USM Marketing: How Did You Find Us? (Survey)

[RAW454]

Hi guys, As a marketer by trade, I was wondering how did you first come across this site?

I’m sure all would agree one of the great things about USM is its friendly enthusiast nature, which is pleasantly free of some other forums’ argumentative egos, anonymous keyboard warriors or cold impersonal feel.

Whilst the smaller ‘family’ feel is good for these reasons, additional readers & contributors means more available knowledge, and indeed variety. So I thought perhaps a little proactive marketing couldn’t hurt. The first step is covered (we know who our target market is) but the next is to see what’s working already. So this survey should help out as a starting point.

Not chasing everyone’s full backstory and just ticking a box is fine, but up to you guys.

For me it was through the links page of the 60’s American Muscle Car Club site (http://www.60samcc.com/)(which I in turn found by Googling ‘Muscle Car Club’). Am punting that personal word-of-mouth & accidental Googling will be most common, but look forward to the results. Go for it guys!


PS: Mods feel free to move this into another section. IF OK, was thinking to start a number of ‘USM Marketing’ threads like merchandise, business cards, advertising, viral campaigning etc. Cheers!

[S[_]SPECT]

Honestly, I cant remember..
But as per this thread.. http://www.usmuscle.com.au/Forum/showthread.php?t=4240

Google is our friend..
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=US+Muscle

[TUFF68]

Google Accident for me, was actually looking for another forum and found this one along the way.....had to join after reading Mr Cluxford's build thread

[69SS]

Yep me too, good old google!

[WILD68]

Marty of the Tuff68 fame told me about it:p.. had a look and joined straight up and agree with the friendly nature of the joint, unlike other forums around ( which is why im not a member of any other forums).

[Bluntman]

I found it on google but not really an accident. I was looking for an Aussie based US car forum and up this one popped. After lurking for awhile and checking out some threads it was like what you said about the lack of ego's and car bashing so I joined up, even though I saw it was mainly Chevy populated. Just seemed like a good bunch of blokes on here.

[AUSCAMARO]

Marty of the Tuff68 fame told me about it:p.. had a look and joined straight up and agree with the friendly nature of the joint, unlike other forums around ( which is why im not a member of any other forums).

Same for me... It's all Marty's fault :rolleyes:

[70mach1]

I found this place- I think- in a link on another Oz based US car forum with ties to a local Mustang forum.
This is a pleasant change to a one make forum.You can only consume so much of Clevo v Windsor or turbo 6 v Boss etc.
Good variety here and a friendly bunch.

[Nev68]

Hey Deano, from you marketing experience what does this survey say so far?
More advertising needed?
Maybe a viral campaign on Youtube?

[SirGeo]

Thank you google :p

[RAW454]

Hey Deano, from you marketing experience what does this survey say so far? It tells me that of the 800 registered users on 23 have responded so far :p :D

Bit early to draw any massive conclusions. But from the results to date it mostly tells me we're missing out on a huge, easily-accessed enthusiast base; Those that attend car shows & events. (Curently on zero!) By printing off some cool-loking business cards & dropping them under wipers at events or handing to those we meet, more crew are likely to pop in for a look and jump on board if they like what they see.

Other than paying for SEM (Search Engine Marketing) listings we don't have a huge amount of Google control & is doing it's thing. Ditto references in person. But events & promoting on other forums (without being too blatent) are a couple of opportunity areas. As is YouTube - We could throw together a sweet 30-45sec promo piece with some feature cars, events, graphics etc (perhaps to the tune of Gav's music:cool:) for use as a link for viral stuff.

I have hook-ups for everything too and aware there is no 'Marketing fund' but even selling a few stubbie holders at $2 profit will cover business card printing. The rest is free.:)

Anyhoo, kinda getting ahead of myself here after only a few days of results, but hopefully you can see where I'm going with this. Nothing mental, but nothing to lose either ;) Stay tuned!

[TUFF68]

Bit early to draw any massive conclusions. But from the results to date it mostly tells me we're missing out on a huge, easily-accessed enthusiast base; Those that attend car shows & events. (Curently on zero!) By printing off some cool-loking business cards & dropping them under wipers at events or handing to those we meet, more crew are likely to pop in for a look and jump on board if they like what they see.

