I wanted to share with you the different way's we are going to advertise our site, applianceJunk.com offline.
I would also be interested in hearing how other members advertise there site offline.
Please only share with us what you have tried or are already doing to advertise your site offline.
Here is what I have started doing so far.
1. Replaced standard cell phone voice mail message with...
2. I have ordered a self inking (blue ink) rubber stamp with "ApplianceJunk.com" on it. I will stamp things such as my out going mail or anything else I feel like advertising our site on.
3. I'm having "ApplianceJunk.com" decals placed in the back window of all our vehicles. I have a appointment to have them installed a week from Monday.
I will post a photo of them here when they are done.
Also once the decals are done so I can show friends and family members how they look I will see if they would be interested in placing one on there vehicle.
I will of course pay for the decal and offer them some extra cash for letting us advertise our site on there vehicle.
I have some more idea's, but have not put them into place yet.
When I do I will update this topic with them.
What have you done to advertise your site offline?
I passed out 2,000 flyers at a football game once. I printed up 50 t-shirts and sold them to the most loyal members on my site. I have mailed out free wallet schedules for our football team.
QuoteI passed out 2,000 flyers at a football game once.
Interesting..
Did you print them yourself or have some company print them for you?
Could you post the URL to your site or PM it to me?
Once I left around 50 index cards in one of the pet stores, when came back half was gone already. Guys try flayers or like I did , it works.
Got the rubber stamp in the mail today. :)
ApplianceJunk.com Rubber Stamp (http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=807)
Sure, my website is http://www.bamanation.net
I created them and then had a local ups store run black and white copies. I had a stroke of genius the day before the event, by putting the new roster on the backside of the flyer.. with all of the freshmen and their numbers, and it made the flyer.
Cool site, thanks.
Ah wow, I never thought about advertising my site offline. Well I feel really stupid now, thanks for those ideas.
Ordered some business cards today. Will pin them to boards in laundry mats, home improvement stores and anyplace else I can think of. :)
What do you think of the design?
Edited to add: I also ordered some matching pens.
Quote from: ApplianceJunk on March 16, 2009, 12:03:08 PM
Ordered some business cards today. Will pin them to boards in laundry mats, home improvement stores and anyplace else I can think of. :)
What do you think of the design?
I really like the pens, and the business cards look good too, having a pen with your website on its rather cool :P.
Well soon one of my websites, BunnyRabbitSex (http://www.bunnyrabbitsex.com), will be getting a lot of stuff.
First, I've made comic strips for the site...eventually these will be stickers of sorts (I'd make them images but my net here wont let me, so I'm linking):
Comic one (http://www.bunnyrabbitsex.com/index.php?topic=269.0), comic two (http://www.bunnyrabbitsex.com/index.php?topic=330.0), and comic three (http://www.bunnyrabbitsex.com/index.php?topic=331.0)
Now, I know they were made with a generator - but when I redo them they wont be, but will be generally the same (except with non copyrighted material :P)
Second, we're getting some business cards soon, and hopefully a t-shirt or two (still looking into the t-shirt stuff, cause my other site wants some too).
Thirdly I'll also be looking to advertise in literary magazines, newspapers, and other written media that's offline. I've already asked two writing groups about advertisement in their magazine, one has gotten back to me but unfortunately they don't want any form of advertisement in their magazine (noble, I appreciate that). Though they said they'll recommend my site to their members, and with my uncanny ability to get inside info on places I'm outside, they kept their word ;).
Fourthly, like above, I'm also looking at car window advertisement. I've had a few people from both forums ask about it or state they would do it.
Fithly, I'm looking at those material book covers students use for text books and at binder inserts for people to put us on the front of their binders. Most members are students (high school and college) so these could be used.
So yeah....that's what I hope to get involved in in the next 6 months. My site is already grabbing attention from the competition ;).
Great idea's Jade.
Good luck with the site.
I have been trying to decide how to give our pens out as they are not cheap.
I think maybe we will ship the pens out to our "Charter Members".
The donation the member make to become a Charter member can help pay for the pens and when I ship them out I can stamp "ApplianceJunk.com" on the package too. :)
It may also be a little extra incentive for our regular members to become a Charter member.
They will not only be supporting the site that helped them with a small donation, but they will physically get something in return.
Going to buy some Appliance Repair Books (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=appliance+repair&x=0&y=0) and donate them to some local libraries.
I have donated other books to the libraries and they always ask if you would like them to write inside who it was donated by.
These books will be stamped with ApplianceJunk.com inside. :)
The business cards are something I do every year. I print out about 1500 of them, with our schedule on the front, and an entire SEC football schedule on the back.
The hard part is getting them distributed.
Quote from: InsaneMustang on March 17, 2009, 03:59:49 PM
The business cards are something I do every year. I print out about 1500 of them, with our schedule on the front, and an entire SEC football schedule on the back.
The hard part is getting them distributed.
