Manolos at K-Mart?
Via Doc Searls - ran across the Manolo Blahnik blog (”Manolo loves the shoe!”) Now, I think it’s a kinda fun way to waste a few minutes while I have my second cup of coffee. What’s puzzling to me is the strategy (? is there one?) behind his web marketing. Is this a parody site? Am I’m not getting the joke?
Why would a seller of obscenely over-priced elitist “limo shoes” (They’re so dang uncomfortable and impractical, you don’t want to walk for more than a few feet) have such a cheesy web presence? Aside from the goofy writing (Is Manolo really writing this stuff? Nahhh. There’s some young creative type blogging away, I’m sure, working hard to sound fun, fabulous and foreign.) - there’s an ad for Fashion Bug at the very top of the page, plus loads of goooogle ads, and a link to among others, Zappos.com where I can buy a pair of Ann Klein shoes for only $463.95!. What’s next? Manolo at K-Mart? (”Manolo loves the blue light!”)
Anybody have any insight? Anyway, my trip to bizarro land for the day.
View the Blog Roll
September 26th, 2005 at 3:21 pm
Hi Mary,
This is Andrew from The Gift Blog. I had a recent exchange with “The Manolo”, as he calls himself.
We at the gift blog are running a competition for a free pair of Manolo’s and he very kindly supported us with a blog entry: http://www.shoeblogs.com/wordpress/2005/09/23/the-shoes-of-the-maestro-contest/
He is definitely not Manolo himself and is kind of doing a parady. However he is now somewhat a cult leader - every fashion blog links to him - it is amazing.
Andrew from http://www.thegiftblog.com
September 27th, 2005 at 7:38 pm
Thanks, Andrew. FYI, I was just over at pubsub.com and the ranking of the Manolo site has dropped drastically from yesterday (?)
Dunno, maybe I’m just too old to “get it” re how this is producing revenue for anyone. But, best of luck with your marketing! If they ever come up with a comfortable pair of spike heels - let me know.
October 1st, 2005 at 7:56 pm
Oh, the disbeliever! Word has it that “The Manolo” or “Manolo the Shoeblogger” (NOT Blahnik, himself, as is pointed out repeatedly) is a six-figure blogger. I do know first-hand that a lot of money can be made for sites like Zappos from blogging (and some money in return).
Just like Manolo, I love the shoes! … and the handbags … And I have a right to be impractical in my fanatacism!
Anyway, don’t mock the “job.” You can surely at least SEE for yourself how popular Manolo’s Shoe Blog is. (And you really don’t love those celebrity fashion comments??)
October 3rd, 2005 at 8:55 am
Well, as with any marketing tactic - and blogs are a marketing tactic - and if the purpose is to directly make money from it - it’s necessary to really know the targets and talk to them in the context they want and like - and incent them to buy something (and keep coming back). A tall order in any business.
Good for the mystery Manolo if he/she is making a ton of dinero and the customers are happy. Me? Aside from the fact that I’m not the target market - popularity in and of itself doesn’t automatically translate into profit. It’d be interesting to know how much profit and how many repeat paying customers “Manolo” has. Is this a fad or a viable business?
Have fun shopping! And, yes, the celeb fashion comments are kinda fun.