I was watching the History Channel this week and there was an interesting program about the likely origins of the Wolfman myth. As part of the investigation an actual silver bullet was tested, using ballistic jelly and high speed cameras. It was conclusively found to not be a better and more deadly projectile than a common lead bullet. The scientists determined that a silver bullet was actually less likely to kill a wolf than a regular bullet.
And so it is in marketing. Periodically a clamor arises about this or that new marketing method, the new “silver bullet” if you will. The current new favorite is social media. While undoubtedly the different social media options, like Facebook and Twitter, are valuable additions to the marketing arsenal, they are not a panacea. They are, and any future “silver bullets” will remain, a part of a marketing mix that each client’s marketing efforts demand. Despite the wishful thinking no magical silver bullets exist in marketing or in life. If anyone tries to persuade you otherwise...tell them about the Wolfman.