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October 8, 2008
Scent Branding Poll Results
(Filed under: Poll Results)
Some out there are suggesting that scent branding is the future of marketing. Others are suggesting those people are idiots. So we did the only thing left to do--turned it over to you guys.
44% of you think scent branding is ridiculous. You don't want to be the Caramel Vanilla Church or even Seaside Beach Breeze Baptist. Or maybe you're just afraid that after someone visits once, they will throw up if they ever notice your scent on the air again.
27% of you are up for the idea, but only for the right scent. I admit, I'm with you. If the project got in the hands of someone without olfactory prowess, you could end up with something foul. And another 15% of you are already on board with this idea. You've put your order in at the local candle company, and you're ready to guest blog the experience for us.
10% of you don't think this is branding at all, and 4% of you are smelling impaired. I guess for these folks, traditional branding it is.
This week, we'll be shifting gears a bit. What do you think of ads on church web sites? Click through your RSS reader to cast your vote.
Posted by Joshua Cody at October 8, 2008 5:24 AM
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Comments
so, what does salvation smell like anyway?
my vote : fried chicken
Posted by: tony at October 9, 2008 9:01 AM
My church uses incense. Lots of it. The intent isn't "branding," but it's clearly an important part of the experience and memory of the experience.
Posted by: Jeff Brooks at October 9, 2008 11:51 AM
OK, I know it sounds nuts. But at the same time, it's legit.
We associate a lot with our sense of smell. Old churches smell like dust and old books. Cathedrals smell like incense.
If your church smells like a carpet store, it evokes that feeling of being new or fresh. If it smells like flowers, if it smells like bread, if it smells like sweat .. every smells leaves an impression.
Imagine a sermon series on the Jesus growing up. As you walk into the church, you smell sawdust and immediately start associating with Joseph's carpentry business.
While it's nuts, and probably shouldn't happen every week, the occasional use of smell can be a good bit of branding.
Posted by: Rick Measham at October 11, 2008 5:00 AM
Scent branding makes sense to me. (pun intended). We are the Evangelical Free Church of Hershey and our town smells like chocolate. Yes, Hershey's chocolate is made here.
Posted by: Julian Richter at October 16, 2008 11:47 AM
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