On the heels of "You wonder: What happens when we're huge?" let's take a minute to directly address another of the most frequently asked questions we hear about Bonanzle: How is Bonanzle being marketed?
First off, let's start with another early warning that this is a deep and important question that takes more than a soundbite to explain. (In my best wise man accent:) So if it is the truth you truly seek, it is patience that you must have. (In my not-wiseman accent:) So you might want to go the bathroom and grab your beverage of choice before you proceed.
You crave some marketing? Here you are!
A good place to start when analyzing the marketing question is to question the question itself: why do people frequently wonder about our marketing approach? The answer I most often hear is something to the effect that "no successful product can become mainstream without getting good exposure." And I tend to agree. But dig a little deeper and the new question becomes: just where should this "good exposure" come from?
In the pre-Internet days, "good exposure" often came from a coordinated marketing campaign: newspaper ads, billboards, magazine spots, maybe a TV commercial now and then if you're wearing your fancy pants.
But in the last 10 years, research has proven that those mediums are only going to resonate with an extremely small percentage (think: 1-2% tops) of the people who encounter them. This explains why traditional advertising dollars have been moving increasingly toward the Internet, where money can be spent on a more targeted audience.
But even on the Internet, the problems persist. Marketing is now more targeted, but it's also more expensive per customer. A typical Google Adwords campaign might cost 10-20 cents per clickthrough, but only 10% of those clicks might result in a new customer. And where does the money for those marginally effective Adwords come from? That would be you. (Why do you think That One Other Place That Buys Commercials charges you 3x more than Bonanzle?)
Compare this to Bonanzle's grassroots, word-of-mouth growth strategy. Our statistics have shown that, on average, about one of every two Bonanzle users refers a friend at some point. For us, exposure by referrals is great (not good) exposure, for a variety of reasons. I'll pick three from my hat:
1) People are much more likely to trust a friend than an ad.
2) We are quite fond of the community we have so far, and this strategy helps us keep the same spirit (i.e., friends tend to invite friends with similar personalities).
3) Referrals are proof to us that what we're building is a quality, desirable product. By spending our time building a great product (rather than contriving marketing strategies), we stay ahead of the curve with lower staff and lower costs to pass on.
Of course, one of the most fundamental truths about building a product is that you can always have people debate whether the current strategy is the "best possible one" or not. Even after this post, there will surely continue to be some who feel that if we did a certain thing a certain way, our traffic could grow even faster.
But who knows? The bottom line when I look at it is that you'd have to be totally bananas to look at a growth chart like this and conclude that the absence of a traditional marketing campaign has been bad news for Bonanzle. Even when our traffic growth begins to slow ("infinity" may not be a reasonable monthly traffic expectation), I am skeptical that diffusely throwing money toward traditional marketing channels could ever be as effective at bringing quality new users here as, say, you or the BAC could be.
Of course, there is an asterisk to all this, and that is there is another means of gaining exposure that leads to more buyers and sellers, and that's media attention. On this count, I would plead "guilty as charged" to those that say Bonanzle ought to be getting noticed more by the press. This is why we recently added our "Press" section, and why Mark and I have stepped up our efforts to reserve some of our time for reaching out to the media to tell them about what the community at Bonanzle has created. The results from these efforts are already starting to percolate, and within the coming weeks (and months), we expect to start seeing more mentions of Bonanzle like this one (published today) by the press.
But the bottom line is, like you, the media wants a substantive, quality product with an interesting catch. Building that product is what we spend most of our time doing, and with any luck, it's what you spend most of your time enjoying. Our community is the most persuasive team of marketers we could hope to hire, and as long as we listen to and help them, their hourly rate can't be beat!
That's it for this edition of "You Wonder." In our next edition, we'll tackle the question of whether there are buyers on Bonanzle (preview: um, duh, yes!)
* Does this mean we will never run a marketing campaign Bonanzle? We will reserve that judgment for future months. :) It *would* be awfully rad to see Bonanzle's logo on the side of a racecar.
Learned quite abit from this blog … I appreciate, as I am sure others do , that you keep us informed and clue us in on what’s going on in the shadows. I appreciate each and everyone that has and continues to work so hard at creating a successful marketplace!
I’m still blown away by the fact that I’ve found a place where the site owners are actually visible, involved and willing to share this kind of information. You guys rock. I’m never leaving.
1. In my head, Bill’s “Wise Man” accent sounded like Hank Azaria’s “Blue Raja” in Mystery Men. Not in itself a bad thing!
2. Had I taken Bill’s advice and grabbed a beverage, I’d surely have spewed it when I looked at the astonishing stats on the growth chart! All I can say is WOW!
You folks are doing truly great things here. One day it’s just gonna become a geyser & you fellas are going to floating on pure oil! Just you wait and see
I think the Boyz are right on track. If at sometime in the future growth becomes flat, it may be wise to consider a new approach at that point. Why increase expenses, (which would have to be past on to the seller) when our growth chart looks as it does?
If we all keep on keeping on with assuring our google base funtions, blogging, posting on blogs and forums, emailing and all the other great suggestions appearing on our forums, it will happen. The proof is in the charts.
Thnks Boyz for giving us a wonderful venue to grow on and be a part of!
I agree with CollectibleCorner. I am on 4 other web sites and theres no comparison. I felt right at home the first day I signed up.
Thanks Bill for all you have done.
You mean we don’t get to see your fancy pants, Bill? snicker
Thanks so much for this; it is so reassuring to know that you and Mark and the rest of The Boyz are right here with us and working so hard for all of us together. For me personally, it makes the time I spend promoting both our booths and Bonanzle itself all that much more rewarding.
And fun!
Like the others, I so appreciate the openness and communication between you and Mark nad the community in letting us know what is going on and how you are approaching it.
