Heavy users

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Heavy users are often described by the Pareto principle. This means that 20% of users consumed 80% of the volume of a product. In literature some researcher and marketers also call heavy users as "Heavy half", but the main assumptions and definition stay these same. In 1964, Twedt was the first propose a division into three user segments divided by frequency of purchase[1]:

  1. Non-user of a product - users who doesn't use this product;
  2. Light users (also: light half) - users who used product only occasionally or not more than medium used;
  3. Heavy users (also: heavy half) - users who used the product the most and generated the most revenue. They make most of the volume purchased;

Rebecca Heath in 1997 in her book devoted to this subject, describes them directly like "frequent flyers" and "best customers"[2]. Garet Hallberg in 1995 in his book "All Consumers Are Not Created Equal" point Heavy users like may be in some firms the source of most the profit[3]. In the other hand Clancy and Shulman in 1994 in "Marketing Myths that are Killing Business" show cons of Heavy users like[4]:

  • good knowledge of the market price and competition;
  • low brand loyalty;
  • deal prone;
  • in their in categories they can be similar like other demographic and media use profile;
  • in consider their as segment, they may be more heterogeneous than homogeneous;

Information about heavy users can help understand needed these not as large but much profitable group. For product developers, managers and marketers theory about heavy users can help in development and project of marketing strategy. It is good to remember that marketing strategy based on heavy users have got a scenario to not only bring but also keep users what can be not so easy cause low loyalty of heavy users.

Identification

The biggest challenge is identification of heavy users. Much research suggests that demographic method of identification is not the best way to discover and describe Heavy user. They often not so different in these field than non-user or light user. Better way is analysis of use rate and search a correlation and difference between user then use the most of the product and rest of user. In present days we can use every data provided by analytic tool like Google Analytic or similar.

Ronald E. Goldsmith in the publication also point the demographic profiling is not the best way to get to know profile of heavy users: "More consistent results could be achieved if the program content were based on a sound theory of heavy user behaviour. Relationship marketing is a worthy goal; knowing what motivates heavy users may be more important than profiling their demographics."[5]

Great candidate to be Heavy users are product enthusiast, early adopters and innovators. They are often an opinion leader who not only can transform in heavy user but also spread their opinion by the world about product and brand. In the other hand that can be threat if in their opinion product be not so good, as marketers wish. What important segment of heavy users can need much specific segmentation by for example:

  • different needed;
  • different impulses to get contact with product;
  • different requirements;

This example is well presented by Brian Wansink and Sea Bum Park: "One soup heavy user might be a heavy user for convenience, while another might be one for price. These two might have very different profiles. For example, even if our results indicate that heavy users are socially active, creative, optimistic, and witty, we believe there may be significant differences among heavy users that we have overlooked."[6]

We should not treat them as one homogeneous group, but several segments of different users with different outlets and characteristics. In this case, we do not really deal with one group of heavy users, but with a few subgroups that make up a group of heavy users.

The main point of interest in heavy users is benchmark and identify a main difference heavy users from light users. Brian Wansink and Sea Bum Park indicate one more important thing in the topic of heavy users, summarizing their publication: "The most effective market segmentation generates the most accurate, detailed, diagnostic, and in-depth profiles of heavy users."[7]

Examples of Heavy users

  • Heavy users of social media: Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are full of heavy users who are constantly engaging in the platforms. These users are often identified as power users, influencers, or brand ambassadors, who post frequently and have a large following.
  • Heavy users of streaming services: Users who watch a large amount of content on streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime are considered heavy users. They typically watch a lot of content and often have multiple subscriptions to different services.
  • Heavy users of gaming: Heavy users of video games are often identified by their gaming scores and the number of hours they spend playing. They usually have a high level of skill and are always looking for a challenge.

Advantages of Heavy users

One advantage of heavy users is that they generate a large portion of business revenue. This means that companies can devote more resources to marketing and product development to satisfy their needs. Additionally, these customers can provide valuable feedback, allowing companies to make improvements and better tailor their products and services to the needs of their target audience. Furthermore, heavy users are often more loyal to a company, meaning they will be more likely to recommend the company to friends and family. This can lead to increased customer acquisition and a larger customer base. Finally, heavy users can also help to create positive word-of-mouth marketing, which can help to boost the reputation of a company.

Limitations of Heavy users

  • Heavy users may not be representative of the average user, as they often have different needs and preferences.
  • Heavy users can be costly to target, as they often consume more of the product than the average user.
  • Heavy users can be difficult to identify and distinguish from other users, as they often have similar behaviors.
  • Heavy users may be more loyal to a particular brand, and thus may be less likely to switch to another brand.
  • Heavy users may be difficult to maintain as customers, as their needs and expectations may change over time.

Other approaches related to Heavy users

One approach to categorize heavy users is to divide them into three user segments divided by frequency of purchase, as first proposed by Twedt in 1964. Other approaches related to heavy users include:

  • The 80/20 Rule, which states that 80% of the results come from 20% of the effort. This principle can be applied to heavy users, as it is often the case that a small percentage of users account for the majority of product consumption.
  • The Power Law Distribution, which states that a small number of users will be responsible for the majority of consumption. This principle is often used to identify and target heavy users.
  • The Long Tail, which states that when it comes to consumption patterns, there is a large number of users that will account for a small portion of consumption, while a small number of users will account for the majority of consumption.

In summary, there are several approaches related to heavy users, including the 80/20 Rule, the Power Law Distribution, and the Long Tail. These approaches can be used to identify and target heavy users, in order to maximize the effectiveness of marketing and promotional efforts.

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Twedt, D. W. (1964)
  2. ↑ Heath R. P. (1997)
  3. ↑ Hallberg G. (1995)
  4. ↑ Clancy K. J., Shulman R. S. (1994)
  5. ↑ Goldsmith R. E. (1998)
  6. ↑ Wansink B., Park S. B. (2000)
  7. ↑ Wansink B., Park S. B. (2000)


Heavy users — recommended articles
B2B social media marketing — Cult brand — Areas of marketing — Innovative marketing — Relationship selling — Market metrics — Consumer orientation — Marketing department — Benefits of social media marketing

References

Author: Gabriela Lupa

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