Not knowing which half


The success of "To Ur is Human" has come as some surprise. Okay, so it isn't a runaway best seller, and no longer troubles the Amazon Top 10s of anything, but it has sold more than the half dozen I expected to shift to wargaming friends, and the numbers are now at a level where there MUST be people who I have never met who have bought a set.


I've been tracking Amazon sales against known events in the outside world, and it looks like I get flurries of activity after someone posts something, but it's hard to tell, as there's obviously a lag between posting, reading and ordering. So I don't really know what has an effect or when.

To compound my confusion I've decided to run $5 of banner advertising on TMP (keep an eye out for it, - that's it at the top). So far about 25% of sales have been in the US, with the rest being UK & 1 copy bought in Germany, but I reckon it'll be worth the investment as it means I can also post on Hobby News, if I understand things correctly, which appears on the front page. The banner will have a direct link through to the new "Wargaming for Grown-Ups" blog page with details of the rules and how to order. As I can monitor page hits, I should be able to track how many people click through, broadly speaking. It is fair to say, love it or hate it, I find that if I get a blog post mentioned on TMP I get loads more traffic than I do from anywhere else.

As I checked on the internet for reviews on forums I don't currently follow, something odd came up. The rules are available on the Japanese version of ebay, from a UK seller called "bonzer bloke". I kid you not, have a look below:


Now this is right bizarre, honestly. And he's charging twice what you'd pay on Amazon.co.jp. I know 'cos I checked.


Not that this affects me, unless he's bought a copy and has worked out a way to bootleg them already. I mean, if he's waiting for orders, then shipping them in form Amazon before selling on, I think that's okay by me.

Just if you are one of my Japanese followers, I'd recommend you just go straight to the Amazon Japan website.

BTW The title for this piece is taken from a quote by a Nineteenth century Philadelphia retailer John Wanamaker who supposedly said “Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don't know which half.”


Comments

  1. Dear Graham,

    With some experience in this area, the response rate is more like 6%, with unquantifiable add-ons (usually a mate of a mate hears about it, tries it for free, then buys an example). Glad to hear that things are going well though.

    Regards, Chris.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I get a 6% click rate then I'll be satisfied.

      Delete
  2. I also posted about To Ur on Lead Adventure Forum with a link to my review. Got big numbers on my blog from that and I continue to get them. I'd say it had more impact than the Wargames Website post.

    There does seem to be real interest out there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. I missed that one. I'll go and have a look.

      Delete
  3. Good to see you on LAF. My PC trauma is now over so I can upload pics again. My next on To Ur post will be sometime next week.

    I'm not quite ready for a game yet as I'm still painting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm trying to support the rules as best I can and keep up with the forums etc any comments pop up on. I'm quite excited about your next post, as I like your writing on your blog, so don't hold off too long.

      Delete
  4. It's already written. I've quoted your chariot comments and added some suggestions about chariot types.

    I just need to take some pics. I particularly want to show some cart on cart action on my grid mat.

    I think I'll just add it to the existing LAF thread because people already know they can find you there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cart on cart action is the thing, although it's a bit of a crap shoot. I like the carts hurtling down on infantry, not knowing whether their bluff has worked or not.

      And I'm keeping an eye on LAF.

      Delete
  5. Well, I just bought a copy based on comments on LAF and TMP. So it wasn't a complete waste...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unless you bought based on the big splash on Hobby News rather than Bob's comments then so far the advertising is producing zero sales.

      Delete
  6. My next post is up on my blog and on LAF.

    In my experience of advertising it's word of mouth that works. That begs the question of how you hear about a product in the first place. That said I'd say a few positive threads on various wargames fora probably generate more interest than a fleeting add among many.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd agree on the word of mouth, but I thought it was worth a try as it isn't costing me an arm and a leg. Enjoyed your blog post, where I've commented, and i'll join in of LAF shortly.

      Delete
  7. It's certainly worth a try.

    Way back when, an outfit I was with used to spend £16k on advertising in various medium. I wanted to know where we got the biggest bang for our buck. I had a survey done-85% said word of mouth. I was left none the wiser-except folks like to think they are in the know.

    Glad you liked the blog post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I have a definite link between the TMP front page splash and sales. The Blogger click count looks a bit all over the place to me, but since the splash appeared yesterday morning I have sold 11 copies, with 8 on one day. Previous best was 4. And the article garnered some chat on TMP, which I have struggled to get off the ground to date. Might be money well spent.

      Delete
  8. Replies
    1. Definite thumbs up. Mostly sales in the US too.

      Delete

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