Persuasion Analysis of SC Tourist Site: Hunting Island Park
(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!
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