http://www.computerarts.co.uk/in_depth/interviews/iain_tait
Now then - it's been a mad couple of days for balloonrace.com. We had a genius break into the balloon bank and travel 1307km in one night, so we paused the race. This left a problem - the racers who have been racing fare and square (emailing all their aunties around the world for a boost) were left high and dry.
The object of balloonrace.com/balloons was to get a bit of interest and see where it takes us - by stopping the race we were letting down the very people who were taking an interest. So we've re-started the race whilst the issues are being fixed - if anyone breaks into the bank we're pop their balloon.
Anyway..... as a result of the above problems, Marc Summers (who seems to have contacts with balloon company everywhere) - recons he can build some traffic to the current race. He has also come up with the idea of an affiliate program where all balloon companies can offer a virtual race and get a cut.
Now then - stand by your beds - there's gonna be a stampede - I'm gonna add printedballoons.com to the race asap (Alleycat, you should add balloonprint.co.uk and undercut me - 100's of balloon companies will have no choice but to look at your site for 30 seconds as they fly across).
You can add a site here - http://www.balloonrace.com/site-register.asp
We're also working on making the widget smaller (or lower on the page) - maybe put it at the bottom right of the web page rather than the web screen. Loads of sites have added it and then removed it - we need to stop that.
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4 comments:
No wonder it's lonely in here if your other followers just contact you in private - and me just a lowly follower, can't compete with a VIP, I'll take me ball and go home....!
Just a wee thought on why sites might be removing the widget - when the race info is displayed full screen you've got two other site links displayed quite prominently (as well as the links about the race), is that not a bit of a turn off for the site owner, I mean who wants to make it easy for a user to click away from their site?
Hi Alleycat
Yeah - I get your point.
I like the idea of a leader board opening when you hit the widget - but I'm not paying for it. I've sunk a load of cash into this concept and I reckon it's 10 years too early.
Kids can use the thing no problem - but anybody over the age of 20 just don't get it.
Also - you'd be amazed how much trouble you can get in for giving away a Conwin. I should know better, I was on the NABAS committee for 3 years and only got criticized .
I've learnt to keep a low profile - so once this race is over I'll crawl back into my hole.
Cheers Dave
Well I feel for you - all you wanted was a bit of feedback and instead you get a public flogging.
Here's another bit of advice for the race (I know, I know, but a big name company spent thousands teaching me about marketing so I like to dip into it from time to time) - you've got two very different target markets so you need two seperate pitches, I don't think the one-size-fits-all approach works here.
The people who buy it/order it need the most persuading and one of the ways you might do that is to give them a trial - pretty much like you've done with this free race but restrict it to half a dozen or so balloons if that's possible - so that the oldies can involve a handful of youngsters in the trial to see how it all works in practice, who then in turn do half your job for you by helping to sell the whole concept to the wrinklies.
How many people "get" twitter? It still manages to do quite nicely though. Viral marketing - the buzz word of the millennium - aimed at students, the 20-somethings of tomorrow (with purchasing power) - maybe that's worth a thought?
Hey Alleycat
Yeah - they put me in the stocks and threw tomatoes at me.
Thanks for all the top advice - as always. I need to implement all you've said asap because I'm starting to lose interest in the virtual race. And it's always just after you were going to give up..... that you succeed.
I sent you a bacs payment today - I've got a suggestion but I'll start a new post on the subject.
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