It is my sincere pleasure to work with the team in building a GREAT selling community…
Thanks to all of you for what you have accomplished and for what you are allowing us to accomplish as well!
I’m not sure what to say,I am at a loss of words, a market place that actually keeps us informed about what it’s doing and how it’s doing it.
A standing ovation is what you guys deserve,hats off to the best Market Place I have ever been involved with.Thank you for all you do ,for listing to us an acting on all crucial and important matters,for being there when we call for creating such a fun environment,for creating a Bonanzle Family!
I have spent more ENJOYABLE time with Bo’(yes i already feel as if we are on a first name basis)in the past two weeks than I have spent with the other guy in the past year. Most of that time with e-ouch was just trying to clear up lets say misunderstandings.. I found a new home with Bo’ and I am feelin’ real comfortable. Thank You Very Much!
ok I am jealous of the sexy half naked lady who is 29 yrs younger them me BUT at least the community ranked number 2 and you are fond of us !!! {{{Blushin}}}as I whisper red faced I fond of the Boyz and this community also isnt open communication by real people wonderful Happy Dancin with otto in thanks
There is nothing to say that has not been said. Amazing it is that this is happening right before our very eyes… and so fast. I so appreciate the fact that sharing/communication and info is passed on to the community. FANTASTIC JOB guys..and THANKS.
You guys ROCK!!!
The Bonanzle community ROCKS!!!
Keep up the way your going and Bonanzle will be a household name without all the extra expense of traditional advertising!
Word of mouth IS the most effective & honest advertising!
We have a Bricks and Mortar store as well as the Internet side of our business. Traditional advertising media just isn’t as effective as it use to be. In fact, our B&M private email list yields much better results than any type of traditional ad campaign I run.
I think a venue should provide a stable and secure marketplace for me to display my goods. And the advertising. that is up to me as an individual business to advertise my product.
There are all kinds of marketing things a seller can do.. Add links to all email templates to the seller’s Bonanzle booth.
RSS feeds to Bonanzle will be added to the sellers website as well as a full page dedicated just to Bonanzle. (I goota get off my duff and get our company website redone. It is in dire need of a facelift)
Add the Bonanzle booth URL to the Thank you and Packing slips inserted into outgoing packages.
Add the Bonanzle booth URL to business cards.
Send out an email campaign to your internet buyers notifying them of the choice to shop with the other site or Bonanzle.
Bill and Mark.. you Boyz keep coding your little fingers to the bone. And all of us sellers, we will get our little bodies into gear and market the dickens out of our own booths which will drive traffic to the entire Bonanzle site..
Very important info here thanks Bill. It is so refreshing and addictive to have such honesty. I am very excited to watch the growth here. I am sitting patiently waiting for the sales and promoting Bonanzle every chance I get. Build It And They Will Come!
Great posting and appreciate the info. I have noticed an increase in views and in sales this past week. I have sold 11 items in just a couple of days and both buyers were 1st time visitors that signed on to Buy. One was so impressed with the site she is planning on opening her own booth. I am happy to be here. Great Job as always. Jan
How refreshing to find someone who believes,
“If it ‘aint broke, don’t “fix” it"
Unlike other venues, with constant and disruptive,
(dare I sat disastrous), results,
the Boyz have taken a
“Lets see what the boss thinks” approach.
Amazingly,“The Boss” turns out to be the Bonanzle members!
AND, they actually LISTEN to what the good sellers have to say,going so far as to post a list of improvements requests, for the booth owners to vote on.
As if THAT weren’t enough to make the CEOs of other venues heads’ spin…
they actually implement the improvements,
(nope, it’s not just a pretty ploy to asuage the masses..they really DO do as “The Boss” asks).
No wonder the vast majority of booth owners couldn’t be moved away from Bonanzle with dynamite!
Now, make no mistake, the birth of this baby is obviously an extremely labor intensive labor of love for the Boyz and ALL the Bonanzlers,but,they and we are a team, working towards something wonderful.
We are NOT a group of mindless cheerleaders, blindly following the leader.
I’d venture to say that 90% of the sellers have sold on other venues, many still do, but the consensus is,
there ’aint no place like home,
and Bonanzle, The Boyz, and the entire Bonanzle community, sure feels like home to me.
As new buyers find their way here, whether by invitation, or word of mouth or because of a Google search, they are going to find a vastly different place than they’ve become accustomed to on other venues..
Where else can you actually chat,live, with a seller?
Where else are there impromptu live, real time, auctions?
Once the word about these two unique features on Bonanzle become known, I rather expect “infinity” won’t be half such an improbable traffic growth expectation!
“Everything But The Ordinary”
is indeed the perfect description of
Bonanzle, The Boyz and the entire Bonanzle community.
I think it’ a vote of confidence for everyone here. A refreshing change of pace to have a community that’s helpful to others not because of the “what’s in it for me” mentality, but rather “what’s in it for us all”.
Interesting stats there guys! Must make you feel pretty good every night when you go to bed , how loved and respected you are for creating Bonanzle for all of us to relish in. I’m sure others will say the same, “Words just cannot express our gratitude.”
It’s such a weight lifted off my shoulders that the boyz are out there helping to get Bonanzle noticed! I was with another site and it was all up the seller. They basically told me “everything is free, what more do you want”? What jerks! Thanks guys for being there! You’re blog was uplifting and inspiring!
Oorah! You guys have really made this site a pleasure to do business on and hang out at! I was looking for a home and I found it. The results of all your work and our feedback is apparent. Now I know that you guys never sleep. The “little grey cells” are constantly spinning up new ideas that actually work. Quite an impressive growth curve. Now, I betcha that the buyers curve is going to look the same in the near future. Hats off to the boyz.
