Is fauna blogging smart for your business? How has your experience been at Fuana?

[Tropoddity]

I am new to this forum so far I have met some really nice people. So far everything is going well for me here I really would like to here from some other peoples honest opinion, here some of there good or bad experiences as far as business and using Fauna Classifieds as a marketing tool.

Thank you,

Alek Hairapetian

 

[hhmoore]

I'm not one to bounce from forum to forum - there are two on which I participate regularly - I just don't have the time or desire to try to keep up with 5-6 different forums. I try not to do a lot of advertising, but I do most of it on this site. I generally only turn to KS when I have a lot of babies on hand, and decide it's time to sell them (for me, that can mean the babies will be anywhere from 2 weeks to 8 months old, depending on the species).

My participation here gains me a good deal of business, and probably costs me darn near as much, lol. It takes time to become part of an online community, and there really is no way around that. Participation is what creates the comfort level, builds confidence, and develops reputation - without those things, we're just one name out of thousands. Like in the real world, if you are putting yourself out there, people will form opinions. They may or may not like you; and that can certainly impact your sales. Just be true to who you are - people can only fake it for so long, and when others find out you aren't what they thought...(LOOKOUT!!)

Seriously, though - if you have to ask whether participation on a forum is smart for your business, you probably need to take a closer look at how you are presenting yourself.

probably costs me darn near as much

1) in my role as moderator, I tick a lot of people off
2) in my role as moderator, a lot of people tick me off
3) as a member, I periodically express how I deal with my business transactions
4) as a member, I see how others deal with their business transactions
Anything people don't like about me, or how I do things, can cost me business...and, by the same token, anything I don't like about somebody can ultimately cost me business; because I have no qualms about turning down sales.

 

[snowgyre]

I agree with Harald for the most part. I guess using Fauna as a marketing tool depends upon how "big" you want your business to be. As a small time hobbiest, Fauna has been great for me. I first joined, geez, nearly six years ago now when I first started breeding leopard geckos. It's been a great community, both for me to keep up to speed with issues in the reptile community (in terms of legislation, new morphs, changes in breeder status, knowing the good/bad guys, etc.) and as a way to get in touch with others who share similar interests.

Now, there are benefits and disadvantages to this. As a "little guy," I need to build up my reputation somehow. A typical business would do this merely by providing excellent service. But considering I may only make 2-3 sales a year, this method doesn't really work for me. Instead, getting active on the forums, letting people know who I am, that I'm accountable, and perhaps most importantly easy to get a hold of is my way of letting people know that I take what I do very seriously and I will stand by my word in any transaction.

 

[Tropoddity]

This is great feed back and I appreciate it 100%. I am new to the Blog advertising or politics, it is different, because you really cant see the persons true emotion when they discuss or write something about a person. I think that is the down fall, to online marketing, or blogging. I play around a lot, meaning I like to have fun, because life is to short to be so serious all the time.

I really miss mom and pop businesses, you know when you walk in the store, you know the name of the owner, they ask about your kids or family. people need to go back to that.

That is just me, I guess. I like to see a kid smile when he or she has their 1st new baby bearded dragon.

I am glad I am getting back into it.

 

[Wolfy-hound]

I consider sites like Fauna to be more like the "mom and pop" stores. Sites that are mainly classifieds tend to be more like a corporation where no one knows who you are from that site, only if they know you from outside that classified ad.

Granted, I don't participate on the Kingsnake forums, but I look at their classifieds. Not sure how many post in forums vs just looking at ads.

Fauna on the other hand tends to be more like a group of folks who know each other a bit, hang out and chat about reptiles and all sorts of things, and oh yeah, here's some ads for stuff for sale. So when you're a member, posting on threads, chatting in the chatroom etc... then when you post ads, people have more of a tendancy to see your ad and think "Hey, I want to see what they've got" and more of a tendancy to think of one of the people here when someone outside the site says "I'm looking to buy a X, know anyone trustworthy with one for sale?" It's more familiar than just posting ads somewhere. It's part of the reptile community, instead of a site for reptile classifieds.

I'm really only active on two reptile sites, although I'm a member on several others. I tend to return to sites that I enjoy being around.

I have sold snakes through the two sites I frequent the most(and through a couple other nice sites I am a member of, in the past). In addition, when I started making snake hides for fun, I immediately had a lot of interest shown in possibly buying extras, should I start producing them. This tells me that people pay attention to what's going on with other members here. I'm certain that if I had made extra hides and posted them for sale on a sales site, I would have had little interest in the ads. Mentioning them 'in passing' here got a lot of interest.

So, after you've slogged through all this rambling typing, the end result is, Fauna has been helpful in myself making sales and contacts.

