selling coffee online?

kirksmith888 · 10-30-2009, 08:09 AM

guys I'm running an instant coffee business and I'm thinking of going online. I've heard about this viral marketing as the most efficient marketing strategy today.

I've read a blog (just PM me for the link) that talks about viral marketing but I'm really not internet savvy so I guess I need to hire people to do it for me.

How does this work? do you spread virus to every person who's connected to the internet? sorry I'm so ignorant about this I grew up admiring Elvis Presley and not Michael Jackson (R.I.P.).

I'm also thinking of hiring live chat operators to handle online inquiries and order-taking. what do you think?

Brad Gosse · 10-30-2009, 08:14 AM

Viral marketing requires something to make it stand out.

Maybe a free sample of your instant coffee. Free samplers spread those thing like a virus.

LilBlackDress · 10-30-2009, 10:48 AM

Hi Kirksmith888,

Many people would love to have something go viral but unless you offer something different and an interesting twist, it is unlikely. Free samples are great but will you sell enough product from these freebies to justify the expense.

Start off by promoting your product via Twitter and Facebook etc. Get someone experienced with these sites to get you going you so you dont violate TOS.

Use article marketing, social bookmarking and more to generate interest in your coffee products. Again, this would have to be done in a way so that it promotes you but is not spammy.

Take a look at the coffee companies that are doing business online and checkout what they are doing (look into their backlinks etc.) There are several online coffee companies using affiliate marketers.

Work with someone that is experienced so you can keep on top of new social media and stay ahead of what to do next. Or take it step by step and learn it yourself.

I work with a few select companies on social media. If you want an outline of what you should be doing, PM me and I will send you a general social media plan I use with them that has gotten great results.

Plant seeds to make your trees

rosetrees · 10-30-2009, 10:55 AM

viral marketing doesn't mean that you (or your product or website) spread a virus - it just means that the site (or video or whatever) becomes wildly popular with people telling their friends/family/neighbours/postmen/passing persons about it, who in turn think your site, marketing message or whatever is so amazing that they tell their friends/family.............. etc,etc

In other words - you need a catchy site or marketing slogan or gimmick that somehow captures people's imagination so they want to pass it on.

Probably as much luck as judgement!

JohnMcCabe · 10-30-2009, 12:43 PM

Adding on, if you really want to use live operators on your site, you should check out Ari Galper's stuff on it.

Disclaimer: I don't personally use the system, but I have experienced enough of Ari's stuff to know he knows what he's talking about. I also found him through a source I respect very much.

ChatWise - Ari Galper and Perry Marshall - Turning Live Chat Into a Profit Center (not an affiliate link)

SantiSantana · 10-31-2009, 08:09 AM

I happen to have some experience in the coffee sector. Drop me a pm and we might be able to talk about your needs

Scott Ames · 10-31-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirksmith888

guys I'm running an instant coffee business and I'm thinking of going online. I've heard about this viral marketing as the most efficient marketing strategy today.

I've read a blog (just PM me for the link) that talks about viral marketing but I'm really not internet savvy so I guess I need to hire people to do it for me.

How does this work? do you spread virus to every person who's connected to the internet? sorry I'm so ignorant about this I grew up admiring Elvis Presley and not Michael Jackson (R.I.P.).

I'm also thinking of hiring live chat operators to handle online inquiries and order-taking. what do you think?

Viral as others have said is basically "Word of Mouth". On the computer this can be done by sharing a link, a video, etc. One person thinks its great and tells friends, who tell other friends, and soon you have a lot of people coming to you. FaceBook was spread this way, Hotmail, and I'm sure many others.

Last year Burger King had a brilliant viral campaign called Subservient Chicken. It was just a web page with a guy in a chicken suit, but it would do things on command, or so it appeared. That spread across the net like crazy and Burger King got some buzz. Did it sell burgers? Not sure.

Here it is if you want to see:

BURGER KING® ? Subservient Chicken

Bill Farnham · 10-31-2009, 09:06 AM

I sell a lot of coffee online. It's a great product because of the repeat business. I sell imported gourmet brands you won't find in local stores.

Here's one thing I've learned from my experience...it's easy to get folks to buy a brand they are familiar with. People are creatures of habit. Getting folks to switch brands or try something new is an uphill battle.

If they can find it in a local store, you'll find it very hard to compete. The shipping alone will kill you. And if you add a handling charge your market will become smaller still.

If your brand is not widely known you may need to create massive buzz about it. Press releases, mall intercepts where you give away samples and film people enjoying the product so you can put the videos on YouTube, as examples.

Send the product to every morning DJ whose name you can find and see if they'll give you quick plug. Same with coffee bloggers. If your product has a catchy name and tastes great you could build up enough buzz that your brand could become a search term. Blogs go viral easier than products. If you marry the two together, you may have some luck.

KJ

jaykoebele · 10-31-2009, 09:26 AM

Just want to say how grateful I am for everyone on the Warrior Forum.

Just last night I came across a healthy sport drink (from my mother who was on vacation in Montana last week) and I thought about approaching the owners about creating a presence online, since they really don't have one right now.

I jump on the forum, and without looking for it, some nice info on this thread as well as a friendly confirmationto me that I should pursue this opportunity.

Happy and Safe Halloween to all!

