We invite you to share with us your personal preference when it comes to ADVERTISING:
WHAT TYPE of advertising mediums do you prefer?
ELECTRONIC or PUBLICATIONS
If publications, which type:
* Hunting Magazines
* Hunting Newspapers
What is the name of the hunting magazines or hunting newspapers that you read or subscribed to?
Happy hunting.
Ansie I go for word of mouth...
My best always
In my home town we have a town crier. he does a real good job.
I only get one hunting mag. American Rifleman. 2 reasons I get it. First, it's free with my NRA membership. Second, I switched to it because I realized I hated reading hunting articles in the American Hunter. I don't really like reading about hunting. For me, unless someone gets mauled by a grizzly in the story, it's kind of about the same enjoyment level as watching paint dry. I would never actually use my money to purchase a hunting magazine.
I watch hunting shows. I hate whitetail hunting shows because they are mostly phony. Mostly, I just like the shows on hunting in Africa. Also like some of the moose/elk shows, but in moderation.
I guess that leaves electronic...... and agree with Jaco.
Agree with Jaco.
In the days before big internet, print media probably was the best way to get known. I remember my first "print ad" booking and the trepidation I had with it. It was the unknown. Who was this guy, was he honest, etc. The only thing I went on was he had been doing it a long time so I figured he was doing something right for his hunters. The choices then were very limited not so today. Print ads today - I rarely even look at them. I'm with Jaco also.
Now with the internet, if you don't have a good website you ain't in business. But you have to appeal to a wide range of interests in a website and not just the male hunter. I can't tell you how many women we (my wife and I ) have talked to that say "there's nothing there for me. They want to go to Africa with their husbands but they see nothing to their interest like accommodations etc on the website. Most over here have no clue of what is offered as "normal" accommodations over there. It even goes to folks who show at DSC year after year with art work and still they don't know what is offered (we saw it this year with one art work booth and the lady had NO idea how nice things could be in an African camp). She now wants her husband to take her there. Now how to get folks to find your business? A web search is mostly useless unless you're on the first 3 pages. As a consumer, I like to talk to outfitters and get a feel of who they are. Others may do it differently. I go to a lot of shows just to meet and greet even if I'm not booking that year, I've been to 4 shows this year alone and I have found 2 outfits that I will seriously look at for my next hunt. New to me outfitters whom I enjoyed talking to. They spent time with me even knowing I wasn't booking this year, They were fun to talk to, were interested in my experiences and didn't push hard for the business. I will remember them. This also manifests itself in me passing the word along to others on who to look at if they want to go "over there".
I'm not a big fan of Facebook. I could be completely wrong but I think it serves a much younger audience than those who have the means to go hunt Africa. Twitter? Unless someone is intimately connected with your account I just don't see it.
Like I said, I could be completely wrong but my way is face to face contact with hunters and word of mouth advertising.
I pick up Magazines if something really strikes me.
The subscription included with a show entry is about it.
Internet is my hero.
Hunting associations and contacts.
The hunting shows, repeat attendance, as Jaco noted, is what makes me think of the outfitter.
TV shows can confirm some thoughts about an operation. But, certainly not the first choice.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. It is valuable. Keep the thoughts, ideas and suggestions coming...!
Ansie, I am such a moron!!!!!! Jerome is the best!!!!!!!::thumb::demented::peace:
:first: Before I get one of these from him.. :pcwhack: and then I'll have to :puppydogeyes:
My best always :)
HAH nice bit of grovelling there jaco :laughing:Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaco Strauss
Jaco, notices the sleeping lion under his cot when he sits up in the morning and the claws sink into his ankle! :blush:Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaco Strauss
Well
The internet is good...however you need web addresses to target and to send your information to potential hunters. By the way i do not open very many e mails from people id do not know. I sure do not click on a web address to follow. (solves getting Trojans viruses)
Face book is OK, i have many safari friends on facebook. When i want to look at there web all i do is a Google or bing search for there company. again solves issues with getting Trojans viruses.
I do like the SCI & DSC magazine and i do look up hunting opportunities from these magazines. I have many web sites bookmarked from these publications.
Trade or Hunting shows - i try to pick up some literature from these and come home and do a web search to see it is something i like. and save the ones that i think have potential. I have never purchased a hunt at a show until i have went home and looked them up to see additional information on them.
I am always looking 2 to 4 years out and will be in contact with PH's that i think i can afford and a safari that i want to take. Some have been on AH and other from research performed.
Word of mouth goes so far and conditions do change.
I receive 1 to 2 phone calls a month on my home phone and cellphone trying to sell me a hunting package. You tell them what you have available (money) to use and they will find you a place to go. I am never sure how my phone numbers were given out. I do not bite on these methods of salesmanship.