1
I created Tinmanoilchange.com about 10 months ago to be a hub for oil change coupons but my traffic is on life support and the site, and I, could use your help.
What is Tin Man's value proposition? For small shops, that would be free exposure as they (or anyone really) can upload their best oil change coupon to the site and, thereby, compete with the larger chains. For the consumer, the value lies in having one place where shops of all size compete for their business - lowering the price and increasing the quality of service in the process.
The vision is for the Tin Man brand to be the trusted leader for the very best and latest auto service and repair coupons.
So what have I done to promote it?
- guest posts on a few major coupon sites - social bookmarking submissions - article marketing - press (or media) release distributions (one professionally written and distributed through PRnewswire; this led to a phone interview from a freelance writer hired by Greensheet and the Service Executive) - the blog was accepted into the Best Of The Web directory
Despite these efforts, my numbers are and have been dwindling on a monthly basis - except for the first month when traffic spiked. Since then, however, my numbers have been on a steady downtrend.
What am I doing wrong? How can I fix it? And what can I do for users, and Google, to get excited about what I'm doing again?
One last thing worth mentioning is that this is the one project that I've stuck with the longest because it's the one I believe in the most. This is an accomplishment for me, in and of itself, and another reason why I really want to make it work.
Thanks for reading.
Initially this will have to be a a commission-only position. But if the service grows, you grow with us.
Please get in touch if you believe this is a perfect role for you.
Cheers,
Erik
But I want to do more with it.
As I understand it, oil changes are a loss leader for service/repair shops in the US. And local mom & pop shops would be hard-pressed to compete with the big boys on price. So, I'm thinking the smaller shops can benefit greatly by earning a customer's trust with a cheap oil change and then establishing a relationship with them.
The value for smaller shops: I'm looking to add value to the smaller shops by bringing in business through their door thereby giving them an opportunity to up-sell and/or create a relationship with these cost-conscious consumers.
The value for cost-conscious consumers: The more obvious benefit is a discounted price on oil changes in their area. But I also think that customers would benefit from finding a mechanic that they can trust.
I'd like your opinion (yes, yours) on this idea and, more importantly, suggestions on the execution.
Specifically, what would be the most effective way to approach these smaller shops?
Is this a viable solution for the airline industry to increase revenues?
VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL
Re: Registration of “fedexr.com” as a Domain Name
FEC File No.: 39-2641-1666
It has come to our attention that you have registered the above URL as a domain name. The URL "fedexr.com” uses the registered service mark "FedEx" owned by Federal Express Corporation ("FedEx"), which you may not appropriate as part of your URL. Such use and registration may result in trademark infringement, dilution and unfair competition in violation of federal and state law and in particular the Anti-Cyberquatting Consumer Protection Act signed into law on November 29, 1999. In any event, FedEx requests that you discontinue any and all use of the name, cancel this registration and respond to this letter within 15 days of receipt. Please reply to this email confirming your agreement to this request, and your agreement that you will not use in the future any mark or name similar to any FedEx trademark, service mark or URL, to conduct any business or activity, or as a URL. FedEx reserves all rights, remedies and causes of action it may have in this matter. Sincerely,
/W.J. Brown/
FEDEX CORPORATION William J. Brown Senior Attorney 3620 Hacks Cross Road Building B, 3rd Floor Memphis, TN 38125 PHONE: (901) 434-8600 FAX: (901) 434-9256 WJB/jsc/639957