Regatta demonstrations

[Graham_Wright]

Having missed out at Beaulieu and found Solent disappointing, would you forumites be so kind as to suggest venues suitable for our demonstrations please?

Exhibitions have produced rewarding sales but only because of my dynamic and entertaining style (humph).

I have been approached by Ramsgate regatta with a view to attending but that is the other side of the world from us.

 

[sarabande]

I've just read your website, and would suggest that you might beneficially start with reviewing the way the product is presented.

The pages are text heavy, and the photographs are far from clear. Neither text nor graphics 'sell' the product.

If indeed you find that you sell most product from personal appearances, this is very much to your credit, but think what you might achieve in additional sales by having a clear and clean website.


As to venues for sales demos; if you were able to identify another market - marquee riggers, tree doctors, TV video makers, etc, - then you have a much wider range of shows, such as the Ground Care, County Agricultural, and similar professional shows.

 

[Graham_Wright]

I've just read your website, and would suggest that you might beneficially start with reviewing the way the product is presented.

The pages are text heavy, and the photographs are far from clear. Neither text nor graphics 'sell' the product.

If indeed you find that you sell most product from personal appearances, this is very much to your credit, but think what you might achieve in additional sales by having a clear and clean website.


As to venues for sales demos; if you were able to identify another market - marquee riggers, tree doctors, TV video makers, etc, - then you have a much wider range of shows, such as the Ground Care, County Agricultural, and similar professional shows.

Yes;- the website's rubbish! It's home brewed and may be a false economy. However, it seems we only sell from demonstrations so maybe it's not such a disaster. Around 20% of those who have a go, buy. Conversely, I guess we have only sold around a dozen via the web. I ought to introduce a link into the Boat Workshop site which has a much better video than the Utube one.

The feedback from other possible users is that they are too macho! Tree surgeons seemed obvious but they tend to work "top down", i.e. they attach their line to the top of the tree and pollard it as they descend.

I am quite happy with the yottie market because I now have a huge fund of personal experience. I have never attended a "proper" regatta but it feels as if they might attract the right sort of punter.

 

[lw395]

Several of us have devices that work on the same principle made for a small fraction of the cost. These home-made devices tend to be made of materials that will do less damage to the mast. I'm sure you could sell a few at regattas, the trouble is the people trying them out may have had a few ales in the afternoon. Maybe you need to get them into the chandlery?

 

[richardabeattie]

Did I miss the bit which says how you get down again?

 

[Graham_Wright]

Several of us have devices that work on the same principle made for a small fraction of the cost. These home-made devices tend to be made of materials that will do less damage to the mast.

We did actually protect against damage to the mast - give us some credit! 1789 ascents of our demo mast to date and no damage. (Not to say that's true of loading and unloading the rig!).

I'm sure you could sell a few at regattas, the trouble is the people trying them out may have had a few ales in the afternoon. Maybe you need to get them into the chandlery?

We got them into the chandlers - and that's where they stayed! The exceptions have been overseas. If you have handled one, it will be apparent where the costs arise. If there are intermediate mark-ups, there is not enough left to make it worthwhile. The majority of the value feedback has been "very good price". You get what you pay for.

Now this is starting to be too commercial and I will back off but I would still welcome suggestions as tow which regattas are worth attending.

 

[Graham_Wright]

Did I miss the bit which says how you get down again?

Two handed, you are lowered by your winchman/wench.

Single handed is more complex and uses a Grigri or a Descendeur or a Shunt.

I've taken to heart the criticism from Sarabande.

We have sold around 100 this year so maybe the funds will justify a professional website producer.

A few videos would make things simpler.

 

[PhillM]

Website might not cost as much as you think. Www.elance.com can get you a great site for less than $200.

 

[WilliamUK]

However, it seems we only sell from demonstrations so maybe it's not such a disaster. Around 20% of those who have a go, buy. Conversely, I guess we have only sold around a dozen via the web.

You need to ask yourself if that's because the demonstrations sell the product in a way the website fails to do.

You can look at it as "the website doesn't sell much so there's no point having a good one" or as "the website doesn't sell much because it's not a good one".

Considering how cheaply a nice site can be made and how a couple of simple videos could show what a demonstration usually does you could be missing out on a lot.

 

[Graham_Wright]

You need to ask yourself if that's because the demonstrations sell the product in a way the website fails to do.

You can look at it as "the website doesn't sell much so there's no point having a good one" or as "the website doesn't sell much because it's not a good one".

Considering how cheaply a nice site can be made and how a couple of simple videos could show what a demonstration usually does you could be missing out on a lot.

Ok, Ok I'll do it!

Experience has shown you need to try it to buy it. We even sold one to someone who had just bought a Top Climber!