#perscc16

(Part 2) week 6 (more coming)

 The Hunting Island State Park I’ve chosen to analyze is an historical island and good at the tactics they use to attract visitors, although I think some changes could still improve it. Persuasion methods from the barrage of information I received after probing for some insight includes, but not limited to, are using magazines which use visuals and Identification, television advertising helps too, along with print and the internet. The state puts together some of the best natural and staged pictures together hoping that you can identify with them. The State tells stories to the viewers to add some self-disclosure as a way to connect with other people. They also discuss the historical aspects of the island: human-made lighthouse component and the natural parts which include discussion about the terrain and species that are abundant there. The State knows how beautiful the semi-tropical park is and that the visuals will be very attractive.      

In this essay, I will analyze Hunting Island State Park’s good points and suggest more, using persuasion theories inferred out of Timothy A. Borchers’ book, Persuasion in the Media Age. I argue that the Hunting Island tourist site is mostly successful in its persuasion because they have managed to incorporate aspects of proven persuasive methods such as visual cues, identification, self-disclosure, and various other obvious persuasive tactics. This is an important Tourist site to study because it has broad implications for other sites to learn from since it has been a success; however, I will suggest some changes that could make the island more attractive to yet a more culturally diverse people. Therefore, in the following essay, I already give contextual insight in my opening and now will discuss advertising and demographics.

The State targets audiences by internet or smart phones mainly to attract from out of state as that brings revenue into our state. The demographics does not concentrate on religion but that any race, sex or age of a person is targeted. That said, the visuals are great success at the audiences fingertips because a picture says a thousand words all in one look. The State puts these images right where they can be viewed at any time from anyone searching for a vacation in South Carolina on their phone or internet. Again, the demographics are mostly diverse in-keeping with ethical standards. Smart phones can render location meaning “that geodemographic becomes a more viable audience segmentation technique” (Borchers 363).

The State uses television and print constantly to subject audiences to the visuals of Hunting Island with its history and beauty. This method is old but still continues to work for some people who are not savvy with the next generation of communication or views television a lot. The industry started adding more television channels, which allowed for more commercials for advertisers to flood us with repetition that ultimately sells. The print in newspapers and magazines has its way of getting to people sitting around in waiting rooms. I have witnessed this phenomenon many times and have been audience to it too. Newspapers and magazines are in decline but are making up for it by going online with their media. According to Borcher’s, advertisers see magazines as an efficient way of reaching target audience members (364). I think when people can hold a picture in their hands it becomes more realistic. The Branding of the island in their ads must be working to have the visiting results they have. Branding the island as an historical significance along with being semi-tropical. I know people who go camping there every year. Maybe they are the existing audience the State is trying to retain.

  In Conclusion, Hunting Island may already be the most popular state park in South Carolina, but I have brought to light some thigs that can be done to keep it that way, especially available campers for rent on a whim’s notice. The visual cues in advertising, identification of the personal stories, agenda-setting theory of history in the making, and various other obvious persuasive tactics discussed should have enlightened you on persuasive ideology. I have only touched the surface of how in depth persuasion is so hopefully this analysis will gain your interest and get you on vacation. Persuasion happens every time someone (you, them) watches or discusses media in any way. How about a vacation in South Carolina? The beech and Island all in one with a history to learn from. No puffery here!

Persuasion Analysis of SC Tourist Site: Hunting Island Park

(Part 1) week 5 (working progress)

 The Hunting Island State Park I’ve chosen to analyze is an historical island and good at the tactics they use to attract visitors, although I think some changes could still improve it. Persuasion methods from the barrage of information I received after probing for some insight includes, but not limited to, are using magazines which use visuals and Identification, television advertising helps too, along with print and the internet. The state puts together some of the best natural and staged pictures together hoping that you can identify with them. The State tells stories to the viewers to add some self-disclosure as a way to connect with other people. They also discuss the historical aspects of the island: human-made lighthouse component and the natural parts which include discussion about the terrain and species that are abundant there. The State knows how beautiful the semi-tropical park is and that the visuals will be very attractive.      

In this essay, I will analyze Hunting Island State Park’s good points and suggest more, using persuasion theories inferred out of Timothy A. Borchers’ book, Persuasion in the Media Age. I argue that the Hunting Island tourist site is mostly successful in its persuasion because they have managed to incorporate aspects of proven persuasive methods such as visual cues, identification, self-disclosure, and various other obvious persuasive tactics. This is an important Tourist site to study because it has broad implications for other sites since it has been a success. Therefore, in the following essay, I already give contextual insight in my opening and now will discuss advertising and demographics.

The State targets audiences by internet or smart phones mainly to attract from out of state as that brings revenue into our state. The demographics does not concentrate on religion but that any race, sex or age of a person is targeted. That said, the visuals are great because a picture says a thousand words all in one look. The State puts these images right where they can be viewed at any time from anyone searching for a vacation in South Carolina on their phone or internet. Since the State uses television and print, audiences are constantly being subjected to the visuals of Hunting Island with its history. Again, the demographics are mostly diverse in-keeping with ethical standards.