On average how much do 1500 basic business cards cost? Also do you actually get this money back through ads, etc.?
Quote from: - Lawrence - on March 17, 2009, 04:05:42 PM
Quote from: InsaneMustang on March 17, 2009, 03:59:49 PM
The business cards are something I do every year. I print out about 1500 of them, with our schedule on the front, and an entire SEC football schedule on the back.
The hard part is getting them distributed.
On average how much do 1500 basic business cards cost? Also do you actually get this money back through ads, etc.?
I think it depends where you go. I can make my own and print them on a business card template. My mother has them and said I could use them, but you can buy them at like Staples, Office Depot, maybe even Walmart ;)
Quote from: InsaneMustang on March 17, 2009, 03:59:49 PM
The hard part is getting them distributed.
Why is that hard?
Quote from: ApplianceJunk on March 17, 2009, 02:51:23 PM
Great idea's Jade.
Good luck with the site.
GREAT idea with library donations!!!! That would be perfect for my site :D.
And thanks for the well wishes :D. I hope yours kicks off too :D.
Quote
On average how much do 1500 basic business cards cost?
You can get 1500 cards for $22.74 were we ordered ours at http://www.vistaprint.com
Quote
Also do you actually get this money back through ads, etc.?
Yes
I'm going to start using ads soon....get some form of revenue because I have a LOT of trafic, even though I don't have that many members. I've not often seen the "who's online" without at least 5 guests.
Also, that's where I was going to get my business cards from, but at the time I didnt have a card I could use - I now do, and they send me deals and specials all the time so I'm going to use them >:D.
Quote from: - Lawrence - on March 17, 2009, 04:05:42 PM
On average how much do 1500 basic business cards cost? Also do you actually get this money back through ads, etc.?
I've have double sided, color cards printed for roughly $100 for 2,000.
Mainly mouth to mouth and people from my blog, not a lot of people on the forum but a lot more readers on the blog. (1800+ uniques/daily)
forums are located here: www.javaforums.net
Just wanted to share with everyone how it turned out.
(http://appliancejunk.com/forums/gallery/0/1_25_03_09_5_10_13.jpg)
It turned out very good mate! ;D
Don't forget to add a question on your registration page - "How Did You Find Us?" :D
Wow, that actually looks really good, and professional, I hope it works for you ;).
Quote from: - Lawrence - on March 26, 2009, 11:03:15 AM
Wow, that actually looks really good, and professional, I hope it works for you ;).
Thanks....
I was really happy with how it turned out.
I just got back from a local shop that does embroidery and ordered some caps.
I had no idea there were so many different styles of baseball caps, wow!
It maybe 2-3 weeks before we have a finished product as they had to order the caps first.
Then do the design on the computer that we talked about. After I approve the final design then they will do the embroidery work right there in the shop.
I will post a photo of the caps here when they are finished.
Quote from: alex30 on March 25, 2009, 07:35:53 PM
Don't forget to add a question on your registration page - "How Did You Find Us?" :D
Funny, one of my helpers just did that today.
How did you hear about ApplianceJunk.com (http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?topic=3438.0)
Maybe he read this topic? lol..
You should have a poll for that!
http://www.theacforum.com/index.php?topic=584.0
Like my forum there does :D.
Quote from: Jade on March 26, 2009, 06:40:59 PM
You should have a poll for that!
http://www.theacforum.com/index.php?topic=584.0
Like my forum there does :D.
Being another forum member started it I did not have much control over it. :)
Click the "add poll" button?
Quote from: Jade on March 26, 2009, 11:03:52 PM
Click the "add poll" button?
Oh, I see, but I will still leave it.
There are just so many different ways the people could have found us now that I don't even know how I could add them all to a poll without missing something.
Even if I put "other" in the poll it would not be the same as it is now were they just tell us about it. :)
Maybe....but it can also help target marketing.
Have you tried posters on bulletin boards in hardware stores? The ones with pulltags?
Quote from: Jade on March 26, 2009, 11:51:35 PM
Maybe....but it can also help target marketing.
Have you tried posters on bulletin boards in hardware stores? The ones with pulltags?
That's what my cards are for.
I fan them out and pin them up to any and every board I see. :)
I have seen the pulltag type posters around, but thought my cards looked more professional.
Do you use the posters with pulltags?
Not yet, but I will be. I have the design down there's just something missing....so I'm holding off.
I thought the pulltag idea was kinda cool to be honest :D.
Quote from: Jade on March 27, 2009, 10:38:06 AM
Not yet, but I will be. I have the design down there's just something missing....so I'm holding off.
I thought the pulltag idea was kinda cool to be honest :D.
The best pull tag one I had see was one were the pull tags at the bottom were business cards.
I think there were maybe 5 or 6 cards at the bottom you could pull off, but the ones with little strips with just the URL I don't care for.
At least the ones I have seen so far.
