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I Like Pink: Finally Bought An iPod

Andreaspinkipod_3OK.  So I’m the last one in the world to finally buy an iPod, and yes…it is pink (sorry the picture didn’t turn out so well).  Let me tell you, it was rough to last this long – especially after Michele Miller described her new love a few months back.

But, my recent visit to eq-life sold me.  Being the typical female consumer of a fairly high ticket item, I had:

  • asked friends about their experiences with iPods,
  • read stories like Michele’s,
  • done some research online,
  • and talked with a few more friends, before I was ready. 

The whole MP3 thing is new to me and I wanted to get lots of information and feel fairly comfortable that I would really use it (and make it worth the investment) before I handed over my debit card.  It helped that there were no other MP3 players to distract me on the shelves at eq-life (editing product selection at retail stores is counterintuitive, but it really works for some women) and that the sales guy was right there to answer any last minute questions.

Ipod_pink

Two morals of my iPod purchasing story:

Just because you write a book entitled, Don’t Think Pink, it doesn’t mean you don’t like pink (note my sweater as well as my iPod color choice), and…

Women make purchasing decisions differently, so figure out how to get other women talking about your product, develop informative web sites and make sure anyone selling your product on the floor really knows what they are talking about and doesn’t give a hard sell.

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Wednesday, February 9th, 2005 in Announcements, Events and Miscellany

  • Buying a Pink iPod

    This consumer reports how she finally decided to buy an iPod.
  • The idea of "Reflective Design" comes from Donald Norman and his wonderful book "Emotional Design".

    It's a GREAT book.
  • Ah yes.. as Diego says, there continue to be many blog posts about iPod - and I think they are warranted. The iPod's design DOES generate conversation and buzz - because of its "reflective design," as you call it.

    Because you are in the design biz, would you tell me where that term comes from, and if there are other things out there written about it? As you've already noticed, I am very interested in the topic. I believe it has so much power in terms of selling products to women. Women often are not just buying for the cheapest price, so design can be an edge.

    As for the bathtub situation, Leah - point well taken! I'll keep mine very dry.

    Thanks for all the great comments!
  • The iPod. Has any product been the subject of so many blog posts? I don't think so, and it's because the iPod is so darned interesting from a Reflective design point of view.

    That's why I like your blog, too. So many of the issues you write about have to do with Reflective design, and how marketers and designers should take a very consicous approach to Reflective design for offerings designed for women.

    Pink is probably the best Mini color, I reckon.
  • Welcome to the dark side, Andrea! As you know, I'm an iPod freak since I got mine - now spending more on iTunes than groceries. Fun stuff!! If I'd gotten a mini, it would have been pink, too.
  • Congratulations on your new purchase! The only tiny bit of advice I have for you is don't be tempted to listen to it while you are in the bathtub. I did that, and as I reached out to change the song, I got a tiny drop of water on it and killed it. You can drop it a thousand times on the pavement, and it's fine, but get a drop of water anywhere near it and it's toast.
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