I chose to do my SC Tourism Project on Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, a civil rights leader, former president of Morehouse College, and native of Greenwood SC, my hometown. 

Dr. Mays is legacy not only in the state of South Carolina, but all across the country, from Florida to Maine. He spread his wisdom throughout the east coast and parts of the midwest, encouraging young people of color to expand their education. He revitalized Morehouse College and brought it back from the harmful damages of the Great Depression and WWII. He created a head start program for gifted high school students at Morehouse which included Martin Luther King Junior. 

Dr. Mays became a mentor to the future Dr. King and thought of him as a son. He thought him the lessons that were taught to him by his parents, former slaves, and well as the many lessons he had learned from his extensive education at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. 

Many people admire Dr. King for his peaceful manner in which he fought for social justice but aren't aware of where exactly it was that he learned those practices. Though Dr. King is the figure most well known for heading up the Civil Rights movement in the 1960′s, I think that knowing the foundation of those thoughts and theories that he held are of equal importance. 

Like Dr. King, Dr. Mays knew that one of the biggest weapons to be used to fight bigotry and racism was education. Dr. Mays was born in rural SC in 1894, so getting a quality education was rare for a Black man at that time. However, he made it a priority to gain as much knowledge as he could and in turn he has received numerous degrees and countless awards for his work in education. 

This past week at the DNC we heard from a variety of amazing speakers. All the way from comedian Sarah Silverman, to the Mothers of the Movement, Barack and Michelle Obama, to the Queen herself, Hillary Clinton. The speeches varied in topic discussing issues like income inequality, #blacklivesmatter, and reproductive rights.

What really struck me was how important this election really is for us as young people, specifically young women. For the first time we are getting to see a woman with a clear shot at taking the White House. Not only is she the first female nominee for a major political party, she is one of the most experienced candidates we’ve seen in years. In her nomination speech Hillary talked about so many issues that relate to all of us, men and women alike. I often hear people criticize her saying that she will “only talk about ‘women’s issues’”. She proved all of those people wrong last night. She talked about jobs, she talked, about strengthening the military, she talked about healthcare... just to name a few. Oddly enough, all of those issues include women as well. So sure, keep saying that she only focuses on “women’s issues”.

I thought about writing a reflection post to end out my time as a Persuasion student, but I didn’t want to sound repetitive from my forum post. Instead, I got an idea for a post while dancing down the aisles of Kroger (I have no restraint when Signed, Sealed, Delivered is concerned). 

I started wondering if there was any rhyme or reason to what songs play in certain locations. I turned to a website called Motive Metrics to find my answer. Turns out-there is!

First up-tempo. Companies will typically play slower music when they want you to stay longer. Now this didn’t really sound monumental until I realized what kind of power that holds. If I’m a restaurant owner who wants my patrons to stay longer and spend money then slow much music may be able to help me. However, if I want people to eat quickly so I can flip more tables at a faster rate, I can try playing faster music. 

I also found it comical that the study showed that perception of volume depended on age. I instantly began to remember all of the times that I was in a store and virtually ignoring themusic and my Dad would say, “It is WAY too loud, I’m waiting outside!!”

I also found it interesting the effect that genre had. A wine shop played Top 40 music for an extended period then played classical music for a number of weeks. The results showed that when the wine shop played classical music, people continually picked more expensive bottles of wine.

It’s amazing how much work really goes into advertising, whether an individual or organization is launching a campaign, creating a television ad, or simply attempting to attract consumers.  With all the persuasive messages we encounter and choices we’re given on a daily basis, how do we choose one product, service, or experience over another?  It’s as simple as this: we’re persuaded to make that choice.  Companies use advertising, marketing, and even public relations strategies to attract attention and persuade consumers to try their product or services, or at least to remember that product or service. They put a great deal of energy into choosing the right colors, images, and language.  They create press releases and social media accounts to gain exposure. They create marketing and advertising departments, sales departments, and public relations departments to brainstorm ways to effectively persuade their audience to purchase their products or services, and the list could go on.  

Brookgreen Gardens is no different.  Yes, it’s an attraction; a tourist destination, but it depends on tourists and visitors paying for the experience it offers.  Researching Brookgreen Gardens for our second paper was an eye-opening experience.  When I first looked at its website, I could only see the fact that although the website was full of pictures it failed to include pictures of minorities.  I have to admit that single fact caused me to pre-judge Brookgreen Gardens, and I thought I wouldn’t like to visit with my family.  However, once I actually started to research the attraction I began to have a change of heart.  By the time I had spoken with an operator via telephone and later via email with an employee in the group sales department, I began to think that I would love to visit Brookgreen Gardens with my family.  Not only were the reviews I read about the attraction positive, but both employees were extremely polite and helpful, and they both went out of their way to help me get the information I needed for this assignment.