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JustMuck · January 14th, 2008

I know it may not mean much coming from me, but I have a unique advertising scheme that at this point I have no idea whether it will work or not. My website will be completed within the next week and just like everybody else I have been contemplating the best possible ways to get people to my site. Our company has the money to spend on advertising, but I just don't want to spend 1,000's of dollars on advertising if it can be avoided. Please note, we revolve completely around poker.

So as I started thinking how I could almost completely eliminate advertising costs, which ultimately adds to profit, I came up with this.

Banner and Link Exchanges
I started by contacting poker websites from small to large about banner costs. These costs ranged from $25/month to $10,000/month.

Now, after getting numerous prices I was just sick at how much I would have to spend to get the type of advertising I wanted. Especially since we are just starting up. I don't want to have to sell 1,000 shirts just to cover advertising costs. So I emailed a lot of the smaller companies back and asked if they would be willing to do banner and link exchanges instead of straight advertising. Some said no, because at this point I have no hits to contribute, but said to contact them later when I had a base to run off of. Others said yes and it was that easy.

I am just not big on having other companies promoted on my web page. I don't want people clicking off my page to look at somebody elses. So for this, I have yet to decide whether I am going to personally use it. For someone that doesn't mind advertising for others I think it would be beneficial to contact sites. Just make sure if you are selling shirts that revolve around surfing you contact sites that sell surf boards or whatever.

DO NOT PROMOTE OTHER SITES THAT SELL T-SHIRTS THAT ARE MARKETED TO THE SAME PEOPLE AS YOURS!!

YouTube, Break, MySpace TV
I have expierence with video production. So I wanted to know whether commercials would be a viable means of advertisement. I am not one that goes to any of these sites often, but millions go everyday. I went to YouTube and searched for "poker" and got 37,000 videos. Many with over 100,000 hits and some reaching close to 1 million.

So what this does for me is nearly eliminates the need to pay for advertising. Cardplayer magazine offered me 200,000 impressions for $8,000 a month. These sites offer me millions of possible views for $0.

Cost for this advertising scheme comes out to be around $3,000. Not a month, not a year, this is a one time fee for us. That is a computer, video camera, and editing software.

The beauty is that your videos don't have to have good actors or be edited professionally. They just need to be witty, sexy, or eye-catching. They don't have to relate to your company. They don't have to make sense. There is no logic to it at all. Just make a video that will get attention and put a static text at the bottom with your website address.

TIPS
1. Use attractive models that will attract the opposite sex. If you look at the most popular videos on these sites. They normally have a woman showing cleavage.
2. Use funny pranks. People will watch somebody getting hit in the nutts, shocked, or doing anything stupid.
3. Impersonations and spoofs. Make fun of somebody famous. There is always somebody in the spotlight to make fun of. Use the Spears family, OJ Simpson, Barry Bonds, George Bush, Tom Cruise, or Lindsay Lohan. They all seem to be very popular right now.

These are just some ideas I wanted to share. Like I said I haven't used them yet, but the way I see it I have as good of odds having this work as I do paying for advertisement. I will definately fill you guys in on how it turns out. Also, if you need any help for video ideas, techniques, or anything send me a message. If I can help I most definately will!

Rodney · January 23rd, 2008

I think the key to the above is that you're thinking of spending $3000 for the "potential" of getting millions of views. Views that may or may not turn into paid customers.

I think there's a LOT you can do to promote your website for $3000 (or less) that would be more effective than a youtube video.

Many tips have been posted in this section of the forum for ways to market your products.

Here's one article that was shared about how to make a youtube video for just about "free": http://www.t-shirtforums.com/general...ion/t5383.html

JustMuck · January 23rd, 2008

Yes, that is true. I suppose I forgot to mention that I have a degree in Multimedia. Have filmed and edited hour long wedding videos and that my first short film was played in front of congress in attempt to get my college accredited. Hand selected by our congressman.

Once again, this does not automatically mean I will get MILLIONS of hits. The whole idea on advertising is getting someones attention. Getting them to watch and re-watch the videos. Have them tell someone else.

Commercials are a wonderful thing. Some of the best commercials have nothing to do with the company advertised. The commercial keeps your attention and at the end shows you a company logo. With these websites you can be even more "unique" in the sense that you don't have the FCC down your throat. You just cant show nudity.

Also, you can run advertising with other companies, but you get limited space on a website. With videos you can upload as many as you want. And they are no different than an advertising banner. If your banner isn't attractive, nobody will click on it.

So what I am saying, is with my expierence with film, I believe it is dumb for me to pay for advertising when I have the tools to make videos for free. If it doesn't work, I will go another route.

Xeon · January 23rd, 2008

In my opinion, never pay money for banner ads.
Even on targeted sites (you're selling car t-shirts and buying banner ads on a automobile website), the results are often disappointing, and worse still, it's frigging expensive.

Banner ads nowadays are more like for creating an image and branding, not sales. They used to be awesome in the early days of the web, but no longer.

maddog9022 · January 23rd, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xeon


	In my opinion, never pay money for banner ads. Even on targeted sites (you're selling car t-shirts and buying banner ads on a automobile website), the results are often disappointing, and worse still, it's frigging expensive. Banner ads nowadays are more like for creating an image and branding, not sales. They used to be awesome in the early days of the web, but no longer.

were did youcome to this outcome.

i am going to try this but i will not use a commercal but i will have paintball film made into a nice short vid and put my advertising on that. i think it will also help create a more personal feeling. but i dont know how well it will work.

Catbox · January 23rd, 2008

Your ideas seem good Justmuck...

from what you posted though it sounds like you need to convince yourself also...
It's normal to be nervous or apprehensive about starting something new...

it's a short trip...our lives are...

Go for it... you have the video background and the ideas...

Sharp21 · January 24th, 2008

There are a number of small tshirt startups with video ads posted up on youtube. Doesnt even need to be as expensive as $3k. I saw one done on a cell phone that cracked me up!
On that note, you dont even need to "make a commercial". Just start your own page & upload fresh content consistently to build a viewer base. Your webpage link will be displayed in your sig & if you keep posting the freshness then they will check out your site.
S>

JustMuck · January 24th, 2008

It's not that I need to convince myself. I know I have the means to get it done. As hard as I have searched I have no idea of a conversion from views to website hits. I could be getting 100,000 hits on my video, but how many actually go to the link they see there? I would think it would be higher than the 3-6% sale rate you should shoot for, for hits to sales on your site.

So I am thinking, if it is 10%, and in turn I get the 3-6% in sales. Each video would net 300-600 shirt sales (if I am getting 100,000 views). This more than enough pays for the $3,000 in equipment costs after a couple videos.

Also, Sharp, I am not the type that can just slap something together. If I know my ability can produce a higher quality video, I have to do it that way. Or else I won't be satisfied. But you are correct, its actually videos like the one you are explaining that drive me to believe this is a viable way to advertise.

I was doing research. Checking videos and hits and studying the content. I decided it didn't matter what the content was when I saw a phone video of a crotch rocket driving down the road. Nothing special. The video had been posted for 4 hours, had 40,000 views, and 250 comments.

We will be shooting commercials soon and I will be sure to let you guys know how it is going. Also, if anyone needs ideas or help with anything let me know. With my lack of expierence in the t-shirt business, I feel this is a way that I could help some out in exchange for the help I have recieved.

Xeon · January 24th, 2008

The video thing sounds good, but then,you guys gotta be careful.
Cos' if you post it on youtube and it rarely shows up in the searches, then you'll still be owned.

Rodney · January 24th, 2008

Quote:


	So I am thinking, if it is 10%, and in turn I get the 3-6% in sales. Each video would net 300-600 shirt sales (if I am getting 100,000 views). This more than enough pays for the $3,000 in equipment costs after a couple videos.

Not to sound harsh at all, but I don't think people are going to youtube looking to buy a product.

They are there for the quick fix. Watch the video, on to the next.

I can see the videos on youtube to help with the branding of your site and to help the general word get out, but I don't think you'll see those kind of conversion percentages from a youtube video.

My guess is that anyone would be lucky to even see a 1% conversion ratio from even the best video.

Hopefully someone can prove me wrong, but just going from my experience in selling online and watching how people use youtube, that's my educated guess.

marlo45 · January 24th, 2008

My guess would be that it can work, espacially for the funny t-shirts demographic. I sometimes go to youtube just for something to make me laugh.

When i feel the need for something to cheer me up, if it's funny enough and i think it's something original, i look for the source to get more. That in turn could bring you new, repeat visitors, which in turn can convert to some funny t-shirt sales (even if not immediately). Furthermore, if you stay consistently fresh with your humor you can build loyal fans of your vids/funny ts.

Maybe the same could be said of other types of t-shirts? Your guess is as good as mine.

JustMuck · January 24th, 2008

Like I said, I know I can make videos that people will enjoy watching. We already have a series of commercials ready to shoot. The whole idea for me, is why spend money on advertising when I can atleast try this for free?

I have a little expierence in sales. You being in the t-shirt business for a long time should know that while people do shop for clothes, most buyers purchase on "impulse". When I sold cars, I saw people come in to buy their 16 yr old a car, and ended up buying one for themselves also. Almost everyone is an "impulse" buyer. Thats what most sales people don't take advantage of. Gain the buyers interest and they will make the sale for you.

I am lucky enough to be targeting a group of people that typically have disposable income. Remember, generating web page views can help you in a lot of ways. Even if I don't generate the a lot of sales from this, but I get page hits, I am then able to charge for advertising.

Gunslinger · January 24th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodney


	Not to sound harsh at all, but I don't think people are going to youtube looking to buy a product. They are there for the quick fix. Watch the video, on to the next. I can see the videos on youtube to help with the branding of your site and to help the general word get out, but I don't think you'll see those kind of conversion percentages from a youtube video. My guess is that anyone would be lucky to even see a 1% conversion ratio from even the best video. Hopefully someone can prove me wrong, but just going from my experience in selling online and watching how people use youtube, that's my educated guess.

Have you ever talked to Lou about that, Rodney? It would be interesting to hear his opinion on this subject.

Girlzndollz · January 24th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustMuck


	Remember, generating web page views can help you in a lot of ways. Even if I don't generate the a lot of sales from this, but I get page hits, I am then able to charge for advertising.

Hi, will you please elaborate on this a little more for me? How does one become able to charge advertising? Who is buying? Thanks so much.

As far as your idea, nothing ventured - nothing gained. Good luck with it.

Girlzndollz · January 24th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xeon


	The video thing sounds good, but then,you guys gotta be careful. Cos' if you post it on youtube and it rarely shows up in the searches, then you'll still be owned.

Hi Xeon, what does that mean, you'll still be owned? I don't understand, thanks, Kelly

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