Marketing decisions and featured articles
Hey Backers,
While its been a fairly slow week in terms of backing, we've had a pretty interesting week in terms of press. We originally were marketing the product to technology reviewers - but the pitfall in that was tech reviewers really only need one of the many functions (desktop work) which can be found cheaper.
We then shifted to general blog marketing, and had a little more success, being featured in GeekWire, Speedline Tech, and the West Seattle Herald. We tried to take the Caine's Arcade approach. Only it didn't end up in hundreds of thousands of dollars for a college tuition. We needed the HQ coverage (film maker from Caine's Arcade in that case) first to get more coverage. What we realized we needed was market focus. Since the pure age factor didn't take off, we needed to actually present it to people who might find it useful. Sure, we might get a T-Shirt pledged from people just wanting to help a couple kids out, but people who don't need the product won't buy it. Not only that, but in order to make it all that profitable, we need to buy in bulk. With the profit margins as slim as they are, we'd be losing money just making one or two.
We're planing on totally restructuring our marketing. This includes marketing to videography students and schools unable to pay $1,000-$10,000 for single use tools, as well as independent film makers and blogs more geared towards it. We're currently pooling our money to buy a DSLR so we don't need to borrow my friend's T2i, and getting ready to launch a campaign for Vimeo, which is better suited for us than YouTube. We're also looking into new advertising techniques. We'll get revised demo content up in about a week from now, when I'm back in the States.
We've created something truly different, which makes the market hard to grasp. Someone looking for a Pico dolly might not be interested in our product because they only need the one purpose. But different things change culture forever. We hope to do that. In the next 20 days, we'll make sure to do our job better than ever before. This won't be easy, but I'm confident we can succeed if we work hard enough in the right direction.
Feel free to leave any comment or question on the Kickstarter page if you're receiving this via email.
Be sure to check out the articles we were in:
http://www.westseattleherald.com/2012/04/16/features/two-west-seattle-teens-take-their-entrepreneu
http://www.speedlinetech.co.uk/the-steadyorbit-the-new-way-to-make-smooth-cinematics/
http://www.geekwire.com/2012/kickstarter-kids-watch-seattle-teens-pitch-camera-dolly-business/
Chris Pirillo also mentioned us on Google+:
https://plus.google.com/107234826207633309420/posts/BBQ4DWrA4wY
Thanks for your contributions,
Tyler Simpson
21
Backers
$1,531
pledged of $3,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on May 8, 2012.
Funding period
Mar 24, 2012 -
May 8, 2012
(45 days)
- First created · 0 backed
- Has not connected Facebook
- Website: tvisions.tv
Pledge $5 or more
0 backers
Stock, copyright-free footage of basic stuff done with the SteadyOrbit. Please let us know what kind of footage you want. You will receive a download link.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $10 or more
0 backers Limited (240 of 240 left)
"This Is How I Roll" bumper sticker for your car, or laptop. Free shipping for all destinations.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $25 or more
8 backers
Custom chicgarage T-Shirt with "This Is How I Roll" and a picture of the dolly on it. The available sizes are: S, M, L, XL and XXL. Please specify the size. +$10 for Canada and Mexico shipping. +$15 for international shipping.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $100 or more
1 backer
Steady Starter - includes everything from the SteadyOrbit Lite, but the wheels and trucks, all on the same great brushed aluminum base. Add +$20 for shipping to Canada, +$50 for international shipping. This lean kit for DIY fans will not be available after the Kickstarter project ends.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $150 or more
0 backers
SteadyOrbit Lite - includes high quality tripod ball head, handles, trucks, and inline wheels, all on a 1/4 inch thick brushed aluminum base. An angle measurement scale is placed under both trucks so you can adjust them to get precise arcs, and duplicate your settings. Extra 3/8 inch holes to position the head offcenter to accomnodate flip out LCD's, and extra 1/4 threaded holes for mounting the entire product on a tripod, or for mounting additional accessories. Add +$20 for shipping to Canada, +$50 for international shipping. After the Kickstarter project finishes, it will cost $180 retail.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $200 or more
1 backer
SteadyOrbit Plus - same as above with soft (and extremely quiet) longboard wheels, mobile phone tripod mount, cold shoe mount, and cleaning kit. Add +$20 for shipping to Canada, +$50 for international shipping. After the Kickstarter project finishes, it will cost $230.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $300 or more
2 backers Limited (98 of 100 left)
SteadyOrbit Pro - acrylic baseplate instead of aluminum (unless otherwise noted). You'll be able to see the truck angles from the top, mark it and duplicate for consistent arcs, like the pros (dry erase marker included). Additional 3/8 inch and threaded 1/4 holes for customization. Tools are included for reconfiguration of the SteadyOrbit on the go. Bones® Reds™ bearings are used for smoother, quieter dolly moves. Includes the standard package of handles, trucks, longboard wheels, a cold shoe mount, and a cleaning kit. Includes high quality Manfrotto™ 391RC2 quick release video tripod head. Add +$20 for shipping to Canada, +$50 for international shipping. After the Kickstarter project finishes, it will cost $320.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $675 or more
0 backers Limited (65 of 65 left)
Kickstarter special fan package - 2 SteadyOrbit Pro's, 1 Steady Cam, 2 bumper stickers, and 2 T-Shirts. We'll custom engrave your name into the acrylic plate on one of the SteadyOrbit Pro's, with the production number. +$25 for Canada shipping. +$60 for international shipping. This will only available for the Kickstarter project.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
Comments