Since the Ducati adverts expired this January on the forum, I've been working on getting some good diverse advertisers to place ads with us.
So far I've managed to get a grand total of two!
I have lost count of how many I have approached, some have shown great promise but then just not come good at the point of commitment.
To cut to the chase I need some help with this. We need to get another 3 adverts on the forum per year to cover the running costs of the forum and importantly keep the club free as it has always been.
Please don't suggest a long list of people I can ask. A) I don't like doing it. B) It's a good bet they will not reply, or explain why they won't advertise in great detail. C) I really don't seem to be very good at it and I like cold calling as much as I like being cold called!
The approach that's had success is to develop a rapport with an outfit I have dealt with, preferably with the boss, and then suggest that they would do well to advertise on our wonderful forum and also help sponsor it.
If you're having a service or talking with a supplier about some tricky part or whatever, then chat them up and pop the question in a nice way. I'm happy to take over once you've softened them up. An introduction is always so much better than a cold call.
I think I'm played out as far as this goes, so I hope you'll give this some thought and bear it in mind when you have a good deal with someone who would be good for the club membership.
Thanks in advance.
Gary
Chairman.