Vendor Adverts and FFCars

[Dave Smith]

Here's some candor...

I've been working on getting this Forum up live before the Winter Open House. In so doing, we did not communicate with any vendors or advertisers... although we'll do this in the coming days and weeks.

One of the biggest reasons for this forum is that three times now the forum community has undergone major change. Not so hard to understand, but we wanted to build a place where our community could COUNT on affordable advertising and access to FFR customers. With the sale of FFCars I felt responsible to step up and help.

Advertisers: The founding principle of this site is to take the COST of the operations and spread it over advertisers without trying to make buckets of money. If all we do is introduce some healthy competition with Club C-car and FFcars, and it makes ads more affordable and makes it easier for guys like Russ Thompson to continue helping guys by offering cool products at reasonable prices... well then we've done our first job... BUT I have much bigger plans and I am only interested in ADDING our site to the other forums out there in the most positive way.

I think ad rates should be 9 or 10 bucks a month... Maybe 20-25 at most. Big companies like Ford and GM and others can and will pay alot more, but the core community HAS to be able to advertise for real small money.

In the next few weeks I'll be working with suppliers one-on-one to explain this principle, and if you're a supplier like Mark at Breeze, or Max at Five Star, or Collin at Stewart, etc, please know that the reason you weren't called yet was that we were trying to launch the site by today. The Ford ads and GM ads are test banners. More soon and have a great weekend!!!

Dave Smith
FFR001

[cobraearl]

You answered one of my big questions...

cobraearl

[michael everson]

Great. I was seriously considering closing up shop if the advertiseing was going to be 3K plus a year.

[mrmustang]

Might even get a few extra vendors to step up to the plate.


Bill S.

[Ray]

Please don't forget Herb and his door panels

Ray

[Mike N]

Might even get a few extra vendors to step up to the plate.


Bill S.

Bill that is a key reason to keep the rates affordable. A healthy industry is good for everyone.

[LuckyWinner]

Lets not forget about Levy and Forte....I hope they come over and still give us that great engine advise....I would be lost without it.

[efnfast]

Wow, advertising costs landing between $5 and $25/mth for smaller vendors in phenomenal. I can't think of any forum I post on where rates are that low!

[prophet]

Thanks for the update, Dave. I was with Mike on this one - if advertiser rates hit $3k a year, there is no way I would be able to continue supporting a forum. The metrics just aren't there. I wouldn't close my doors, just concentrate in other pastures.

[Jammin]

Please keep me in the loop. I have many custom mods that I am sure I could market with that type of advertising cost

[tfalk]

Keep me in the loop too... If the rates on ffcars are not discounted, I won't renew there anymore.

Dave, if there is anything I can do to help you with the F5R clothing, let me know as well.

[Larry N. Johnson]

www.serpentexpress.com

Dave, when you have time for the small fish, call Larry 801-766-4651
Here is our banner ad:

