Grandma’s PC — Brilliant Marketing?

Posted by RP

May 1, 2008

Hopefully, over the months I have been positioning myself to serve seniors and retirees looking to empower their retirement by making money on line, I have developed a readership that is at least partially over the age of 30

here’s a news item that caught my eye this morning about Microsoft and the UK market … and then, reading further, I discovered Microsoft already is in this market already in the US. The things I didn’t know would certainly fill a book, wouldn’t they?

The SeniorPC, however, seems like the most solid idea of the bunch, as Microsoft already offers the product in the US. Through a partnership with HP, the machines offer a "simplified way" to do things like e-mail, word processing, travel planning, manage prescriptions, finances, and photos. The standard desktop model goes for $1,075 and comes with a 17" LCD, a printer/scanner/copier, Windows Vista Home Premium, and all of the aforementioned software. There is also an "autopilot" package for $1,185 that contains all of the above, but is specifically geared towards seniors with little-to-no computer experience. Both packages also come in laptop form, for seniors who are on the go … read the full arstechnica article here

This is pretty interesting and Microsoft sells these packages direct … one stop shopping and a customer for life … or so they hope. Actually the prices aren’t bad at all and the idea has a lot of merit. As I have been telling you all along, the key to success is not to sell a product, the key to success is to find a customer’s ‘pinch points’ … the things that are causing him or her pain and then find something that cures the pain.

This is certainly a sensible step in that direction … what pinch points have you uncovered this week and what will you do to solve them for your potential customers.

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Comments

Hi Dave,Interesting article regarding seniors,a growing market.I find here in the uk more seniors are overcoming their fears and buying pc’s,initially to keep in touch with family overseas,they then move on to do more things with their pc.6years ago a guy in my hometown gave up his job as a comp programmer and opened a small business called “senior computers” mainly aimed at seniors.He sold new and recon pcs,accessories,personal tuition etc.I started to deal with him when he started out, as he is nearest to me.His service and plain english answers to questions is excellent,i have since bought 2 pc’s off him,which he delivers and sets up for u with all programmes you require and offers 24hr repair service,i won’t go anywhere else.There is obviously a big market out there catering for seniors,the guy now has 3 shops and a repair centre.Regards Chas.

Comment by Chas on May 3, 2008 @ 6:47 am

Hello Chas,

Thanks ever so much for dropping by and for your very interesting comment. There is a tremendous market, I think, in providing what seniors need, rather than what techo-geeks think they want.

Ever notice how many seniors will buy a decent-brand, but not flashy and sort of ‘boring’ car? this isn’t necessarily because we (I’m one of them) are necessarily boring at heart, it’s becuase we’ve all owned enough flashy red convertibles thta habve broken down at inopportune times.

Funny thing is, the dealer still makes a profit … so if you want to make sales, stock something/offer some services that are not ‘bleeding edge’, but actually “serve”.

Before my mom passed away, i was overseas and she was quite curious about computers. never took the plunge, though. I would have _leaped_ at an offer like these Microsoft packages … not because I love MSFT or think these pacakages are market leaders, but becuase I could be reasonably sure they would have ‘hooked mom up’ right out of the box. Intelligent marketing.

Comment by RP on May 3, 2008 @ 9:51 am

Hi Dave,thanks for your reply,i agree with you.I’m a young senior and yes i’ve done the sports cars etc in my younger days.I feel as i’ve got older i have also become much less materialistic,maybe maturity ha ha.The guy i mentioned in my previous post certainly found his niche market catering for seniors.Not that i used this service myself,but i admired his “in your own home tutorials,learn at your own pace” service.Regards Chas.

Comment by Chas on May 5, 2008 @ 7:15 am