Where did FORCE go??

[mcwlandscaping]

I noticed that the force icons are gone and there isn't a specific FORCE forum anymore. Where did it go and is it going to come back??

[Sean Adams]

The Force, as you know, is Billy Goat. We spoke to them and they decided to try LawnSite and they were "overwhelmed by the response and information" and they are repositioning some things and they are looking to get back on the site soon. All in all, we were told it was an absolute success and they received excellent insight and information from the members of the site.

[Gatewayuser]

It WAS billy goat what a stinking scam!

[Sean Adams]

That would be called creative marketing....not a scam

They wanted an opinion based on the machine with nothing else involved....

If you stop and think about it, it was a smart move.

[Gatewayuser]

Smart but the company was basing their own selves, not so smart.

[Sean Adams]

Smart but the company was basing their own selves, not so smart.

Not sure what you mean?

[Willofalltrades]

I have to agree with Sean. That was very smart marketing. They had a good advertising plan and obviously they hit their target market on the head. The choice of media was good to.

[The Goat Guy]

We as Billy Goat are a small, privately held family company with limited budgets. We sank the bulk of our current Force advertising budget into the covert Force site and Lawnsite.com. The activity and interest we recieved from this site lead me to believe that you get the best bang for the buck here. I heard from some great people and got some great information. This has been well worth the money and I hope to be back as a sponsor soon.

As for bashing ourselves how else could we have made people think it wasn't us? It was a calculated decision that was reinforced by the fact that this is NEVER done in this industry. If anyone had even dreamed it was us the advertising would have fallen deaf ears. The money would have been wasted. We had something that was completely different and we needed to advertise it in a completely different manner.

Drew Coates
(aka Mr. Force)

[Sean Adams]

Like I said....smart marketing.

[mcwlandscaping]

Damn good plan to me, im really planning on buying one this year when they come out.

[lawnmaniac883]

Thats good and all but please get the ******ed videos off of Billy Goat's site. I mean really, the three little pigs?

[The Goat Guy]

Thats good and all but please get the ******ed videos off of Billy Goat's site. I mean really, the three little pigs?

We've actually gotten some comments from people who loved that video. We now have only one that's negative. Honestly, we've already paid for it, where else are you going to see something like that in this industry?, more people like it than not, and for those who don't like it don't click on it.

Our advertising is merely designed to educated people that the product exists. If they are interested they will find it. It has to be quirky for it to stand out (especially in this industry). People watch and forward links that are interesting, humorous, and or remarkable. Simply showing features and pictures is what everyone else does. To stand out you've got to do something that's remarkable.

Drew Coates
(aka Mr. Force)

[Sean Adams]

We've actually gotten some comments from people who loved that video. We now have only one that's negative. Honestly, we've already paid for it, where else are you going to see something like that in this industry?, more people like it than not, and for those who don't like it don't click on it.

Our advertising is merely designed to educated people that the product exists. If they are interested they will find it. It has to be quirky for it to stand out (especially in this industry). People watch and forward links that are interesting, humorous, and or remarkable. Simply showing features and pictures is what everyone else does. To stand out you've got to do something that's remarkable.

Drew Coates
(aka Mr. Force)

Drew - good explanation. Some people "get it" and others don't. Some people like to complain and disagree and argue just for the sake of.... The three little pigs video is different, and in marketing in a "good 'ol boy" industry like this, different = results.

[TURF DOCTOR]

Jeez man billy goat makes top of the line ope we have no problems we have a contour mower and a outback these things are built.

[lawnmaniac883]

The videos are just corny, thats all. Different, yes but corny.

[Sean Adams]

Corny, goofy, wacky, crazy, sure...but in this day and age of marketing, the need to separate one's self (product) from the other's takes creativity...otherwise a blower would be a blower, a mower a mower, a truck a truck, etc....

[lawnmaniac883]

I still wish they would put up some more specs for the machine.

[mulcahy mowing]

we got used, thank god my dealer dosn't sell that brand so i'll never be buying one.......unless that is they indeed they do come back......then i'll be buying one:)

[The Goat Guy]

we got used, thank god my dealer dosn't sell that brand so i'll never be buying one.......unless that is they indeed they do come back......then i'll be buying one:)

I'm not following your thoughts. Could you explain?