Yeah, I wasnt planning to make it look flimsy. I'll show you the design when it's finished ;D.
Yeah, I wasnt planning to make it look flimsy. I'll show you the design when it's finished ;D.
Quote from: Jade on March 27, 2009, 11:06:49 AM
Yeah, I wasnt planning to make it look flimsy. I'll show you the design when it's finished ;D.
I would be interested in seeing it, thanks...
Quote from: Jade Elizabeth on March 27, 2009, 11:06:49 AM
Yeah, I wasnt planning to make it look flimsy. I'll show you the design when it's finished ;D.
You still working on it?
Our hats are in and I have picked out a final design.
They may finish them up today or Monday. :)
Nice work on the hats!
No, sadly I havent had time to work on it. I've been really busy with some awesome documentation stuff which you will see soon ;D.
Quote from: Jade Elizabeth on April 10, 2009, 02:36:23 PM
Nice work on the hats!
No, sadly I havent had time to work on it. I've been really busy with some awesome documentation stuff which you will see soon ;D.
Great!
Guess I have to wait until Monday for the hats as they never called Friday. :(
Quote from: ApplianceJunk on April 11, 2009, 01:37:24 PM
...
Guess I have to wait until Monday for the hats as they never called Friday. :(
Have you got them yet, I can't wait to see what they look like :).
Just picked up the caps today.
ApplianceJunk.com Caps (http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=815)
Quote from: ApplianceJunk on April 14, 2009, 05:00:19 PM
Just picked up the caps today.
ApplianceJunk.com Caps (http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=815)
Wow, they look really good, well done ;).
Updated our voice mail message to say...
We have also placed this ad in three local papers.
Quote
APPLIANCEJUNK.COM
Do-It-Yourself Appliance Repair
Save money and learn how to repair it yourself online at ApplianceJunk.com, it's free!
We also got our name in the local paper when we sponsored some computer classes at the library.
QuoteComputer Use Classes Scheduled at the Library
Free computer classes will be offered at the Grant County Library beginning Tuesday, April 21, from 1 to 3 p.m. The classes are sponsored by ApplianceJunk.com. To register call the Grand County Library at .....
I did not teach the classes myself, but the person that did asked me for some advice and if they could use our site as a example of how a forum worked. After talking a bit with her she offered to place our .com name in the paper in exchange for the advice I gave her.
My advice is always free, but what ever.... :)
I hope some of these examples of how we are advertising our .com offline is helpful and gives you some of your own idea's.
I have found the biggest obstacle in pormoting our .com offline is getting off my butt and away from the computer.
You can read all you want about how to promote your website offline, but unless you take action and do it none of it works. :)
I own www.houstonjunkcar.com I would be very interested in exchanging links with you. I run ads in my local papers and always include my website. This has built my traffic fairly well for me.
Quote from: patrick6411 on April 27, 2009, 12:19:54 AM
I own www.houstonjunkcar.com I would be very interested in exchanging links with you. I run ads in my local papers and always include my website. This has built my traffic fairly well for me.
Hi patrick6411,
We don't do link exchanges, sorry.
Did you know you can get custom ATM cards?
This is something you can do free of charge online at Wells Fargo.
Sample of what our ApplianceJunk.com card will look like.
(http://appliancejunk.com/forums/gallery/0/1_01_05_09_7_49_35.jpg)
I have javaforums.net (now http://www.engineeringserver.com/forum/index.php ) set as a default page on a few universities that teaches programming (not done by me ofcourse but teachers there that i have contact with) . It generates an ok amount of visitors so you might try that. I like how you are advertising your site and it gives me plenty of ideas. keep up the good stuff!
I could do that with my Master Card but they told me it could not be promo material :(
Looks great! :D
Quote from: CoreISP on May 02, 2009, 02:06:11 PM
I could do that with my Master Card but they told me it could not be promo material :(
Hmm, I may run into the same problem then. Time will tell.
Said it would take a day or two to approve it and then another 3-5 day's to get it after that.
The other day I called my cell service provider to see what caller ID options I had.
They told me they could make the caller id display anything I wanted. :)
I asked that it be changed to display ApplianceJunk.com, she tried to change it but said only ApplianceJunk would fit and asked if I wanted it changed to that.
I said no at the time and left it at that. Then after thinking about it some more I know that I have seen caller id's on my phone come up that were longer than ApplianceJunk.com
So today I called back and this time the customer service lady had no problem changing it to ApplianceJunk.com :)
I use my cell phone for personal use too and I'm pretty sure at this point my friends and family members all know about my site. But I think it will look good when I call to talk with our affiliates, renew newspaper ads, etc...
Anyone else have there .com displayed on caller id?
Quote from: CoreISP on May 02, 2009, 02:06:11 PM
I could do that with my Master Card but they told me it could not be promo material :(
Thought maybe I would run into this problem too, but I just got this email from my bank. :)
QuoteYour card design customization has been approved.
