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Looking for marketing ideas

The question is what would make you join, and as a non-joined, i would say that if I couldnt visit the forums unless I were a member, then i would probably join. However, if it went that way, then people wouldnt ever know what they are missing and wouldnt really have as much of a reason to join, espescialy when you consider that this information is probably available elsewhere on the internet, just not as easy to find and organized and specific to the K5. And the forums would proably lose a lot of good sources of info with the fewer number of people, and also lose some advertising for the same reason.

I think i would join for sure if i got like a Colrado K5 Member tshirt or something. The 75$ in merchandise drawing thing doesnt really attract me. Access to bigger and better things like maybe parts diagrams or online k5 manuals or troubleshooting flowcharts would be a really cool thing, i would join for that, but im not sure how hard that would be to make possible. yes, that one would be really cool. Do that and i will join. Thats all i can think of.

-mxmastermike, the 4000th registered user
 
<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>


troubleshooting flowcharts

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You know that is one of the best ideas I've heard recently. Something like that would probably save me alot of time and maybe a few $$. I don't know that flow-charts would make more people go orange but I think it'd be a great addition to the site.
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-Aaron

___ __ _ _ ____ __
AGM73k5 -- [email protected]
Speed limits? <a target="_blank" href=http://www.ibiblio.org/rdu/p-sl.html>http://www.ibiblio.org/rdu/p-sl.html</a>
 
How many users are on the board? 4500? If all of them were members, you're still only talking about $112K and that's before expenses, and your time and effort. I think what is needed is a creative mix of ads, memberships and cross marketing with suppliers.

I think the real potential of having a network of users the size of CK5 is the network itself. That network is made up of us, the users, CK5 and finally, advertisers or product suppliers. CK5 is the center of that network, and has certain amount of power in directing products to buyers and buyers to products. As a group, we're a pretty savvy bunch of buyers, and folks here take one another's recommendations to heart when spending our hard-earned nickels. I know you are feeling the pinch around maintenance costs of the site and I know that cost goes up as use goes up, but don't kill the golden goose. Keep your user base at all costs, protect it because that is ultimately what fee-paying advertisers want.

You have a good handle on site content, that's why we come here. Its important to keep that end of the deal up, but the focus from a business perspective might need to be shifted to leveraging your relationship with suppliers.

Reward users that buy from your sponsors, make sure they know that when they support a sponsor that they are also supporting CK5 and show them that you appreciate it. The key is to make the suppliers pay for that reward.

Now onto those advertisers. I know that, in general, ad revenues on the web haven't really taken off. The big thing used to be pay per click, but click fees days are numbered, because advertisers realize that high numbers of clicks don't convert to revenue. Going forward we'll need to show the ad buyers how well their money is spent. That will mean closer tracking of when your site causes a sale to one of those advertisers. A click-to-revenue conversion ratio, if you will. Show good numbers here and I guarantee you will be able to lure new advertisers. Marketing depts want to know where to best spend their money, show them.

Make sure your sponsors know when a CK5 referral is buying from them, and they will continue to pay you.

Everyone knows we spend money on our trucks, often over mail order or online. How many of us have bought from ORD? A ton. ORD benefits from its relationship with CK5. Scoggins Dickey has some high end stuff, it wouldn't take many CK5 referrals to start to make a difference to them.

Its no longer about the number of "eyeballs" that look at your site, or ad-clicks, and you're finding out that only so many people will buy memberships regardless of cost.

The money has got to be in sales of actual, tangible product, and I think that is where you should look next.

I churned this out and it probably isn't structured or worded to the greatest effect, hell it may not make any sense at all. But it at least gives some talking points.



John
 
BINGO someone get this man a prize. You hit several nails on the head, my next plan involves tangable goods, stay tuned....

Steve

Director of Global Expansion
 
Well, I woulda given him a cookie but I already ate it
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<font color=green>Can't sleep...the clown will get me</font color=green>

<a target="_blank" href=http://www.bluefox.tv/~lara>My Wonderful Site</a>
 
I totally agree with TwoCrows. Selling vendor's advertisment space and having them offer your members exclusive discounts. CK5 will receive revenue from advertisments, and your members can get great deals on products they already buy or seek out to buy.

Benefit to the advertiser is the fact that members will flock to the discounts and buy their products. No longer are you playing the internet advertising / number game. Now we are talking actual recordable sales!

Comes down to a small $25.00 fee gives you access to exclusive parts, tires, magazines, and beneficial discounts. Non-members will be swayed by these EXCLUSIVE discounts and hopefully become members.

Word of mouth is the largest and most important form of advertisement! After reading all the messages for this post many people live close to some very large manufactures/suppliers of 4x4 products... If these members believe in Colorado K-5 and the benefits they provide, then step up and make yourselfs visable to these suppliers get contact names for Steve or tell him the products you would like to get discounts on. This will give him ammunition...something to sell to those advertisers and convince them that they need to advertise with Colorado K-5!

Regarding the Clubs! Everybody start up individual clubs where you are at... people will catch on and thus give you a chance to promote Colorado K-5 to new individuals = new members.

Regarding merchandise: Dont get me wrong... I love cool stuff to put on the rig, but that also = more initial expenses to Colorado K-5. Most of these items have minimum initial orders, setup charges,etc.