JZ
Thanks Bill! This site is working because you have a “different” mind set than the average guy! I love it! I don’t always understand what you are trying to do – but who am I to mess up a good thing light that growth chart! It will be exciting to see what the next years chart will look like! Bonanzle’n all the way to the TOP!
Kim
Cheyenne2u
I second and third the motion ! We the sellers and users can build this site into what we want it to be. We helped to build other venues and we can do it here. And still keep the friendly atmosphere that we love so much.
Goooo Bonanzle !
Keep that FRIENDSHIP TRAIN rollin on down the tracks !
Thanks for the update. Word of mouth advertising is always the best! Let’s keep it up!!
One thought on the picture, though… I was a bit disappointed to see it here on Bonanzle… doesn’t keep with the family friendly nature of this site… I was a bit embarrassed to be reading your blog, hoping my children didn’t walk up behind me while doing so, feeling like I needed to cover the screen just so I could read your update. :( Hope this isn’t a sign of what the new trend will be here.?? I’m tired of starting over and setting up everything again and again. I’m ready to stay put. But I need a “clean” site to stay put at. Please leave out the junk. Thanks.
I am still laughing at that photo!! You guys are doing an awesome job! I really appreciate how we are kept informed of the progress, the wonderful community you have created for us, and much much more that I can’t begin to express. For every item that I sell somewhere else, that buyer gets a coupon to shop at my booth here. It is the easiest way that I can help out. I hope that I can bring many of those customers here. Plus I can easily offer these discounts since I don’t have to pay all those other fees!
THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING ME FEEL AT HOME I LOVE THE HUMOR THIS SITE ADDS ,ITS REALLY FUN ,I STILL DO NOT HAVE THE HANG OF IT YET BUT I AM SURE I WILL GET IT UNTIL THEN KEEP THE HUMOR COMMING MARLENE
EXCELLENT JOB ON THE EXPLANATION ABOUT THE WAY BONANZLE IS GOING ABOUT MARKETING ITSELF. ANY MARKETING THAT BRINGS IN BUYERS AND KEEPS FEES DOWN ON THIS SITE IS A GOOD THING FOR BOTH BUYERS AND SELLERS.
Just like home from the second I started reading. You’re gonna make me cry happy tears and I haven’t listed or sold a thing yet. A sense of humor is REQUIRED by all who survive this economy. The grassroots art adorning the pages is welcoming and lovely. We all know now how BADLY the story can end (ebay meltdown) and I can see the Boyz do too. So as well-prepared voyagers we set sail on an new and hopefully Lasting Adventure, making money AND having fun (remember fun??) while still sitting around the computer listing, selling and watching Netflix.
I’m very impressed with the boyz’ interaction with us! I love everything about Bonanzle! I tell everyone that can actually hear, about this great site!
I submitted a question and received reply like that (snaps fingers). I’m impressed, and thankful that this site exists. I use to sell you-know-where but like B.B. sings: “the thrill is gone”. I’m a newbie here but I’ll have goodies up for sale in no time. I thank you fellows, and my wife (who doesn’t understand why I ‘need’ 8 guitars and a basement full of ‘stuff’) thanks you even more. Some day when our basement is empty & renovated into living space I’ll send you pics LOL!
HEY BILL
Thanks for all this info, I am very happy to have found this venue to sell my items on. I have only been here a couple of days and I am as comfortable and excited so much that I am off my meds. lol. Hats off to you Guyz
OH BY THE WAY MY DAD OWNS SEVERAL DRAGSTER, (KING SNAKE DRAG RACING TEAM.COM) HOLDS THE RECORD AND LOVES HIS BABY GIRL. SO YOU MAY BE ON THE SIDE OF DOOR SOONER THAN YOU KNOW. (OH HECK LETS SHOUT FOR THE HOOD)LOL REPLY BACK OK!
To compete with eBay some serious money needs to be spent to get media exposure and get the Bonanzle name out there in the public’s awareness.
A big Bonanzle banner on the top of my Yahoo.com home page.
A Bonanzle 15 second commercial spot during a TV baseball game broadcast.
Free Bonanzle T-Shirts given away at big sporting events concerts etc.
Funny stuff like the jpg on this page.
The website is awesome and I have been telling all my buyers and sellers to open accounts here to compete with eBay. Also I recommend everyone get and pass around Bonanzle bumper stickers to help promote the website.
My last tip is when you see something you need and it’s only on eBay tell the seller you will buy the item if they join Bonanzle and sell the item to you from here instead of eBay. They get a Bonanzle account AND a sale AND less fees. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Great article! I found Bonanzle when a Twitter friend sent me the link. I never heard of it before that. Now I send out tweets about Bonanzle almost every day.
I second all the above positive comments. I have been on another site (guess which one is the most aggravating) for over 5 years..I have never felt the “personal touch” like here..or the humor. I really appreciate this site & the ‘tude. Also, downloading the photos & copy is WAY FASTER than what I have experienced prior to now. I am not a maven yet, but I have only been online here for 2 days…so getting the hang of it. Thanks for making it so user friendly that I listed before reading “directions”…oh, we mavericks are just that way!
