Changes, looking for feedback

Jo the Machinist

Jo the Machinist

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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Nov 17, 2015
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We are making some changes to our current processes here and I thought I might get some feedback on some of the things that we will be doing or are thinking about doing. I am sure we won't be able to incorporate everything, but I wanted to get a feel for what you folks would like to see.

1) YouTube- Changing the name of the YouTube Channel to "Carothers Performance Knives". NateAIM is not a good way to find it...

More frequent videos. 1 or 2 a month

2) Purchasing- Forget Amazon! (I finally convinced him) I plan to offer these models that were intended for Amazon directly on our website as they are ready.

Our Friday sales and preorders should not be affected.

3) Mailing List? I am told that folks are interested in a mailing list. True?

I am sure there are some other things I am missing. We have been discussing a lot of things to keep CPK moving forward.

Please let me know what you think. We will see how it goes...
 
C

CBurgett

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Jun 29, 2021
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1) changing the name is a good idea. I found the channel but mostly by luck.

2) being able to buy from your site is a great idea! Should allow for people to buy current models, without having to fight the friday crowds while still allowing for the friday rush for people who want to participate. This should open up the fanbase.

3) a mailing list would be awesome, i love getting the most up to date information from vendors i like. Help to inform about what is coming down the pipe.
 
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Casinostocks

Casinostocks

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My immediate 2 cents FWIW:

- The YT channel's name must be exactly matching with the trade name. Even Nathan the Machinist as he's been known to many around here is too obscure for the folks who are not as dedicated to BF.com, never mind the NateAIM moniker! Great move Jo

- Nathan is really, really good at explaining things and his temperament and tempo sits in really well with me and I consider myself an A.D.D type of person! I find Nathan's video's very informative, absorptive and very engaging.

- Great move to dissuade Nathan on Amazon and FBA. I am not like some on here hung up on the absolute evilness of Amazon and their ways, but I also never believed Amazon to be an ideal or great platform for those who already have a great brand who can manage it perfectly fine on their own with putting more skin into the game of online selling. While you have a formidable list of loyal followers and customers on here (BF.com) it is never a good idea to be totally reliant on one platform only. I think that working on and promoting your own website is the next best thing and then spreading the love on other social networks which work better for you.

- Never been one for the (e)mailing list but that's just me and the reason is that I keep myself updated on here.
 
The Amazing Virginian

The Amazing Virginian

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OK, you asked for feedback.

I think you should have stuck with Amazon just for the exposure to a lot of folks who don't watch YouTube knife videos or hang out here. I think that many of those folks, once exposed to your products through Amazon, are likely going to want to upgrade to the "BF Quality Knife Experience." I'm not really sure what the downside was, and IMO the upside was huge. Personally, with extremely few exceptions (including CPK knives) every single thing I buy comes from one of only four places: eBay, Costco, my local grocer, and Amazon. Food, clothes, supplies, electronics, outdoor stuff, tools, hardware, appliances . . . everything. I even rented my car for next month's vacation through Costco. If something is not available at one of those places, I'm almost certainly never going to buy it. So yeah, I'm a believer in Amazon.

Now, Jo, you can cross me off your Christmas gift list. 🤣
 
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TommyGun56

TommyGun56

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Casinostocks said:
My immediate 2 cents FWIW:

- The YT channel's name must be exactly matching with the trade name. Even Nathan the Machinist as he's been known to many around here is too obscure for the folks who are not as dedicated to BF.com, never mind the NateAIM moniker! Great move Jo

- Nathan is really, really good at explaining things and his temperament and tempo sits in really well with me and I consider myself an A.D.D type of person! I find Nathan's video's very informative, absorptive and very engaging.

- Great move to dissuade Nathan on Amazon and FBA. I am not like some on here hung up on the absolute evilness of Amazon and their ways, but I also never believed Amazon to be an ideal or great platform for those who already have a great brand who can manage it perfectly fine on their own with putting more skin into the game of online selling. While you have a formidable list of loyal followers and customers on here (BF.com) it is never a good idea to be totally reliant on one platform only. I think that working on and promoting your own website is the next best thing and then spreading the love on other social networks which work better for you.

- Never been one for the (e)mailing list but that's just me and the reason is that I keep myself updated on here.
Click to expand...
I agree with Uncle Matty, except I like the idea of a Mailing list.
 
h7per

h7per

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1) Awesome idea with Youtube name. 1 or 2 video per months? That's even more awesome.
Love all Nathans "educative" videos and I suggest you guys to make some showcase and test videos of each model with some small cuttings/choppings (you know what I mean). I as costumer always search for videos where knife is previewed and some cuttings are done, that gives sense of what I will get for my money.

2)About amazon, I dont really know what's wrong with amazon in sellers perspective, but seems that some people know more than me.
Selling on your web-site is awesome idea! Always wanted to see that feature on your website!
In my opinion you guys should sell your basic line knives on both Amazon and your web-site. (but again you know downside of Amazon selling, I don't. I just think that platform can sell your knives easily).

3)Count me in for mailing list! Despite fact that Im trying to keep my eye on sub-forum, there are still some days when I simply don't have time to check forums so reciving email with updates from you is amazing and big advantage for me (instead of re-reading 2-3 days unread forum threads and searching updates there).

Much love and respect to you!❤
 
unwisefool

unwisefool

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Jan 22, 2007
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1) yep, change the name
2) Amazon is a good platform if you are selling commonly searched items. I'm not sure how people would find the knives you are selling. Plus you have to deal with Amazon. I feel you'd get better traction by having some websites do reviews and maybe doing an ad. And selling on your website allows you to keep more profits and not have to go through layers of red tape.
3) I'd be down for a newsletter
4) Folder. Don't forget about it please. 😅
 
David Lennon

David Lennon

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Nov 26, 2017
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504
1) Carothers Performance Knives seems the obvious name for this so it's a good choice.
2) I think being able to buy direct from your own website for now to me seems a better idea. I don't know much about Amazon's business model but I'm sure they take a good cut.
3) I'd sign up for a news letter and already do with other brands. Sometimes I don't get time for awhile to check in so it would be great to keep up to date.
 
Jsega51

Jsega51

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Feb 11, 2015
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Good move on YouTube, just keep Nathan on track for shorter and quicker explanations. 1 hour videos are hard to get through 😂. Dont forget how easy IG is either. If you pay attention to a lot of other manufacturers and makers, just simple pics of the workshop or showing knives in various stages really boosts interest.

Selling on the site is a good idea.

A newsletter would be a good idea if you’re selling the site. It will get certain info out to everyone very easily, vs having to post it all multiple places.
 
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