Driving traffic to your web site

[Darren_Parsons]

Our event business is a shoot and post model, at this point there is no on-site printing. I would love to get to that stage but there are two main drawbacks. One is the capital cost, the other is the fact that we travel to most events on a motorcycle so space is a premium.

So the main goal of our marketing is to drive traffic to our site. We have usually provided the organizers with business cards or flyers to hand out at registration. This year we have added a new twist to that idea and it seems to be working. Our cards are printed with a serial number on them. The serial number acts like a draw for photo prize. Participants are told to visit our site after the event and look for their number. As for releasing the number when they get to our site they are asked to send an email for the winning number. I then set up an auto responder to send back an email with the numbers for that event.

Seems to be working and we are gathering email address of participants.

Does anyone have any further suggestions, tips or advice on how to drive more people to your site?

Thanks

D

[LarryRyder]

Is it a requirement or a choice to travel by motorcycle? The more and larger signs and displays you can set up the better but your transportation severely limits this.

As for as printing on site I wouldn't worry about that but on-site view and sales is a big plus. I started printing on-site and gave up on that in about 6 months without any negative impact to sales.

[Darren_Parsons]

Traveling to events on the bike is a choice - but it also provides us with extra flexibility. We photograph motorcycle events. During many events roads are closed to all but bikes but the best thing is our ability to jump out in front of a several thousand bike parade, shoot it as it passes, then leapfrog the parade and shoot again from a second location.

I am on the verge of purchasing a trailer, just a small one for the bike, and upgrading my car (cage in biker speak) so that I can pull it, that will allow us to bring larger signs, viewing stations, etc.

[LarryRyder]

Since you are going to be in with the subjects (bikes) instead of just using it for transport how about a sign on your trailer?

[Norm_Cabana]

Darren,

The one thing I have found out about trailers, we always underestimate our needs. I was able to borrow a 24 ft enclosed trailer to evaluate my needs and I ended up buy a 20 ft box, because it was cheaper. I've realized that I really do need the 24 ft trailer. Your operation will grow and when it does you'll need the room.

Cage indeed!

[Darren_Parsons]

Thanks Norm

At this point I am not willing to make the investment, not so much in the trailer, but the vehicle that is needed to haul such a beast.

I would like to get back to the original thread here and ask the original question again - other than signs, how do you drive more people to you site? Has anyone used contests, auto responders, email, etc to encourage visits?

What works?

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