In reply to Reible, we are already doing quite a lot, just by being loyal customers and by spreading the "word" to friends and acquaintances. If we are not in the marketing or advertising business it is difficult for us to go to a higher level of promotion. It is Shopsmith's responsibility to develop their marketing program. If they would call upon us to participate I'm sure that many of us would be willing to cooperate in any way.
That being said, the subject of "informertials" has been raised again. This is how I was introduced to the Shopsmith concept back in '83. I think I called an 800 number and was placed on their mailing list. Within a few months I was invited to atend a local Shopsmith demonstration that came to town. By that time I was ready to buy.
A similar marketing ploy could be used today, incorporating modern technology such as cable TV, streaming video on the internet, email, and old marketing tools like snail mail and follow-up phone calls. Since local demonstrations are too expensive, Shopsmith could use some of us as "testimonials" to prospective customers in our areas.
How can we help Shopsmith?
Moderator: admin
"...how do WE help others find US?"
You guys all have tailor-made owner pages, so I'm sure you never explore the Home Page anymore. If you did, you might have stumbled across this: http://af.shopsmith.com/.
With all good wishes,
You guys all have tailor-made owner pages, so I'm sure you never explore the Home Page anymore. If you did, you might have stumbled across this: http://af.shopsmith.com/.
With all good wishes,
Nick Engler
http://www.workshopcompanion.com
http://www.workshopcompanion.com
Yep! Good Program! Seems as though I would first have to have a web site in order to participate. Have been thinking about this for about a year now and still don't have an idea for a site. Sorry!
Any ideas? I don't want to go into business again. I don't want to be strapped to a computer. I would like to participate, however, even if I just offered assistance - that wouldn't be a very good reflection on either you or me if frequent delays occur between questions and answers. So there it sits...
Any ideas? I don't want to go into business again. I don't want to be strapped to a computer. I would like to participate, however, even if I just offered assistance - that wouldn't be a very good reflection on either you or me if frequent delays occur between questions and answers. So there it sits...
Octogenarian's have an earned right to be a curmudgeon.
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
I feel tied enough to a computer during the day with my work. However, I do have an idea: how about getting a few owners together and put on a "team demonstration. This is how it would work: one would show the table saw mode, another set up in drill press mode, another in horizontal bring, etc. Have plenty of information requests on hand. If anyone out thinks this is a crazy idea go ahead and shoot holes in it, fine, but I really believe that there is nobody better than us owners selling the benefits of owning a Shopsmith. One side benefits would be other owners showing tips/shortcuts they have learned while operating the machine. I would be up to doing this, is there anyone else?
I would first have to have a web site in order to participate.
Not necessarily, Charles. All of us are customers of both large a small woodworking businesses -- catalogs, lumber mills, hardware stores, craft suppliers, and so on. Most of these folks have a web site. Tell them about the offer -- it's a quality tool, it's made in America, it's introduced more novices to woodworking than any other single tool in existence (thereby creating more customers for your friends with woodworking businesses), and it's free money. All they have to do is put a link up on their web site and Shopsmith will send them a check every now and them. No, they won't make a lot of money. But then, they won't have to do much work.
How about getting a few owners together and put on a "team demonstration?"
I like the idea, Ryan. How about you get together five or more owners who are reasonably articulate and you all meet Drew and I here at National Woodworking Academy's "webshop" someday soon? I'll round up ten or so of my best students from Russia Local Schools to be on hand to help and ask questions, so we have a nice mix of old farts and young whippersnappers. We'll put it all on the web; then Drew and I will take the mess of you out to dinner at Jackass Flats and try our best to annoy the local motorcycle gang. By the time you get home, you'll be legends. Hordes of screaming teenagers will mob you at the hardware store. You'll make dozens of dollars selling scroll-sawn likenesses of yourself on Ebay.
I don't think it's crazy; sounds like fun. It's been weeks since I've had to fight my way through a horde of screaming teenagers. Might even make a good "informertial" -- or an even better infommercial.
