Marketing a product

[benyeats]

Hello,

I have recently become involved with a business to design, manufacture and sell high end iPod docking stations. The current product can be seen at:

www.sieben-technology.com/uk/

Problem is when Apple announced the new range of iPods they also announced to their partners in the 'made for ipod' programme that some of the electronics in docking stations would have to change to be compatible with the new range. The problem with this is (as well as needing a re-design) the existing stock is not compatible with the latest iPods and as such is probably of little interest to retail who will want to sell accessories alongside new iPod purchases and the product is to new to have got into retail yet.

I am not to worried about this as there are millions of suitable iPods in the possession of consumers. However it does mean I will probably have to rely on direct sales to get rid of most of my current stock (1000 units).

So onto my reason for posting, anyone have any suggestions for driving traffic to my web site to facilitate direct sales ? Does anyone have other suggestions for getting a new product noticed on a limited budget ? I have quite good press contacts so hope to get it in a few magazines.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Ben

[cptsideways]

Stick em on the Jumble

[shadowninja]

Ebay? Seems the obvious choice.

Also, ads in relevant magazines. Is there a What iPod?

Edited by shadowninja on Tuesday 18th September 00:26

[LeeME3]

Try a few on ebay and see how they do (too many at once will swamp it and force the price down).

Some kind of press release to the relevant mags/papers/lads mags etc announcing a 'massive' price cut (I assume you'll be discounting them) and taking the opportunity to announce your new products at the same time.

I'll buy one!

[warren182]

Try selling some other ipod accesories on ebay, include a link to your webpage on the bottom of the ad.

[timskipper]

Spend some money with Google Adwords with an appropriately worded advert and keywords.

[lambogenie]

Your best bet is an advert in "the trader" - a sort of del boys whats what of quality schmatter. with xmas coming up it is the sort of stock odds and sods market traders are well into.

[andyps]

I am not sure you need to rely on direct sales for the product - if you get carefuly worded releases in relevant trade publications, and directly contact appropriate retailers and intermediaries you should manage to use the existing product as an introduction line which opens doors, and as long as the product does what the customers want those doors will then still be open for your product compatible with the new ipods.

For direct sales all the suggestions seem pretty good, I think there is a "What MP3" or similar magazine which is probably worth advertising in. Remember to negotiate the price way down from the initial quote, and dangle the carrot that if the advertising works you will be a regular advertiser with your new products.