http://www.serpentexpress.com/images/SE_Animation2.gif

Majojority of users are FFR owners:
No. State Make Model
01- GA Unique 65 427 S/C Roadster
02- OH FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
03- AZ P4 Ferrari
04- AZ SPF 65 427 S/C Roadster
04- AZ Z06 03 Corvette Coupe
05- OR ERA 65 427 S/C Roadster
06- IL SPF 65 427 S/C Roadster
07- ID ERA 65 427 S/C Roadster
08- AZ SPF 65 427 S/C Roadster
09- FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
10- N.CA FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
11- OR FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
12- NV FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
13- S.CA FFR 65 Spec Racer Roadster
—– S.CA FFR Type 65 Coupe
14- NC SPF 65 427 S/C Roadster
15- MI SPF 65 427 S/C Roadster
16- VA SPF 65 427 S/C Roadster
17- AZ SPF 65 427 S/C Roadster
18- AZ FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
19- S.CA BDR 65 427 S/C Roadster
20- S.CA FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
21- AZ FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
22- AZ FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
23- VA CTP 65 427 S/C Roadster
24- IL SPF 65 427 S/C Roadster
25- UT FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
—– UT 65 Corvette Convertible
26- NM FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
27- AZ CFX 65 427 S/C Roadster
28- NY ERA 64 289 FIA Roadster
29- VA FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
30- FL FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
31- UT SVC 65 427 S/C Roadster
32- WA FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
33- GA BDR 65 427 S/C Roadster
34- N.CA ERA 65 427 S/C Roadster
35- FL SPF 65 427 S/C Roadster
36- MD EMM 65 427 S/C Roadster
37- ID Z06 03 Corvette Race Car
38- IL SPF 65 427 S/C Roadster
39- S.CA FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
40- MA FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
41- N.CA SVC 65 427 S/C Roadster
42- FL FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
43- S.CA FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
44- N.CA FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
45- KY SPF 65 427 S/C Roadster
46- N.CA Unique 65 427 S/C Roadster
—– N.CA M/B CLK 320 Coupe
47- ID Corvette 2000 C5 Race Car
48- CO FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
49- N.CA FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
50- S.CA FFR 07 GTM Coupe
—– S.CA FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
51- L.MI FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
52- UT SVC 65 427 S/C Roadster
53- UT FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
54- CT FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
55- IL KMP 65 427 S/C Roadster
56- TX LSC 65 427 S/C Roadster
57- TX FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
—– TX 34 Ford Coupe Street Rod
58- NY FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
59- IL EMM 65 427 S/C Roadster
—– IL 66 GT-40 Race Car
60- AB FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
61- SD 62 Ferrari 250GT Testa Rossa
—– SD 66 GT-40 Replica
62- PA FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
—– PA FFR Type 65 Coupe
—– PA 65 Corvette Roadster
63- IL Classic 65 427 S/C Roadster
64- NY FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
65- FL SPF 65 427 S/C Roadster
66- CA FFR 65 427 S/C Roadster
—– CA Toyota 09 Camry
67- TX LS 427 S/C Roadster
68- GA FFR 427 S/C Roadster
69- WA FFR 427 S/C Roadster
70- MO FFR 427 S/C Roadster
71- SD 427 S/C Roadster
—– SD C5 Corvette
72- TN FFR 427 S/C Roadster
73- WA SPF 427 S/C Roadster
74 -TN–> Alaska FFR 427 S/C Roadster
75- PA Gt40
—– PA MGB Race Car
—– PA Chevron B16 Race Car
—– PA TVR Tuscin Race Car
:)

[oldguy668]

I'll go out on a limb here and suggest that FFR allow all of our vendors to start immediately with no fees until their respective ads expire elsewhere. I don't think many of them cam afford to advertise on two sites.

[Shaun R]

THIS is why the Factory Five forum will succeed! The president of F5 understands grass roots community!
Thanks Dave.

[mikeinatlanta]

I used to have a business making transparent bras (3M film) and still have all my patterns and materials. I never offered them to the other community largely due to advertizing costs. I have seen many, many people ask for this product but never offered it. I will now offer transparent bras along with multiple custom pieces for FFR cars.

For starters: Gen 1 GTM paint protection paterns are complete and parts are available. I'll do the Roadster patterns next.

Here (http://www.roadfly.com/magazine/8/paint_protection_film.1.html) is a Roadfly magazine article about us from back in 2003.

[David]

Joe, I think thats a good idea... Maybe give 3-5 months free from now and once our member # and post counts are way up then start charging the small $ Dave suggests.

David

[Russ Thompson]

This will really help out us smaller guys. I am in.

[mrmustang]

I'm going to do a banner ad for "booth and equipment rental", while I am not a 100% "greeny", I do hate to see people painting their cars in an unsafe environment. So I'll rent out my booth and equipment (Saturdays and Sundays only guys) in the hopes of saving the environment and potentially peoples lives in the process.........


Bill S.

[Jeff Kleiner]

That is very cool Bill! Wish you were a little closer...

Jeff

[Jammin]

Bill, wish you where closer to me, I love doing the body work on these cars (call me crazy), but painting in a home made booth scares the hell out of me.

[mrmustang]

Have to work out the logistics advertising wise as I am not building a web page to support it, so whatever the banner reads will be it. As soon as Dave S. finalizes pricing I'll send him a check to cover for a year and see if it works out.

Bill S.

[Cobra Cory]

Bill, that is an awesome offer. I agree. Definitely MUCH safer.

[fivestarmaxz]

Thanks Dave....will be looking foward to your call.

[Xybram]

Bill, I'm telling you right now I will be taking you up on this. Thanks a bunch.

Chris

[Mike N]

Bill S that is an awesome idea. If you had a body / paint man that wanted to earn a few extra bucks a weekend bodywork and paint school kind of like the build school would be something a that I could see really taking off. Start off at once a quarter and go from there. The only issue I can see is people having unrealistic expectations on cost. Anyone who has done paint and body knows just how expensive it is and the booth and equipment doesn't come cheap either. I have to say that I think you have hit on something that the community has never had but sorely needs.

[tfalk]

Bill, I can host the banner or I can add a page on replicapromotions.com if you need a site

[Chuck Robertson]

Gee I just might have to reopen Las Vegas Performance Roadsters, but I guess that i will have to change the name seeing that we are no longer in Vegas.

[mrmustang]

Bill, I can host the banner or I can add a page on replicapromotions.com if you need a site

Ted,

I do appreciate the offer for hosting, however, I've got several web sites (bills2, payitforwardmotorsports, midatlanticcobra forum, etc) in which I could host the files......Just not sure I want a true web page, or if a simple banner spelling it out is more in order.


Bill S.

[DougR]

I think ad rates should be 9 or 10 bucks a month... Maybe 20-25 at most. Big companies like Ford and GM and others can and will pay alot more, but the core community HAS to be able to advertise for real small money.

Dave Smith
FFR001

With rates like that I could go legit and offer my bikini/bemini/sun top as an advertiser. Rates on the previous site wouldn't allow me to sell enough product and show any kind of profit to make it worthwhile.

[astglenn]

I'm in. I'll wait for communication from Dave.

[David]

Glenn....!!! You made it over. Sweet!

David

[David]

With rates like that I could go legit and offer my bikini/bemini/sun top as an advertiser. Rates on the previous site wouldn't allow me to sell enough product and show any kind of profit to make it worthwhile.

Thats exactly why I am so freaking pumped that Dave is making it possible for the little guy. Lots of folks like you have come up with some really neat stuff.

David

[Joe]

Thats exactly why I am so freaking pumped that Dave is making it possible for the little guy. Lots of folks like you have come up with some really neat stuff.

David

I agree it's great, but hopefully it won't lead to a bunch of people that have no business being "vendors" having ads and providing shabby service.. But on the flip side, I guess those sort of people will get weeded out pretty quickly through word of mouth on the forum.

[VeniceCobra]

Sometime timing is everything
I was trying to put a business together, and from what I read in the FFCars forum about the new ownership and the raise of the advertising banners, I was very worry that my business will be doom, even before starting. So two weeks ago, I contacted the admin who directed me to their marketing dept. ... I filled up the form and ...and ... and I still waiting for someone to reply to my demand ...
This weekend my wife and I, were projecting the figures and the cost of a FFCars' banner (+/- $ 3 000) and concluded that our business wouldn't be sustainable ...
And today I'm reading this post, and my business is ... ALIVE again, ALIVE.
Thank you, Dave !! This is a great opportunity you are giving to small businesses, and through those tough economical days, you are setting the right example.

[astglenn]

Thats exactly why I am so freaking pumped that Dave is making it possible for the little guy. Lots of folks like you have come up with some really neat stuff.

David

Present and accounted for sir! Glad to be here.
Oooops. quoted the wrong post. Hi Dave,!!

[herb fraser]

Ray, thanks i was out of town for 2 months so i am back and jsut abuot ready to sign up for some advertising, Herb


Please don't forget Herb and his door panels

Ray

[Mad Dog]

Herb,

Your banner is up. The vendor list keeps growing. Thanks everyone for supporting the forum and the community!

[Russ Thompson]

I personally want to thank Mad Dog for all his help with my banner, I like what you did Dave!

[Mad Dog]

You're welcome Russ! Glad you like it.

[Cameron Autosports]

Thanks Dave for getting my banner up so quickly. YOU JUST GOTTA LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!

[Mad Dog]

You're welcome John! Thanks for joining our supporting vendors. We just added another vendor and more are coming soon.