X-Message-Number: 8778 Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 17:56:27 -0800 From: American Cryonics Society <> Subject: [maybe not unoriginal] marketing idea Cryonics is not just for the rich since low-cost options, plus funding by way of a life insurance policy are available to most people. I like Colin's idea of advertising in science fiction magazines with adds that aim to tell people that cryonics is affordable. In response to Colin Martel in message #8770: >Steve Jackson wrote: > >"I was raised on science fiction. The idea of suspended animation, whether >to travel in time or space, was a familiar concept to me before I was ten. >I would have expected more signups from among science fiction fans; you >don't have to explain the idea to them." > Colin Martel responds: >The same goes for me. I first heard of Alcor in an add they published in >OMNI magazine, accompanying an article on cryonics. I needed no convincing. >The only thing that was really surprising to me was that I had always >thought contracting for suspension required a immense financial investment, >something only Walt Disney could afford :-) The idea that cryonics is "just for the rich" is one of the burdens we have to overcome. This notion is often perpetuated by reporters who give the price tag ("If you just happen to have $150,000 or so lying around...") without mentioning that: 1. There are some relatively cheap options; and 2. Most people use an insurance policy for funding, which is usually quite affordable. >I'm wondering whether Alcor, or other cryonics organizations, advertise in >SF publications, like monthly collections of short stories. I have no clue >what the cost of advertising in these publications is, but, if affordable, >it certainly aims at the right clientele. A few years ago the American Cryonics Society (it might have been Trans Time, I don't remember for sure) ran some adds in science fiction magazines. We found that we did get some response, but the interested people often turned out to be 15 year olds! Our conclusion then was that the ads didn't prove cost effective. A different time with different adds might have produced other results. >If I may suggest, such advertisements should put much emphasis on the >price of the >procedure. While I had never heard any of the arguments in favor of >cryonics until >about a year ago, the idea of suspended animation just seemed intuitive to >me. However, it is only by chance that I learned I could contract before I >made my first billion. From the reaction of the few people I talked to who >were somewhat open minded towards cryonics, I'm guessing that this >perception is widely spread. Your idea of using advertisements to both let people know we are in business and that the procedure is affordable to most is probably a good one. It is certainly worth trying! Individuals cryonicists, as well as cryonics societies may place ads. The American Cryonics Society would certainly be interested in working with people who want to try their hand at placing adds, to pay for part of the cost up front, and reward the add sponsor if people become members who respond to the ad. It also seems to me that an ad which promised nothing more than a list of the organizations offering cryonic suspension services or membership might be cost effective. The cost of the ad could be underwritten by the cryonics companies with the cost divided between us. The add should also list some web address which site also gives cryonics companies, for those who don't like to write letters. Here's a final inducement: anyone who sponsors such an ad without expecting to personally profit financially can do so through a TAX DEDUCTIBLE contribution to the American Cryonics Society. What a deal!!! >I refuse to believe that spontaneous enthusiasm for cryonics is restricted >to a few thousand individuals. Perhaps many just ignore that the procedure >is within their reach. I agree with you on that, Colin. When I talk about cryonics to non immortalist friends, most are not interested, but a few always are. It is my gut feeling that maybe 5% of the U.S. population is recruitable! We are just doing a lousy job of reaching them. Long life and love, Jim Yount =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+American Cryonics Society (650)254-2001 FAX (650)967-4444 P.O. Box 1509 Cupertino, CA 95015 =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=8778