Dude I found like 100 sites that bulk customised pens REALLY CHEAP!!! I'm so happy!! Bye VistaPrint :D.
Well then why not to post these sites and share with us?
These are great ideas!
Hope some of these idea's are helpful.
Guess I got lucky on getting a image of our site on my ATM card.
After getting the first card I tried it again with the same bank, but on a different checking account.
This time they would not approve the design because it displayed a URL, lol... :)
Quote from: alex30 on May 20, 2009, 12:47:21 PM
Well then why not to post these sites and share with us?
Lol.. Okay, click here (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=bulk+promotional+pens) (sorry, couldnt resist LOL). No for real, I was just searching through them. I havent chosen yet :).
I did the google thing...By far Vista Print is THE best.
Just keepin' it real.
Sigh, spammer.
Picked up another vehicle this last week and of coarse I had to put our .com in the rear window. :)
(http://appliancejunk.com/forums/gallery/0/1_15_11_09_2_42_06.jpg)
Update: We had a new logo designed for our site.
A few day's ago we starting using our new logo to promote our site offline.
(http://appliancejunk.com/imgs/logo.png)
http://cafepress.com/appliancejunk
(http://appliancejunk.com/forums/gallery/0/1_28_11_09_10_00_02.png)
(http://appliancejunk.com/imgs/ApplianceJunkBusCard.png)
I feel our new logo was worth every cent and will help brand us.
(http://images0.cafepress.com/product/418552680v8_350x350_Front_Color-Silver.jpg)
That is one EPIC logo! I totally forgot about the contest, but the logo there is also just so epic.
EPIC?
Is that a good thing?
Yeah its good. I love the logo, just love it! My only issue is the spanner couldn't be used as a main icon, so I suppose it could still be shortened for that use, but still an EPICALLY GOOD logo!
Cool, thanks.
Very nice ApplianceJunk.
I see that you use CafePress for your online store... what is your experience with them so far? Have you used other companies to merchandise or advertise your forum, and if so, which ones?
Hi Paracelsus,
We just starting using Cafepress after getting our new logo, so I don't know much about them yet.
The only other online company we have used is Vista Printing for our business cards.
Locally we have worked with a couple embroidery companies and a few local newspapers.
Quote from: InsaneMustang on March 15, 2009, 12:32:35 PM
Sure, my website is http://www.bamanation.net
I created them and then had a local ups store run black and white copies. I had a stroke of genius the day before the event, by putting the new roster on the backside of the flyer.. with all of the freshmen and their numbers, and it made the flyer.
Cool sites guys and some great tips on generating interest. InsaneMustang I'm really liking your boards - a very fresh look and the main Bamanation.net banner and kit adverts are great!
Well done 8)
Quote from: ApplianceJunk on May 20, 2009, 02:37:51 PM
Hope some of these idea's are helpful.
Guess I got lucky on getting a image of our site on my ATM card.
After getting the first card I tried it again with the same bank, but on a different checking account.
This time they would not approve the design because it displayed a URL, lol... :)
How does this help you? An ATM card spends most of its time inside a wallet.
Quote from: Jade Elizabeth on October 01, 2009, 02:51:31 PM
Sigh, spammer.
Wait - I just saw this mess.
I KNOW you weren't talking about me.
I checked the "links" you posted looking for pens and business cards for my site.
I WASTED about an hour and came right back to VistaPrint.
And NO I don't work for them. I just don't want to buy 8000 pens. ::)
Appliance Junk is an awesome site! Love the branding. You'll be very successful!
Quote from: Uhura! on December 18, 2009, 08:35:35 AM
Quote from: Jade Elizabeth on October 01, 2009, 02:51:31 PM
Sigh, spammer.
I KNOW you weren't talking about me.
It was referring to the spam post that was subsequently deleted.
QuoteHow does this help you? An ATM card spends most of its time inside a wallet.
Sorry for the late reply,
The ATM card (http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=847) has helped. There are times that the cashier will ask to see it for what ever reason after making a purchase. For example to match the signature on the back of the card with the slip I just signed.
There have also been a number of times I have pulled it out inside banks to use it and the tellers have noticed it. One day one of the tellers took it around to half a dozen other tellers in the bank to show them, lol... It was awesome. :)
Added some more lettering to the back window the other day too.
(http://appliancejunk.com/forums/gallery/0/1_22_12_09_6_10_10.JPG)
Also when advertising offline I feel it's important to let people know about your site any and every chance you get.
I may pull out my ApplianceJunk ATM card a number of times in a month and most people won't pay any attention to the logo. But then again I may show it to that one person that will set off a domino affect. Like the bank teller that took the card around and showed the other tellers.
I also use our Business Card (http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=849) any chance I get. Even if it has nothing to do with business. For example if I buy something at Target that is locked up they often ask if I have more shopping to do. If I do then they take the item up front to hold it until I'm done shopping. They ask my name to put it on the item. At this point I give them my business card to put with the item.
