Advice on advertising?? Allowed

rouleur23

Hello

we run the odd cycling thing in France and would like to know where might be the best place to advertise to take a group of riders from a corporate company. I don't want to flout any rules here and would never mention our name etc. We only require a pointer as we think there are many that may like our 'Tackle Ventoux' break or take part in a closed road sportive.

If I have broken any rules...I am sorry. I do not mean to. It is only a bit of help we are looking for and don't mean any harm or underhand moves

Thanks

R23

sloppyschleckonds

Contact the board admin, I'm sure you can pay to advertise on here.

Or do you mean advertising without paying?

andyeb

No advice on advertising - but be aware you are getting into a very crowded business; I have a friend who has an established company doing just this and it's getting extremely competitive now.

ugo.santalucia

rouleur23 wrote:

Hello

we run the odd cycling thing in France and would like to know where might be the best place to advertise to take a group of riders from a corporate company. I don't want to flout any rules here and would never mention our name etc. We only require a pointer as we think there are many that may like our 'Tackle Ventoux' break or take part in a closed road sportive.

If I have broken any rules...I am sorry. I do not mean to. It is only a bit of help we are looking for and don't mean any harm or underhand moves

Thanks

R23

Speaking as a former moderator:
advertising any commercial enterprise is not allowed. That is not to say that we cannot talk about it. If someone opens a thread about how great/terrible experience he had with your business and you chip in, I'd say there is no issue... just look at the Torm thread, which has been going for months without complaints.

On the contrary, if you open a thread advertising your business, that is not allowed, the thread will be deleted and you will be banned. There are cases where businesses have dedicated "trolls", that open or keep pushing up a list a specific thread, so that they get free advertisement... that is obviously not allowed.

A link to your business in the signature is totally fine and allowed

diy

What is the objective that the corporation would be satisfying?
- team building?
- corporate responsibility (i.e. a charity ride)? - look at their website and find who cares
- Heath and fitness of staff? - occupational health
- or simply a staff discount for a holiday - sports and social rep.

Ideally you want to go through linkedin looking for execs who are passionate about cycling and sent them connection requests with your pitch

This is very much a push sale not a pull sale. Advertising wont work. You need business to business sales, via 1-2-1 contact.

People don't go looking for this stuff - they get businesses coming to them with ideas that are either sticky or not.

rouleur23

diy wrote:

What is the objective that the corporation would be satisfying?
- team building?
- corporate responsibility (i.e. a charity ride)? - look at their website and find who cares
- Heath and fitness of staff? - occupational health
- or simply a staff discount for a holiday - sports and social rep.

Ideally you want to go through linkedin looking for execs who are passionate about cycling and sent them connection requests with your pitch

This is very much a push sale not a pull sale. Advertising wont work. You need business to business sales, via 1-2-1 contact.

People don't go looking for this stuff - they get businesses coming to them with ideas that are either sticky or not.

Thanks for the reply. I'd like to promote the team building aspect but at the same time get like minded folk to tackle some of the big climbs with full support. Ventoux, Tourmalet, Stelvio etc. We think we are a little different in our approach by using tip top villas and private homes as accommodation and we offer full board too. And dare I say it...for a lot less than you may think. Why? because we have jobs here and don't need to fleece folk. So we think ourselves lucky to make extra AND ride AND meet other riders. Sounds a bit naff but true.
It takes a few days for most strangers to gel. Folks from the same company will enjoy the journey and the craic once here. Evebing meals can be a hoot with the mickey taking that can go on and we lie that. I am Irish so the craic is compulsory.
All the best

rouleur23

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Contact the board admin, I'm sure you can pay to advertise on here.

Or do you mean advertising without paying?

We pay CW so we mean to pay here too if it is reasonable. I was wondering if there is a mag' out there known as a place to look for the non-club rider to find a cycling challenge or camp. Our research tells us that 70% of sportive riders are not club members. Thanks for the reply

rouleur23

diy wrote:

What is the objective that the corporation would be satisfying?
- team building?
- corporate responsibility (i.e. a charity ride)? - look at their website and find who cares
- Heath and fitness of staff? - occupational health
- or simply a staff discount for a holiday - sports and social rep.

Ideally you want to go through linkedin looking for execs who are passionate about cycling and sent them connection requests with your pitch

This is very much a push sale not a pull sale. Advertising wont work. You need business to business sales, via 1-2-1 contact.

People don't go looking for this stuff - they get businesses coming to them with ideas that are either sticky or not.

Hi and thanks for the reply. Some look for it as we have 70% filled our Ventoux week with adverts in CW. But I agree with your take on going to the biz with the ideas and pushing yourself and your services. As it is cycling (road only) specific, where does one start with a list of co's. Hence I am trying to find out if there is a mag' or site associated with guys and gals looking to ''push their limits'' a bit with folks they already know.
I had a few from a big computer co' in 2006. They still come back and send others from other co's. But we would like to fill our summers with this kind of riding. Groups that come from the same place who want to have a giggle around the table and ride to their max during the day
All the best
Paz

rouleur23

andyeb wrote:

No advice on advertising - but be aware you are getting into a very crowded business; I have a friend who has an established company doing just this and it's getting extremely competitive now.

You are so right. We started in 2005 and we stayed small. We are looking to branch out now that all our other projects are finishing this year. I have seen many set up. But if i could be honest....they charge too much money. I don't think this is still a niche market and I feel lucky to ride my bike and be paid for it as it is. I guess as we have no salaries to pay we can charge less. family run thus far.

Cheers

Paz

diy

Go to Linkedin search cycling join some groups, then look for members who are senior business execs and contact them - same for facebook etc.

Tbh - team building is not something that is about finding a tough challenge and working as a team. You'd need a management development angle, people in the business of coaching leaders etc.. These guys probably get a dozen request a week from ex-military, academics, teachers, failed sales reps and management consultants etc.. wanting to pitch management development outward bound type courses and help develop their potential and frankly they wont get a look unless they are top of their game.

Bicycles are the new 911 turbo's, any modern company has 100s of people in to cycling, they wont be hard to find.

rouleur23

diy wrote:

Go to Linkedin search cycling join some groups, then look for members who are senior business execs and contact them - same for facebook etc.

Tbh - team building is not something that is about finding a tough challenge and working as a team. You'd need a management development angle, people in the business of coaching leaders etc.. These guys probably get a dozen request a week from ex-military, academics, teachers, failed sales reps and management consultants etc.. wanting to pitch management development outward bound type courses and help develop their potential and frankly they wont get a look unless they are top of their game.

Bicycles are the new 911 turbo's, any modern company has 100s of people in to cycling, they wont be hard to find.

Hugely appreciated DIY. Some very good points in that message. Merci. Paz