Drew Coates
(aka Mr. Force)

[Sean Adams]

Drew,

I'm not 100% certain if this is what he means.... but LawnSite members have often made it clear that they have a heightened level of confidence buying from companies who sponsor the site - and no, this is not a sales pitch.... it just makes sense. The companies who sponsor the site are confident they will learn about (and address) the good, bad, and ugly when it comes to what they offer. And when they have a presence on the site in regard to answering questions, etc.... it makes the buyers feel better knowing they can ask questions, praise and complain to someone directly versus a general email address that never gets answered or a toll free number. The companies who sponsor this site are, inmy opinion, customer service oriented because they want to know what people think about their company and product, as well as their competition.

[mulcahy mowing]

Thank you Sean :)

[J&R Landscaping]

Drew,

I'm not 100% certain if this is what he means.... but LawnSite members have often made it clear that they have a heightened level of confidence buying from companies who sponsor the site - and no, this is not a sales pitch.... it just makes sense. The companies who sponsor the site are confident they will learn about (and address) the good, bad, and ugly when it comes to what they offer. And when they have a presence on the site in regard to answering questions, etc.... it makes the buyers feel better knowing they can ask questions, praise and complain to someone directly versus a general email address that never gets answered or a toll free number. The companies who sponsor this site are, inmy opinion, customer service oriented because they want to know what people think about their company and product, as well as their competition.
They work harded to fabricate and customize their products to want the majority of landscapers want!
I think it was a very good idea! :clapping:

[Sean Adams]

It's a process and I believe that if they (or anyone making a product in this industry) follow through from beginning to end - study their customer's wants and needs, bring it to market, get it out there, and become accessible in the process to give people the info and answers they want and need - it will be a winner every time.

[lawnmaniac883]

Hey, atleast they asked those who need and require these machines day in and day out for advice and suggestions on their product. Cant say that about most companies.

[Sean Adams]

Hey, atleast they asked those who need and require these machines day in and day out for advice and suggestions on their product. Cant say that about most companies.

Excellent point....criticism is part of the game but with that usually comes improvement, which is what is best for the end users.

[out4now]

Like I said....smart marketing.
I agree. People would have made a summary judgement based not the name ansdnot given the machine a second look.

[olderthandirt]

Smart marketing or lieing, where is the line?

Can I call lawn seeding slow growth sodding and sell it that way and get away with it for long? Would it be ethical, it would be the truth BUT its still a deception.

[Sean Adams]

Smart marketing or lieing, where is the line?

Can I call lawn seeding slow growth sodding and sell it that way and get away with it for long? Would it be ethical, it would be the truth BUT its still a deception.

I understand what you are saying Mac, but this is not really the same thing. Billy Goat never tried to make anyone believe this was anything less or more than what it is - a blower. But they did not want people to think about anything but the blower.

If you consistently advertised your business as "Mac's Landscaping" for 25 years in a community and then decided to get creative and create a campaign that highlighted all of your services, awards, etc and never placed your name in the ad, that would be more comparable to what The Force campaign was. With your new approach you made prospects look only at what you had to offer....

Now if Billy Goat / Mac's Landscaping had a horrible reputation and was attempting this type of marketing to mask who they were to "fool" people into something then I would agree - deception. But this is not the case.

[olderthandirt]

I understand what you are saying Mac, but this is not really the same thing. Billy Goat never tried to make anyone believe this was anything less or more than what it is - a blower. But they did not want people to think about anything but the blower.

If you consistently advertised your business as "Mac's Landscaping" for 25 years in a community and then decided to get creative and create a campaign that highlighted all of your services, awards, etc and never placed your name in the ad, that would be more comparable to what The Force campaign was. With your new approach you made prospects look only at what you had to offer....

Now if Billy Goat / Mac's Landscaping had a horrible reputation and was attempting this type of marketing to mask who they were to "fool" people into something then I would agree - deception. But this is not the case.

Sean, I agree with you 100 percent and understand the concept of there marketing.
I just missed not talking to you and having your words of wisdom bestowed upon me. :waving:

[MMLawn]

Can I call lawn seeding slow growth sodding and sell it that way..........


Thanks Mac! I just added a new service to the old MM repertoire..... :laugh:

[Sean Adams]

Sean, I agree with you 100 percent and understand the concept of there marketing.
I just missed not talking to you and having your words of wisdom bestowed upon me. :waving:

Confuscious say.... man who live in glass house must get changed in basement.....

[olderthandirt]

Confuscious say.... man who live in glass house must get changed in basement.....


Confuscious also say...... man who needs to change in basement has little to hide :laugh: :laugh:


Mike, make sure to sell it with your natural irrigation system :drinkup: