Marketing ???

BMS · 10-12-2009, 10:15 PM

Hey guys I have a question......I own a small buisness. I have PLENTY of dive work and have had a good many deliveries and a few surveys...I have a website and buisness cards and speak at yacht club meeeetings, but would of course like more any ideas on more mareting techniques???

Marmot · 10-12-2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boyd Marine[I

]"... but would of course like more any ideas on more mareting techniques???"[I]

Hire a copy writer.

Look at what your competitors are doing, especially the ones who are kicking your butt in sales.

BMS · 10-12-2009, 10:56 PM

I have looked at what others are doing but I think I am the only one that offers Captain and dive service as well as marine survey in my area. There are others that do these individualy but not all three. It seems the guys that are succesful are much older. I do have a very good reputation but maybe my age and years in the buisness hinder me a bit, im 29 and it seems the guys doing well are much older...Any insight? It seems that guys like Marmot, Nycap, and K1w1 are very established how did you guys start out? I have been doing this kind of work since I left the Coast Guard 5yrs ago and I do stay busy diving, runnning my boat on tours, and am a contractor for a towing and salvage company. I do between 5 and 10 surveys a year and an occasional delivery I would just like to figure a way to do a bit more.Thanks!

CaptTom · 10-12-2009, 11:40 PM

One of the key things, and you mentioned it, is that the other guys are older, which equates to being established with a good following. I'm sure they, just as I had experienced, a rough time getting started. I had to pick through the work, did jobs that no one else would touch, but it not only kept the name out there, but gave me experience. This business is not always champagne and caviar; we had to eat a lot of crap along the way.
For you, look at some of the unconventional things. I've done pre-surveys (I'm not a licensed surveyor), but a former mechanic who still know his way around an engine. And I've reviewed boats down here for potential buyers who were out of state. Good luck.

BMS · 10-13-2009, 12:15 AM

Thanks Cap Tom good point...Maybe I just need to suck it up a while longer. I was just feeling like I have been eating crow for a while and am looking for a change. You are right though it can't all be down hill. Thanks guys

K1W1 · 10-13-2009, 01:37 AM

Hi,

I did my Apprenticeship of 9000 Hrs as a Diesel Mechanic and worked in a few other places and then was lucky enough to get to go off to sea through someone my father knew.

It was like starting another apprenticeship I worked hard and spent leave time doing courses and exams. I was 32 by the time I got my Merchant Navy Chiefs ticket.

I have continued to educate myself to this day.

I have a good reputation in the business and have had my best breaks through word of mouth.

I have never used a Crew Agency and do not advertise, I have a select few clients but am always open to additional introductions/clients.

Marmot · 10-13-2009, 08:41 AM

I am not self-employed. I work for someone else but I got my current position by marketing my background and skills as did nearly everyone else with a job. I keep this job by marketing my product to our clients in person and through written reports. Everything you say or do is marketing in one way or another.

Regardless of the type of employment several things are critical to your success. I was not being rude when I wrote "hire a copy writer." Image is all-important when selling yourself, and when your first contact is through a written medium grammar and spelling has to be absolutely correct. It is a demonstration of attention to detail and indicates pride in the finished product. When I see a badly written advertisement with spelling errors and bad grammar I usually stop reading. If the business can't even get its advertising right what kind of job will they do for me or my client? Is that a fair or accurate appraisal of a contractor? Maybe not, but there are enough around who make the effort to keep themselves presentable that I don't have to deal with those who apparently don't care. None of us can do everything so don't hesitate to hire a specialist to help you when you need advice or assistance. Do what you do best and pay a pro to do what you don't do well ... after all , isn't that what you are asking your client to do?

At this early stage, word of mouth is your best marketing tool. I always ask around the yards and boats for recommendations when I am looking for a service for which I have little or no personal local experience. I (generally) trust a former customer. Considering your range of products, a satisfied customer is your cheapest and best marketing tool. If you want something more substantial than "good will" ask those satisfied customers for letters and endorsements that you can use in your written material. It is a good way to get word of mouth to those out of hearing range.

jhartog · 10-14-2009, 08:51 PM

Have you contacted boat dealers in your area to submit your name for their 'portfolio' of delivery captains ? That would get you out in front of additional clients and you can use time with them [soft] selling yourself.

