So guys here's a little bit of a situation I'm sitting here faced with. This site is my number 1 referring site so I definitely want to get your guys input on it cause I do value what most of you have to say. This situation has potential to help those of you that read my blog out and would allow you to be influential if I did go this route. So if you get a chance read this and give me your thoughts The Angry Snowboarder » Blog Archive » Snowboarding E-Commerce Would You? thanks guys.
__________________ Angry Snowboarder Because someone has to call it how they see it!
I'm not saying there isn't a purpose or a place for this, I'm just lost as to how I would go about utilizing this place as a resource and then where I would go to get the equipment the experts have helped me to choose.
That's a mighty big link you got sitting there. No so the basic of it is as one of their "experts" and "shop keepers" I have free reign over what would be sold through the store front that I have set up, they aggregate content from my site to theres, and I'd get 50% off the sale of any product that's in the micro store front.
I'm all for supporting local business and keeping things local but how many shops make it easy for this anymore? I see it day in and day out "I don't have a good local shop", "I only buy online cause the nearest shop is 2 hours away", and things like that. With the hundreds upon thousands of questions I answer and what not it's pretty much after that you're out the door and off buying from some mega warehouse that's getting a profit off my advice vs the chance to support the guy thats done 98% of the work.
__________________ Angry Snowboarder Because someone has to call it how they see it!
So they're hiring you for your expertise to setup and provide advice for a snowboard gear store? Kind of like the guy you wish your store would employ, but instead they employ half-stoned minimum wage Burton whores who think 'Capita' is a brand of power tool maker and 'Never Summer' is a town near Nome, Alaska?
It's not that I'm actually employed by them I'd only make money if guys like you bought something through the store. But lets look at when you needed advice for your wife and you asked it on here and you said " I hate to say this but I think BA is correct" it's that situation where you're like fuck I had to go to the guy that I disagree with on things because he actually gives the real deal advice. Now lets say I had that pandora R in my store front and you didn't have one you could buy locally but some online site that's 2,300 miles away did. This poses the question of would you buy from them the shop that did nothing for you and didn't answer your question or from me the guy that answered your questions, will continue to answer your questions, and probably cares more that you and your wife are having fun on the slopes?
Their theory is the main street shopping district has changed (no shit right) and that in the age of online dominance with the Amazons, mega warehouse stores, and shit this would make it more personalized. 1 you'd have a person you trust and believe in what they're saying (not saying you trust me or believe what I'm saying) 2 it's more one on one 3. buying from me supports me to keep on writing and doing what I'm doing and allows you to keep on reading and enjoying what I'm doing.
Is it a great system, they make it sound this way but that's why I'm asking you guys cause I want to see if it'd effect your perception of me and if you'd actually buy through a shop I had control over vs. just taking my advice and reviews and going somewhere else like you've been doing.
__________________ Angry Snowboarder Because someone has to call it how they see it!
It would be awesome to be able to support you since I know you have personally helped me out. Have you thought about doing a poll or something on how many readers would continue reading and buying compared to how many would quit browsing your site?
At some point you have to realize....getting paid to do what you like, isn't selling out.......
Now, conforming to some kind of persona they think you should be...would be...
You have a skill but, I think you should get paid if they visit your site because of you...even if they don't buy...
You will prob have a couple "core" cats that protest, but really....what is so "core" about passing up the chance to do what you love and make some duckets in the process.....
In other words....DO IT....who knows...even if it doesn't work out, it may get you more exposure for future opportunities.....
I wanna kick you in the balls some times but, you are also the first person I would ask when it comes to gear. Snowboarding to me, isn't just some hobby I do when ever I can......I eat, sleep and breathe it....My gear choices coincide with that......if you vouched for a condom shaped one-piece I would probably be riding around looking like a giant dildo......(don't fucking do it...I am on to your thought process)