Maemo Summit. What about a campaign assuming that you have at least 300 Maemo lovers in one place and many more elsewhere?

How to expand the good Maemo vibes beyond Amsterdam during those days (and in Amsterdam city as well?)

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

That'a easy. Just convince a local seed merchant to name a strain after Maemo...

...lets see we have:


1. WHITE WIDOW
2. BIG BUD
3. NORTHERN LIGHTS
4. CRYSTAL
5. ICE
6. WHITE RHINO
7. PURPLE POWER
8. MAEMO

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

That's why nobody listens to me anymore. "Oh here he goes again with his Maemo stuff ... blah blah blah whatever, dude"

But there are lots of good reviews, videos, and pictures out there already. Tweet them, post them in Facebook, make comments on mobile forums, etc.

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

I've done two or three pictures in what I intend to be a photo essay/grassroots marketing thing. As soon as I get my hands on an N900, I redo them and push out a lot more. :)

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

Don't over do it on facebook thou - I knew a few people who used that "Hide user" feature after I was doing something similiar but for the EU-parliament election. Maybe posting a few links per day was overdoing it... :D

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

Excuse me sir, I ordered #8 and it seems to have bugs in it?

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

Were you tagging people in pictures that they weren't actually in?

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

Negative, but appearently people got tired of seeing my links in their feed. :(

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

freppas, nice idea here. And the concern about "fanboy" type grassroots marketing is dead-on, so in my opinion there should be a "community seal of approval" on large-scale viral activity (I think it goes without saying that it would be good to get an okay from Nokia as well, to ensure the campaign was not in opposition to Nokia goals or trademarks).

Two ideas stand out for me:

-community contest where individuals or teams create campaigns and the best one (or two or whatever) as popularly voted get picked for full community support, and maybe even some sort of visible blessing (like television programmers provide in the corner of their shows).

-community-wide effort of collaboration on a single campaign (or campaign theme)

These are just raw ideas so please, no flames if I've missed something or they are simply stupid. :D Instead, provide alternatives!

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

One idea would be to create some kind of "banner" people could put on their blogs etc. Principle behind it being not a big annoying ad but rather just something small that you could wrap around your logo temporarily.

Example:http://www.frals.se/maemo/banner.jpg (Yes, I prefer coding and leaving design to other people :D)

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

IMHO the very best testament of a product is if you show people how productive and enjoyable it is to use them, without preaching it.

Deliberate taglines and kitsches only raises questions about your motivation (what's in it for you) and raises someone's natural 'ad blocker'.

I think what works is:
Do something cool with your life, and use N900 to capture it. Make a point to showcase that something cool, not the N900 itself.

Oh yeah, community events work too :)

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

Agreed, ysss. More visuals, less jabber. The "Apple" way (not counting Mac-PC ads).

Best way to sell these products is by a compelling out-of-box experience... so instant access to highly-used features would be a selling point.

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

Nokia should imo broadcast the Maemo 5 commercial on tv and play it often...i mean, when i saw it, it really pumped me up and got me interested...and it does have a Apple style to it too..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au_uRmoy8Fs

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

Something that gets into the mainstream press.

For instance, I remember a story about a New Yorker cover that was drawn using a drawing app on an iPhone. In truth the hardware isn't important, but the journalists pick up on it.

So if anyone does anything unusual with their n900, write a press release and send it out.

I use my n800 to VPN into the computers at Montserrat Volcano Observatory to check on volcanic activity (that's my job). I use web access, ssh and ftp, even remote desktop. I hope to use the n900 in the same way. Maybe I can publicise that (although I'd have to check with my employers first).

Failing that, just be a show-off. I know people with iPhones that keep proudly showing features that are not really that hot, but people are impressed.

I just explained to a non-tech friend what multitasking was and why it made the n900 better than the iPhone. She was amazed: "just like a computer?" She might now buy an N900, with me providing support (eek!).

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

I think this looks like a promising way to move forward! And I think qgil might be right in that the maemo summit would be an opportunity too good to pass up.

I have a feeling the the exact details about how this will work might change a bit along the way as, at least I, haven't done anything really like it before.

So should we set up a separate thread for proposals for campaigns and then use this one to sew the whole thing together?