Regarding the slowness: That I agree will take time and money, but what about an archive (separate server/site for older posts) this could speed up the load times, etc. Just a thought!

Finally! This site rocks.. I have only been on here a few days... literally 24-7 (sleep, who needs it.. my job? oh yeah that, lol). This forum is incrediable I have never received so many positive responses to my questions in a such a short amount of time. The wealth of information is priceless!!! AWESOME JOB! KEEP IT UP!
LONG LIVE COLORADO K-5.com

Clint aka LoBo
 
I am gonna become a member soon, the site already rules. Any chev/GMC truck owner that wants to modify their rig in any way can find usefull info here...that seems like its worth plenty.

If there is one thing I wouldn't mind seeing on CK5....it would be some more tech articles written by CK5 members. What we have is great! dont get me wrong, it'd just be cool to have some more. It'd prolly help keep some of the clutter out of the forums too..you know, cliche newbie questions (of which I have placed many!) that could easily be touched upon in a tech article.

BTW Steve, when are you going to have your own national full-size-only off-road competition? Some kinda colorado rock climbing thing or something...lots of sponsors, some sweet full-sizes, maybe get Petersens to cover it...who knows. I think that'd be awesome! everyone and thier brother is coming up with a new off-road competition these days...why not CK5? Talk about a good way to advertise the site! =)

just an idear,

J


See the on-going build up of my '85 Jimmy! <a target="_blank" href=http://community.webshots.com/user/jekbrown>http://community.webshots.com/user/jekbrown</a>
 
Yeah, I have like 4 or 5 tech articles that were submitted to me that I have to get online when I find the time, but soon and thanks guys. The competition thing is an idea that I think would be cool, prolly would have to wait untill I go full-time though to do it right, I had thought about combining the annual Blazer Bash <a target="_blank" href=http://blazerbash.com>blazerbash.com</a> run with a competition over the same weekend that would be cool and down the road that may just happen.
Right now I need the revenue just like any business so I can go full-time which will allow me to do more things like this.

Steve

Director of Global Expansion
 
Get some good discounts on Canback soft top
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Hey, btw, does CK5 still sell canback soft tops? I'm thinking about getting one, but probably won't be until summer time.
Boss

Pic of my truck Before N' After
<a target="_blank" href=http://coloradok5.com/gallery/BeforeNAfter>http://coloradok5.com/gallery/BeforeNAfter</a>
 
They are kind of under new Mangement, I am looking into getting a better deal on accepting Credit Cards though so if that pans out I might sell them again.

Steve

Director of Global Expansion
 
cool, I'll get one from yah if you do :)
Boss

Pic of my truck Before N' After
<a target="_blank" href=http://coloradok5.com/gallery/BeforeNAfter>http://coloradok5.com/gallery/BeforeNAfter</a>
 
One marketing idea that has always made alot of sense to me was to expand from what you have.
sorta like,,, a video store selling snacks too. you know give more of what they want.Alot of stores that are around today sell everything from clothes to hardware to groceries.You have to attract a larger audience, that might not be good for the original people of CK5 but,,, its only natural progress.
example: metallica's first album wasnt a huge hit, but as they mellowed out they grew in popularity because they attracted a larger audience.
Stay true to the CK5 part of it, thats the roots, now the CK5 tree has to grow some more branches :)
I have worked in printing for 12 years now, and i have seen lots of advertising. I know if a company dosnt grow to meet the needs of a wider range of folks, it usually just kinda fizzles out, but the true CK5er's will remain hardocre to the end.What is CK5 in it for, 1000 hardcore members, or 100,000 consumers with cash. he he he

this is just a thought, if and when i decide to start out on my own with a business, i will make up flyers and put them everywhere.Your consumers have to know you offer something before they can use your services.

I hope this isnt too long :)
this was not meant to be a bashing post, just an expression of alot of ideas ive had for when i decide to start my own business.

rain

Theres no replacement for displacement!
I want a big block!
 
Oh I agree.
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Steve

Director of Global Expansion
 
i would sport k5 mudflaps. i dont like them but i would wear em if they said coloradok5 on em

DUKE
Why go around when you can go over?
<a target="_blank" href=http://http://student.fortlewis.edu/~rdgebhardt/>http://http://student.fortlewis.edu/~rdgebhardt/</a>
85 K5 <font color=blue>Big Blue</font color=blue>
 
rain makes a good point. I agree that to grab a larger marketshare, diversification might be exactly what the doctor ordered. but at the same time alot of people, like myself, are brand-loyal to the ColoradoK5.com banner. so the trick would be to open the floodgates to owners of other makes without alienating the true hardcore base that treats this place like family.

In RE: the "price" issue: This place is like a good, old fashioned pub... good time, good stories and good discussion. I pay $25 a night EASY for beer at our local watering hole and that is after the bartender takes off the 15-25% because we are there constantly. $25 a year for my "cyber pub" is the best deal since not having to pay Rita to cook and clean for me
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but i am a 24/7 on call spider killer for her, too
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-zakk

World's Fugliest 1-Ton '77 K5
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CK5's Moab 2002 or Bust!!
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