Mercury Posted April 23, 2003 Report Share Posted April 23, 2003 Ok all. I was just contacted by a local sports writer for the local paper. He is a big time fisherman and hunter. Im currious if anyone has done theese write-ups. Im still a few weeks away from actual startup for the business. Im excited about this and at the same time worried teh pre mature exposure could hurt furure sales. Since most of you are doing this as income (in part or in whole) what sort of things would you include, cover or stress? I have loved doing this as a hobby and look forward to actualy getting money back from it, but I dont want to be blown out of the water at start up. Their are tons of fishing done here and money flows to the local fishing stores like I havent seen anywhere else in the country. Any words of wisdom will me greatly appriciated. Oh and RED, or FFT do you mind if I set a link to your page here to the TU by a banner or just a link in general? It could bring more people here from the central IL area as buyers possibly. Maybe have a links page for and from the members? Just a thought that crossed my mind. I havent seen one, and just a suggestion. Thanks to evreyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Posted April 23, 2003 Report Share Posted April 23, 2003 Merc. I would stress what makes your products different,and better than whats already on the market.If your prices are higher than a similiar mass produced item,explain the personal touch given to each lure. Don't make any promises you can't keep, or claims you can't back-up. If your going fishing with the writer,or atleast going to meet with him,take a mass produced similar lure,and show him the difference.Doing this the writer can put it in his own words,and give some what of a testimonial with realizing it!!..Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted April 23, 2003 Report Share Posted April 23, 2003 I wouldn't stress at all. This is a GOOD thing Articles about your product don't necessarily mean you'll be overrun with business right off the "get-go". This is simply another way of getting your name out there. Take it day by day, and don't worry about overexposure. In time, you might have several articles written about your product, but maybe only a few return some decent business. Sometimes just the one or two good "hook-ups" can keep you awfully busy. Another thing is to set your prices and stick with 'em, with every customer. Be fair with everyone, but make sure you make $$$ at the same time. If you set your prices too low, the first thing they think is "CHEAP", and they have a tendency to try to push you even more. If a customer looks at a pack of plastics; one is 2.99 and the other is 3.99, they think "there must be a reason why this pack is more". If you believe in your product, tell them why they're paying that extra buck. I just recently raised my prices, and although my rates are still very reasonable, I am actually getting more business now. Hope this helps Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Drop Shot Store Posted April 24, 2003 Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 Marketing and media exposure is an interesting aspect of our business. An article in a paper is a good thing Mercury, dont sweat it. It's a great feeling of accomplishment to know your work is going to be written about. I just went through that with Bass West magazine. At first I was thrilled that they called me. Then I started to worry. How would my baits stack up against others? Would they treat me fairly? Are my baits as good as I think they are? Stuff like that. What finally made me relax is that I remembered that each bait I pour is the best that I can make. There will always be someone more talented out there that can do more than I, so I quit worrying. As long as my customers are happy then so am I. And dont forget that alot of our competitors have vastly greater resources than we do. Money and equipment. What I found important for me personally was to decide where and what I wanted my business to be. I'm not looking to become a big company. I'm not even looking to become a medium company. I have two main points to my business plan. I want to help guys catch more fish and make enough money to pay my bills. End of story. With regards to marketing, you ever notice that the really good products are never really marketed all that much? They dont need to be. They sell themselves. They are usually made by little guys like us with a passion for what they are doing. The products are made to work, not to sell. So enjoy the exposure Mercury. If it helps you sell more product, great. If it doesn't, so what. You are still doing what you want to do. So what has changed? Product pricing. This is another interesting topic. Chris mentioned raising his prices and getting more business. I did the same thing about six months ago with the same result. More sales. I dont know much about marketing but this is how I figured out to do that. I look at a Kia car that costs 9,000.00 and a Corvette that costs 65,000.00. Which one is a quality car? My brain says the 'vette. If it costs more then it must be better. So I would buy the 'vette. (Actually I would buy a Viper. Hey, it's my dream ). Now there is an upper wall that you reach where the public perceives that it costs too much. (Think Testarossa). Sales will suffer if you exceed that level. Decide on your target customer and what that person would be willing to pay for your product. I target competitive fisherman. For example, if you have 15lbs in the livewell and you know you need 17.5, how much are you willing to pay to get that extra 2.5lbs ? If you get it, you win an extra grand. So how much is a bait worth that will get you that extra weight? Is it worth paying an extra dollar a pack over Walmart worms? My customers seem to think so. I know there have been times during tournaments I would have payed a grand for another 2.5 lbs. Anyway, my mouth runneth over this morning. Sorry for being so long winded. I figured I better quit before you all start thinkin I'm gonna be passin around the offering plate soon. Good job Mercury and congratulations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funny farm Posted April 24, 2003 Report Share Posted April 24, 2003 Well said Drop shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stick~em Posted April 27, 2003 Report Share Posted April 27, 2003 Hi Merc; These guys all gave you great advice! I have found just being alittle over 1 year old marketing my new fishing glue that the articles will do more good for exposure and sales than any Pro fisherman will do for your products unless of course you're throwing $10's of thousands at their feet which you and I arent'. The targeting of your customer is exactly correct and I was just reading some online marketing news just today on that subject. It's funny but, most of my clients are white collar and blue collar. Not too many in the below blue category unless they were referred by a friend. If you have quality, integrity and a stick behind your products like you do, you'll be just fine. Mine is a niche' product and to some, just a little pricey. But, when you consider most Professional fisherman using glue throw away at least 20 small tubes a year that dry up on them at an average price of $1.79 for an over the counter tube, mine is cheap because you will actually use it all. Congratulations on your first Press release... And I can help in anyway just email me and I can send some info your way where you can gain exposure without buying the boat... Screemin' Reels! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted April 28, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2003 Thanks all for the words of wizdom. I have about a week left before im actualy "open" and ready to go. I cant wait for it to get going. Thanks again all. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
