Doctor Archive
Thread: Advertising and Business Ethic
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Rolassk
Tue Sep 14, 2004 5:21 pm
#1
I have 4 different ways to advertise my business and medicine. I got to thinking though. How much is too much? At which point am I no longer gaining more customers, and possibly losing potential customers.
My advertising methods:
1) About once a week I'll make a 'what's on my vendor' thread on the galaxy forums. Followed by the occasional bump through the week
2)Naming of medicine with my company name at the end(i.e. Small Stim B [40x400]Charker BioTech)
3) Naming of individual items for bazaar sales with my business waypoint (i.e. Small Stim B[40x400] -2675 5350, NABOO) *Any person that I see buy more then 1 item at a time, I send them a mail with my waypoint attached and a basic summary 'you can buy these for cheaper here.'
4) Starport Spam, for an hour or two, or through the night while I sleep
Now I can predict, that you most likely would object to #4 if anything... But it's been my experience that most of my product sales occur while I'm starport spamming.
Just wondering what other docs are doing when it comes to advertising... Different suggestion? See a method you really don't like? Then respond! 
P.S. The merchant barker is and will not be an option for me, so ixnay on that suggestion.
Message Edited by Rolassk on 09-14-2004 08:24 PM
*Kettemoor
IlyaMasool
Tue Sep 14, 2004 5:48 pm
#2
I'd say 1 & 2 are just very good business sense.
3 is also a sharp business practice, but it can be considered by some to be unsoliciated or bit agressive although I don't personally think so.
4 is as you said bit iffy. Since there are so many other droid/afk bot spamming at spaceport already, I don't see why you can't do it.
I use the practice perfected by K-Mart and Fast Food restaurant. I make not the best, but okay product for very competitive price and I been selling them for exact same price since launch and I never let the vendor run out of stock.
RandalFarsen
Tue Sep 14, 2004 5:59 pm
#3
Small objection on #4 For one, I get my buffs through to methods a) Word of Mouth b) Starport Spam. Just try to keep it at least 60 secs apart and suggest those that do it also keep it at 60 secs appart. Its horrible to try to find the waypoint from a shout when there are other people shouting 
For one, I get my buffs through to methods a) Word of Mouth b) Starport Spam. Just try to keep it at least 60 secs apart and suggest those that do it also keep it at 60 secs appart. Its horrible to try to find the waypoint from a shout when there are other people shouting Or, also use the auction channel. I watch that channel whenever I need something and 90% of the time I find it.
Also I would suggest you tell us when your vendor was last updated and also do it on your store's sign
Just suggestions based on observations I've had when shopping around for buffs
Rolassk
Tue Sep 14, 2004 7:04 pm
#4
RandalFarsen wrote:
Small objection on #4
Or, also use the auction channel. I watch that channel whenever I need something and 90% of the time I find it.
Also I would suggest you tell us when your vendor was last updated and also do it on your store's sign
Just suggestions based on observations I've had when shopping around for buffs
Yep my macros are set at 90 seconds apart actually... I think some people have their's at 15secs it's so annoying.
And glad you mentioned the sign thing, I started advertising on that about a week ago so that would be a #5 for me.
Sevardos
Thu Sep 16, 2004 11:47 am
#6
I think you're giving too much credit to #4. Starport spamming is ok if you're trying to unload something. But I think that if you do it too often, you end up on a lot of peoples ignore list which defeats the original purpose. I track my sales daily and know exactly what I sell, how much I sell of each itemand to who. I tracked sales during a week without starport spamming then did a week of it following. Didn't see a difference - maybe a slight increase from the spamming but not enough to make it worth it.
#3 is actually the most effective way to build a business, but it takes time. It's branding and it's effectiveness is accumulative. The more times people see it, the more they'll start to recognize it. An above poster seemed to suggest this is a bad thing and I just don't see it. It's the most unobtrusive thing you can do to build a business. Personally, I go as far as putting my Waypoint in the name as well - works wonders.
However, the best advertising you can ever have is word-of-mouth (#3 plays a role in building this as well). Build a reputation on something; either always well stocked or highest quality or lowest price or ... whatever. You only need to establish one position in the market for yourself to be remembered.
And believe it or not, being known as the lowest price actually works against you. I know I'm going to get flamed for that - but facts are facts. Anyone can be cheaper than you - but not everyone can do the others as easily - and that's the key.
And if you vendors selling your product, signage is important but location is THE most important. Being on the other side of the planet doesn't bode well for a brisk traffic of customers.
Eyedun
Fri Sep 17, 2004 12:18 am
#7
I dont use a barker either, I rely on spamming outside the starport at mos eisley... i would gladly use the droid if it was of more use, but frankly its useless.
Another option i use is a looping macro into the /auction channel. I get quite a bit of business from this, and I can start it when i login and keep it running no matter what I am doing. i make sure te add tells what planet my shop is on so when i jump planets, people know where the shop is.
Another option i use is a looping macro into the /auction channel. I get quite a bit of business from this, and I can start it when i login and keep it running no matter what I am doing. i make sure te add tells what planet my shop is on so when i jump planets, people know where the shop is.
RedAnubis
Fri Sep 17, 2004 12:33 am
#8
Rolassk wrote:
I have 4 different ways to advertise my business and medicine. I got to thinking though. How much is too much? At which point am I no longer gaining more customers, and possibly losing potential customers.
My advertising methods:
1) About once a week I'll make a 'what's on my vendor' thread on the galaxy forums. Followed by the occasional bump through the week
2)Naming of medicine with my company name at the end(i.e. Small Stim B [40x400]Charker BioTech)
3) Naming of individual items for bazaar sales with my business waypoint (i.e. Small Stim B[40x400] -2675 5350, NABOO) *Any person that I see buy more then 1 item at a time, I send them a mail with my waypoint attached and a basic summary 'you can buy these for cheaper here.'
4) Starport Spam, for an hour or two, or through the night while I sleep
Now I can predict, that you most likely would object to #4 if anything... But it's been my experience that most of my product sales occur while I'm starport spamming.
Just wondering what other docs are doing when it comes to advertising... Different suggestion? See a method you really don't like? Then respond!
P.S. The merchant barker is and will not be an option for me, so ixnay on that suggestion.
Message Edited by Rolassk on 09-14-2004 08:24 PM
You can do all four options, but if your vendor is empty it's all for not.
Keep a stocked vendor!
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