Viral marketing suggestion

There's a consumer products company out there with a unique and somewhat expensive product. They ship a set of serialized business cards with each unit. The idea is that if someone sees the unit and is interested, the owner hands out a card. The card gives the interested person a $50 discount AND the serial number enables the company to mail a $50 check to the owner who passed out the card. Turns every owner into a salesman, and helps encourage interested people to visit the company website or distributor.

I mention this because the Mirage drive is very novel here. Without fail, I end up with one or more people who want to know more about it when I take mine out of the water. I'm quite sure I could have sold a half-dozen by now, and I've only had mine a month.

I think a program along the lines of the one above could be quite effective, even if the 'commission' was credit for accessories or some non-cash incentive.

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2x Revo
17' Grumman Ultralight

Interesting!

The serial number would lead to the dealer we sold the boat to and maybe not the end user as many do not register their warranty. Maybe also an encouragement to register the warranty or the cards send out upon warranty registration?

I'll pass it on to marketing.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Matt...definitely something to think about. I've probably sent 10 random people I've met at the launch (not to mention the #'s from our website) up to the CCK store in CT. (I've told Jon I deserve at 10% "finder's fee"
)

I think I can speak for most folks who own Hobies....they attract A LOT of attention when launching or returning to launch.

The viral marketing concept is certainly an interesting one and I'm glad you passed this idea on to Marketing.

Rol

Still, almost without fail, we get questions about what they are and where people can get them. I thought we finally had an outing where we wouldn't get any questions - we were almost the only people on a remote lake. No other people within a half mile.

Then this sweet little old lady paddles up within shouting distance and bellows (impressively loudly for a sweet little old lady) "I WANT ONE!"

I got no business cards to hand out - no nothing. Time for decisive action.

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2x Revo
17' Grumman Ultralight

The San Diego dealer handles this on his own. He gives his customers post cards that can be haded to a potential consumer... that then is returned to the dealer for a discount which includes a little bump for the original customer. Maybe work with your local dealers to get something like that going.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Fortunately for most successful companies, the majority of us love to share our opinions about the products we use, both good and bad -- for free!

It would be nice to get some bonus bucks or accessories in exchange for sharing our enthusiasm, but there are a couple of down sides as well. First, it adds to the cost of the product. Secondly, it tends to diminish the candor we convey as we would have a financial incentive to endorse a product. If two (or more) people pass out cards, who gets the credit and who keeps track? Who needs the bad feelings or the possible suspicion of lack of ingenuousness?

I often carry a few Hobie brochures to give to people who express an interest. I'll usually even let them try the boat out if they ask. So many people have generously shared their wisdom, opinions and product knowledge with me -- I'll be paying it back for a lifetime and still be in debt!