Tailor Archive
Thread: Advertising III: Still worth it?
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SueDenim
Wed Mar 10, 2004 12:52 pm
#1
While reading through the excellent guides on swgtailor.com, it suddenly occurred to me that I'd been assuming planetary advertising on the map was a really essential thing to have. But I'm not sure that assumption's really warranted anymore. Do any of you have a good idea how much or how little it matters to an established tailor business? I know when I'm doing my own shopping, I find it of marginal use at best, with half the waypoints leading to empty vendors. Since I've been around for a long time, my vendors are at the top of their categories, so maybe that's something. But I've got a good healthy business, and I suspect it'd probably chug along just as well without the ad.
The other thing I've been thinking is how I really would like to *clothe* my vendors, but I don't have the points for it... but I would if I got rid of the advertising.
It'd be nice if we could easily give a "how did you first hear about us?" poll or something. I may send an e-mail spam to my customers asking about this....
The other thing I've been thinking is how I really would like to *clothe* my vendors, but I don't have the points for it... but I would if I got rid of the advertising.
It'd be nice if we could easily give a "how did you first hear about us?" poll or something. I may send an e-mail spam to my customers asking about this....
AylaJewel
Wed Mar 10, 2004 2:16 pm
#2
I have had vendors for months now and my customers always know how to find me, but i think the map advertising is still necessary for referals.... my customer can simply say, go to Ahagi clothing on dantooine, she's on the map... this way they dont have to keep, remember or forward any information and i get a great referal...
I will probably never unregister my vendors, but i also keep my vendors well stocked and stay available for custom orders.
Aylara Ahagi
Master Tailor
ShadowBrak, Dantooine. Corbantis
Dex1138
Wed Mar 10, 2004 3:17 pm
#3
If I happen to enter a city/gathering of buildings I use the overhead to find any vendors and check them out, especially if there's a bunch together. I stopped relying on the world map to find stocked vendors awhile ago.
NJ62
Wed Mar 10, 2004 4:04 pm
#4
I tend to to think that a lot of the best vendors don't advertise, precisely because they want to regulate business flow. I stopped advertising precisely for that purpose. Also, I'll never again rely on the overhead map to find something I'm looking for - I learned the hard way that I can trek all over the planet and find completely unstocked vendors. Now that I'm raising merchant again, I'm not wasting my points on ad 3. I want the extra vendors, considering the imminent vendor nerf.
Crudson
Thu Mar 11, 2004 1:15 am
#5
I think word of mouth is still the number one form of advertising. Every couple of days or so I get a tell from someone new saying that xxx referred them to me. People sometimes ask for a waypoint as they are in the city and can't find me on the overhead, but they were specifically trying to find me in the first place so not a massive incentive there to register.
I for one rarely use the overhead map when shopping.
ArthurDentOnBria
Thu Mar 11, 2004 1:24 am
#6
About 3 or 4 months ago I decided to make another toon on the same server to handle merchanting. I skill him up to get planet ads and uniforms and I did see a pretty substantial increase in "random walk-in" business. No doubt about it. But I think what made an even bigger difference was when I moved my store to be right on the no-build zone, and partnered with another master (droid engineer) to run a mall.
I think things have changed now though. Like you said, my experiences shopping have been just dreadful when trying to use the planetary map, to the point now where I almost hold it against somebody if they have it on. "Well, that person can't be legit since they wasted all those skill points, lol".
Message Edited by ArthurDentOnBria on 03-10-2004 12:25 PM
SueDenim
Thu Mar 11, 2004 1:56 am
#7
Heh. I'll be curious to see how many (if any) of my current customers first found me via the map. I'd bet about 90% of my current customer base is from word of mouth - plus, I've always been on the edge of that no-build zone (though in a sparsely populated little unincorporated area of buildable terrain between hills and the river), and have always had a lot more "pure" walk-in traffic than I ever expected.
aibo220
Thu Mar 11, 2004 5:35 am
#8
Just as in the real world... word of mouth is the key.
If your just starting, as am I, having your vendor on map does have benefits. If your store is located in the middle of no where maybe not. I know I never visit vendors I haven't heard of if there too far from the SP. But if your close, use the map.
Also, there are many ways to cut out the use of vendor map. Advertising on the Bazaar and /shouting outside the SP when your AFK are even more effective. Reason being: Would you be shouting outside the SP if your vendor was empty? Same with your ad on the Bazaar. It would've been taken off already. Also, someone browse's the Bazaar for a top and don't see it but find your ad... There heading to your store. I know that is how it works for me.
Or just putting your store in your profile some where will get customers. And the most effective way... Throw an ad on the forums.
But in your case, seeing how you already have a group of regulars who spread word, you don't really need any advertising at all. Actually, getting rid of advertisements is better. It's saying your products speak for themselves, you don't need any help. In the real worldit's rare yousee ads fromour more succusful and exclusive designers.
Get rid of it... I'm thinking of getting rid of it too once I get my business off the ground. I really wanna dress my vendors up.
Ackdel
Thu Mar 11, 2004 11:12 am
#9
As a shopper, I use the planetary map a lot, looking for vendors. As a seller, I have noticed a sharp uptake in business by registering my vendors. I'm not sure how much this applies to tailor, as I do not stock a normal clothing vendor.
Mdnght27
Thu Mar 11, 2004 11:35 am
#10
I'm a busy crafter and I don't have the time to search each house in a city for the materials I need. I use the planetary map almost exclusively. There are a few crafters whom I purchase from that I heard from by word of mouth but they are very rare. There is so much spam at most starports that I turn off spacial chat so vocal advertising is lost on me and I know that most members of my guild feel the same way. My sales jumped dramatically once i started advertising and I have a hard time keeping up with my orders. I think it is well worth the skill points.
SueDenim
Thu Mar 11, 2004 11:50 am
#11
Interesting variety of experiences and opinions here.... I'm trying to do a little "mini-poll" of my customers on how they first heard of me and my shop. A few found me with the map, but interestingly, it didn't seem to be the *exclusive* way any of them found me. Responses like "I heard about you from a friend, then found you on the map when I was in Kor Vella," or "I found you on the map, but I'd seen your stuff on the bazaar before."
I'm thinking I'll try dumping it, but make a more consistent effort at having a good bazaar advertising presence. I figure at my business' stage of development, any change one way or the other will probably be hard to detect, but we'll see....
I'm thinking I'll try dumping it, but make a more consistent effort at having a good bazaar advertising presence. I figure at my business' stage of development, any change one way or the other will probably be hard to detect, but we'll see....
Dex1138
Thu Mar 11, 2004 3:31 pm
#12
Advertising on the Bazaar and /shouting outside the SP when your AFK are even more effective. Reason being: Would you be shouting outside the SP if your vendor was empty?
Most people that AFK bark get put on my ignore list 
Most people that are AFK barking for something I want have a very poor selection. I think people setup the bark in the AM and go to work for the day 
aibo220
Thu Mar 11, 2004 11:19 pm
#13
It depends... Some people who AFK shout I been to their store to find exactly what I needed. Others were just liers wanting to get merchant xp. Either way though, it's more beneficial then harmful to a business.
As for people being thrown on ignore... I only put AFK shouters on ignore if they spam more like every 1-2 minutes or take up 3-4 lines at a time. Them I put on ignore. But other people who have their macro timed to go off like every 5 minutes and its just a quick, easy, simple message I tend to visit their store if it appeals to me.
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