Before Buying a Softball Team..
My friend and I started a business called RI Foto. We’ve decided to sponsor a local softball team for advertising. It’s not complete yet, but we don’t foresee any problems with it. Well except one..
Is our site ready? Please take the time to visit it now: www.RIFOTO.com and reply with your comments. I already have some feedback and changes to be made, but the more we are prepared, the better.
Sponsoring the team may or may not bring many sales. It’s a risk. We’ve got some great ideas, and it sounds like it’ll be fun, so we’re willing to take it even if it’s for the experience.
Thanks for your input. Before this point the site has been in hiding. It’s always important to get things ready before any advertising campaign, whether offline or online.
March 22nd, 2007 at 2:36 am
Hi Tim,
The site is attractive but needs more salesmanship, I think.
The first paragraph has at least three ideas that need to be seperated and highlighted.
Good Luck,
Michael
March 22nd, 2007 at 8:02 am
Tim,
I agree with Michael. You are going to want to highlight to people that they can buy the photos (I am guessing this is the “product”). Dark color is great, green is great, but it might need a bit more “umph” - something that says, this site is so awesome you just have to buy a photo or two!
Great start and have fun with the softball, I recently signed up to play softball with my coworkers - should be a blast.
- James
March 23rd, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Hi Tim,
I like your site and I love the photos.
This is my second visit and I don’t see the ferris wheel photo this time!
It’s my favorite! I think you should put it back up. (Or maybe you sold it?)
Great Site,
Ruth Sharp
March 26th, 2007 at 11:36 am
It’s still there - it’s under “Other - Random”. I know I know we are trying to figure out the best way to organize them all =P
http://www.rifoto.com/gallery/2051992#110130084
March 26th, 2007 at 11:20 pm
My site is not entirely finished either.
However, I am an asst. coach and vp of our 11 year old select baseball team.
After reviewing your site. i NEVER SEEN A SOFTBALL. Site should be geared to the people supporting the team. Ads..photos..success stories…
Ideally, a site for the team, with ads(generate revenue..product ads that generate revenue..proceeds go to the team)..Forum for the parents.. Parents will go to the site,grandparents will go to the site, hell even people wanting thw coach or be on the team will go to the site..BUT-their focus is on the ball.
I’m ranting now ..but, I do not have the php programming skills u have. I would make a team site..with ads, pictures, comments so the people involved in the team can rave, rant , donate(By the way my 11 year old plays select ball..and family and wanna’s bleed it)
But it has to be about softball.(There is no telling how big the site could be by the time your little can play ;0
My site was that intenton but now I have 2 and trying to excel 2 and teach 2 dozen has left my site idle.(I did however put in php to try and ease my knowledge transfer to the world. :)
March 26th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
alright, tim…who’s the photographer of the nature and random pics?
wow. someone has an eye.
jon’s favorites are all incredible. i’m really impressed!
i’ll be sure to let scott know. maybe he can use some on his websites.
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:02 pm
First of all, I totally misunderstood the original concept. After looking at the site again.., I understand more of the business venture u have engaged in, butIf you are going to sponser a team, I would try and give them something to look at in their area too(especially photos).
Could result in more than 1 sale..a bookmark..
The sponsorship is great!
I also agree with Michael..more salesmanship(I know you are trying to figure the best route).
April 30th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Well it turns out the manager of the team decided to go with someone else. Kinda upsetting, as we were under the impression that it was a done deal. But we are over it now.
July 18th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Tim, if you want a done deal, we’re always looking for sponsors. We’re a ASA men’s class C softball team and men’s class A broomball team. Our site is ranked fairly high in Google (#8 under “broomball” and #15 under “minnesota softball team). Check us out and contact us on our message board if you’re interested.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Hey Tim, This is a great site. I think you should sponsor my softball team as well. we are defending our title this season after going 15-1 last season. we hope not to lose any games this year and make a showing in the states next month. Please get back to me I can also help promote this site on our team site that will be up and running soon.
April 26th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
LOL William thanks for the offer but I think I’ll pass ;-) We were going to sponsor this team as we knew the people and thought it might be good to get into for our photography, but in the end we’ve decided it wouldn’t be worth it.