I pray for good sales, because so far I never want to list anywhere else….both sellers & the buyers seem to be so pleasant…what a breath of fresh air after listening to so many disgruntled sellers at the other site (me included). THANK YOU for creating what I thought she be created long ago, but didn’t have the personal expertise to do…THANK YOU and wishing BONANZLE the biggest success..for YOU, the wizard creators, and for all of us sellers and buyers.Follow your own role model and learn from all the MISTAKES of the other sites-the most important one being that at other sites the sellers are treated like vermin and are “disposable”..and you feel so downgraded when all you are trying to do is earn a buck and enjoy selling… I resented that attitude and still do, and that’s why I am here…and hope to be for a long time. You show me that VALUES AND BEING KIND & at the same time creating a business model that “works”,is not a totally lost concept in the U.S. despite rumors to the contrary.KUDOS…and “break a leg”…. warmest regards, pauli beverly hills
Love the Bonanzle and appreciate your efforts. Now that I’ve been here some months here is my new 2 cents worth:
1. Does Bonanzle have a presence on FaceBook? FB is addictive and I’d like to share Bonanzle with my posse there.
2. How about an assortment of Bonanzle promo auctions on the huge online auction site I’ve abandoned to turn more of those poor souls onto the good thing? Perhaps winner could get a year of Bonanzle w/ no Fees or something. A teacher in college started his business course by repeating loudly in front of us students three times: “Advertisement is the sole reason for the quality of life we live in America today.” Then again, he did admit to working for the Ad Co that set Michael Jackson’s hair on fire, so you may want to take that with a grain of salt.
3. Please give idiot-proof full instructions on how to place the Bonanzle Logo into our personal blogs etcetera. I’m sorry but I just don’t get it.
4. There are way too many sellers looking for sky-high prices for their goods on this site. They are not facing reality and they would not do that on that bloated online auction site. I’m perfectly willing to pay a 10 or 15 cent per listing Fee. That cash could raise capital for site growth. And maybe some people would start Listing items with more realistic prices. Most people don’t appreciate something until a value is attached to it.
5. Thank you for all your hard work & efforts, for creating & maintaining Bonanzle. I’m confident I speak for many when I state we appreciate and need this site. Too many people who, in essence, made the big fat online auction site the profit machine it is today have been kicked in the teeth and tossed to the curb. (They) have pretty much taken all the fun and profit out of using their online auction site.
Keep On Truckin’ fellas. We love you.
I am already impressed with this place! It has taken me AGES to find a comparable site to sell my stuff. I have left (insert name of evilbay monopoly) for good! I will spread the word about this website as well. I love the fact that everything is SO interactive. It’s easy to understand and navigate everything..plus all the layouts are catchy!
KEEP UP THE WORK! YOU ARE THE ANSWER TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLES DREAMS!
PS. I wish you could come out with a commercial. I know it’s really expensive. But even a quick, catchy, 10-second one. I live in NYC & you would drive SO many people to your website with JUST one commercial here, as most of us in NYC are from ALL over the country and will spread the word as such.
Please consider that! I’m eager to see this site BOOM even more.
Humor is great. Community is dandy – but – I NEED TO MAKE MONEY! ADVERTISE, PROMOTE. Get venture funding – be the VIABLE alternative to Fee-Bay. I don’t need to sell to friends – I need strangers, too. I’m not here to be all touchy-feely and chat all day – I want to sell. So much here does NOT get updated – including the How To Set Up Chat option. Nothing in the instructions is true or correct. The amount of users on the site on my Bonanzle page does not (and never does) match the amount of ALL USERS – and the numbers never seem to change.
Bonanzle needs MILLIONS of users. And millions of eyeballs. And a place where we can see what has SOLD.
Basically – Fee-Bayers need a VIABLE place (NOT several places) to sell. March 30 will be here before you know it – and if The Ranch does not get more cowhands and more cattle – the site will crash when people leave Fee-bay in droves.
I had fun reading all the above comments. Also a good view of what’s been going on here (I’m newbie). I am glad to have joined my products with others here and I am promoting Bonanzle on all my promotional stuff and on my facebook site. I downloaded one of your logo thingies to Word and it worked (in case anyone’s asking). Now I can add it to my brochures, emails etc. Thanks for being here. Blessings to all. Cindi/Comfort Cream Line
Hello there Bill and Mark. I love Bonanzle so much I even wrote Fox News and asked them to do an article on Bonanzle. Hope they pick up on it and we see you both on one of the business articles they feature. Keep up the good work!
HI BILL MARK I HAVE A GREAT MARKETING STRADIGY OF MY OWN ITS AMERICANS BUYING FROM AMERICANS WE MUST STOP THE FLOW OF FORIEGN MADE PRODUCTS OUR INDUSRY IS GONE JOBS ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY WE AS A COUNTRY DEPEND ON GOVERNMENT TO FIX THIS MESS NO. JFK ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR YOUR COUNTRYT WELL GET OF YOUR BUT SHUT THE TV OF AND BECOME ACTIVE BONANZLE GIVES US THE OPTION TO PUT OUR MONEY RIGHT BACK IN THE HANDS OF AMERICANS THATS FAIR TRADE AGREEMENT WHATS HAPPINING IN THIS COUNTRY IS NOT FAIR TRADE .NOT TO MENTION ONLY 1 STORE WALMART INSTANT GRADIFICATION FOR CHEAP ITEMS SOMETIMES LESS IS MORE YOU CANNOT BEAT AMERICAN QUALITY OR SERVICE AND YOU NEVER WILL WE ARE INOVATORES THEY ARE IMATATORS OF OUR PRODUCTS . I WILL DO ALL I CAN TO PROMOTE THIS IDEA IT IS NOT ONLY THE ONLY IDEA BUT THE SOLUTION .THANK YOU KIM
I am new to the online community of Bonanzle and just browsing the site reading here and there to become familiar with the site and produce as a whole. As a professional business woman, I am thrilled to hear of your intentions to promote more marketing strategies. Marketing benefits everyone in the long run. In fact, I found this community in my long search to locate an affordable online market to sell quality merchandise and ran accross a magazine article that raved about Bonanzle. It may not have been a paid advertisement, but it did the trick. I think I have found my first home to begin selling! Keep the blogs coming!
