tiltmeter meeting

[MChalkley]

Re: tiltmeter

JerryG - Why, it's a very large cup, of course. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

MarkC

 

[JerryG]

Re: tiltmeter

Mark,
I should have known/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif. What would a L4310 be without a Chalkley cup?
JerryG

 

[RBManufacturing]

Re: tiltmeter

Mark,
So far, the ones I have talked to AFTER they reviewed the
site almost always say same thing. "Did not know site
existed," " Very interesting site". "Interesting comments"
"Will try to occasionally review comments to see what
is being said about tiltmeters, and other subjects."

I have either not reached the right people yet, or I feel
that sometimes I am getting passed around. Hard to tell.
The magazines I have talked to were more promising. Will
try to hit more soon. I believe most feel that I am
asking them to review site and run story as an advertising
gimmick. I can see how that would look. I am hoping
someone will do a non-biased story. I will gladly supply
names of two other companies that make tiltmeters.
(inclinometers). No name has to be mentioned. Just a story
about the meters in general, with comments from this site
included, as well as other sources. Maybe my hopes of
suppling a useful needed product, at a good price, that
could possibly save a few lives would go over big might
have been in error. Maybe the want and need is not as great
as I felt it was. From this site, it appears I was right.
However, from trying to get a major o.e.m. to feel same
way is not progressing same way. Myself and Brenda are the
only two full time employees. It is hard to do everything
with two people. Marketing not my strong suit. Determined
to keep trying. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe not. Time will
tell.I can say one thing. I have numerous small o.e.m.
buyers that feel liability is definately reduced with
meters. Forklift mfg. 3 truck o.e.ms. Logging equip. o.e.m.
Scissor lift o.e.m. Const. equip. o.e.m.(similar to tractor)
all are small, but proud to have them. Numbers are small
per year. Maybe I'm just feeling the let down after my trip.
No bad news, but no good either. Thanks for listening to
the babble. Rick


Rick Hedgecock
R&B Manufacturing

 

[BobT]

Re: tiltmeter

Rick,

You sure can wear your tongue out yapping at those corporate heads, that's for sure. They take a looooong time to decide anything, I know.

I think your best best is to go direct to the tractor owners, and also via the dealer network. It may take YEARS before you strike a real OEM deal. And when you do, you'll have to gear up production, hire more workers, get loans, etc., etc. They will then wind up dictating terms, prices and profits to you, and often just rip off your idea after a year or two. If they see hundreds, then thousands of owners putting Tiltmeters(TM) on, and saving accidents, they will pursue you, in the end, and you can negotiate from a much stronger position.

My experience is that the BEST marketing results are always from PR --- press releases, stories, etc. It takes a little effort, but a one or two page "article", based upon a press release and interview (at virtually "no cost" to you) in a prominent magazine can be worth $10-20,000 (if you had to buy space ads (which most small businesses could never afford).

Jay Conrad Levinson (do a search on Amazon) has written several phenomenal books on these kinds of "guerilla marketing" techniques. Buy one of his books for $20 and I think you'll explode your sales.

I know the struggle gets you down from time to time, but --- Be persistent!

BobT.
A Indiana Boy

 

[bpence]

Re: tiltmeter

Rick, growing a business can be discouraging at times. Persistance is pretty important.

I've talked with a couple of tractor dealerships over the past couple of weeks and neither was aware of the products you offer. I still think some type of marketing approach for dealers might yield positive results.

I gave both of the dealers (owners) your name and phone number and pointed them at this site as well. Hopefully they'll call and start the dealer network ball rolling.

Bob Pence

 

[RBManufacturing]

Re: tiltmeter

Bob,And Bob,
Thank you both. I have had small press release in 20-30.
Farm magazines. Only allowed to run once each. Sales

picked up during ad period. Fell off afterwards. Payments
on equipment continued. Spend alot on ads. When ad costs
$300.00 to $3000.00 it is hard to make even cost of ad back
on $40.00 item.Will continue. We are set up to handle
much more business if it comes. Thanks for tip on book.
Will try to find today. And thanks for tipping off dealers.
As always, Thanks Guys. Rick

Rick Hedgecock
R&B Manufacturing

 

[BobT]

Re: tiltmeter

Rick,

Buying quarter, half and full page display ads will "kill" you. They rarely pay off. It is very hard to track sales to any specific ad.

Instead, use direct selling methods. Sell the unit direct from the ad. That way, you can track exact ad performace. Try to find magazines with classified sections. Those are cheap.

I agree with the idea to get dealers to act as a sales channel. Problem is getting to them. It will cost $1 plus per mailing peice to dealers. And it is pretty expensive to personally call on each dealer. But you can experiment and find the best way to reach them profitably.

You should set up a kind of "mini-web site, devoted only to selling the Tiltmeter(TM). Put all of your sales info, plus strong testiomonials, and allow them to order and pay right online. I think that would work very well as a sales channel.

Send me a private message with your email, and if you are interested I will outline the exact steps I am talking about.

Here's the book I was talking about on Amazon Mastering Guerrilla Marketing, by Jay Conrad Levinson.

BobT.
A Indiana Boy

 

[RBManufacturing]

Re: tiltmeter

Hi Bob,
Thank you sir. I will order book probably tomorrow.
I will e-mail soon also. I have a machine break down
in the shop. Will most likeky take all night to repair.
Local machine shop agreed to stay open late to help.
We are currently working on such a site. You can order
on line at my site. (www.tiltmeter.com.) Sir, I appreciate
your help. And all the guys here. Look for e-mail soon.
Again, Thanks.Rick

Rick Hedgecock
R&B Manufacturing

 

[RobertN]

Re: tiltmeter

Rick, you made a good point. At what angle will something go over...

I have always liked rock crawling in a Jeep. That's when you wind up with gearing lower than most tractors have and REALLY creep /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

You might try the 4x4 market, by trying companies liek:
http://www.4wheelparts.com/
http://www.central4wd.com/
Or try ad's in Petersens 4 wheel & Off Road

RobertN in Shingle Springs Calif

 

[RBManufacturing]

Re: tiltmeter

RobertN,
Thanks, WILL DO. Rick

Rick Hedgecock
R&B Manufacturing