'Alternative' marketing

[dfen5]

I've got a couple of machinery sales agencies in the pipeline, know a few local companies to talk to but obviously don't know everyone in the 5 counties I may cover. I think door knocking and cold calling are pretty much dead ducks these days?

Thinking of marketing strategy before I go for it.

SEO, fliers, small exhibitions, local paper etc are all in my line of sight but what does the panel think of 'using the missus to sell the car' style pictures? Nothing too racy, just attractive people modelling equipment mainly for online marketing purposes?

[VEX]

I think it really depends on the type or style of machinery you have to sell.

What does you traget / typical buyer look like and that should help guide you a little better on the correct course.

V.

[Frimley111R]

Its fine to use models, I've used them for lots of work but not girlie models, they add nothing and distract from your product. Have people using it or looking like they are from the industries you are targeting.

[dfen5]

Frimley111R said:

Its fine to use models, I've used them for lots of work but not girlie models, they add nothing and distract from your product. Have people using it or looking like they are from the industries you are targeting.

Yep, think I agree, reading it back it's not going to add anything but gawkers. I think I will get a friend of mine (a semi-pro) photographer to take some staged shots tho', should be possible (and watermark them..)

[twoblacklines]

dfen5 said:

I've got a couple of machinery sales agencies in the pipeline, know a few local companies to talk to but obviously don't know everyone in the 5 counties I may cover. I think door knocking and cold calling are pretty much dead ducks these days?

Thinking of marketing strategy before I go for it.

SEO, fliers, small exhibitions, local paper etc are all in my line of sight but what does the panel think of 'using the missus to sell the car' style pictures? Nothing too racy, just attractive people modelling equipment mainly for online marketing purposes?

The simple answer is to split test it with paid traffic, probably via Facebook for ease of use.

So you create an ad and then you change the ad images, leave everything else the same, let it run for a week at $5 per day per variation and see which one gets the most clicks. Just link it to your website, I doubt you can get any conversions in your field BUT it will show you which images (we call them creatives) work best in your niche.

[Frimley111R]

dfen5 said:

I think door knocking and cold calling are pretty much dead ducks these days?

IMO this will never be dead. Its hard work but if you don't mind that there's little to beat face to face communication or even a direct telephone conversation. People often dismiss older forms of marketing but it still works.

[DSLiverpool]

"I've got a couple of machinery sales agencies in the pipeline" are you taking over an area for a specific manufacturer or are you a general "machinery" agent like a hired gun?

Impossible to advise without a bit more meat but the best electrical component agents hunt in a pack - always amused me to see such pure individuals work as a team to chase the £.

[chippy348]

Can not help with the SEO advice, but i can tell you as a buyer of machine tools from time to time, my biggest grip is either the lack of prices or POA so tell your client put prices on his machines.

[kensilver]

Write a guide on how they can use your machinery for profit or to make savings - two basics every business wants to know. If you keep away from generic solutions and set it out in a how-to format it should be a winner.