Recommended Tactic for TOMS Shoes

As anyone that has been reading this blog knows, it is hard for me to find many flaws with TOMS because it is doing a fantastic job of marketing itself based on the "One for One" campaign.  However, we were challenged this week to come up with a new strategy for our chosen companies and mine is...Expansion into more brick and mortar stores!


It may sound obvious and like I'm taking a step backwards for the company, but the truth is they are just not accessible in an actual store.  I live in Atlanta and recently googled the stores that carried TOMS shoes and there were very few results.  Not good! Even avid online shoppers like myself would like to go into a store to try on a pair of shoes before they ordered them online, right? I know I do!  So pretty straightforward and a little dip back into the past but hey, sometimes you have to go backwards to move forward!

Why Do I Love TOMS? (A Summary of Post Video)

My New TOMS - Official Music Video

This video was done by a TOMS customer, of course! Free advertising and marketing anyone?

TOMS shoes obviously does a very good job of using media outlets like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, but the part of TOMS marketing plan that makes them a success is their contributions to society...

Their societal marketing has allowed this company to continue to prosper and grow. The "one for one" campaign says that for every pair of shoes that is purchased, one pair of shoes will be donated to a child in need. Amazing philosophy in my opinion! Not only are there shoes fashionable, comfortable and a social statement but the customer knows that when they purchase that pair of awesome shoes they are contributing to the success of supporting a child's future. Genius. This is the only excuse that I would use to purchase a pair of shoes...and no one would argue with me! Ha!

Video Coming Soon!

One Day Without Shoes 2011 - Will You Join Us?

Tug at your heartstrings much?? Yep, thats what I thought! Marketing at its finest, right?

 YES...I think it is a combination of including their philanthropy, mission and spreading/advertising about TOMS shoes. If they have this many people as well as celebrities involved in the event "One Day Without Shoes" then you can only imagine the impact that this company has on the world. As far as the ad goes great catchy music, familiar celebrities that everyone in the audience can relate to, amazing shoes and a specific clip of Blake Mycoskie (founder of TOMS shoes) speaking about the importance and facts about this event. 

One day without shoes, huh? I will have to get a pedicure for sure that week! :)

Wonder what other bloggers say about TOMS?

Since starting this project I have not been researching what other bloggers are saying about TOMS shoes...so I thought I would give it a shot and below are some of the links to their blogs.

• http://veronicabaker.tumblr.com/post/208065437/week4
  
• http://www.squidoo.com/toms_shoes
• http://www.savvysassymoms.com/toms-shoes/
  

There are many interesting personal stories (of course!) weaved into the blogs above that relate an everyday person to the sustainability and obsession with TOMS shoes.  Here is one of the comments: 

"I had professional pictures taken of my new Tom’s Wedges yesterday. 

Yes, really. I should have the proofs in a couple weeks.

Okay, so the photo session wasn’t because of the shoes (it was actually my daughter’s 9 month pics), 

but while we had the very expensive photographer and my new favorite shoes in the same location…"

Pic of the TOMS Wedge shoe- LOVE it! :)

The following  ideas are from the blogger squidoo and reflect the importance and magnitude of TOMS mission:

What I Love About TOMS

*business model that makes a profit and helps thousands of kids with no compromise
*grassroots marketing techniques (great videos and amazing word of mouth)
*chic, comfy shoes that make you feel good when you wear them
*simplicity of the 1 for 1 model

Check out all of the blogs for more updates and opinions! Once again are you seeing a trend? I think people dig their TOMS shoes...do you have yours yet??

TOMS Wrap Boot- How FUN are these?

Why TOM's?

As I was thinking about this post I determined that anyone could go to www.toms.com and draw a positive conclusion on the products that they offer...but what are REAL customers saying??? The results of my little experiment were surprising...

Here is a composited list of my findings:

• Well-made
• "I never want to take them off!!"-happy TOM's shoe wearer
• Celebrities like Kristen Stewart, Keira Knightley, Bono, Brad Pitt and the Jonas Brothers wear them
• Customers love the philanthropic aspect of the company
• They go with EVERTYTHING
• Company is constantly coming out with new styles and colors
• Can be worn in spring, summer, fall or winter

I think it is safe to say that people like, no make that LOVE their TOM's shoes!!  After I finished rummaging through my findings, I couldn't believe that not one of the sights that I looked at had anything negative about their shoes or company.  The people at TOMS are definitely doing something right!  

Idil M. Cakin's book, Word of Mouth Marketing, speaks highly of the TOMS brand by stating, "Companies like TOMS are able to get others to talk about their brands and help spread their brand online by being remarkable."  So there strategy seems relatively simple, but it is working for them.  Take me for example, I was only doing research and found no negative insights or complaints!

If you are not totally convinced to buy every single style and color of these shoes yet, keep hanging with me...you might just change your mind!! :)  

I told you they go with EVERYTHING!!!! 

What are TOMS Shoes?!

Welcome to my blog about TOMS Shoes! Throughout the next 10 weeks we will journey through anything and everything about this fashionably awesome company. So lets get started...What are TOMS Shoes???

TOMS shoes is an American footwear company based in Santa Monica, Ca. It was founded in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie.  The company designs and sells lightweight shoes that are based on the Argentine Alpargata design.  The design has been around for over 100 years in Alpargata and was used by farmers because of their comfortable features. TOMS offers styles and colors for men, women and children! 

Perhaps the most amazing part of this company is its philanthropic values. This non-profit part is called Friends of TOMS. Their motto is "With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need."  How great is that?! Start shopping at toms.com! I know I am!