We've seen it before.  Someone comes to SPG extremely excited.  They've looked at one or more of our websites and decided that they want to become a Supporting Vendor.  They've seen the huge success that our other Supporting Vendors have had and can't wait to enjoy in the same results themselves.  With just a little extra time and effort, vendors can make huge returns on their investment.  However, all too often vendors "set it and forget it", bringing less than desirable results and frustration.  At SPG, we want nothing more than for you to get the best return possible after investing your money.  This is a simple and easy guide we've put together to ensure you get just that.  While this guide is far from everything there is to know, please take a few minutes to find out some easy tips to succeeding in your online investment.

Online vs. Print

While promoting your business online follows much of the same theory that print advertising does, the “set it and forget it” philosophy just doesn’t carry over.  Running an ad in an automotive magazine or even your local newspaper only offers a one sided experience. You have to hope someone not only sees your ad, but then decides they’re going visit your website or call your phone number.  If they’ve never heard of your company before, you have to hope they can tell what you do and what you offer from your ad.  Never mind the marketing rule that a consumer will have to see your ad three times before it even registers in their mind.  Another huge disadvantage is that you’ll never be able to track exactly how many people effectively saw your ad, and to what extent those views lead to sales.  We’re not even going to talk about the insane costs.

Where print ads fails, online advertising reigns supreme.  Costs are a mere fraction of print, results can be directly tracked, and the customer-vendor relationship can be taken advantage of in both directions.  Online forums are supremely perfect environment to look for new customers.  Now that we have the differences out of the way... lets talk about how to use those to your advantage!

The Customer-Vendor Relationship

Promoting your business online, especially an online forum, offers a unique opportunity that you won’t find anywhere else.  Online forums, especially active and targeted forums allow a two way relationship between businesses and those who seek and desire those business’s services/products.  Using that two way relationship effectively makes the difference between barely recouping your investment and bringing in a great return.

Some tips:

•  People online are not stupid.  They are online to look for value and excellent customer service.  If there is someone offering the same products as you, but cheaper, rethink your pricing. If you choose to keep a high price, emphasize your customer service, and then provide it.
  

•  Word spreads fast online.  If a customer has a negative experience, their ability to tell thousands of people about it immediately is scary.  On the flip note, a positive experience can and often does have the same effect more often.  Always provide the best possible customer experience. Treat every customer interaction as if your whole company's reputation rides on that very experience.
  

• Become a “regular.”  Posting on the forum or site you’re advertising on is a great way to build awareness and trust among the visitors of a website.  This tip works even works if you make posts not related to your business.  Remind people about your company and specials on a regular basis.  Use that two way avenue to place yourself in front of your potential customers and give them a reason to check you out.  Think about it this way... Would you rather buy from a friend, or someone you’ve never even met?  Being a regular on a message board is like being a friend to everyone who views and posts on that website.  It’s instant creditability for yourself and your business.
• Be a "real person."  This goes along the lines of the last tip.  People want to buy from a human being, not a computer prompt.  Always provide as many details about yourself, your company, your companies goals, specialties, and history.  In an online world where someone can buy the same product from hundreds of stores, they will choose the store they have the closest emotional connection to.
• Now here's the most important tip of them all.  Actively go out and ask for business!!!  Online forums offer an experiance where people come online to ask for advice. Advice on how to fix their vehicle, advice on what products to buy, and advice on where to buy stuff for their vehicles online. In each of those cases, you can capitalize and turn a question into a sale. If someone is asking for which superchargers work the best, make a post offering your pricing on the models of superchargers you offer. Even if the original poster doesn't buy from you, someone else probably will. Even if that paritucular post doesn't lead to a sale, it will increase awareness of your company, and yourself.
  

Choosing to become a Supporting Vendor on an SPG website is only the start to succeeding.  We want to be honest, if you want to pay us to place your banner ad on one of our sites and expect to get sales from doing nothing more, please rethink your choice.  In the end, you will be dissapointed, frustrated, and one mighty upset customer.  We'd rather save you the frustration and negative feelings right up front.  Succeeding in bringing a profitable return on your advertising investment can be the difference in spending an extra 15 mintues a week making yourself known online.  Just like anything in life, the more you put in, the more you get back.

Good luck online and remember, if you need advice, just ask us. We're here not only just to place your ad on one of our sites, but to help you make the most out of your hard earned investment.  That's the SPG promise. Total customer satisfaction.