Most car shows and cruise events here in Perth (the ones with an entry fee anyway) include a goodies bag for all entrants which usually include a handfull of business advertising flyers, usually the sponsors of the event. Contacting the organisers prior to the event and asking if a USMuscle flyer or business card can be included in the show bags might be something to look into for future events. Big Al's poker run for example is the perfect event to reach the target base. I'm sure there are a number of similar events in the East that you guy's could do the same.....

[USA-69Z]

I printed up a cool flyer for a major event here in the newcastle area and stuck it under my wiper on the day with no response from it at all. I was disapointed ..I think they had heard of 'blackout steve' and it freaked em' out:eek:

Ill be at the next event on march 26th getting my hotrod art out there so ill have another shot.

http://www.kurrikurrinostalgiafestival.com.au/

[Not 028]

Deano,
You are to blame, you found me on another site (which I can't even remember now..) and put me onto this one.
I am trying to put the word out at events in Qld but not all car guys (generally the elder statesmen...) are really into the internet, so they aren't that interested. Too bad really, because some of these guys know Camaros back to front.
I still think getting onto Cruisin, Perth Street Car, Streetmachine etc and advising them of the website and asking for a plug might be worth a try.
Sheridan.

[S[_]SPECT]

Marty already gave the forum a plug in Perth Street Car.. seems he's the West Coast recruiter..

[RAW454]

SPECT;33461'].. seems he's the West Coast recruiter..The man needs to go National. Brother got talent :D:D

4574

[Ham69]

Found out by word of mouth at last years big als.
also be good if we all could have a sticker on our back window
as a promo :cool:

[Nev68]

Found out by word of mouth at last years big als.
also be good if we all could have a sticker on our back window
as a promo :cool:

Who was it that had those stickers made up?:confused:

[RAW454]

Who was it that had those stickers made up?:confused: ;) :D http://www.usmuscle.com.au/Forum/showthread.php?t=194&highlight=stickers&page=3

[Ham69]

Bugger almost a year ago,:(

[RAW454]

Bugger almost a year ago,:( PM your addy Graham. MAYBE got one left I think, then can do another run (same or new design) as part of the whole marketing relaunch :)

[TUFF68]

SPECT;33461']Marty already gave the forum a plug in Perth Street Car.. seems he's the West Coast recruiter..
I was'nt the 1st there Birchy, Chris gave us a plug a few issues before me ;)
...and Deano, you will have to ask Muggz about the inflated WA figure mate, i'm pretty sure he had something to do with that :)

[Ham69]

Thanks Deano pm sent with address.
Graham:):cool:

[69SS]

PM your addy Graham. MAYBE got one left I think, then can do another run (same or new design) as part of the whole marketing relaunch :)


Awesome Deano, count me in for a few once the marketing relaunch is complete. Hope that ankle of yours heals quickly mate! Still building my leg strength back up after the knee reco last yeah :(

Cheers,

[bricho]

I think it was Kurt who told me about it,back when he got his shipment of Camaro's, all those years ago....

[OldIndian]

Nev68.. you have done a terrific job.. in a very competative digital world where people change after 10 seconds of "consideration" .. at least this site is not 90% filled with vindictive remarks on each others cars and STFU and all that crass sort of language...
Only gotta look at Youtube and various social forums of late to see the hurt on families that is hitting those left behind in some pretty widely publised road accidents etc.
On the construction and layout of the site.. well done..
If you wanted to go down the path of paid Google advertising, turn the site into a business and make a " LITTLE" money from it to help pay for it or introduce paid advertising or membership fees.

[Nev68]

Nev68.. you have done a terrific job.. in a very competative digital world where people change after 10 seconds of "consideration" .. at least this site is not 90% filled with vindictive remarks on each others cars and STFU and all that crass sort of language...
Only gotta look at Youtube and various social forums of late to see the hurt on families that is hitting those left behind in some pretty widely publised road accidents etc.
On the construction and layout of the site.. well done..
If you wanted to go down the path of paid Google advertising, turn the site into a business and make a " LITTLE" money from it to help pay for it or introduce paid advertising or membership fees.

Agree with what you say but not sure it is directed to me

[OldIndian]

Agree with what you say but not sure it is directed to me
.. maybe not just you Nev but SirGeo and Blackout etc are all pretty constructive and contribute greatly in different ways.... its not just another forum full of inmature jerkoffs...

