Which companies are thriving right now?
In talking to many companies in the aftermarket everyday, I get a chance to see patterns that might not otherwise be obvious.
Many Manufacturers, Shops, WD’s and Online stores tell me about their business, where they are this year compared to last year and what types of media are working for them.
I’ll use a couple of their stories as an example here, keeping the actual name of the companies private.
This is tremendously valuable information, so please read on!
Case #1
The first company is a well known 20 year old performance shop.
This particular shop operates with the utmost professionalism, has an extremely clean facility and is capable of doing everything in house, with an impressive track record long and distinguished enough to prove their abilities.
They also have an online store and are able to take orders online and ship product worldwide. They can tune, repair, build, fabricate, dyno….all in one place and on nearly any car.
The shop owner told me recently things have been slow, and that it seems like there are a lot of “new guys” getting a lot of the business.
I asked him if they’d been able to spend time posting in the forums and marketing themselves on the internet, and the answer was no.
This is a very common answer from some of the “old dogs” in the business.
It’s unfortunate that many of the companies out there with the most experience are suffering due to not making some adjustments necessary to get in front of consumers where they decide what products to buy or where to go for service.
Case #2
The second company is a performance manufacturer, selling both tangible and intangible products.
Their sales are up 40% this year and they do almost no print advertising at all.
What’s their secret? Why are they thriving while other companies are in denial, blaming it on the economy?
I mentioned in a previous newsletter that consumers now make their buying decisions online, but how do you benefit from this?
I’m going to tell you right here.
Top 3 secrets of today’s most successfully marketed companies
(in no particular order)
1. Forums
2. Human Edited Directories
3. Viral, targeted online video production and distribution
The manufacturer with a 40% increase in sales…how did they do it?
1. Their marketing team spends time every day surfing the forums, interacting with consumers and publicly answering questions. This gives them credibility, personality and accessibility…a true recipe for sales!
If you don’t have time for it, hire someone for it, or rotate some of your technical staff an hour a day each into the forums.
I promise, it’s worth it.
2. They advertise in human edited, targeted directories and send their press releases to them for public posting.
Placing your banners, text links, editorials, videos and business information in proven, human edited, online directories is one of the best values in advertising.
It’s inexpensive, you control who sees your ads, and you can see exactly what works in a very short period of time.
Online directories give you Instant Gratification:
Why wait 3 months for a magazine to print your press releases when you can start your sales cycle (and be truly first to market!) by sending your press releases and catalog to The DDD Directory to be displayed online!
You get it Now. Today!
Talk about efficient…..
3. Many successfully marketed companies place their existing TV commercials on industry/vehicle specific websites and create new videos designed with a “3rd party objective”, showing the proper installation, use and results of their aftermarket products.
Why online video?
It’s real.
It’s NOW.
Consumers relate to it emotionally: “Hey, I have that car! Those headers sound awesome!” “SLP Makes them? That’s it, I’m going online to buy them!”
Video works so well and in so many ways…..don’t miss this powerful marketing tool and the exposure the internet affords you.
Call or e-mail The DDD Directory today and get started!
Click here to e-mail Jim at The DDD Directory
Summing things up:
Todays consumer is much more efficient.
Less people are wandering around speed shops looking for catalogs and more are finding what they need on the internet, browsing forums and sites like The DDD Directory to see who makes parts for their car, who sells them, and which local shops work on them.
This is your call to action!
If you’re already with DDD, congratulations! We’re making record traffic every month and hear new stories everyday about how we’ve helped companies succeed. Your success is our business, and we will continue to work hard for you. Keep sending those press releases so we can keep your catalog up to date and get your sales rolling right away!
If you aren’t with The DDD Directory yet and you make marketing decisions for an aftermarket manufacturer, shop, or online store: call me today and ask how to join The DDD Directory.
It’s painless, simple, inexpensive and very effective.
Need references or a new ad agent? Call us. We’ll be happy to share!
We are not an ad agency but work with many ethical institutions we can recommend to you.
The DDD Directory can expose your entire catalog of products with banners and links. With DDD, you can control exactly which audience sees your video and you can track their effectiveness every month!
Did you know DDD can work with you to create a 3rd party installation video?
You can do this exclusively, or as a Co-Op with other companies.
In todays world of e-marketing, nothing is more effective!
What are your marketing plans this year?
It’s already March 17th! Call us today to get started and see the tremendous service, courtesy and exposure you’ve been missing.
You can beat last years numbers and please more customers along the way!
As your DDD representative, I’m in the office 9-6 E.S.T Monday-Friday, and you can e-mail me anytime!
Sincerely,
Jim Ferraro, The DDD Directory
Office number: 888-44-Find-IT (888-443-4634)
email: jimferraro@dddracing.com
RSS Feed
