CPF-TV ads
It's been my experience that advertising a .ca domain in print (eg pokerforum.ca) can be a tad dangerous because people still fill in the .ca to .com a few hours later when they actually get to their computers..
SoOOoooo...I'm thinking the WPT-TV ads are going to be under a different domain name that points to the same site (here of course)
I'll probably shift the beav to the left and there will be writing on his right outlining the selling features of the site. I do own the domain CanadianGambler.com it's just kinda been waiting for use, so in 24-48 hours or so, either name will bring you here.
SoOOoooo...I'm thinking the WPT-TV ads are going to be under a different domain name that points to the same site (here of course)
I'll probably shift the beav to the left and there will be writing on his right outlining the selling features of the site. I do own the domain CanadianGambler.com it's just kinda been waiting for use, so in 24-48 hours or so, either name will bring you here.
Comments
If you're looking for comments, I don't think I like the domain name. It really lacks the essential information that we need here. I think the domain name should emphasize:
1. That this is a discussion forum.
2. That we primarily discuss poker (rather than all kinds of gambling).
3. That members and readers are mostly Canadians.
I actually think that www.pokerforum.ca is more memorable, even despite the possible .ca/.com confusion that you mention. The "pokerforum" part of the domain is just too good to lose I think--- it's easy to remember, and exactly describes what the website is in the most basic language possible. It's just crystal clear on the poker discussion nature of the site.
Would something like simply "beefing up" the .ca part of the logo do the trick? Like putting the .ca part of the domain in a big font? In caps? A noticable colour?
Worst case: Somebody looking for www.pokerforum.ca goes to www.pokerforum.com first.
My 1.6 cents is to stick with the www.pokerforum.ca domain in the marketing.
ScottyZ
Although if people are looking for a gambling site and come across this forum it may just keep them here.
That's just my thinking.
Kinda like most people in the UK would understand seeing a .co.uk for thier sites..
That's a topic all on it's own.
No, of course it isn't.
It is a sport.
ScottyZ
Alrighty, CPF it remains
see the full size image here:
http://www.pokerforum.ca/images/cpfad.jpg
http://www.pokerforum.ca/images/cpflogo.jpg
And, how long will this be displayed? If it's only for a few seconds, it might be a little too busy (i.e. too much reading) for the amount of time.
Bullet 1: Are you sure we are the largest? (Could you just say "one of the largest"?)
Bullet 2: A good point, and a great aspect to market.
Bullet 3: We technically aren't "thousands", since we have ~1,200 members, some of which are inactive or banned accounts. The English seems a little awkward here too. Somehow getting across the idea that the forum is free to use is a good idea though.
Bullet 4: Might be nice to capture the idea that the discussions are at many different levels, i.e. that we discuss poker topics from beginner to advanced levels. I don't really care for the "pros and amateurs" angle, though I can't put my finger on why. Something more like "Advice from experienced Canadian poker players" might be a possibility.
ScottyZ
http://www.pokerforum.ca/images/finalversion.jpg
better?
It will be on screen for 10-15 seconds and what's on the image can be different from what the announcer actually says.
I'd suggest cutting it down to only Bullet #3.
ScottyZ
"World poker tour is brought to you in part by...PokerForum.ca, sign up today yo, or Scottay will thrash yo' head"
I could do a compromise and have the beaver holding the other logo instead of the ace.
http://www.pokerforum.ca/images/cpfad2.jpg
then of course have the announcer mention something about it being one of the largest or something...need to write the "script" for it yet..maybe change 3rd bullet to something about member tournaments?
I'd also change "games/events" to "Poker games/events".
I like capitalizing Poker for visual emphasis. And "FREE" in all caps is good.
ScottyZ
I also plan on subliminal writing (all white to match the background) about the amount of flirting that goes on within these pages. You're totally right re "the game"
I meant the 3rd bullet of this version:
http://www.pokerforum.ca/images/cpfad2.jpg
Hold the phone, Jackson. I just thought of how to make this advert really shine and solve the .ca/.com domain name problem.
We need to see if
www.ManFlirting.com
is taken.
ScottyZ
http://www.pokerforum.ca/images/cpfad2.jpg
We'll dcisgusss that suggestion with the editor. Thanks for your inpoop.
ScottyZ
The announcer voice-over could simply be
"Canada's Poker Forum. PokerForum.ca. It's neat."
I think this would be a great way of getting people's attention. Remember that marketing is primarily about grabbing someone's attention and secondarily about getting your facts/product info across. (See, for example, Golden Palace Poker.) The 3 bullets you already have are great in terms of getting the facts about the forum across.
I think "It's neat" would be an awesome attention getter, and this kind of understatement is both cute and highly Canadian.
ScottyZ
I think the idea is great! I love the "it's neat" line...I think that is very catchy
BUT, I do not admire the graphics... It looks too cheesy. Look above at the WPA adds.... still very simple, have the watermark background of the two aces and a simple tag line... Eat the Fish, Become the shark.
I would eliminate the bullets. Have three seperate shots;
1 - the Beaver, holding the cards (making the cards aces but having a black maple leaf and a red maple leaf for the spade diamond)
- Have the Title PokerFourm.ca (ca bolded in highlited colour) - small tag underneath Canada's poker forum
2 - Aces in in the background, again the mpale leafs black and red for spade and diamond...
Foreground text - Poker with a Canadian Perspective - it is the tag you already have, it works and it is unique
3rd shot - Aces in the background. It's Neat Big letters across the screen.... with www.pokerforum.ca as the tag line
You do not need to give anymore; the first rule of mass advertising is DO NOT GIVE AN ELIMATOR... the more you say the more you turn people away.
I can give you a hand with the Graphics and tags...
Just think of any Coke or Nike ad... your probably seeing the logo, the jingle and 'just doing it' now.
Give me a shout niel, I offer any help I can give
Ok sorry, I had the medium mixed.... Im confused, the Ad will get TV but from the background?
If so, get nothing but
WWW. POKERFORUM.CA with the two cards in the background (as long as they mute the cards, you want nothing to take away from the words. with the highlites of the CA
Example on a background of blue and two maple leafs before and after.:
www.POKERFORUM.CA
Anyone canadian is going to see that and want to check it out, how many times have you seen a neat domain name clicked it and it was UDDER spam but you clicked in anyways... You want to get the person here, then give them all the great stuff you have. You will only get a second or two of brain space, and you want it clear as a bell.
How many colours can you get? if it is three, then do a reverse background, ie blue in the WPA add with white letters (*not a color from your printer) use red for the CA and have the tag Poker with a Canadian perspective with the canadian in red again. It is eye catching, clear in 2 seconds and will drive traffic here...
lso try and use the standard Canadian maple leaf, like the one in the Canada Logo... it is representitive of Canada and is stock your printer will have it
It annoys me when something offbeat airs, then changes days or weeks later. Are focus groups run _after_ commercials air?
*steps down from small soapbox*
Please take a gamble and differentiate us.