Do some research on Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) via Google. Try Googling ‘Stomper Net’ also. If you struggle drop me a PM and I’ll look out some URL’s I bookmarked. There are some excellent free streaming or downloadable online videos available which shows how to blast search engines by free positioning which should really expand the forums profile to a much wider audience resulting in a lot more hits.
Free search engine positioning is now well ahead of pay-per-click advertising in terms of response. Be warned though effective SEO is a learning curve so be prepared to learn and experiment. The only drawback is that the internet is a global marketing tool and although might increase the global recognition of the forum might not increase much local recruitment.
I’d also consider setting up a forum website. This creates a superb opportunity for local commercial businesses by way of sponsorship. So start databasing every commercial bike organisation you know of locally. Spend time and money on the graphic design though. Approach a good local designer – they might be interested in taking the project on as a showcase. I’d also run the idea past the graphic design department of Perth College or some of the Dundee Uni’s as a possible student project. The student gets to showcase their work on the site by way of a profile and you get a good site designed at a very competitive rate. Just the whole process alone will help raise the profile of the forum. 8-)
I’d also consider earmarking a section of the site for good local routes and posting them on the site together with maps, photos etc. This should widen the appeal to commercial sponsors for the site outside the main local commercial motorcycling communities. A route taking in Perthshire distilleries for example would open up a potential for advertising from Dewar’s World of Whisky, Edradour or Dallwhinney etc. Just make sure you keep the site well promoted (via SEO techniques) and advertisers get plenty of space (not just links). Don’t forget Hotels and Guest houses (recommendations only), I notice admin had a Gleneagles e-mail address so you should have a full list of contacts spring to mind already.
The advantages of a section like this is that it will make the site very popular globally which means more hits and remember the site is just a medium for the forum.
Bike tour guides specialise in putting together new and interesting routes, I’m sure members of the forum have a lot to contribute in this regard (in fact I’ve just posted elsewhere on the forum about this very topic). I’d be tempted to contact the local tourist board with regards collaboration in this respect. They could supply a lot of information on local history, events etc.
I’d include a ‘what’s on’ section of the site to promote interesting venues for anyone visiting Scotland for touring. Tourism is a major industry here now and if the site is interesting enough in the tourist context then there’s a chance they’ll promote it within their infrastructure which means more hits for the forum and a greater appeal to advertisers. Commercial bike organisations should find the site a useful venue for promoting their own Open Days etc. Make sure you get plenty of photos. Keep the site fresh and full of new information to encourage regular visits.
Don’t forget to include any off road routes, activities etc. There are a lot of suppliers of off road bikes out there e.g. Dryburgh’s, BMW etc.
Although it might not be a popular suggestion, I’d approach Tayside Police and the Tayside Camera Partnership with a view to offering a column on the website. TCP in particular work hard on local bike safety and National Bike Safety campaigns. Think though off all those keywords to spark off hits on the site.
Dundee Bikers Forum produced some excellent T-Shirts and Car Stickers to improve local profile. I’d approach a potential commercial sponsor for this. Yes, it means you might have a commercial logo stuck on the front of the T-Shirt but there’ll still be plenty of space for Perthshire Bikers Forum and it’ll help (or eliminate cash flow). Surely, Perth Motorcycles, Dryburgh’s or Weir’s might be interested? Certainly worth a phone call anyway. Everyone though likes T-Shirts/stickers and they are a great way to raise local profile. Again, consider local colleges or Uni’s Graphic Design departments. The whole process is an excellent PR opportunity to raise awareness of the forum locally.
Dundee Bikers Forum also produced some excellent calendars last year. The pics were all sent in by members. In fact, they will still probably be on the forum for viewing if anyone wants to take a look.
Calendars provide commercial advertising for 360 days a year so you are bound to interest local commercial bike organisations. Think laterally as much as possible. Perhaps make it a calendar of Perthsire routes with map and photographs. That way you’ll interest a wider field for sponsorship.
I’d also consider holding some local events. Motorcycle First-Aid (get someone involved with motorcycle First-Aid though), slow speed manoeuvres (approach a local training school), Ride-Check (approach the local IAM) etc. These events are great PR opportunities (remember PR is FREE, advertising costs money) and if you think laterally enough they provide superb commercial opportunities for partnership profiling i.e. organised by the forum, ran by IAM etc. and is sure to interest the local media. Just make sure you find someone who is well versed in PR channels. I’m fairly confident you could get the ‘Hats Off’ helmet remover manufacturers to sponsor the costs of a First-Aid or safety course. 8-)
Finally, sorry about all the waffle but just thought I’d explore as much as I can within this thread – especially now since the forum has choked up over 100 members!