BMS · 10-15-2009, 07:18 PM

Thanks for all the responses gents... Some great recommendations and I will use them all

NYCAP123 · 10-15-2009, 10:02 PM

When I started out I worked in old time boat yards and later ran an LCM cleaning up oil slicks. From there I did anything and everything that was needed, and when no opportunities were offered made my own. Over time you get known and get a reputation. All of a sudden you read something like: "It seems that guys like Marmot, Nycap, and K1w1 are very established how did you guys start out?" and you think 'Wait a minute. Somehow I've become the guy the young turks want to emulate. How come I still feel like I have so much more to learn, and when will I finish paying dues?' I think the answers you're seeking are simply look for ways to say yes, work hard, don't let quiting be an option and get old.

Let us know if you can figure out a way to fast tract that last one. Saw a comic recently where young musicians were saying they want to be a legacy band but that could only be done by playing together for as long as the Stones. Keep plugging away. It sounds like you're on the right track.

Marmot · 10-16-2009, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

"... work hard, don't let quiting be an option and get old ... Let us know if you can figure out a way to fast tract that last one."

Fast track to getting old? How about SIDETRACK that one!

Ah, if I had known then what I know now I would probably have screwed it up anyway.

Capt J · 10-16-2009, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

When I started out I worked in old time boat yards and later ran an LCM cleaning up oil slicks. From there I did anything and everything that was needed, and when no opportunities were offered made my own. Over time you get known and get a reputation. All of a sudden you read something like: "It seems that guys like Marmot, Nycap, and K1w1 are very established how did you guys start out?" and you think 'Wait a minute. Somehow I've become the guy the young turks want to emulate. How come I still feel like I have so much more to learn, and when will I finish paying dues?' I think the answers you're seeking are simply look for ways to say yes, work hard, don't let quiting be an option and get old.

Let us know if you can figure out a way to fast tract that last one. Saw a comic recently where young musicians were saying they want to be a legacy band but that could only be done by playing together for as long as the Stones. Keep plugging away. It sounds like you're on the right track.

I agree, in the begginning I washed A LOT of boats, polished A LOT of stainless, compounded and waxed gelcoat, varnished, cleaned teak decks, changed oil and fuel filters, fixed mechanical issues....... the trick was, if I didn't know how to do something, I found out how to do it, and how to do it right. I take pride that I know how to fix just about anything on a yacht from electrical, plumbing, engine, etc. etc...... so if I am on a delivery, the only thing that would keep me on a dock with an owner on board would be a lack of parts or major engine breakdown. I specialize in yacht management and take care of all aspects for each owner, so they have no stress or hassles in their ownership. Some yachts I take care of the provisioning, dry cleaning, etc etc.......

But, it's the contacts you make along the way, and you have to strive to make a great impression on each and every one of them.

BMS · 10-16-2009, 11:05 AM

I was just thinking back a few weeks ago and I went from diving a boat to scrape barnicles in the morning to running a dolphin tour boat at noon with 40 screaming kids on board back to diving again to clean the intakes on an 80 footer going out for sea trials then heading off shore for an all night tow for a local marine tow and salvage company. Got up the next day to meet a customer at the yard to start a survey. I am not complaining even though a "*****in sailor is a happy sailor" I just hope I am going down the right track...

YachtForums · 10-16-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marmot

Ah, if I had known then what I know now I would probably have screwed it up anyway.

.....

Rene GER · 10-16-2009, 12:55 PM

Hi,

I am planning to reanimate my company, but I will change business or location (Munich, Ft. Lauderdale, New York). There are too much media agencys in Germany. For this I plan a new website and business cards (what you have) and also some brochures with the service offering, which you can give to the clients.

Printing should be not be expensive, when you have online printers in the U.S.

Good luck for your business