[EAT-30T]

I think it was Kurt who told me about it,back when he got his shipment of Camaro's, all those years ago....

lol perhaps?

There's only a handful of members that joined in 2006! Who'd of thought back then that it would grow this big?

[Nev68]

.. maybe not just you Nev but SirGeo and Blackout etc are all pretty constructive and contribute greatly in different ways.... its not just another forum full of inmature jerkoffs...

Yep,
Not a bad bunch here.

[nqkjw]

I followed a link from an Oz mopar site abt 6mths ago.
This is my 1st post.
Is there an "Introduce Yourself" thread anywhere here?

[SirGeo]

Welcome Ken! :p

This thread is a quick welcome thread: http://www.usmuscle.com.au/Forum/showthread.php?t=6

And i'm sure there was a "get to know each other better" thread around some where.... Or just start a new thread, we aren't that stuck up that we ignore everyone :p

[Nev68]

Seems that most found this site by accident
How do you market a website? (Deano?)

[d_pic]

Hi guys, As a marketer by trade, I was wondering how did you first come across this site?

I’m sure all would agree one of the great things about USM is its friendly enthusiast nature, which is pleasantly free of some other forums’ argumentative egos, anonymous keyboard warriors or cold impersonal feel.

Whilst the smaller ‘family’ feel is good for these reasons, additional readers & contributors means more available knowledge, and indeed variety. So I thought perhaps a little proactive marketing couldn’t hurt. The first step is covered (we know who our target market is) but the next is to see what’s working already. So this survey should help out as a starting point.

Not chasing everyone’s full backstory and just ticking a box is fine, but up to you guys.

For me it was through the links page of the 60’s American Muscle Car Club site (http://www.60samcc.com/)(which I in turn found by Googling ‘Muscle Car Club’). Am punting that personal word-of-mouth & accidental Googling will be most common, but look forward to the results. Go for it guys!


PS: Mods feel free to move this into another section. IF OK, was thinking to start a number of ‘USM Marketing’ threads like merchandise, business cards, advertising, viral campaigning etc. Cheers!

I just www.americanmuscle.com.au in the address bar and found it!

[snap_point]

Word of mouth from a mate who is a member on here.
This is a great site with a lot of helpful information.

[IGALOP]

I also found here thru another website link. Whilst I love my 67 Mustang I also love Chevs, Mopars, Aussie Muscle, etc.
In my opinion there are nice cars out there from all manufacturers and I don't believe you have to be anal about a preference!
Just appreciate all the nice stuff here guys and gals!

[RAW454]

As is kinda new topic, moved thread here. (http://www.usmuscle.com.au/Forum/showthread.php?p=55588)

[18htan]

I would drop the ego-free bit.

Sounds like we have an ego....

[rodent]

I would drop the ego-free bit.

Sounds like we have an ego....


Ego Is Not A Dirty Word :D
I think we all have one of some description or other:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UduuxKdPt9Q

[chevguy]

Don`t know how this will go down but in my lowly opinion do we really need to push the forum out there? We seem to be getting good guys joining all the time just by word of mouth,stickers on cars and people googling who are genuinely interested. Don`t get me wrong the cards look professional and if it goes ahead it`s not a problem I just don`t get the point I guess, or maybe it's from a buisness point of view to entice more advertising/investment then I do get the point:)

[Detailed]

I emailed Sirgeo about advertising on Calais Turbo and he told me about this site also, needless to say which i chose to advertise on first :).

[RAW454]

do we really need to push the forum out there? We seem to be getting good guys joining all the time just by word of mouth,stickers on cars and people googling who are genuinely interested
Fair call Ken. Whilst we are indeed lucky to have some great, helpful regulars, the members numbers are not growing remarkably & many drop off (just look at the member's list at how many have not contributed, or stopped logging on years ago. I guess my thinking was per the first explanation:

Whilst the smaller ‘family’ feel is good for these reasons, additional readers & contributors means more available knowledge, and indeed variety. So I thought perhaps a little proactive marketing couldn’t hurt.
More members = more potential value & interest (so long as does not get out of hand & impersonal - Think we a fair way off that ;)) I guess also just a bit of a response to "Saw your car at the event & wanted to read up on the build" type thing. My 2c anyhoo :)