Marketing

So I've been doing a little consulting to keep me a float, I'd like to grow the business. Maybe a movie would help.

Impact and Perception

I posted about the Wouxun problem.
Hans posted about the Wouxun problem.
Matt posted about the Wouxun problem.
David posted about the Wouxun problem.
It is making the rounds on the Yahoo Group.
It is making the rounds on the forums like eHam.net, QRZ, and AR-15, CalGuns.net.
[ EDIT TO ADD: ] The QRPer posted about the Wouxun problem.


That's in less than 24 hours. I know we don't represent a huge part of the total internet, but for the Chinese radios, we are what I like to call a non-trivial number. Wouxun had a huge lead on the other manufacturers. The KG-UV920R was a disappointment. Losing the guy that bought these radios to the US market is another step back. Culture issue? Poor management? Inability to manufacture? With alternatives like Baofeng, AnyTone, and a multitude of others, more problems or perceived problems* will make them go the way of AOL.

* Especially considering the price increases as they became more popular. My first Wouxun was less than $110.

Culture Differences

This commercial is hard core.

SammyWalrusIV In Thailand, they use this TV ad to sell life insurance. In the U.S., we use talking ducks and Snoopy. youtube.com/watch?v=nBobmn…Tue, Dec 11 19:13:17 from web

Sex Sells! Sex Sells Ham Radios?

It's not just Baofeng... it is all the Chinese radio manufacturers.

iPad Usage

Apparently iPad user purchase patterns are different from other mobile users thus making them more valuable:

"A lot of really good businesses build their business model around getting to 10% conversion rate to purchasers within 6 to 12 months. It’s simply amazing that we’re seeing 10% conversion to purchase within the first week for iPad users.

Second, the Custora model forecasts that iPad users are worth twice as much 2-year revenue vs. non-iPad customers."

And it seems we are learning new ways to use our iPads. With all the "cloud" services, I'm surprised that the demand for more disk space is going up. Perhaps the magic of syncing across devices actually drives the need for more space when all your pictures, videos, apps, and files start showing up on your tablet. I am seriously thinking about an e-ink Kindle to use as a pure e-reader, so the second graph makes sense to me.

The Bark Side

Not sure what the link is to VW, but I like the video.



Via Slim

What does Google think about you?

This reminds a little of TiVo's ability to suggest other television shows you might like... you can see what Google knows about you based on your web habits. Sign into your google account and click here.

Via Casey Johnston via Business Insider

NH7QH Radio Supplies, LLC

A quick plug for NH7QH Radio Supplies, LLC (Hawaii's Ham Radio Store)... I've mentioned them before as a supplier of the Baofeng UV-3R, but the reason for this post is their RSS feed. If you aren't familiar with RSS feeds, they allow you to subscribe to a web site and have updates delivered to you. I manage my subscriptions in Google Reader. When you follow a lot of web sites, it makes the task much easier. My recent Reader stats:

From your 140 subscriptions, over the last 30 days you read 4,710 items, clicked 194 items,starred 339 items, and emailed 0 items.

Back to my point, NH7QH's site has an RSS feed, so I know when he's added new products to this store. It is an easy way for me to keep tabs on what he's got going on.

For example, he recently added Speaker Mic for the Baofeng UV-3R Mark II, announced his Black Friday Sale (Sorry I didn't get this posted sooner for those that are interested!), offers a USB to Serial Adapter, and has a new Mini Dualband SMA Antenna.

I wish other sites would do the same.

Opposite or Opportunity

ev Must be a tough spot when you run an ad campaign to stress the opposite of what your brand is known for. pic.twitter.com/YLQDl7ZoMon, Nov 21 11:51:02 from Camera on iOS retweeted by sarahcuda

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Google AdWords

Even if you aren't trying to sell something, I think it is interesting to see how ads are selected for display to you. It isn't just about the price an advertiser is willing to pay - there is a quality rating.
Infographic by Pulpmedia Online Marketing

Buying

I like to think I am pretty smart when it comes to spending my money. I like to think that, but it probably isn't true. I'm influenced in more ways than I will ever realize.

Heck, the Harbor Freight ad in the Sunday paper always makes me "want" stuff - an $8 mover's dolly, a $3 digital multi-meter, a $2 tarp, a $260 surveillance system with four camera, etc. I didn't see it this time, but there are usually some solar panels I must have for a project.