Sure they may not care about my site, but then again they may go showing it to everyone else. :)
Before you know it you will just be in the habit of promoting your site off line any chance you get.
Quote from: Uhura! on December 18, 2009, 08:35:35 AM
Quote from: Jade Elizabeth on October 01, 2009, 02:51:31 PM
Sigh, spammer.
Wait - I just saw this mess.
I KNOW you weren't talking about me.
I checked the "links" you posted looking for pens and business cards for my site.
I WASTED about an hour and came right back to VistaPrint.
And NO I don't work for them. I just don't want to buy 8000 pens. ::)
The message was probably removed....but you dont need to reply 6 times....just enter a few lines and quote the next part you want to talk about...
Anyways.....
I GOT ME A SHIRT!!
(http://i46.tinypic.com/2ep3ibl.jpg)
The image I used is here: http://www.bunnyrabbitsex.com/BRSwordShirt.png
Nice shirt Jade.
(http://appliancejunk.com/forums/gallery/0/1_25_12_09_12_18_43.jpg)
This is the cap that the local embroidery shop put our logo on so we could see what our logo would look like embroidered.
The caps we ordered will be a different style and color.
The new caps will be a white and blue structured cap. The bill, vent holes and top button will be blue and the rest of the cap will be white.
I will post a photo of the caps we ordered once we get them.
I'm really happy with the way our logo looks embroidered and I think the cap looks so much better then the other caps (http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=815) we had made.
Here is a flyer I have had in mind for sometime that I finally got around to making.
(http://appliancejunk.com/forums/gallery/0/1_25_12_09_4_28_26.jpg)
At the bottom of the flyer there are four Business Cards (http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=849) that people can tear off and take with them.
Jade,
Are you selling the shirts, giving them away or both?
I started a "giveaway" with our shirts.
ApplianceJunk Shirt (Short) Giveaway: 01/01/10 - 01/07/10 (http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?topic=5531.0)
Hey, AP, where did you make the shirts? Was it a site or something? Because i'm going to get some shirts for my site when i get the money, so it'd be good to know where to go. =)
Quote from: Cassiel on December 31, 2009, 10:57:12 AM
Hey, AP, where did you make the shirts? Was it a site or something? Because i'm going to get some shirts for my site when i get the money, so it'd be good to know where to go. =)
We are using CafePress.
http://www.cafepress.com/appliancejunk
Thanks. Cafepress is good. =)
Quote from: ApplianceJunk on December 31, 2009, 02:06:38 AM
Jade,
Are you selling the shirts, giving them away or both?
I started a "giveaway" with our shirts.
ApplianceJunk Shirt (Short) Giveaway: 01/01/10 - 01/07/10 (http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?topic=5531.0)
Sadly I only got one. If I had a job you have NO IDEA how much ****** I would buy [but it would actually help us, and I would use them in competitions and stuff]. I'll be getting some for sale, some air brushed ones. They will be expensive but that's what happens when you get an expensive shirt made lol. I'm going to get 3 all up, one with each of our bunnies, and let the competition winner choose one and the other two will be on sale for $49 I expect. They're going to cost me $30 as it is.
If I were to sell this one, it costs me about $14 per shirt (unless I can miraculously afford 12 in which case it's $12 a shirt) so I'd probably sell it for anywhere between $16-25. I want it to be cheaper than those $18 shirts you find online lol....so I can compete effectively.
I'm going to get me some more business cards and sell them for like $1 per 50 or 100. Can't decide yet. I gave some out before and I send them with competition prizes :).
What's cafe press like? Do you have to pay anything? I am REALLY REALLY not getting any money. I am literally like a hobo....but I like what I hear and want to know....cause I want to start getting products out there with our name on them. I'm about to do a campaign asking for $1 donations. If 50 people donate $1 or more I can get the system I need to finish the new design. I'll have enough to fill in the gap with my Christmas money if I don't go buy those air brushed shirts. I'll probably be lucky to have 5 people donate though :-\.
I gotta go find some odd jobs to do for people or something.
Check it out for yourself. =)
www.cafepress.com
I haven't really tried to make any shirts yet since i haven't really had the need, but i heard the process is really easy, it's just kind of limited. :) Not sure about the price though.
Best of luck with BRS! =D
I tried it out but it's being a REAL b**ch to me. Wants me to remake every bloody image at 2000px which means I have to scale and recolour all my bunnies....and then I have to add text into the image and the allowed print area doesnt exactly GIVE much space for text :(.
I seriously prefer printfection, which is where I got my shirt from:
http://www.bunnyrabbitsex.com/index.php?topic=1518.0
Thanks Cassiel. Also you have a PM from me on there :P.
This is great - the flyers, cards, even the ATM card. Good luck!
