Searching for suggestions and options

[brucem3]

Hi, all. Newb here with a "different" site,
pornshopfinder.com (http://www.pornshopfinder.com)
and I'm struggling to find the best way to market, syndicate, affiliate this thing. :headwall:

I was feeding AdWords for a while just to get some traffic. Now that I'm weaned off of them I'm getting about 350-500 uniques a day. Revenue is paying the hosting (ie. almost non-existant) so I'm obviously looking to significantly expand that.

Any comments (besides "Your site blows!"), suggestions, opinions and options would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

BruceM3...

[Nickatilynx]

Frankly I like it. :)

[Mike AI]

Opranauts, let me introduce you to a friend of ours - Bruce. He is new to the biz, just tooling around in his free time. He is a great guy, he asked me about this project and I told him that the Oprano Think Tank is the place he needed to go.

I will post my ideas that I shared with Bruce later - I don't want to taint anyones brain cells with my silly ideas.

[Nickatilynx]

I didn't know you were a friend of Mike's either.

I genuinely like that site....

[brucem3]

Yeah, the scary part is that I was out with Mike the night that picture of him was taken. You don't want to know where he put that bottle.......... :blink:

[Mike AI]

Originally posted by Nickatilynx@Mar 14 2005, 10:27 PM
I didn't know you were a friend of Mike's either.

I genuinely like that site....


Nick how would you make money with the content Bruce has collected?

I was thinking some type of syndication for a small fee, or for traffic.

[gonzo]

It has the places I didnt know about close to me! COmprehensive.

[Vick]

Ok should it concern me that looking at the site I see 3 of the top 5 requested stores are in Maryland or DC (all within 35 miles of my home) ?


Is is that just great marketing and results fed by my IP? B)

[Hell Puppy]

Originally posted by gonzo@Mar 14 2005, 10:42 PM
It has the places I didnt know about close to me! COmprehensive.
Is there a book on glory hole etiquette at our local Barnes & Noble?


We can read it at a good high traffic table like we did the one about nude sketching.


Quality entertainment and kept mom's from parking with their little ones nearby.

[brucem3]

Thanks, gonzo. I've got over 2,500 stores in the list. It's probably not 100% accurate but I've tried my best to get a comprehensive and verified list.

[brucem3]

Originally posted by Vick@Mar 14 2005, 07:45 PM
Ok should it concern me that looking at the site I see 3 of the top 5 requested stores are in Maryland or DC (all within 35 miles of my home) ?


Is is that just great marketing and results fed by my IP? B)
Nope, those are the actual top requested stores. No Geo-IP. Lots of perverted congressmen, I guess............

[TheEnforcer]

Wow.. that is a cool site... :okthumb:

hmmm... I'l have to think a bit though..

Oh.. welcoem to oprano!!

[Nickatilynx]

Originally posted by Mike AI+Mar 14 2005, 07:31 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Mike AI @ Mar 14 2005, 07:31 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Nickatilynx@Mar 14 2005, 10:27 PM
I didn't know you were a friend of Mike's either.

I genuinely like that site....


Nick how would you make money with the content Bruce has collected?

I was thinking some type of syndication for a small fee, or for traffic. [/b][/quote]
I'd fold into a biiger site.

And keep it clean....

if it isn't geo targeted by IP it should be.

At some point contact direct with the shops , saying that you can direct sales as a result of it and grow it from there....

[brucem3]

Originally posted by Nickatilynx@Mar 14 2005, 07:52 PM
At some point contact direct with the shops , saying that you can direct sales as a result of it and grow it from there....
Yeah, I was planning on keeping the user/search side totally free. But once traffic built up, hitting up the stores for a "premium" service, maybe $10 per month, to be able to add their website, hours, descriptions, picture of their shop, etc. on there. Like this sample shop:
Sample "Preferred" Store (http://pornshopfinder.com/locator/results_details.php?id=1937&dist=0%20miles)

[Mike AI]

Originally posted by brucem3+Mar 14 2005, 10:56 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (brucem3 @ Mar 14 2005, 10:56 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Nickatilynx@Mar 14 2005, 07:52 PM
At some point contact direct with the shops , saying that you can direct sales as a result of it and grow it from there....
Yeah, I was planning on keeping the user/search side totally free. But once traffic built up, hitting up the stores for a "premium" service, maybe $10 per month, to be able to add their website, hours, descriptions, picture of their shop, etc. on there. Like this sample shop:
Sample "Preferred" Store (http://pornshopfinder.com/locator/results_details.php?id=1937&dist=0%20miles) [/b][/quote]


But how are you going to prove this traffic to brick and morter porn shops? I thought the idea of having customers print up coupon as a way of tracking, but other wise it would be tough to prove you are sending customers.

That is why I was thinking it would make more sense to syndicate the content, charge a small amount to webmasters for unlimted searches for customers, or skim some traffic from searches and give it to webmasters for free.

[brucem3]

Originally posted by Mike AI@Mar 14 2005, 08:00 PM
But how are you going to prove this traffic to brick and morter porn shops? I thought the idea of having customers print up coupon as a way of tracking, but other wise it would be tough to prove you are sending customers.

Yeah, it's tough to PROVE I'm sending them customers. But I can give them detailed stats on how many people are requesting detailed info specificallly on THEIR shop.

I guess I was figuring that $10 a month is pocket change for a porn shop. That's probably worth it if they only get one additional customer a month from the site.

[Nickatilynx]

Say mentioning the website or the phrase "kiss me quick big boy" gets you a 10% discount :)

[Mike AI]

Originally posted by brucem3+Mar 14 2005, 11:04 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (brucem3 @ Mar 14 2005, 11:04 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Mike AI@Mar 14 2005, 08:00 PM
But how are you going to prove this traffic to brick and morter porn shops? I thought the idea of having customers print up coupon as a way of tracking, but other wise it would be tough to prove you are sending customers.

Yeah, it's tough to PROVE I'm sending them customers. But I can give them detailed stats on how many people are requesting detailed info specificallly on THEIR shop.

I guess I was figuring that $10 a month is pocket change for a porn shop. That's probably worth it if they only get one additional customer a month from the site. [/b][/quote]

Yeah try convinving a porn shop guy you are sending him traffic with some graphs with searches from your website.

I wanna come with you when you make this pitch. I think it would be amusing.

:zoinks:

[Nickatilynx]

Originally posted by Nickatilynx@Mar 14 2005, 08:15 PM
Say mentioning the website or the phrase "kiss me quick big boy" gets you a 10% discount :)
(cough)

[brucem3]

Originally posted by Mike AI@Mar 14 2005, 08:20 PM
Yeah try convinving a porn shop guy you are sending him traffic with some graphs with searches from your website.

I wanna come with you when you make this pitch. I think it would be amusing.

C'mon, I was a sale guy for 8 years. Cake...

No, I agree, it would be a tough sell. I keep thinking one side or the other (searcher or store) needs to be paying me, but that's definitely where I'm myopic. :ph34r:

So I should keep it free for both users and stores, but.... (insert your plan here but please spell it all out, even some diagrams wouldn't hurt, remember I'm an engineer).

[Nickatilynx]

Originally posted by brucem3+Mar 14 2005, 08:31 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (brucem3 @ Mar 14 2005, 08:31 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Mike AI@Mar 14 2005, 08:20 PM
Yeah try convinving a porn shop guy you are sending him traffic with some graphs with searches from your website.

I wanna come with you when you make this pitch. I think it would be amusing.

C'mon, I was a sale guy for 8 years. Cake...

No, I agree, it would be a tough sell. I keep thinking one side or the other (searcher or store) needs to be paying me, but that's definitely where I'm myopic. :ph34r:

So I should keep it free for both users and stores, but.... (insert your plan here but please spell it all out, even some diagrams wouldn't hurt, remember I'm an engineer). [/b][/quote]
fuck ya both then!!! lol

It works with Strip Clubs I know ;)

[Peaches]

Is Bruce the cute guy I met in FL? (contrary to Colin's claims, I don't remember names and faces all that well........ :unsure: )

[cj]

Originally posted by brucem3@Mar 14 2005, 10:31 PM
Yeah, the scary part is that I was out with Mike the night that picture of him was taken. You don't want to know where he put that bottle.......... :blink:
oh yes we do!!!!! :lol:

Welcome aboard!

Nice site, great concept.

I think you are on the right track in working towards selling premium listings ... my only point would be the level of hardcore you publish on the site ... a lot of mainstream companies (and many adult stores fall more under this category than they do under 'porn' because they have so many rules to follow) might be funny about including their store on a site with a big pic of a chick with a dick in her mouth across the top.

I know that sounds silly ........... but you'd be amazed! Without the hardcore you could also get some press in adult print publications.

But all of that is just details until you get traffic.

Someone mentioned coupons, which is a huge area that might be worth persuing as a gimmick to generate traffic. if you offered discounts to at least 1 store in every city, optimized your site for se's, got some link swaps going and did a mailout to launch the service, you could pick up some good traffic based solely on your discount vouchers. You are also putting yourself in the position of the middle man - "Visit me before you visit the store" ....

An ok coupon site ...
http://www.freeukstuff.com/free-coupons-vouchers.html

Another suggestion I'd make is to take out some ads in some cheap adult publications ... those newspaper style things that are picked up in adult stores. Contact the editors first and ask for editorial to go with your advertising and test out a few reasonably priced ones who will give you good promotion. or you could swap ad space for premium listings on your site ......

anyway, the ideas are easy. implementing them is the hard bit ;-)
good luck!

[brucem3]

Originally posted by Peaches@Mar 14 2005, 09:24 PM
Is Bruce the cute guy I met in FL?
Hi, Peaches! Well, we met in Florida but I'm more old, fat, and bald than cute. But after seeing the belly flop contest, I guess that describes almost every webmaster. :lol:

[Almighty Colin]

Hmmm. Get traffic, charge shops for premium highlighted listings at the top of the searches. Monthly fee rebilled to cc card, of course.

[brucem3]

Originally posted by cj@Mar 14 2005, 09:51 PM
Welcome aboard!
Nice site, great concept.

Thanks, cj. Great points and I appreciate all of the ideas. I agree that some shops in my list may be simply lingerie stores and that the hardcore ads may be a detraction. I'll soften/clean that stuff up.

I've been grabbing those local adult magazines wherever I travel so I've got some contacts there to check on advertising. Might dig into the coupon idea, too.

[Almighty Colin]

Maybe get a cobranded sextoys store and link to that

[brucem3]

Originally posted by Almighty Colin@Mar 15 2005, 05:40 AM
Hmmm. Get traffic, charge shops for premium highlighted listings at the top of the searches. Monthly fee rebilled to cc card, of course.
Oh yeah, I forgot to add the "top of the list" feature for preferred stores. And my current PHP script already does that! :bdance:

[Peaches]

Originally posted by brucem3+Mar 15 2005, 09:31 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (brucem3 @ Mar 15 2005, 09:31 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Peaches@Mar 14 2005, 09:24 PM
Is Bruce the cute guy I met in FL?
Hi, Peaches! Well, we met in Florida but I'm more old, fat, and bald than cute. But after seeing the belly flop contest, I guess that describes almost every webmaster. :lol: [/b][/quote]
Not at all - you're cute :)

I guess I remember faces and names better than I thought, lol! :awinky: Welcome and good to see you around!

[brucem3]

Originally posted by Mike AI@Mar 14 2005, 08:20 PM
Yeah try convinving a porn shop guy you are sending him traffic with some graphs with searches from your website.

How do billboard companies and printed-media sell ads?

[brucem3]

Originally posted by cj@Mar 14 2005, 09:51 PM
...my only point would be the level of hardcore you publish on the site ... a lot of mainstream companies (and many adult stores fall more under this category than they do under 'porn' because they have so many rules to follow) might be funny about including their store on a site with a big pic of a chick with a dick in her mouth across the top.
I know that sounds silly ........... but you'd be amazed! Without the hardcore you could also get some press in adult print publications.
I totally agree and even struggled with having the word "PornShop" in the domain name. I was wondering if "AdultStoreFinder" would be less offensive? Or do you think just softening up the ads is enough?

[cj]

>AdultStoreFinder

I think that name would be far more accepted in the brick and mortar world, but not *necessary* ... i'm all for the easiest & cutest name to brand.

if you have the domain, stick the site up on there, market that version in print, the other on the web, and cross market each of them with the traffic stream you generate ....

[Mike AI]

Originally posted by brucem3+Mar 15 2005, 07:58 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (brucem3 @ Mar 15 2005, 07:58 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Mike AI@Mar 14 2005, 08:20 PM
Yeah try convinving a porn shop guy you are sending him traffic with some graphs with searches from your website.

How do billboard companies and printed-media sell ads? [/b][/quote]


Billboard companies are solicited normally by media buyers or the companies directly.

[cj]

Originally posted by Mike AI+Mar 15 2005, 09:06 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Mike AI @ Mar 15 2005, 09:06 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Originally posted by brucem3@Mar 15 2005, 07:58 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-Mike AI@Mar 14 2005, 08:20 PM
Yeah try convinving a porn shop guy you are sending him traffic with some graphs with searches from your website.

How do billboard companies and printed-media sell ads?


Billboard companies are solicited normally by media buyers or the companies directly. [/b][/quote]
and rarely does a company purchase an individual billboard unless its local to the store ... billboards are usually purchased as part of a media buying package that can include all forms of media. the company assesses the overall success of the campaign by looking at sales totals at the end of the campaign, in % of growth rather than flat $$.

its easy to track the success of a campaign by directly connecting the content of your advertising to the result you want to achieve.

ie, if you want to trace sales to the stores listed in your site, give them a reason to mention your site when they enter the store. coupons are the easiest example, or even simply 'mention our name and get a free toy' or something simple that doesn't require setup.

to start with to get stores interested, why not offer 'anyone who can offer freebies gets a premium listing for 1 month' ....