Marketing C-Dory Boats

I agree with the idea but also think a postcard or some sort of super business card would be easier to use and easier to hold onto for the recipient
 
I decided for a used Ranger Tug over a new C-Dory - non available at the time as I later figured out .. (doh)...

In case you had not noticed we used to be one family..

Anyway, I would be pleased to have some brochures to give out for C-Dory when people tell my they love my Tug but it is just a bit more money than they can swing...
 
I am also constantly asked about the boat. I usually refer people to their website. C-dory could also up- date their website; I do not think they have in years! I figured that after the new management made the changes to their boats ect they would at least up date the photos on the factory site. I wonder how effective it has been to make improvements to the boats and then, NOT TELL ANYONE and use pictures of boats made 5 years ago on their factory site. As much as I love the boat, if they don’t care about marketing and selling them then whatever we do is just a waist of time.
 
Great idea Jeff. I'm all in!

Like others, we get comments and questions at the dock wherever we go. I've also spent some time talking to perspective buyers at the C-Dory display at the SBS the past few years. I love talking up the C-Dory brand. I really appreciate your inclusion of the C-Brats in marketing such a great boat. Way to go, keep it up, and send me some marketing materials!

Peter
C-Dancer
 
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Advertising takes many facets, from big glossy spreads in national magazines, to hiway billboards to word of mouth. The return has to be weighed against the cost to calculate the investment. .....

Right now, Matt, Marc, Scott & Jeff etal all could use some really good, strong support. There are things we can do. Show up at the SBS. Wear C-Dory gear, vests, Hats and T-shirts if you have them. Carry a boat card. like a business card, and pass them out. Talk to people who are looking at boats, and give them directions --- to the C-Brat site and the C-Dory dealers.

Jeff, Good idea and count count me in on carrying a C-Dory/C-Brat card. This site has some valuable resources available, as well as willing supporters. I have both given rides to eventual buyers, both new and used, and passed out our own C-Dory info pages. My boat came to me without even a C-Dory logo on it. (That has been remedied), and I still have people stop and ask what kind of boat it is, and that is just the start.

I'd be happy and feel privileged to be able to hand out a factory sponsored info card with photos, specs, contact info and C-
Brat story. My preference, for what it is , worth, an oversize post card, foldable into half, that would fit into a pocket. A place to put the original contacts name for marketing tracking would be nice, and a boat gas coupon (green with a president face) wouldn't hurt, but even if it wasn't there, I'm sure the cards would still go out. I know I can't speak for anyone else on the sight, but I for one am proud of my C-Dory :thup :thup

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Wow great feedback and quick as well. The Brats are on it, so it sounds like I need to get going with this. I will digest the ideas you all had and see if I can come up with something very soon. I know the printing businesses are hungry out there as well.

My main concern is that we offer something truly professional that a C-brat would be proud to hand out and that a prospective owner would actually want to hold on to. I like the idea of people having a picture of our boats on their refrigerator or in their office. You never know when a person will become inspired to buy a C-Dory and become a Brat.

Now that I have the C-Brat blessing, I'll get on it. Thanks again for the good feedback.

Jeff Lindhout
 
jennykatz":364ni97h said:
Count me in with your Marketing plan I get stopped almost every time we are out even though we are a CC-23 we still are in the Toland c-dory family

Cocoon what portholes are you talking about ?

We wanted more ventilation in the cuddy. I heard that Triton was putting in portholes on request. I called and talked to Scott. He told me the make and model they use, and he gave me his supplier's number. I have had them in just a week or so. Haven't even had the boat out with them yet. I am going out the first day next week it isn't windy.
 
Jeff,
We have had business cards made up and hand them out to persons interested in our boat. Simple and cheap to do the factory could hand 500 to every new owner of every boat they sell with their name and boat model listed. I have a picture of one in my album, maybe some of the more technically gifted could add it to this post.[]http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=Will-C&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php&page=4
C-Dory needs to have a collection of C-Dory branded hats, t-shirts, jackets, pen knives, led flashlights,model boats for mantles and desks, people are gaga over these boats even the C-Brats would standing in line to scarf up these types of items. All of these items help to reinforce the brand. Our company does brochures up and we get our regular venders who are part of the piece; to share in the cost. Whose windows and doors do you use, what motors do you prerig for, who's hydraulic steering do you always use. Mention them or have their products shown in the pictures should be enough to get some co-op advertising money from your venders. Let's all get going here and sell some more of these great boats. If I were a exhibitor at a boat show I would make sure I had one of those new C-Dory calenders hanging in the booth.
D.D.
 
I am happy to hand out a flyer and would carry some as others mentioned - but a good action photo on business card with all the necessary information, & web link would be better for me - to carry on my smart phone.

When someone gets interested - I could just offer to text them w photo and web link attached. Most of the smart phone users will click on the link and be at the CDory web site before your off the dock. If you are not too worried about who they are - they can text you back for more questions, or even a ride. I often use my google voice phone number to protect my real cell number.

I have been using photos now instead of brochures for about 2-3 years at SBS and Seattle Home show, forget the paper, cards, brochures. Its on my smart phone. If you use Evernote on Android or Iphone the cloud server will do OCR and convert any words in the picture to searchable text.

You might also offer to give out "free Marine Navionics software for their region for Iphone or Android to the new customer if they actually came in or made an honest inquiry. The current $13 for one US region is a bargain and cheap advertising. Once they see how much fun marine maps are on a smartphone the fantasy to add the boat would come quickly. I liked getting the Ranger Tug hat when I made an inquiry but getting the whole Navionics West coast for a few dollars more would be hard to resist.

The tech approach is not for everyone - so I would need some brochures as well.
Jim
 
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