That's it for this edition of "You Wonder." In our next edition, we'll tackle the question of whether there are buyers on Bonanzle (preview: um, duh, yes!)
* Does this mean we will never run a marketing campaign Bonanzle? We will reserve that judgment for future months. :) It *would* be awfully rad to see Bonanzle's logo on the side of a racecar.
68 responses to You Wonder: How is Bonanzle Being Marketed?
Great Blog! I love the growth chart! Keep doing what you’re doing; it sure is working
PS… Can I steal that photo for some promoting of my own?
Sure, just promise you won’t sue me when the photo’s copyright holder sues you
Great!!! Read it all the way through too.
Learned quite abit from this blog … I appreciate, as I am sure others do , that you keep us informed and clue us in on what’s going on in the shadows. I appreciate each and everyone that has and continues to work so hard at creating a successful marketplace!
What a great read! Thanks again for all that you do!
I’m still blown away by the fact that I’ve found a place where the site owners are actually visible, involved and willing to share this kind of information. You guys rock. I’m never leaving.
I think it’s a great marketing campaign Bill! Find a mysterious, sensuous woman. Unbutton your shirt. Pull her close. Whisper in her ear,
“Bonanzle.”
And then leave!!!
Of course, it’s a bit labor intensive. But, nothing good was ever achieved without great exertion. I’ll get right on it!
1. In my head, Bill’s “Wise Man” accent sounded like Hank Azaria’s “Blue Raja” in Mystery Men. Not in itself a bad thing!
2. Had I taken Bill’s advice and grabbed a beverage, I’d surely have spewed it when I looked at the astonishing stats on the growth chart! All I can say is WOW!
You folks are doing truly great things here. One day it’s just gonna become a geyser & you fellas are going to floating on pure oil! Just you wait and see
Well written!
I think the Boyz are right on track. If at sometime in the future growth becomes flat, it may be wise to consider a new approach at that point. Why increase expenses, (which would have to be past on to the seller) when our growth chart looks as it does?
If we all keep on keeping on with assuring our google base funtions, blogging, posting on blogs and forums, emailing and all the other great suggestions appearing on our forums, it will happen. The proof is in the charts.
Thnks Boyz for giving us a wonderful venue to grow on and be a part of!
I agree with CollectibleCorner. I am on 4 other web sites and theres no comparison. I felt right at home the first day I signed up. Thanks Bill for all you have done.
You mean we don’t get to see your fancy pants, Bill? snicker
Thanks so much for this; it is so reassuring to know that you and Mark and the rest of The Boyz are right here with us and working so hard for all of us together. For me personally, it makes the time I spend promoting both our booths and Bonanzle itself all that much more rewarding.
And fun!
Bonanzle is a breath of fresh air! Thanks for keeping us informed Bill!
Like the others, I so appreciate the openness and communication between you and Mark nad the community in letting us know what is going on and how you are approaching it.
It is my sincere pleasure to work with the team in building a GREAT selling community…
Thanks to all of you for what you have accomplished and for what you are allowing us to accomplish as well!
LMBO@ Permacrisis….. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your idea of a marketing campaign…and can just picture the bewildered look on the lovely lady’s face. GRIN….
Great information, as always Bill. Thanks for taking the time to update us.
BTW, the Twitter Bonanzle stalkers……errrrr……followers keeps growing!
Thanks for yet another fantastic update. Thanks!
Wow! What an idea….Bonanzle Logo on a race car! Wish I woulda thought about that!! LOL
Bill & Mark…Thanx for this great place I am Glad to call “Home”!
I’m not sure what to say,I am at a loss of words, a market place that actually keeps us informed about what it’s doing and how it’s doing it.
A standing ovation is what you guys deserve,hats off to the best Market Place I have ever been involved with.Thank you for all you do ,for listing to us an acting on all crucial and important matters,for being there when we call for creating such a fun environment,for creating a Bonanzle Family!
Thank you
Gladys
I have spent more ENJOYABLE time with Bo’(yes i already feel as if we are on a first name basis)in the past two weeks than I have spent with the other guy in the past year. Most of that time with e-ouch was just trying to clear up lets say misunderstandings.. I found a new home with Bo’ and I am feelin’ real comfortable. Thank You Very Much!
ditto ditto ditto ditto to all of the above posts!
ok I am jealous of the sexy half naked lady who is 29 yrs younger them me BUT at least the community ranked number 2 and you are fond of us !!! {{{Blushin}}}as I whisper red faced I fond of the Boyz and this community also isnt open communication by real people wonderful Happy Dancin with otto in thanks
There is nothing to say that has not been said. Amazing it is that this is happening right before our very eyes… and so fast. I so appreciate the fact that sharing/communication and info is passed on to the community. FANTASTIC JOB guys..and THANKS.
Great job, keep the train rolling…toot toot
You guys ROCK!!!
The Bonanzle community ROCKS!!!
Keep up the way your going and Bonanzle will be a household name without all the extra expense of traditional advertising!
Word of mouth IS the most effective & honest advertising!
WOO HOO!!!
GO Bonanzle!
This is a great community where you get answers to your questions much faster than Radio Shack! Keep up the great work mark and Bill!!
isa great site and great place…ty BOYZ
Mary
Great stats! This is a wonderful place and I look forward to being here a long long time! Keep up the great work!
P.S.
Is that “Mark” with hair? LOL…
Well, I would love to see that pic/ad on a great big billboard …..
But I agree that the way it is happening now is probably much more effective!
What is happening here will be studied in a big way in marketing/MBA programs for a long time.
Bill,
Well written and very true.
We have a Bricks and Mortar store as well as the Internet side of our business. Traditional advertising media just isn’t as effective as it use to be. In fact, our B&M private email list yields much better results than any type of traditional ad campaign I run.
