Update June 9, 2013 There will be a new Kickstarter campaign kicking off soon. Go to StayboyLock.com to get details.
What Jim most needs to get this product to market is pre-purchases. I know people want instant gratification, but patience is often a virtue.
If you can buy a StayBoy Lock that will get the wheels rolling.
Donations of even $1 and comments will help keep his campaign
featured so it doesn’t drop into oblivion many pages deep.
Best practices spring from real world challenges. They are how effective marketers learn what works and what doesn’t.
Dog theft is apparently a larger epidemic than I ever knew. With the AKC telling him that his product is a winner and knowing the stats, Jim @StayBoyLock launched an IndieGoGo campaign.
And as I have repeatedly shared with my readers, things do NOT go viral simply because they’re great ideas with appeal to a large audience.
Unless you have a huge group behind you,
there must be a PLAN to make it go viral!
I previously explained why viral does NOT “just happen” in these two posts:
- Viral Marketing: Using Viral Social Media to Create Viral Content ~ Drive Actions, Conversions, CrowdFunding
- How YouTube Can Be Used for Viral Marketing
We can learn from what Jim does what works – and what doesn’t. His first IndieGoGo campaign quickly fell off the launch page and was buried so deep few ever saw it.
My post Stop Dog Theft From Breaking Hearts: Crowdfunding for Startup with Patented Idea to Prevent Thefts was not able to increase activity on that campaign.
Click the image for more details and a great video.
VIRAL MARKETING PLAN
Prior to launching his second attempt, here is what he has done:
- Tied the new IndieGoGo campaign into National Pet Theft Awareness Week (this week)
- Lined up dog bloggers to publish about it
- Joined the BlogPaws community and friended many top dog bloggers there
- Published a Press Release about StayBoy Lock (through PR Web) – released today March 20, 2013
Here’s the Bad News, though.
Even with all these major players interested,
Without public support willing to take action there could be no StayBoy Locks (but Jim says he’ll sell his house to make it happen)!Dog Lovers have to be willing to support the crowdfunding by Prepurchasing a StayBoy Lock or donating at least $1
Even $1 can help because it keeps the campaign near the top
where more people will see it! Comments help, too.
PROMOTION RESULTS SO FAR
- AKC (American Kennel Club) has agreed to mention StayBoy Lock on their AKC Facebook page that has 121,034 likes on it.
- AKC is featuring StayBoy Lock in their Summer Gear Issue of AKC Family Dog magazine
- As Seen on TV contacted Jim because of the PRWeb press release. He has a contract to have StayBoy Lock profiled in their spots.
- Media Corp contacted Jim because of the PRWeb press release. They plan to feature StayBoy Lock in TV spots.
- Multiple bloggers have committed to doing posts this week.
Jim has to raise $45,000 or there can be no TV spots or AKC magazine
spread. That is what manufacturing will cost. He WILL make it happen,
but wouldn’t it be great if we could get dog lovers to pre-purchase or donate to make sure there will be plenty of stock?Be Part of the Solution >> Donate to or Pre-Purchase a StayBoy Lock
MORE WORK IN PROGRESS
- Jim has hired Gary from TrendingPhones to get the Press Release and a request for coverage to all the members of the previously mentioned BlogPaws community plus many other dog blogs. (Gary works with me and does social media, blogging and small business related projects as an independent consultant.)
- Jim continues to follow up with bloggers and media.
- Keep the IndieGoGo campaign updated with breaking news about dog theft and updates on the progress of the fundraising.
- Add links to the Press Release and blog posts to existing related pages and posts.
Can you help? Besides supporting the IndieGoGo Campaign you can share what is going on with dog lovers and dog bloggers so
more people will see it. But most of all they have to ACT!
With StayBoy Lock you CAN leave your dog tied safely!
MORE IDEAS TO TRY
- AKC also has a AKC Family Dog Facebook page (and others). Reaching out to additional page managers could increase exposure.
- AKC has other publications. Using the AKC Magazines page, contact other editors.
- Find dog bloggers on social networks and interact with them to get additional exposure.
- Find dog related boards on pinterest and pin information about StayBoy Lock there using the most compelling or cute images.
- Look for dog related communities on Google+ to spread the word about dog theft and this preventive product.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Don’t turn your back on pet theft and let the thieves win! We need your support.
Here are ways my readers can help (and learn what works and what doesn’t so when you want to promote something you will have experience).
- Share the IndieGoGo campaign on social networks. Mention it on Facebook or G+ or repin it on Pinterest.
- Donate if you can. I suspect that donations count the most, so even $1 could help keep the campaign featured until more people buy.
- Blog about StayBoy Lock – especially if you have a dog or animal related blog.
Do you have any additional ideas? Please share them in the comments.
Gail Gardner
Thank you for this information and tips as it is very helpful to us dog lovers to be knowledgeable on how to secure our dear pets. Keep posting and sharing. More power.
It’s so sad that people actually steal dogs not caring that they’re taking a family member away from someone. I couldn’t imagine someone stealing my Frenchie but it’s definitely a possibility… they’re so expensive and popular right now that I’m sure someone might look at a Frenchie like a quick buck.
These are great campaign ads! I didn’t know this is so prevalent. Thanks for making it known!
Sara would love you to read ..Best Dog Crates of 2018 Complete Reviews With Comparison
I love my dog a lot. Thanks for sharing dog theft prevention tips.I have a Boxer dog.But he is too active and I hope everybody read and act on these tips
I love my dog a lot. Thanks for sharing dog theft prevention tips. I hope this article will help the dog owners to raise awareness of these dangers.
Hi Gail,My dog is my family and it s very important to me. Thanks for getting attention to this problem!
Olivia Wiliams would love you to read ..7 Best Dog DNA Tests in 2017
I’m in! This is going to be so helpful! I own a Chihuahua so the chance of him getting caught by some people with bad intentions is so high. I hope this comes to the market soon.
Lan Hoang would love you to read ..Can my dog go vegan?
Thanks for sharing. Your post help me be watchful dog thief. I love my pet so much. The dog is a part of my life.
Olivia Jenkins would love you to read ..What You Need To Know About Gestation Period For Dogs
Hi Olivia,
I had no idea there were so many dog thieves around. We do have to keep a close eye on our pets all of the time. We have the same issue with our horses.
Gail Gardner would love you to read ..Do Not Let Your Images Blow Up Your Blog
Hi, Gail. This is really a good start. Thanks for noticing.
God bless you animal lovers for this article.Lots of pet owners should read this.Thank you for raising awareness of these dangers.thanks again
Olivia Simmons would love you to read ..Contact us for a Meet n’ Greet!
I really like this blog. Dog theft prevention is really a good idea. Maybe all this time we also need guard dogs for the safety of our families. Not just pet dogs.
These are good ideas– dog theft is not real until you were victim of it one day.