Quote from: Jade Elizabeth on December 23, 2009, 03:51:17 PM
Quote from: Uhura! on December 18, 2009, 08:35:35 AM
Quote from: Jade Elizabeth on October 01, 2009, 02:51:31 PM
Sigh, spammer.
Wait - I just saw this mess.
I KNOW you weren't talking about me.
I checked the "links" you posted looking for pens and business cards for my site.
I WASTED about an hour and came right back to VistaPrint.
And NO I don't work for them. I just don't want to buy 8000 pens. ::)
The message was probably removed....but you dont need to reply 6 times....just enter a few lines and quote the next part you want to talk about...
I replied six times did I?
Um...yeah OK.
Please don't hate me because a post was removed :(.
I have no idea what you're talking about.
I did not see the original spammer's post & so I thought that because I said Vista Print was better - someone was saying I was spamming on behalf of Vista Print.
Looks like an e-misunderstanding. So, let's drop the condescension & snide remarks.
Quote from: Jade Elizabeth on January 02, 2010, 01:25:07 AM
I tried it out but it's being a REAL b**ch to me. Wants me to remake every bloody image at 2000px which means I have to scale and recolour all my bunnies....and then I have to add text into the image and the allowed print area doesnt exactly GIVE much space for text :(.
I seriously prefer printfection, which is where I got my shirt from:
http://www.bunnyrabbitsex.com/index.php?topic=1518.0
Thanks Cassiel. Also you have a PM from me on there :P.
I think someone might have told me about Printfection. It sounds really familiar. Is it any good?
And sure. I'll check it out when I get free time from my little secret project. ;)
Quote from: Uhura! on January 02, 2010, 09:16:30 PM
I have no idea what you're talking about.
I did not see the original spammer's post & so I thought that because I said Vista Print was better - someone was saying I was spamming on behalf of Vista Print.
Looks like an e-misunderstanding. So, let's drop the condescension & snide remarks.
I wasnt making any snide remarks or anything like that at all :(. I use Vistaprint myself, I have heaps of stuff from them.... I just wanted you to understand I didnt think you were a spammer, that message was directed at a post that was deleted :).
Quote from: Cassiel on January 02, 2010, 11:18:50 PM
Quote from: Jade Elizabeth on January 02, 2010, 01:25:07 AM
I tried it out but it's being a REAL b**ch to me. Wants me to remake every bloody image at 2000px which means I have to scale and recolour all my bunnies....and then I have to add text into the image and the allowed print area doesnt exactly GIVE much space for text :(.
I seriously prefer printfection, which is where I got my shirt from:
http://www.bunnyrabbitsex.com/index.php?topic=1518.0
Thanks Cassiel. Also you have a PM from me on there :P.
I think someone might have told me about Printfection. It sounds really familiar. Is it any good?
And sure. I'll check it out when I get free time from my little secret project. ;)
Well the shirt I have has a rip under the arm and the colouring is a little off....but it seems okay :). I messaged their Twitter and they ignored me so I'm going to send an email asking why my design came out so dark and I have rips. That's not cool to ignore me on Twitter ;).
Just a comment about using Shirts in general: I think it's better not to have white shirts. I don't find them ugly or anything, but it's better to use other colors. Reason being is that they get too dirty, and because white shirts just seem like you took an image and used an ironing board to put it on.
Other colors tend to last longer because you can't see the dirt on it as much. So people have more of a reason to wear it for longer.
Also, for community shirts you usually see other colors besides White used for the shirt. Like for Team shirts in Video Game Tournaments for a weird example.
Jade, BRS is more Blue and Grey than white. Try using those colors for shirts in the future. ;)
I will be, I just wanted something I could afford to test first....If they don't replace this or help me out and it's no better I wont be buying coloured ones lol.
Edit: I'm getting the air brushed ones on blue, purple, and possibly red.
Quote from: Paracelsus on December 03, 2009, 07:00:02 AM
Very nice ApplianceJunk.
I see that you use CafePress for your online store... what is your experience with them so far? Have you used other companies to merchandise or advertise your forum, and if so, which ones?
I ordered a couple of shirts from CafePress.com/ApplianceJunk (http://www.cafepress.com/appliancejunk) for myself and got them a few days ago.
I'm very happy with the quality of the shirts. Here are a couple snap shots of the two shirts I ordered.
In the first photo the navy blue shirt shows how the large white/gray logo looks on the front of a dark shirt. The light gray shirt shows the same size logo, but it's on the back of the shirt and the logo is in blue/gray.
(http://appliancejunk.com/forums/gallery/0/1_07_01_10_2_09_02.jpg)
In the second photo you can see how the smaller logo looks on the front of the light gray shirt.
(http://appliancejunk.com/forums/gallery/0/1_07_01_10_2_09_56.jpg)
The small logo on the front of the gray shirt is very sharp and you can read the text inside the wrench just fine, but my photo makes it look bad.
I think Cafepress is going to work out very good for our giveaways (http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?topic=5531.0).
Nice shirts!