With all good wishes,
Not necessarily, Charles. All of us are customers of both large a small woodworking businesses -- catalogs, lumber mills, hardware stores, craft suppliers, and so on. Most of these folks have a web site. Tell them about the offer -- it's a quality tool, it's made in America, it's introduced more novices to woodworking than any other single tool in existence (thereby creating more customers for your friends with woodworking businesses), and it's free money. All they have to do is put a link up on their web site and Shopsmith will send them a check every now and them. No, they won't make a lot of money. But then, they won't have to do much work.
How about getting a few owners together and put on a "team demonstration?"
I like the idea, Ryan. How about you get together five or more owners who are reasonably articulate and you all meet Drew and I here at National Woodworking Academy's "webshop" someday soon? I'll round up ten or so of my best students from Russia Local Schools to be on hand to help and ask questions, so we have a nice mix of old farts and young whippersnappers. We'll put it all on the web; then Drew and I will take the mess of you out to dinner at Jackass Flats and try our best to annoy the local motorcycle gang. By the time you get home, you'll be legends. Hordes of screaming teenagers will mob you at the hardware store. You'll make dozens of dollars selling scroll-sawn likenesses of yourself on Ebay.
I don't think it's crazy; sounds like fun. It's been weeks since I've had to fight my way through a horde of screaming teenagers. Might even make a good "informertial" -- or an even better infommercial.
With all good wishes,
Nick Engler
http://www.workshopcompanion.com
http://www.workshopcompanion.com
Never let it be said that I backed away from a challenge. But other than myself, I do not know any other Shopsmith owners who live in my area. I suppose we're all making sawdust. I did put out a request a few days ago to see if there was anyone on the forum that would be interested. There were a few that had read the post, but no one responded. Is there anyone else out there in cyberspace that would be able to meet and carry this idea further?
Enjoy the last official summer holiday,
BPR
Enjoy the last official summer holiday,
BPR
Good for you, Ryan. The rest of you click here: http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Double_Dare_Ya.htm.
With all good wishes,
With all good wishes,
Nick Engler
http://www.workshopcompanion.com
http://www.workshopcompanion.com
Maybe some "guest groups" would be fun but I don't know any shopsmith owners in my area either. Even a good camera person would be enough to do a few local "hands-on" tips and tricks and they could be sent in for free wood or some such promotion.
Knowing how much it would cost to drive to OH, spend a few days/nights with hotel charges... I don't see much reason for traveling... well yea we could "tip some cows" or get in on some biker trivia but still.
However maybe instead of the promices of "groupies" shopsmith could offer something more useful. Like maybe some arrangements for sleeping and tools at cost sort of thing. Maybe a couple of bunks in the workshop?? Maybe a nice leather shopsmith jacket?? OK so what kind of offers would make you want to star in a session??
Us retired guys have nothing better to do with our time after all then spending hours under hot lights on a movie sets. The biggest problem is that the camera tends to make you look fatter then you are, and doubles your hair loss, well it does that to me anyway, and come to think of it ages me another 10 years and makes me look shorter.... Just the kind of person that would make younger people stay away from woodworking as a hobby, you know they could end up "like that".
Yea, it's toooo bad I don't live closer... it could be so much fun...
Ed
Knowing how much it would cost to drive to OH, spend a few days/nights with hotel charges... I don't see much reason for traveling... well yea we could "tip some cows" or get in on some biker trivia but still.
However maybe instead of the promices of "groupies" shopsmith could offer something more useful. Like maybe some arrangements for sleeping and tools at cost sort of thing. Maybe a couple of bunks in the workshop?? Maybe a nice leather shopsmith jacket?? OK so what kind of offers would make you want to star in a session??
Us retired guys have nothing better to do with our time after all then spending hours under hot lights on a movie sets. The biggest problem is that the camera tends to make you look fatter then you are, and doubles your hair loss, well it does that to me anyway, and come to think of it ages me another 10 years and makes me look shorter.... Just the kind of person that would make younger people stay away from woodworking as a hobby, you know they could end up "like that".
Yea, it's toooo bad I don't live closer... it could be so much fun...
Ed