#53. Voice of the Customer → Just For Play
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In this episode, we talk about how brands can help adults who have forgotten the joy of play. Marketing teams, this episode is for you. And for adults, this is for you too.
Every episode is based on what people send in, message boards I read online, or the great conversations I've had with others. I give brands a perspective on problems adults face in the world we all live in, and the opportunities to solve them.
André Brathwaite hosts the Voice of the Customer on the Forms of Recreation podcast.
The opinions expressed are solely those of Forms of Recreation and do not necessarily reflect the views of any brand mentioned. We encourage you to check their corresponding websites for further information.
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Episode 53
Voice of the Customer → Just For Play
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Close your eyes and picture this.
You used to play football in high school. Not the one that you pick up with your hand, the one you kick with your foot.
You would practice whenever you could, practically having a ball with you everywhere you go.
You were told you were good, real good. Having so much fun while playing it.
Years have passed. Now, as an adult, someone invites you to play.
An opportunity to have fun together.
Immediately you start coming up with excuses. “Maybe another time”, “It might rain in the afternoon”, or flat out, “I’m too old for that”.
Yep, it’s because you started to think about how stiff your hips are, how you easily run out of breath, and how you get a sharp pain in a muscle you still don’t know what it’s called.
No? Well, it must be that other thing that’s called shame.
So, you tell that person, thanks but no thanks.
This is the thing though.
That person invited you to play, not to compete.
As adults, we are quick to think of how good we used to be instead of thinking of how good this could be for us.
I recently talked to someone from Scotland during my travels, and he mentioned to me that while watching the World Cup, it reminded him of the times when he used to play football.
He said that his injuries has kept him off of the field for years.
I then asked if he ever considered just going to the park with a ball and pass the ball to another person in a park. No score, no teams, just two people passing the ball back and forth.
He had no idea that that could even be an option for him. His smile lit up from ear to ear.
He had created a narrative around his injuries, instead of creating a narrative around what brings him joy.
Brands. This part is for you.
Make it easier for us adults to do what brings us joy. Your products might be useful, but offering us experiences is what will make us come alive.
In Episode 19
I spoke about table tennis,
and how SPIN Ping Ping Social Clubs
provide casual environments for people to play while using STIGA, the official supplier.
I played with a childhood friend at their club in Toronto. We had so much fun, and the best part, they have staff that walk around with special nets to pick up all the missed ping pong balls as we played.
Why I say it’s the best part?
My back.
It’s not as young as it used to, but I still got out there and had fun.
On the forms of recreation website
Adults can find a number of
SPIN locations you can travel to,
making it easier for adults
to enjoy their form of recreation.
So there you have it.
Marketing teams. Go beyond selling a product.
For the rest of us. Let’s find joy despite our circumstances.