After everything's selected I can volunteer to write it up as a marketing plan to give to one of the Nokians to get an OK. That is if they don't feel like simply following the thread, but documentation is always good I guess

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

I know money is not supposed to be spent on this thing.... but how about a donation fund to advertise that maemo video on anything significant?

At least if we start an effort may be will try to play nice and help us get to whatever significant amount?

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

I'm definitely not against it, the important thing is just to make sure that you don't have to spend money to be a part or contribute.

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

I agree, but they're still advertising Nokia N97 here. On TV, bus stops, etc... I think next they'll advertise Nokia N97 mini and X3/X6. Nokia N900 uses rather mouth to mouth marketing; the initial price is rather high, while totally different OS. Its still a bit a product 'for the brave' so to say whereas Qt will close this gap.

One also needs to be careful for initial bugs and other rough edges. These always occur during new product launch. Most of us haven't used the device yet, or barely used it. There are some Maemo Community 3rd party projects which are in high demand such as 1) BlueTooth DUN 2) USB OTG 3) Portrait mode 4) Telepathy IM plugins. My point is, maybe the right time to market this device is after some initial community usage, after rough edges are fixed, and after more is clear about community projects instead of before or during product launch.

Instead of I want this the user should feel I need this. IOW it has to fulfill goals no other product can. Personally, I have in high regard honest compares. There are so many differences between platforms. If I were to buy a new device I'd like to know the advantages of each as of now. Not only hardware and software-wise officially, but also 3rd party. And this part will get in quicker pace of movement once device and OS are delivering. Specific use cases are also interesting but they're usually unique. Open minded readers would feel inspired, but those who rather want clear instructions and examples will feel "OK, that is not what I need" and move on.

BTW, I'm damn sure we're all doing our job on the mouth to mouth marketing. :D

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

Haha, yeah I don't think anyone is neglecting the word of mouth even for a second! That's one of the benefits that Nokia get automatically from running this OS as open-source. What I was looking for is like Texrat put it, something of a more official campaign from the community.

As for the timing just pre-launch is really the best time to drum up some more hype for any product. But here I'd like to get some sort of confirmation from a Nokia source that they're OK with us doing this. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that the last thing we want to do is to ruin their marketing!

Can we perhaps get some input from anyone involved in maemo markeing?

PS: just sent a message to the marketing @ Maemo people

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

Right so still no word from any official Nokia sources on whether this would interfere with their marketing, so I say we push on for a bit and see what we come up up with.

Is there still any interest in proceeding with this little project?

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

Definitely!

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

Does anyone have any experience in how to set this up?

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

Hi, I'm in the marketing team of Maemo Devices. What is the proposal?

But most importantly, do you really need any permission from us? If you have brilliant ideas about community marketing just go ahead. We follow this space.

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

Yes, the song used in the video is GRUM's "Go Back (La Castle Vania Remix)" and it is definitely saying "I'm never going back", which is part of the reason why I thought the song matched so well.

I'm a fully mobile warrior and I'm never going back.

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

OK, good to know! I just wanted to make sure we weren't stepping on any toes at Nokia by doing some marketing separately. Right so let's try to move on a bit with this then. I'm going to set up a separate thread for anyone with ideas about what could be done regarding this by the community, we can then use this thread for more general issues on the topic. We'll boil them down and have a quick poll to see which ideas have good support and then move along with getting people on board and executing them. I'll post a link to the new thread here soon.

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

how about shout "Maemo on Nokia" out an open door?

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

I was concerned about trademark and similar issues.

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

yup, it definately says "I'm never going back"..and Nokia really has chosen a great song for this device...good commercial, effective.
the slogan could surely be used in some way..maybe Nokia will use it on billboards? Or: "Nokia N900 - Mobile Computer on the go" :D

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

Has there been any spefic proposal of campaign?

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

I'm talking to every person I met about the n900. That's my marketing campaign...

xD

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

Nope, no specific proposal, so at this stage my main question was whether Nokia were opposed to the idea of a community run campaign.

Thankfully this does not appear to be the case :)

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

link to thread for specific suggestions: http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php...091#post326091

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

so.. next up is to elect the driver of this project?

Re: open-marketing campaign?
 

Honestly I'm quite new here so I have no idea how these things usually work but you seem to know what you're talking about so sure. Next up driver