Marketing - What works and what doesn't?

[Fassn8]

I thought it would be fun/helpful to start a thread that talks about what everyone likes and dislikes about our industry's marketing efforts. Specifically, what works and what doesn't?

As a CUSTOMER, what would you like to see more of (or less of)?

Some people want to see more videos, some want photos, others want reviews, etc. Some companies take the time to respond to users on this forum (some like this, some don't).

I'll start... Here's what I like and want to see more of:

Detailed photos and video tours of the products - Doesn't have to be super high quality in my opinion. I love to see YouTube quality "product walkthroughs" like the ones from Surf Expo. I want to see more about how gear works, not a crazy video of some guy doing the coolest tricks ever. I want to see the kite, bar, harness, or whatever in action. If things have changed from the previous year, I want to SEE the changes even if it's some sort of illustration or photo. Lastly I want to see decent pictures of all the color options a kite comes in.

[mikewang]

personally im interested in production process photos, more photos and videos. a good example of really cool video is fly surfer ones i think. like when they took a kite and jumped a plane.

anyway, im interested in kite marketing also. because i dont understand any of the kite company vision/purpose. they all seem to be the same.

[srod]

Endless forum pimping from brand reps, their aliases, fans and whores. Can't get enough of it.

[Toby]

Fassn8: something like this?

wiki/index.php?title=Rebel_2009

[panchito]

Endless forum pimping from brand reps, their aliases, fans and whores. Can't get enough of it.

Saludos


Franz

[mv]

Good:

Good products at a reasonable price.
God customer service.
It also helps when you know the company listens to customers.

Bad:

Over hype (lies) - i.e. there is no such thing as 100% depower
Doing what everyone else is doing just because
Copycats. Some kite all look the same.

mv
http://www.kitesurfinfo.com

[Skyway Scott]

Demos. Everything else is not nearly as useful (for me).
I don't care what the owner of the company or a team rider thinks about the kite/board.
I want to see if it suits my style.

I realize that some people don't consider a demo,marketing, but I do.

This type of marketing only works when you actually have a good product though, as opposed to a good "marketing" department.

[Fassn8]

Fassn8: something like this?

wiki/index.php?title=Rebel_2009

PERFECT! I love it.

[Fassn8]

Regarding demos, I think every kite company should make it easier to connect customers, shops, reps, and team riders. Along these lines a simple "Request A Demo" button on their websites with a quick web form would do the trick. Also, show a list of all the shops that sell your gear.

[jjjlaudenslager]

I have really appreciated demo events; I have bought and not bought based on trying gear at them.

On the web, what fassn8 said: I want to SEE ALL the changes from last year, and ALL the colors, even though color is never a deciding factor for me (it's a matter of courtesy).