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Topic: Advice on Launching Hamptons Web site
| Author | Message |
| danshells | Posted – 11/19/2007 10:22:51 AM | show profile | email poster Hi, I'm going to be launching this Spring a web site tailored to New Yorkers who spend their summers in the Hamptons and I'm looking for advice on how to best spread the word. I'd like to create cross-promotional opportunities with other related companies, and I'd also like to put my promotional brochure in the gift bags of NYC and Hamptons events. What's unique about this site is that it will be a free site for people to post rentals available and wanted, shares available and wanted, transportation available and wanted, etc. There will also be an online forum for people to chat and meet each other as well as a calendar of events. Any other ideas are welcome. The site is a work in progress, but feel free to visit it at www.HamptonsUnderCover.com. I'd love your ideas and suggestions. Thank you very much! Sincerely, Danielle Scherman Owner Hamptons Under-Cover www.hamptonsundercover.com |
| Nikongirl | Posted – 11/19/2007 4:16:15 PM | show profile Hi Danielle, I am from there, I remember when you first launched this site. I think it's a good idea. You might want to talk with David Rattray from the East Hampton Star. He could probably put you together with some contacts that throw events, etc. You could even swap ads/banners. Good luck! NG |
| Nikongirl | Posted – 11/19/2007 4:20:52 PM | show profile p.s. JanetBlueEyes, who is a member on this board and posts the Thursday random questions, lives out on the east end. Go down the page to Off Topic and send her a note. She could probably be of help to you as well. |
| Janetblueyes | Posted – 11/20/2007 1:17:16 AM | show profile | email poster Hi Danielle- (Hi Nikon!) I live in the Hamptons and know the area quite well. I would suggest contacting the local papers--The Southampton Press, the East Hampton Star, Dan's Papers and The Independent, and sending them a press release about your venture. These papers all have "business briefs" sections where things of this nature are published. These papers are also distributed in NYC, where your target audience resides. I would also send something to Plum TV which is located in Wainscott. If you are able, I would suggest buying display ads in the local glossies: Hamptons Magazine, Vox Magazine, Dan's Hampton Style, Homes of the Hamptons, Hampton Cottage and Garden. I think it would be key to get your promotional brochure circulated with the benefit crowd out here. Each weekend throughout the summer there are huge benefit parties where the influential people congregate, as well as their money. A PR firm would be helpful with this. One local PR firm that is well regarded out here is WordHampton based in East Hampton. You might want to link up with them. Not to be discouraging, but there are quite a few websites in existence that are doing exactly what you are doing. (Hamptons.com, 27east.com, iHamptons. therudehamptons.com, Ihatethehamnptons.com as well as the local chamber of commerce websites). There are also new websites that pop up each season and last the summer before they disappear. In an area saturated with sites on how to do the Hamptons, I think you really have to be different from the rest. While most people think that the East End shutters up after Labor Day, it is actually a thriving year-round community. You might be missing on a whole other market if you only focus on the summer season for your site. Feel free to email me if you'd like! Best of luck- Janet |
| writesonwater | Posted – 11/20/2007 4:25:52 AM | show profile | email poster Couple observations, having worked in regional mags and in PR -- Display ads will likely work some -- but as I recall, you are planning on doing this on a shoestring and soliciting free copy in exchange for bylines or possibly ad space. If you plan on differentiating yourself in the marketplace, you might want to ditch the free help idea and pay for some legitimate stories and pictures. Just a thought. Getting your promo brochure in with the benefit crowd will take some paid PR. If you want into goody bags, I doubt brochures will cut it -- but imprinted promo items, clever ones, might. If the local newspapers are interested, it would likely be in the context of the heating up of the multi-website environment. Past that, I wouldn't expect much sweetheart PR -- especially if they have websites also. Another website in this instance may well be seen as another threat to dwindling newspaper revenues. |
| ZeldaMedia | Posted – 11/21/2007 1:41:52 PM | show profile Grey Gardens Please do a story on the Grey Gardens estate. .. It is my latest addiction. It encompasses fashion, the eccentricities of the wealthy, a famous lineage, and was the catalyst for a new kind of documentary film style. |
