Super Mario, plumber and video game hero, is a shining example of some solid marketing principles you can put to good use.
Super Mario started out in a simple arcade game, and is now a star feature in dozens, if not hundreds of video game titles. Navigating the mushroom kingdom and protecting the Princess from King Koopa, Super Mario is one of Nintendo’s best loved characters, but he can also teach you a little something about marketing. Check out some of the personality traits that make the spectacular plumber a legitimately decent marketer:
1. Know what’s most valuable. For Super Mario, it’s Princess Peach. For your business, it might be your history, or your quality assurance, or your accessibility. Think carefully and make sure your marketing strategies highlight your greatest strength.
2. Don’t be afraid to rely on your partners. Mario has Luigi, Yoshi, and a host of other characters that are willing and able to help him on his journey. Similarly, don’t be afraid to lean on partners and mentors when developing your marketing strategy.
3. Take leaps, but know your environment. Mario covers a lot of ground, so you can’t always know what’s coming next. But the more familiar you become with your environment, the better you’ll be able to handle the jumps—even the unexpected ones.
4. Update your look without losing your image. Mario has undergone radical upgrades over several years without abandoning the color schemes and proportions that make him unique. Your branding strategy should follow a similar model.
5. Use different strategies like extra lives. Experiment with different marketing channels. If you can’t make one work, you’ll have an “extra life” you can use through a different channel.
If you liked this entry in our “marketing tips to learn from _____” series, be sure to check out our entries on Iron Man, Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Terminator, and Lex Luthor, too!
