Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I own a traditional business, and I am pretty familiar with the sales/marketing end of things. However, it is quite different in the herp world. I guess in a sense, it is not that different, but I just do not use the internet for what I do.

What seems to be the most efficient way to market your animals? Certain lines, words or descriptions in classified ads? Certain advertising places (affiliate sites, banner ads, etc)? More networking? Obviously, referrals and good words carry you further than a For Sale ad, and of course, I understand the value of a good reputation.

Also, what is the best way of studying how well the marketing is doing, to have a steady brokerage plan?
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Chris Foley

Just kidding, couldn't resist, I am sure some people actualy do that most likely.
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Frank Roberts
R&R Herpetological Frank Roberts & John Rodriguez
Roberts'Realm of Reptile Research

Thanks for the compliment Frank. That has been done a few times. A few times in the last week that is... It happens all the time. People want me to verify that an animal was purchased from me. I do my best to do so, and if I cannot I just say I can't verify it for a fact. That is unless I know it isn't true, which it too often is. Then I relay that information. Sad but true, most of the time I am unable to verify it. This seems to be the most common with hets. A good reputation takes a long time to establish and it is just too tempting apparently for some to mislead potential customers.

Pictures. People love pictures. Post pictures of the babies after they are born. Post pictures of the parents you are hoping to have babies from. Post pictures of the animals you purchase and are hoping to breed years down the road. A perfect example is "Spidey". Everyone knows about this unbelievable beautiful Boa. People will be standing in line waiting for babies from this puppy when they are born:

This animal is owned by Mat Rivera and is one of the most striking Hypos anywhere and everyone knows about it because Mat won't let me, I mean he won't let anyone forget. He is always posting pictures of this screaming beautiful beast. I only wish it were mine...

If you are going to try to sell Boas that are het for something, you will serve yourself very well to take as many photos of the breeding as possible. The better you can document that the animals you are selling are in fact het, the better off you are. If the mother of the animals offered is for instance an Albino, by all means get pictures of her with the babies even if you don't witness the birth. A thin worn out Albino guarding those babies will tell the tale, or is it tail... That helps to remove doubt from potential customers who are especially hesitant to trust an unknown person for hets. Those photographs can make the difference. Beyond that, you have to have the best animals to breed that you can afford. Beauty triumphs name every time I think. Or at least much of the time.

Good luck and get those really great looking animals.

np
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Chris Foley

something about marketing in the reptile world. It makes up for knowing very little about boas and pythons.

Phil Goss

>>something about marketing in the reptile world. It makes up for knowing very little about boas and pythons.
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>>Phil Goss
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Definatly growing up to be a awsome looking anery,Thanks for sharing the updated pic's,Keepem coming,Thanks,Eric[Hypoboa]
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E&C's Exotic House of Reptiles

np

np
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Chris Foley

made in my post below "OT St. Louis Zoo pics...". It may make sense if you hit the thread. Obviously whomever that guy is, he knows something about boas and pythons. I'm still working out who he may be though. Probably some guy with two boas he breeds in his basement.

Phil Goss

....i think he has a lot more than two boas...hes one of the leading authorities on boa constrictor breeding and a personal hero of mine...

np

if not everyone, who posts here knows of Jeff Ronne. The two boa remark was just a joke as was the thread of the zoo pics. I was assuming that sarcasm such as that may register as sarcasm, even in text. My bad.

Phil Goss

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Frank Roberts
R&R Herpetological Frank Roberts & John Rodriguez
Roberts'Realm of Reptile Research

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Frank Roberts
R&R Herpetological Frank Roberts & John Rodriguez
Roberts'Realm of Reptile Research

I am a strong believer of good representation of the animals for sale, I have passed many times on possible future purchases due to the fact that the pictures in the add are bad...Ie..Focus, most important...Clean background, I am always amazed how people try and sell animals with fecal matter in the background, I try and take pics under different lighting, so that people get an idea of how they really look. A good pic of a nice boa will almost sell itself, on the internet good pics are what people are going to see first, and most of the time make the choice to buy or pass....There are many people who take the extra time to take quality pics for thier adds, and you really can tell. This is only my opinion though..lol
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Executive Reptiles
Amanda Kingsbury & David Kendrick
www.executivereptiles.com