I think a venue should provide a stable and secure marketplace for me to display my goods. And the advertising. that is up to me as an individual business to advertise my product.
There are all kinds of marketing things a seller can do.. Add links to all email templates to the seller’s Bonanzle booth.
RSS feeds to Bonanzle will be added to the sellers website as well as a full page dedicated just to Bonanzle. (I goota get off my duff and get our company website redone. It is in dire need of a facelift)
Add the Bonanzle booth URL to the Thank you and Packing slips inserted into outgoing packages.
Add the Bonanzle booth URL to business cards.
Send out an email campaign to your internet buyers notifying them of the choice to shop with the other site or Bonanzle.
Bill and Mark.. you Boyz keep coding your little fingers to the bone. And all of us sellers, we will get our little bodies into gear and market the dickens out of our own booths which will drive traffic to the entire Bonanzle site..
Just my unsolicited two cents worth :o)
Judy/blue
Great Post Bill! Craig’s list grew from a very small site to what it is today without a traditional marketing campaign. So did Etsy.com.
eBay started out that way and then got caught up in the growth because of the demands of investors. In the process they lost their soul.
Keep up the good work.
Very important info here thanks Bill. It is so refreshing and addictive to have such honesty. I am very excited to watch the growth here. I am sitting patiently waiting for the sales and promoting Bonanzle every chance I get. Build It And They Will Come!
Great posting and appreciate the info. I have noticed an increase in views and in sales this past week. I have sold 11 items in just a couple of days and both buyers were 1st time visitors that signed on to Buy. One was so impressed with the site she is planning on opening her own booth. I am happy to be here. Great Job as always. Jan
How refreshing to find someone who believes,
“If it ‘aint broke, don’t “fix” it"
Unlike other venues, with constant and disruptive,
(dare I sat disastrous), results,
the Boyz have taken a
“Lets see what the boss thinks” approach.
Amazingly,“The Boss” turns out to be the Bonanzle members!
AND, they actually LISTEN to what the good sellers have to say,going so far as to post a list of improvements requests, for the booth owners to vote on.
As if THAT weren’t enough to make the CEOs of other venues heads’ spin…
they actually implement the improvements,
(nope, it’s not just a pretty ploy to asuage the masses..they really DO do as “The Boss” asks).
No wonder the vast majority of booth owners couldn’t be moved away from Bonanzle with dynamite!
Now, make no mistake, the birth of this baby is obviously an extremely labor intensive labor of love for the Boyz and ALL the Bonanzlers,but,they and we are a team, working towards something wonderful.
We are NOT a group of mindless cheerleaders, blindly following the leader.
I’d venture to say that 90% of the sellers have sold on other venues, many still do, but the consensus is,
there ’aint no place like home,
and Bonanzle, The Boyz, and the entire Bonanzle community, sure feels like home to me.
As new buyers find their way here, whether by invitation, or word of mouth or because of a Google search, they are going to find a vastly different place than they’ve become accustomed to on other venues..
Where else can you actually chat,live, with a seller?
Where else are there impromptu live, real time, auctions?
Once the word about these two unique features on Bonanzle become known, I rather expect “infinity” won’t be half such an improbable traffic growth expectation!
“Everything But The Ordinary”
is indeed the perfect description of
Bonanzle, The Boyz and the entire Bonanzle community.
I think it’ a vote of confidence for everyone here. A refreshing change of pace to have a community that’s helpful to others not because of the “what’s in it for me” mentality, but rather “what’s in it for us all”.
Interesting stats there guys! Must make you feel pretty good every night when you go to bed , how loved and respected you are for creating Bonanzle for all of us to relish in. I’m sure others will say the same, “Words just cannot express our gratitude.”
in a word…….BRAVO!!!
Thanks for the information. So pleased to be part of this community.
Good read Bill, agree we’re on the right track. My thanks to the Bonanzle boyz! Going nuts for Bonanzle!
Love the community here!
It’s such a weight lifted off my shoulders that the boyz are out there helping to get Bonanzle noticed! I was with another site and it was all up the seller. They basically told me “everything is free, what more do you want”? What jerks! Thanks guys for being there! You’re blog was uplifting and inspiring!
Thanks for once again keeping us in the loop. Thany both for everything
Oorah! You guys have really made this site a pleasure to do business on and hang out at! I was looking for a home and I found it. The results of all your work and our feedback is apparent. Now I know that you guys never sleep. The “little grey cells” are constantly spinning up new ideas that actually work. Quite an impressive growth curve. Now, I betcha that the buyers curve is going to look the same in the near future. Hats off to the boyz.
JZ
Thanks Bill! This site is working because you have a “different” mind set than the average guy!
I love it! I don’t always understand what you are trying to do – but who am I to mess up a good thing light that growth chart! It will be exciting to see what the next years chart will look like! Bonanzle’n all the way to the TOP!
Kim
Cheyenne2u
I second and third the motion ! We the sellers and users can build this site into what we want it to be. We helped to build other venues and we can do it here. And still keep the friendly atmosphere that we love so much.
Goooo Bonanzle !
Keep that FRIENDSHIP TRAIN rollin on down the tracks !
Sher
Thanks for the update. Word of mouth advertising is always the best! Let’s keep it up!!
One thought on the picture, though… I was a bit disappointed to see it here on Bonanzle… doesn’t keep with the family friendly nature of this site… I was a bit embarrassed to be reading your blog, hoping my children didn’t walk up behind me while doing so, feeling like I needed to cover the screen just so I could read your update. :( Hope this isn’t a sign of what the new trend will be here.?? I’m tired of starting over and setting up everything again and again. I’m ready to stay put. But I need a “clean” site to stay put at. Please leave out the junk. Thanks.