Jay

10-30-2009, 08:09 AM	#1
kirksmith888 Warrior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	selling coffee online? guys I'm running an instant coffee business and I'm thinking of going online. I've heard about this viral marketing as the most efficient marketing strategy today. I've read a blog (just PM me for the link) that talks about viral marketing but I'm really not internet savvy so I guess I need to hire people to do it for me. How does this work? do you spread virus to every person who's connected to the internet? sorry I'm so ignorant about this I grew up admiring Elvis Presley and not Michael Jackson (R.I.P.). I'm also thinking of hiring live chat operators to handle online inquiries and order-taking. what do you think?

10-30-2009, 08:14 AM	#2
Brad Gosse Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Orangeville, Ontario Posts: 2,906 Thanks: 1,311 Thanked 1,071 Times in 567 Posts Social Networking	Re: selling coffee online? Viral marketing requires something to make it stand out. Maybe a free sample of your instant coffee. Free samplers spread those thing like a virus.
	Vegan Recipes \| Vegan Desserts \| Vegan Diet Click here if you want me to promote your product(s)

10-30-2009, 10:48 AM	#3
LilBlackDress Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,469 Thanks: 94 Thanked 264 Times in 181 Posts Social Networking	Re: selling coffee online? Hi Kirksmith888, Many people would love to have something go viral but unless you offer something different and an interesting twist, it is unlikely. Free samples are great but will you sell enough product from these freebies to justify the expense. Start off by promoting your product via Twitter and Facebook etc. Get someone experienced with these sites to get you going you so you dont violate TOS. Use article marketing, social bookmarking and more to generate interest in your coffee products. Again, this would have to be done in a way so that it promotes you but is not spammy. Take a look at the coffee companies that are doing business online and checkout what they are doing (look into their backlinks etc.) There are several online coffee companies using affiliate marketers. Work with someone that is experienced so you can keep on top of new social media and stay ahead of what to do next. Or take it step by step and learn it yourself. I work with a few select companies on social media. If you want an outline of what you should be doing, PM me and I will send you a general social media plan I use with them that has gotten great results. Plant seeds to make your trees
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10-30-2009, 10:55 AM	#4
rosetrees Carol War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK Posts: 2,735 Blog Entries: 13 Thanks: 341 Thanked 736 Times in 516 Posts Social Networking	Re: selling coffee online? viral marketing doesn't mean that you (or your product or website) spread a virus - it just means that the site (or video or whatever) becomes wildly popular with people telling their friends/family/neighbours/postmen/passing persons about it, who in turn think your site, marketing message or whatever is so amazing that they tell their friends/family.............. etc,etc In other words - you need a catchy site or marketing slogan or gimmick that somehow captures people's imagination so they want to pass it on. Probably as much luck as judgement!
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10-30-2009, 12:43 PM	#5
JohnMcCabe Happy Hooker War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North of the Peace River, Southwest Florida, USA. Posts: 7,623 Thanks: 2,685 Thanked 4,394 Times in 2,394 Posts Social Networking	Re: selling coffee online? Adding on, if you really want to use live operators on your site, you should check out Ari Galper's stuff on it. Disclaimer: I don't personally use the system, but I have experienced enough of Ari's stuff to know he knows what he's talking about. I also found him through a source I respect very much. ChatWise - Ari Galper and Perry Marshall - Turning Live Chat Into a Profit Center (not an affiliate link)
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10-31-2009, 08:09 AM	#6
SantiSantana HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Canary Islands - Spain Posts: 206 Blog Entries: 5 Thanks: 21 Thanked 53 Times in 37 Posts	Re: selling coffee online? I happen to have some experience in the coffee sector. Drop me a pm and we might be able to talk about your needs
	www.freesoftwareformarketing.com

10-31-2009, 09:06 AM	#8
Bill Farnham Videos for the Web War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Virginia, USA. Posts: 2,704 Blog Entries: 5 Thanks: 2,586 Thanked 2,818 Times in 1,421 Posts Social Networking	Re: selling coffee online? I sell a lot of coffee online. It's a great product because of the repeat business. I sell imported gourmet brands you won't find in local stores. Here's one thing I've learned from my experience...it's easy to get folks to buy a brand they are familiar with. People are creatures of habit. Getting folks to switch brands or try something new is an uphill battle. If they can find it in a local store, you'll find it very hard to compete. The shipping alone will kill you. And if you add a handling charge your market will become smaller still. If your brand is not widely known you may need to create massive buzz about it. Press releases, mall intercepts where you give away samples and film people enjoying the product so you can put the videos on YouTube, as examples. Send the product to every morning DJ whose name you can find and see if they'll give you quick plug. Same with coffee bloggers. If your product has a catchy name and tastes great you could build up enough buzz that your brand could become a search term. Blogs go viral easier than products. If you marry the two together, you may have some luck. KJ
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10-31-2009, 09:26 AM	#9
jaykoebele Warrior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Winfield, KS Posts: 22 Thanks: 6 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Social Networking Contact Info	Re: selling coffee online? Just want to say how grateful I am for everyone on the Warrior Forum. Just last night I came across a healthy sport drink (from my mother who was on vacation in Montana last week) and I thought about approaching the owners about creating a presence online, since they really don't have one right now. I jump on the forum, and without looking for it, some nice info on this thread as well as a friendly confirmationto me that I should pursue this opportunity. Happy and Safe Halloween to all! Jay