I agree about not using white!
Have you considered mousepads or other things?
I had a raffle / prize giveaway earlier last year...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v620/cheat777/Coolstuff.jpg)
(http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n369/freakinmelistheshiz/yay002.jpg)
Hey! Mousepads sound like a great idea to sell/give out! :D I might do that with my site. Thanks Uhura. :)
I think it's good to have a couple of different items that your users can buy from you. Merchandise is basically what i'm saying. That way they can find items to support the site that they need. People might not need a cap with the site logo on it for example, but they might be willing to shell out a couple of bucks for a keychain. Or if they live in a cold state they be willing to get a hoodie from the site knowing that they're going to be using it. My staff members and I are trying to plan what we're going to be selling once our site gets more popular so we can start planning now. :)
By the way, that's a great design on the mousepad Uhura! And AP, that blue shirt with the white text looks really amazing! I'm sure it's gonna sell like hotcakes! ;)
I love the design for the mousepad. I've been playing with the idea, making my own. I'm thinking of doing beanbags to be honest.
The mousepad design is from Vistaprint & the bag is as well. The mousepad cost about $4-$5 USD each...not bad. I ordered about 15 and sent it as a surprise gift for everyone who entered the raffle whether they won or not. The bags went to the raffle runners up. They were more expensive....I think about $15 -$20 each since I only ordered about 10...Members really liked the bag. Being moms they have quite a bit to lug around & some commented that the bag is really useful.
I have not seen much success from selling these types of things outright. It's one thing to visit & participate in an online discussion forum, but to buy clothing etc with the logo? I'm not sure about it. Some people are broke as hell in this economy and are hard pressed ...what would be the upside (especially with the cost as Jade pointed out wiht her shirts)?
In all honesty I want to make money from merchandise but I don't see it happening for a while. A long while.
I DO however see it working out like you said Uhara - giving them as prizes and gifts. Members will use the gift and that's advertisement for you! So you will get more members or awareness (awareness is very valuable) and be able to turn that into members or $$ which ever you're aiming for.
The more people know about the site the more people you can reach about events. The more people who find out about those the better chances you have at getting more members. Specially if you're targeting people :D.
I dunno if that made any sense. I havent slept so scuse me if it didnt :).
Made perfect sense!
I was hoping that as the bags are carried around it will act as a walking billboard for my site.
I worry about the bags. I wanted to make or buy some.....but I'm terrified people wont use them cause they arent "stylish" or designer. Americans are bag and shoe fanatics. I guess people could use them for the library....but I don't know.
Ya gotta worry bout the shape and size and length of the handles... it got too scary for me to want to mess with, especially since I don't have an income to be playing with. Everything I try is a huge risk because of that.
It's fabulous that your audience can use them....but not only that your audience will use them around more targeted people (mums), who will see the bag as useful and that stigma will carry across to your brand hopefully. Ya got a good thing there!
Quote from: Uhura! on January 08, 2010, 09:06:10 PM
Have you considered mousepads or other things?
Yeah, I like the mouse pad, very nice.
Cafepress has mouse pads too, but only white. :(
(http://images5.cafepress.com/product/418551345v2_350x350_Front.jpg)
Off to vista print to check out there mouse pads. :)
QuoteIn all honesty I want to make money from merchandise but I don't see it happening for a while. A long while.
I'm happy with making money from my site and if giving away merchandise help promote my site I will be happy to give the merchandise away.
I just want to make sure that I give it away to people that really want it. I think having giveaway contest is a good way to do just that.
Quote from: Jade Elizabeth on January 10, 2010, 09:57:12 PM
I worry about the bags. I wanted to make or buy some.....but I'm terrified people wont use them cause they arent "stylish" or designer. Americans are bag and shoe fanatics. I guess people could use them for the library....but I don't know.
Ya gotta worry bout the shape and size and length of the handles... it got too scary for me to want to mess with, especially since I don't have an income to be playing with. Everything I try is a huge risk because of that.
It's fabulous that your audience can use them....but not only that your audience will use them around more targeted people (mums), who will see the bag as useful and that stigma will carry across to your brand hopefully. Ya got a good thing there!
The bags are good for moms... The handles are perfect - very comfy. The material is soft. The bag washes great. It holds a lot of stuff
Not sure about your audience though...
Mine is teens-young adults. I have a handful of middle aged women but not many.
I was just told about Zazzle. With cafepress our dark shirts were limited to being printed on just one side.
I wanted a dark shirt with our logo printed on both sides and Zazzle is able to do this for us.
http://www.zazzle.com/appliancejunk
I ordered some tonight.
It won't be long and I won't be able to find a shirt around the house that does not have our logo on it. :)
It's also very easy to change the background color on Zazzles other products to anything you want. Unlike cafepress were a lot of things are white only.
Just picked up some of our new caps today.
(http://appliancejunk.com/forums/gallery/0/1_19_01_10_1_36_57.jpg)
On the back side it has ApplianceJunk.com in blue text.
Here are a couple photos our first t-shirt winner posted of herself (http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?topic=5531.msg23692#msg23692) with her new AJ shirt.
(http://appliancejunk.com/forums/gallery/0/1_21_01_10_4_36_17.jpg)
(http://appliancejunk.com/forums/gallery/0/1_21_01_10_4_36_24.jpg)
Quote from: ApplianceJunk on January 19, 2010, 02:00:49 PM
Just picked up some of our new caps today.
(http://appliancejunk.com/forums/gallery/0/1_19_01_10_1_36_57.jpg)
On the back side it has ApplianceJunk.com in blue text.
They look nice. Are those from CafePress (or Zazzle or another one)?
Quote from: Paracelsus on January 22, 2010, 06:35:43 AM
They look nice. Are those from CafePress (or Zazzle or another one)?
Thanks, they are from a local shop.
I'm not a master of advertising and idk if you've gotten this suggestion before but being in a household who knows nothing about appliances or how to fix them (which is what your site is for I assume) maybe you could put pamphlets at appliance stores for people to take when they buy an appliance. That helps the shop, so they don't have to worry about going to their house to find out the problem, and it helps you.
Oh! Also, maybe just some good looking polo shirts with a small logo that you can wear out and about. People notice sometimes the smallest things.
Btw those hats look really nice!
Hi di3f00l,
Not a bad idea, but most places that sell appliance have some type of repair service of there own and look down on sites like ours.
I do post flyer's (think I posted a sample some place here) in laundry mats (laundromats) because that is were people go when there washer breaks down and there waiting for service. :)
Here is a photo of our polo shirt at cafepress.
(http://images8.cafepress.com/product/425042688v20_350x350_Front_Color-White.jpg)
I tried to get some shirts embroidered at a local shop, but they could not make the logo any smaller then what we had on the cap without loosing a lot of detail.
Quote from: ApplianceJunk on January 23, 2010, 12:38:08 PM
Hi di3f00l,
Not a bad idea, but most places that sell appliance have some type of repair service of there own and look down on sites like ours.
I do post flyer's (think I posted a sample some place here) in laundry mats (laundromats) because that is were people go when there washer breaks down and there waiting for service. :)
Here is a photo of our polo shirt at cafepress.
(http://images8.cafepress.com/product/425042688v20_350x350_Front_Color-White.jpg)
I tried to get some shirts embroidered at a local shop, but they could not make the logo any smaller then what we had on the cap without loosing a lot of detail.
Oh gotcha. Good idea with the laundry mats!
And very nice shirt :O give them to your family if you haven't already, I'm sure they'd wear them. Anyone would wear a nice free polo. :)
Quote from: di3f00l on January 23, 2010, 12:41:14 PM
Quote from: ApplianceJunk on January 23, 2010, 12:38:08 PM
Hi di3f00l,
Not a bad idea, but most places that sell appliance have some type of repair service of there own and look down on sites like ours.
I do post flyer's (think I posted a sample some place here) in laundry mats (laundromats) because that is were people go when there washer breaks down and there waiting for service. :)
Here is a photo of our polo shirt at cafepress.
(http://images8.cafepress.com/product/425042688v20_350x350_Front_Color-White.jpg)
I tried to get some shirts embroidered at a local shop, but they could not make the logo any smaller then what we had on the cap without loosing a lot of detail.
Oh gotcha. Good idea with the laundry mats!
And very nice shirt :O give them to your family if you haven't already, I'm sure they'd wear them. Anyone would wear a nice free polo. :)
i think it's not a good idea to gave them free (monetary thinking ;D )
I have given away dozens of them to the members that help out on our forum that have said they would like one and in "Giveaway" topics.
I also have ten or so different shirts around the house with our logo on them. :)
Quote from: ApplianceJunk on January 23, 2010, 12:59:23 PMI have given away dozens of them to the members that help out on our forum that have said they would like one and in "Giveaway" topics.
I also have ten or so different shirts around the house with our logo on them. :)
that's a cool idea (if you have money and people...) :P
New hats are in.
(http://appliancejunk.com/forums/gallery/0/1_29_01_10_4_03_15.jpg)
Quote from: ApplianceJunk on February 03, 2010, 01:33:26 PM
New hats are in.
(http://appliancejunk.com/forums/gallery/0/1_29_01_10_4_03_15.jpg)
Where should I get this hat? ;D This is what I am looking for, a blue color hat. The style or design of this hat is great, and I want to have this one.
ApplianceJunk is that girl your wife? ;)
Quote from: alex30 on March 18, 2010, 08:46:08 PM
ApplianceJunk is that girl your wife? ;)
No she is not my wife, just a member I picked at random from the giveaway we had for the t-shirt.
The winner got to pick the size and color of there t-shirt and then I had it shipped to them directly from cafepress.