*look, no mention of cake!*

 

[Tropoddity]

I consider sites like Fauna to be more like the "mom and pop" stores. Sites that are mainly classifieds tend to be more like a corporation where no one knows who you are from that site, only if they know you from outside that classified ad.

I think that explains it. I do like cake, and Edgar Allen Poe

 

[Tropoddity]

@ Wolfy-hound, you made some great points!

Thank you for that.

 

[rcarichter]

I believe that this forum has the largest pool of hands-on reptile experience that you can find anywhere online. You get to know who knows what, and where to go with a question, no matter how complex. Sure, once in a while, someone will make a hobby of elaborating upon subjects about which they know nothing, but they are quickly flushed out.
Don't underestimate the value of the BOI either. Nothing will save you more money and heartache.
So, hang around, ask, learn, teach, be honest, be respectful, try not to impulse buy too often, and I think you'll really like it here! It's a pretty great group, in my opinion.

Noelle

 

[FosterHerpetological]

I believe that this forum has the largest pool of hands-on reptile experience that you can find anywhere online. You get to know who knows what, and where to go with a question, no matter how complex. Sure, once in a while, someone will make a hobby of elaborating upon subjects about which they know nothing, but they are quickly flushed out.
Don't underestimate the value of the BOI either. Nothing will save you more money and heartache.
So, hang around, ask, learn, teach, be honest, be respectful, try not to impulse buy too often, and I think you'll really like it here! It's a pretty great group, in my opinion.

Noelle

And to everyone who doesn't like Fauna/the BOI.

 

[Tropoddity]

One thing I have learned about in life is respect. So, far I see the owner of Fauna really cares about this forum and their members. I like that and have all the respect for people who speak strait and look at things in a full spectrum/both sides. I also respect the fact he understands what a down economy means and needs to help people out in a time in need. Not a lot of companies do that. I am a person who lost everything due to the economy crash. I am thankful when other people want to help others get back up even if they do not realize they are doing it. I am really starting to like the people here. This input will not be taken lightly.


Thank you

 

[HerpVenue]

Just let people get to know you.
Your business is just an empty building or website. It can't do anything without YOU.
YOU make those decisions. People deal with YOU. Let them get to know YOU.

Some people will buy from whomever. They do not really care. Those people will probably not even take care of their animals. They may buy from the same person once or twice more, but that is it.

Some people only want to buy their animals from others who are reputable. They only want to buy from someone who TRULY loves their animals. Those customers will take care of their animals. Those customers will come back. Those customers care. Those customers are not just customers. They actually become your friends.

Advertisements are things you buy to advertise your site.
Forums are the places you go to interact with the community. Get to know the people. They will get to know you. They are the places you go to talk about your favorite things. You can go to those places and buy advertisement. But as far as advertising on the forums themselves, I believe all forums frown against it and have rules against it. Not just fauna.

As far as forums, I have 3 different forums I participate in. I have memberships in all the main ones. But I mainly participate in 3 of them at the moment. Your posts represent you. Your "actions" represent you. With that in mind, I know some people will never buy from me because of my past and present actions. I am NOT on their "BAD Guy " list. But I am probably on their "do not deal wtih" list just because of some things I may have said. Some people have me on their "GOOD Guy" list. Some people will buy from me site unseen.

some people actually do have a list

Totality of Circumstances.

 

[Wolfy-hound]

When I say "advertise on a forum" I am of course referring to placing an ad in the correct forum that is for "sales/wanted/adoptions" or whatever. Just to clarify.

 

[Tropoddity]

Wow, Ritchie! LOL! You are not a bad guy, I just think the forum thing can get the best of people sometimes. It did me. I will admit it, because I am not to use to it nor see the full purpose. I am old school I love the mom and pop vibe. I am all about making people happy and love my animals. That is a give in. Why else would I clean poop from the cages throughout the day, clean the cages out every week. You would have to love something to work that hard to keep the animals healthy.

The last 5 people that purchased from me. Were screened; I made sure they knew what they were getting into or what they had experience with before they purchased the animal. I sold Monitors and Tegus, which I can consider my specialty, "some people call it." I would not sell a Black throat to someone who only had one bearded dragon. Unless they did the extensive research, and know what they are getting into. That is important to me. Also, respecting the reptile and the entire reptile trade or hobby.

Sorry, for flying off subject. I just wanted to here peoples opinions about blogging and Fauna.

 

[HerpVenue]

I am new to the Blog advertising or politics, it is different, because you really cant see the persons true emotion when they discuss or write something about a person. I think that is the down fall, to online marketing, or blogging.

Remember a couple months ago when you said we should partner up because you only had experience with Tegus and Monitors and I only had experience with snakes? You said it would be a perfect fit. I could answer all snake questions and you can answer all tegu and monitor questions. Remember when you said you had so much experience with Tegus and Monitors that you were a regular fixture and often gave advice around Tegu Talk and the other Tegu and Monitor forums 3-4 years ago?

