Need some constructive help

Reply #17

BobP — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 06:00:04 GMT

The only trouble with selling lottery items like software and systems is they're either already over promoted on google and very often skating the edge of scam or books that have been on amazon for years, where you can sell a thousand dollars worth and not see a check because they pay so little per sale.What you would have to do would be to negotiate private deals with some of the more professional authors, perhaps whose software you use yourself and wouldn't mind doing a little personal tech su... [ More ]

Reply #16

Rick G — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 14:53:40 GMT

PS...although I didn't mention it specifically in my post, LosingJeff is right about Lottery software to include in your inventory.Also 'gift shop' connotes caps, t-shirts mugs etc. If you were going to increase your inventory with other lottery products, the LP lottery 'store' would be a more appealing name for possible customers.

Reply #15

LosingJeff — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 14:00:08 GMT

Hi Todd, For me, Im not much into caps and t's anymore, and I have too many cups now. I think maybe you should have a larger variety of different items. Personally, I think printer ribbons, peripherals etc would sell better. And of course, LOTTERY PROGRAMS. That would definantly sell here. You have a great website and you certainly have done alot for me. By the way, I want to become a member, but prefer not to use a charge. Do you have pay-pal, or will you take checks. Lord knows, I have got my... [ More ]

Reply #14

Rick G — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 13:39:35 GMT

Todd,You have a lot of room for passive advertising in the margin on your pages. Intrusive ads are very annoying and I appreciate the fact that you don't use them But the left margin of my post right now is blank and could be advertising lottery / gaming related products and services and I don't think the users would mind at all, unless it was distracting from the content of the site.Also the suggestion for more lottery related products (systems, books, pocket-sized random number generators,... [ More ]

Reply #13

ayenowitall — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 08:49:37 GMT

Todd,I've looked at the Lottery Post gift shop several times, but I've never seen anything that I really wanted. I don't mind paying a higher price if there's something that I want. I think you might have more sales if you focused more on lottery-related items like books, charts, software, etc. I can recall years ago seeing a little horserace handicapping calculator that was quite popular. If you could develop and bring something like that to market for lottery play, I'm sure you'd sell quite a... [ More ]

Reply #12

dragon — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 06:26:17 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on September 30, 2004Dragon,No, I don't have a thing about advertising as you say. I do not include a lot of advertising because I don't think people like to see it.Todd, with thing about I meant exactly what you stated in the remainder of your message. I think it is a perfectly fine means of revenue for your business. I would say, as long as you stay within context -- loosely -- few of the regulars will leave because there are ads that relate to what we're... [ More ]

Reply #11

DoctorEw220 — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 04:47:47 GMT

also, take a look at what types of clothing the catelogues are selling, and try to think of how you can put the lottery post name on it.

Reply #10

DoctorEw220 — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 04:47:05 GMT

but seriously, i took a look at the prices. they do seem a little high. also, it looks like you're only carrying a select few items, with color changes. changing the color does not make it a different item. perhaps some different items (possibly a few lottery-related items?) would be nice, such as a ticket holder that you can fit into your wallet.

Reply #9

DoctorEw220 — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 04:37:54 GMT

it isn't the gift shop in particular. it's just that i don't like buying things online (read my blog entry on buying things online).

Reply #8

Todd — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 04:35:22 GMT

Dragon,No, I don't have a thing about advertising as you say. I do not include a lot of advertising because I don't think people like to see it.My 4-year experiment with not showing a lot of ads is probably illustrating that I was overly optimistic. When I built this site I did it on the presumption that people would be supportive of a Web site that did not kill them with ads.I guess at this point that I was wrong, and it does no good to try to be a good citizen by not showing a lot of ads... [ More ]

Reply #7

dragon — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 04:21:44 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on September 30, 2004Teufellj,if I'm reading this correctly, you're basically saying that people don't buy anything because it's not being advertised enough or effectively enough. Perhaps you're right. I always thought that people would be appreciative if I didn't put a lot of advertisements out there, and that appreciativeness would encourage people to support the site. But there's a very good chance that I'm just too optomistic of a person, and that I should... [ More ]

Reply #6

dragon — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 04:17:42 GMT

Todd, I think I know where the trouble is: It's not how we view advertising, you or I. There is also a difference between Nike and Adidas, and the badge of honor for a ball team. Adidas does not deserve my endorsement, so I am not going to buy their hat. Harley Davidson, Jack Daniels and Corvette are icons, they convey another type of feeling, freedom, etc. So people will wear those shirts. Lottery Post is not in that league (yet). I do not know the statistics you your visitors, but I would gue... [ More ]

Reply #5

Todd — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 04:17:00 GMT

Teufellj,if I'm reading this correctly, you're basically saying that people don't buy anything because it's not being advertised enough or effectively enough. Perhaps you're right. I always thought that people would be appreciative if I didn't put a lot of advertisements out there, and that appreciativeness would encourage people to support the site. But there's a very good chance that I'm just too optomistic of a person, and that I should be doing more advertising. Definitely something I sh... [ More ]

Reply #4

Teufellj — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 04:07:03 GMT

Hello Todd,yes, you need some thoughts to make a go in the gift shop department. For starters, I am associated with the Big Three automakers. They each have much the same items for sale and then some with their logos or union items with their logos also. The difference that I see is: they have a unity associated with their products and the people see one another on a daily basis and they work day in and day out with the product. This website is great but it is still a loose association of most... [ More ]

Reply #3

Todd — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 03:43:39 GMT

Dragon, thank you for your honest answer. I guess we just look at the concept of advertising differently. For example, when I wear a Yankees shirt, I consider it a badge of honor , rather than advertising for the team. Also, since Lottery Post is a free site, I don't really see it as an advertisement, I look at it as more of a fan thing. I respect your opinion, and it confrims one of possible reasons that I had come up with.LA, I thought there would be some people who felt the prices were... [ More ]

Reply #2

Lottery_Analyst — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 03:30:29 GMT

Todd,For me personally, the prices are too high. I don't wear hats and I would not pay more than $10.00 for a T-Shirt. You can usually get them much cheaper than that if you look on the sale or clearance rack at your local Department or value store.But, I think you have a great website and I want to support it So, I will purchase your Tile Coaster, one because it is reasonably priced, and two, it is really the only thing currently in the gift shop that I could use. I can set my glass of Peps... [ More ]

Reply #1

dragon — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 03:16:46 GMT

I have come to this site for the information it provides for about 5 months now. I remember checking into the shop ONE TIME, looked around, found advertising-type stuff, decided that I don't want such things, and never went back. Actually, I completely forgot about it being there. It's not real obvious and not obtrusive, so it does not get into your way. I have a pet peeve with advertising. When I need a hat, I hate it that every hat in every store has some logo on it. I do not want to pay... [ More ]

Need some constructive help

Todd — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 02:37:08 GMT

I just checked my sales reports for the LP gift shop, and disturbingly there are practically no sales. I'm really scratching my head on this, because with all the regular visitors here every day, and frankly a lot of people saying this is their favorite web site, I would think there would be at least a few buyers.For me personally, if I'm really into something, and it's a part of my everyday life, then I would (and have) bought things that tout my interests (as well as providing financial sup... [ More ]