difficult to market

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to market" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing products, services, or ideas that are challenging to promote or sell effectively. Example: "The new software has great features, but it's difficult to market due to its complex interface."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

"It's more difficult to market.

The New York Times

"We buy seconds, which can be otherwise difficult to market.

The New York Times - Food

"I believe it would be much more difficult to market healthier food to kids".

The Guardian

In the UK liberal arts degrees might be difficult to market.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It has been a very slow process, which is today difficult to market," she explains.

The Guardian - Music

"There are so many athletes with great stories, but it's very difficult to market them, and it's gotten more difficult".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

"The Alamo," by almost any measure, is a difficult movie to market to Latino audiences.

The New York Times

The network, worried that the show's full title could turn off conservative audiences, truncated it to the difficult-to-market "GCB".

The New York Times - Arts

This study could provide a potential way to utilize the fermentation residues, which is difficult to be marketed as animal fodder [ 3].

BMC Biotechnology

But in deep office markets with lots of excess demand, like that in Washington, individual builders will find it difficult to wield market power.

The Economist

"It is difficult to foresee market conditions and expectations in 2015," said the leader.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to market" when something requires specific or non-standard marketing strategies because of its intrinsic characteristics.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to market" as a blanket statement without providing context. Instead of saying "This product is just difficult to market", explain the specific hurdles: "This product is "difficult to market" because it requires significant customer education due to its complexity."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to market" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied noun (e.g., product, service, idea). It describes something that presents challenges in its promotion and sale. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to market" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something that presents challenges in promotion or sales. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's applicable across diverse contexts, with the primary challenges stemming from complexity, niche appeal, or strong competition. When employing this phrase, specificity is key; explaining why something is "difficult to market" adds significant value. Alternatives like "hard to promote" or "challenging to sell" exist, offering slight variations in emphasis. Remember to avoid overgeneralization. By understanding these nuances, you can leverage "difficult to market" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to promote

Focuses specifically on the act of promotion, implying that the challenge lies in making something known.

challenging to sell

Highlights the difficulty in convincing customers to purchase a product or service.

tough to merchandise

Emphasizes the problems with showcasing or presenting a product to attract buyers.

not easily marketable

Suggests that the inherent qualities of the item make it unsuitable for typical marketing strategies.

faces marketing hurdles

Indicates that there are specific obstacles that need to be overcome in the marketing process.

presents a marketing challenge

Highlights the existence of a problem related to marketing efforts.

requires creative marketing

Suggests that unconventional or innovative approaches are necessary for successful marketing.

demands a unique selling proposition

Implies that a distinctive feature or benefit needs to be identified and emphasized to make the item appealing.

struggles to gain traction

Indicates that the marketing efforts are not achieving the desired level of public awareness or interest.

lacks consumer appeal

Points to a fundamental issue with the product's attractiveness to potential customers.

FAQs

What makes a product or service "difficult to market"?

Several factors can contribute, including a complex or niche product, strong competition, lack of consumer awareness, or a product that requires significant customer education. The phrase "difficult to market" suggests these challenges necessitate creative or unconventional marketing strategies.

What can I say instead of "difficult to market"?

You can use alternatives like "hard to promote", "challenging to sell", or "not easily marketable" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "hard to market" or "difficult to market"?

Both phrases are acceptable and convey the same meaning. "Difficult to market" might be perceived as slightly more formal, while "hard to market" is more common in everyday conversation.

What are some strategies for marketing a product that is "difficult to market"?

Consider niche marketing, content marketing to educate consumers, influencer marketing to build trust, or focusing on a unique selling proposition to differentiate the product from competitors. These strategies are designed to overcome specific marketing hurdles.