Looking for honest feedback

Participation and interaction in the subs are encouraged will go a long way in changing that perception.

This is a good point that I hadn’t thought of. While we have some artisans and vendors participating here on DFS, some others that used to be active are sorely missed. However, I cannot blame them. 24 hours in a day. Goods to make and ship, customers to respond to, designs and marketing to be done. Add to that the number of traditional wet shaving forums and all the various groups and activity on Facebook and Reddit, and there is just no way to keep up with all of it…

Participation and interaction in the subs are encouraged will go a long way in changing that perception.

This is a good point that I hadn’t thought of. While we have some artisans and vendors participating here on DFS, some others that used to be active are sorely missed. However, I cannot blame them. 24 hours in a day. Goods to make and ship, customers to respond to, designs and marketing to be done. Add to that the number of traditional wet shaving forums and all the various groups and activity on Facebook and Reddit, and there is just no way to keep up with all of it…

And then there is the unfortunate few members that seem to enjoy trolling artisans and vendors so I can see why participation has tapered off

Have you thought about sponsoring a YouTube shaver? Send something to Ruds, Michael Freedberg, Paul H, Kensurfs, or Kevy Shaves and you will have a few thousand people learning about your company within a matter of days if not hours.

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Some thoughts:

• Why not create your own YouTube channel and review some of the products you sell?
  

• Create a how-to wetshaving guide, in both print and online (web and PDF) formats.  Give printed copies away with purchases and elsewhere, or make them available at a modest price if giving them away would be too expensive.  Something like Dr. Shave's Book of Shaving, for example.  Some recipients will likely forward their copies to others, further increasing awareness of your store.
  

• Send out flyers in the mail to local residents showcasing some of your products.  A lot of what you sell benefits both cartridge and safety razor users, so your ads will interest traditional wetshavers as well as those using modern gear.  The post office has a Using Every Door Direct Mail program that might prove useful.  Or maybe send out copies of the wetshaving guide if it would not cost too much?  If you need an address list, then run a contest every so often for some free shaving goodies.
  

• Perhaps take out an ad in the local free newspaper, if the advertising rates are reasonable?  For this and all the above, make sure you reference your starter kits for newbies.  Starter kits make great Christmas and birthday gifts.
  

• With each order, include a refrigerator magnet with your logo and website address.  That will make sure customers don't forget you.
  

• Have a beer and barbecue event at the store every once and awhile.  This will attract every guy withing a 500-mile radius.  Men are simple, we love beer, food, and getting a great shave for an affordable price.  And sex.  Don't forget to mention that a baby-bottom smooth shave with your products gets a fellow a whole beehive's worth of honey without the sting.  Also, the cost of savings DE blades alone will blow them away.
  

• Look at what your competitors are doing.  Identify the gaps in their product lineup and market reach and then fill those gaps yourself.
  

• Open an Amazon branch to your online store, if you do not already have one.
  

I agree with the prior opinion.. the name could be an issue.

Also I believe someone earlier had mentioned your Google search presence. There are definitely companies who help fix that... Could be big bucks, though. Still, even if there are tricks you can do, it's worth investigating.

Also I like the idea of getting some of these youtube shavers to mention you with freebies. Do your research, I know there's quite a few big names (only one I can remember by name is Ruds, or I'd offer suggestions).

However, I think you may have a bigger problem ... I apologize for sounding alarmist: we had someone HERE recently looking for a pannacream soap (Rossa?). I directed them to you, as I recall you mentioning here about your low prices and free shipping for it. Still, they were in this very Board... Yet they didn't know about your business. Ouch.

Maybe do some PIFs? Sell some slow moving stock items for cheap in the Buy Sell Trade forums? Post in other forums with a signature... (If it's allowed)

'Owner, Handlebar Supply Co.'


I hope these are helpful. Your a good guy, and I'd really like to see you do well. Good luck.

EDIT: Looking at your profile, you actually do a lot of posting. Hmm. Well, the BST thread is still a good idea, IF they allow such.

I am all for helping and suggestions for your sight. Maybe if not mentioned some more sample selections? I see you only have 2 both after shave. I am sure it is hard to match Maggards they offer mega choices at good prices and super fast. You can match or better there shipping cost. I am talking about orders between 20 and 44 bucks.(45 they give free). They go by weight. I hate paying 8 bucks for shipping. So maybe free shipping over 25 bucks?? Push that. Offer more discounts sightwide. Go crazy for a while and make people notice you?
Good luck It is a hard market I am sure.

Did you re-register your website to link to motorcycle handlebars?  Your ad at the top of the home page goes to that.

Did you re-register your website to link to motorcycle handlebars?  Your ad at the top of the home page goes to that.

What?

Did you re-register your website to link to motorcycle handlebars?  Your ad at the top of the home page goes to that.

Did you re-register your website to link to motorcycle handlebars?  Your ad at the top of the home page goes to that.

What?

Pulls up the normal handle bar supply site for me.

Never heard of the business before...I’ll take a look.