Well the "blog / forum advertising or politics" has not change from 3-4 years ago. Just use your extensive knowledge and experience from 3-4 years ago. The reptile world is actually rather small. So perhaps you will see some of the other people who also use to frequent those forums. Some of them are probably here. They should easily recognize you and welcome you. Shoot....you should easily remember your old screen name from 3-4 years ago. I remember mine from 5 years ago. And whatever forum I go to, people are very welcoming and they remember me from 5+ years ago.

 

[Ameivaboy]

What was the screen name on tegu talk? I used to be a moderator/vice admin over there before i was banned lol

 

[Tropoddity]

Interesting, I need to check Fuana more often.

Ritchie, I was on "TeguTalk" and I was on "TheTegu." I am sorry I really do not remember my blog name and those were the only two sites I was on. I wasn't a full blown reptile business at that time and I did breed Bearded Dragons and tegus back then.

Unfortunately, during that time my wife went through medical complications, then we were blessed with my son, who happens to be 4 years old now. I had a successful Custom home design firm at that time which gave me the money to invest in my side reptile Hobby/business.

The economy crashed and I lost my house and my business. I happened to be in a small town then; Lake Havasu City AZ. And when the crash happened it hit that city like the Black death. My business was falling apart, every body I worked with left town, Now that is why I am in Phoenix, AZ. It is really hard to remember good things when so much bad happens all at once, so I apologize if I said something wrong about my past, but it was not intentional.

Ritchie if you say people should see who I am well there it is. I am just a Father who loves his son and wife. Trying to make a fare living while doing something not only I like but, my family does as well.

I got exited when I met you at GCC because it was so long sense I talk to anyone about reptiles in a long time. It was cool. It was just hard for me to remember anything positive. Well at least I remember my reptiles making me happy more than being a home designer.


I would also like to add, if anyone experienced what I did, during that crash. I wish the best for them. I have good friends, young families with babies, losing everything around me. Nothing is more scary than having a brand new child and losing everything you had at the same time.

Trust me!

One thing I have never done in my life and never will, is to try and screw people over. I work my ass off right now. I have a Job, my business and go to school for my family. So far everyone, I have worked with has been happy. I know I may not please everyone, but i will try my best to. It is only me, my wife and my son, I am doing ok with my partners now. I hope you wish me the best as I have done for you.

I just really want to understand the business side of the reptile world, so I make sure I am doing it right.

 

[HerpVenue]

Interesting, I need to check Fuana more often.

Ritchie, I was on "TeguTalk" and I was on "TheTegu." I am sorry I really do not remember my blog name and those were the only two sites I was on. I wasn't a full blown reptile business at that time and I did breed Bearded Dragons and tegus back then.

Unfortunately, during that time my wife went through medical complications, then we were blessed with my son, who happens to be 4 years old now. I had a successful Custom home design firm at that time which gave me the money to invest in my side reptile Hobby/business.

The economy crashed and I lost my house and my business. I happened to be in a small town then; Lake Havasu City AZ. And when the crash happened it hit that city like the Black death. My business was falling apart, every body I worked with left town, Now that is why I am in Phoenix, AZ. It is really hard to remember good things when so much bad happens all at once, so I apologize if I said something wrong about my past, but it was not intentional.

Ritchie if you say people should see who I am well there it is. I am just a Father who loves his son and wife. Trying to make a fare living while doing something not only I like but, my family does as well.

I got exited when I met you at GCC because it was so long sense I talk to anyone about reptiles in a long time. It was cool. It was just hard for me to remember anything positive. Well at least I remember my reptiles making me happy more than being a home designer.


I would also like to add, if anyone experienced what I did, during that crash. I wish the best for them. I have good friends, young families with babies, losing everything around me. Nothing is more scary than having a brand new child and losing everything you had at the same time.

Trust me!

One thing I have never done in my life and never will, is to try and screw people over. I work my ass off right now. I have a Job, my business and go to school for my family. So far everyone, I have worked with has been happy. I know I may not please everyone, but i will try my best to. It is only me, my wife and my son, I am doing ok with my partners now. I hope you wish me the best as I have done for you.

I just really want to understand the business side of the reptile world, so I make sure I am doing it right.

Actually. shorty after I made my post. I saw you checking it. You decided to ignore it. The only reason you came back to respond is because you realized that there was an admin or an ex admin from tegutalk present.

You told me Bobby ( Varnyard ) is so please with your hard work on tegutalk. You said he sent you free gifts because of it. That must have been hard making those 25 posts.

As far as not remembering what your blog name was.... a little hint for you. It is your FIRST NAME !!!!!