Nikki =)
Handmade Treasures Gift Boutique http://bonanzle.com/handmadetreasures
Photos of Montana ~ Gallery & Gifts http://bonanzle.com/photosofmontana
Montana Mom’s storage shed http://bonanzle.com/montanamom
Logos by Nikki… and banners too! http://bonanzle.com/logosbynikki
I am still laughing at that photo!! You guys are doing an awesome job! I really appreciate how we are kept informed of the progress, the wonderful community you have created for us, and much much more that I can’t begin to express. For every item that I sell somewhere else, that buyer gets a coupon to shop at my booth here. It is the easiest way that I can help out. I hope that I can bring many of those customers here. Plus I can easily offer these discounts since I don’t have to pay all those other fees!
So big (((HUGS))) from me!!!
Karen
KarensJewelry
http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/KarensJewelry
Hey, does this mean you are not going to go the affiliate marketing way!?
i still think an add on auction.com would reach all of america that buys and sells—-at least look into it and then tell me i’m wrong
Mint! I also think the photo is great! Appealing & different~Antiquelittle said it all…and you guys DO rock! Rock on!
THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING ME FEEL AT HOME I LOVE THE HUMOR THIS SITE ADDS ,ITS REALLY FUN ,I STILL DO NOT HAVE THE HANG OF IT YET BUT I AM SURE I WILL GET IT UNTIL THEN KEEP THE HUMOR COMMING MARLENE
EXCELLENT JOB ON THE EXPLANATION ABOUT THE WAY BONANZLE IS GOING ABOUT MARKETING ITSELF. ANY MARKETING THAT BRINGS IN BUYERS AND KEEPS FEES DOWN ON THIS SITE IS A GOOD THING FOR BOTH BUYERS AND SELLERS.
http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/jlafleur009
Just like home from the second I started reading. You’re gonna make me cry happy tears and I haven’t listed or sold a thing yet. A sense of humor is REQUIRED by all who survive this economy. The grassroots art adorning the pages is welcoming and lovely. We all know now how BADLY the story can end (ebay meltdown) and I can see the Boyz do too. So as well-prepared voyagers we set sail on an new and hopefully Lasting Adventure, making money AND having fun (remember fun??) while still sitting around the computer listing, selling and watching Netflix.
Don’t worry, Bill… this sexy person markets Bonanzle ALL the time
lol
I’m very impressed with the boyz’ interaction with us! I love everything about Bonanzle! I tell everyone that can actually hear, about this great site!
WTG Bill, and Mark!
I submitted a question and received reply like
that(snaps fingers). I’m impressed, and thankful that this site exists. I use to sell you-know-where but like B.B. sings: “the thrill is gone”. I’m a newbie here but I’ll have goodies up for sale in no time. I thank you fellows, and my wife (who doesn’t understand why I ‘need’ 8 guitars and a basement full of ‘stuff’) thanks you even more. Some day when our basement is empty & renovated into living space I’ll send you pics LOL!HEY BILL
Thanks for all this info, I am very happy to have found this venue to sell my items on. I have only been here a couple of days and I am as comfortable and excited so much that I am off my meds. lol. Hats off to you Guyz
OH BY THE WAY MY DAD OWNS SEVERAL DRAGSTER, (KING SNAKE DRAG RACING TEAM.COM) HOLDS THE RECORD AND LOVES HIS BABY GIRL. SO YOU MAY BE ON THE SIDE OF DOOR SOONER THAN YOU KNOW. (OH HECK LETS SHOUT FOR THE HOOD)LOL REPLY BACK OK!
To compete with eBay some serious money needs to be spent to get media exposure and get the Bonanzle name out there in the public’s awareness.
A big Bonanzle banner on the top of my Yahoo.com home page.
A Bonanzle 15 second commercial spot during a TV baseball game broadcast.
Free Bonanzle T-Shirts given away at big sporting events concerts etc.
Funny stuff like the jpg on this page.
The website is awesome and I have been telling all my buyers and sellers to open accounts here to compete with eBay. Also I recommend everyone get and pass around Bonanzle bumper stickers to help promote the website.
My last tip is when you see something you need and it’s only on eBay tell the seller you will buy the item if they join Bonanzle and sell the item to you from here instead of eBay. They get a Bonanzle account AND a sale AND less fees. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Great article! I found Bonanzle when a Twitter friend sent me the link. I never heard of it before that. Now I send out tweets about Bonanzle almost every day.
I second all the above positive comments. I have been on another site (guess which one is the most aggravating) for over 5 years..I have never felt the “personal touch” like here..or the humor. I really appreciate this site & the ‘tude. Also, downloading the photos & copy is WAY FASTER than what I have experienced prior to now. I am not a maven yet, but I have only been online here for 2 days…so getting the hang of it. Thanks for making it so user friendly that I listed before reading “directions”…oh, we mavericks are just that way!
I pray for good sales, because so far I never want to list anywhere else….both sellers & the buyers seem to be so pleasant…what a breath of fresh air after listening to so many disgruntled sellers at the other site (me included). THANK YOU for creating what I thought she be created long ago, but didn’t have the personal expertise to do…THANK YOU and wishing BONANZLE the biggest success..for YOU, the wizard creators, and for all of us sellers and buyers.Follow your own role model and learn from all the MISTAKES of the other sites-the most important one being that at other sites the sellers are treated like vermin and are “disposable”..and you feel so downgraded when all you are trying to do is earn a buck and enjoy selling… I resented that attitude and still do, and that’s why I am here…and hope to be for a long time. You show me that VALUES AND BEING KIND & at the same time creating a business model that “works”,is not a totally lost concept in the U.S. despite rumors to the contrary.KUDOS…and “break a leg”…. warmest regards, pauli beverly hills
Fantastic article – great info. I love what Bill and Mark are doing with Bonanzle and feel honored to be here!
Love the Bonanzle and appreciate your efforts. Now that I’ve been here some months here is my new 2 cents worth:
1. Does Bonanzle have a presence on FaceBook? FB is addictive and I’d like to share Bonanzle with my posse there.
2. How about an assortment of Bonanzle promo auctions on the huge online auction site I’ve abandoned to turn more of those poor souls onto the good thing? Perhaps winner could get a year of Bonanzle w/ no Fees or something. A teacher in college started his business course by repeating loudly in front of us students three times: “Advertisement is the sole reason for the quality of life we live in America today.” Then again, he did admit to working for the Ad Co that set Michael Jackson’s hair on fire, so you may want to take that with a grain of salt.
3. Please give idiot-proof full instructions on how to place the Bonanzle Logo into our personal blogs etcetera. I’m sorry but I just don’t get it.
4. There are way too many sellers looking for sky-high prices for their goods on this site. They are not facing reality and they would not do that on that bloated online auction site. I’m perfectly willing to pay a 10 or 15 cent per listing Fee. That cash could raise capital for site growth. And maybe some people would start Listing items with more realistic prices. Most people don’t appreciate something until a value is attached to it.
5. Thank you for all your hard work & efforts, for creating & maintaining Bonanzle. I’m confident I speak for many when I state we appreciate and need this site. Too many people who, in essence, made the big fat online auction site the profit machine it is today have been kicked in the teeth and tossed to the curb. (They) have pretty much taken all the fun
and profitout of using their online auction site.Keep On Truckin’ fellas. We love you.
I am already impressed with this place! It has taken me AGES to find a comparable site to sell my stuff. I have left (insert name of evilbay monopoly) for good! I will spread the word about this website as well. I love the fact that everything is SO interactive. It’s easy to understand and navigate everything..plus all the layouts are catchy!
KEEP UP THE WORK! YOU ARE THE ANSWER TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLES DREAMS!
PS. I wish you could come out with a commercial. I know it’s really expensive. But even a quick, catchy, 10-second one. I live in NYC & you would drive SO many people to your website with JUST one commercial here, as most of us in NYC are from ALL over the country and will spread the word as such.
Please consider that! I’m eager to see this site BOOM even more.
I would like to see my sales increase on Bonanzle, they have picked up some.
Humor is great. Community is dandy – but – I NEED TO MAKE MONEY! ADVERTISE, PROMOTE. Get venture funding – be the VIABLE alternative to Fee-Bay. I don’t need to sell to friends – I need strangers, too. I’m not here to be all touchy-feely and chat all day – I want to sell. So much here does NOT get updated – including the How To Set Up Chat option. Nothing in the instructions is true or correct. The amount of users on the site on my Bonanzle page does not (and never does) match the amount of ALL USERS – and the numbers never seem to change.
Bonanzle needs MILLIONS of users. And millions of eyeballs. And a place where we can see what has SOLD.
Basically – Fee-Bayers need a VIABLE place (NOT several places) to sell. March 30 will be here before you know it – and if The Ranch does not get more cowhands and more cattle – the site will crash when people leave Fee-bay in droves.
The Times article is from January 15th and mentions several Fee-bay alternatives.
I had fun reading all the above comments. Also a good view of what’s been going on here (I’m newbie). I am glad to have joined my products with others here and I am promoting Bonanzle on all my promotional stuff and on my facebook site. I downloaded one of your logo thingies to Word and it worked (in case anyone’s asking). Now I can add it to my brochures, emails etc. Thanks for being here. Blessings to all. Cindi/Comfort Cream Line
Hello there Bill and Mark. I love Bonanzle so much I even wrote Fox News and asked them to do an article on Bonanzle. Hope they pick up on it and we see you both on one of the business articles they feature. Keep up the good work!
HI BILL MARK I HAVE A GREAT MARKETING STRADIGY OF MY OWN ITS AMERICANS BUYING FROM AMERICANS WE MUST STOP THE FLOW OF FORIEGN MADE PRODUCTS OUR INDUSRY IS GONE JOBS ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY WE AS A COUNTRY DEPEND ON GOVERNMENT TO FIX THIS MESS NO. JFK ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR YOUR COUNTRYT WELL GET OF YOUR BUT SHUT THE TV OF AND BECOME ACTIVE BONANZLE GIVES US THE OPTION TO PUT OUR MONEY RIGHT BACK IN THE HANDS OF AMERICANS THATS FAIR TRADE AGREEMENT WHATS HAPPINING IN THIS COUNTRY IS NOT FAIR TRADE .NOT TO MENTION ONLY 1 STORE WALMART INSTANT GRADIFICATION FOR CHEAP ITEMS SOMETIMES LESS IS MORE YOU CANNOT BEAT AMERICAN QUALITY OR SERVICE AND YOU NEVER WILL WE ARE INOVATORES THEY ARE IMATATORS OF OUR PRODUCTS . I WILL DO ALL I CAN TO PROMOTE THIS IDEA IT IS NOT ONLY THE ONLY IDEA BUT THE SOLUTION .THANK YOU KIM
I am new to the online community of Bonanzle and just browsing the site reading here and there to become familiar with the site and produce as a whole. As a professional business woman, I am thrilled to hear of your intentions to promote more marketing strategies. Marketing benefits everyone in the long run. In fact, I found this community in my long search to locate an affordable online market to sell quality merchandise and ran accross a magazine article that raved about Bonanzle. It may not have been a paid advertisement, but it did the trick. I think I have found my first home to begin selling! Keep the blogs coming!
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