Promotion ideas for a slow economy

It occurs to me that with the slow economy that we are experiencing this year, that this would be a good time for members to meet in their respective areas and plan to promote to the public. One idea that has come to me is for us to get together in local groups and have open barn tours. This would require that we get together over a calendar and settle on a weekend that would work for everyone, then start low cost advertising to the public. Spring is coming, the horses will be shedding soon, and foals are already arriving. What better time to get folks out to see our sales horses, stallions and new babies? These don't have to be elaborate, expensive events. Coffee, tea, hot cocoa and donuts will work well for refreshments. The point is to get people to come out to meet our Arabians, and let them see what a good time we have as a group so that they will hopefully want to get their own Arabian and join us. In a sense, this is taking the Discovery/Mentor farm idea and going proactive with it. Rather than waiting for them to look us up, we put ourselves out there and invite them over. I live in the Portland, Oregon area and have been wanting to meet other Ammy members in the area anyway. I look forward to hearing from any of you who live in my area, and would be delighted to work together on a tour in this area.

This is a great idea...and I will have to see what kind of organization I can co-ordinate in my area...nice thinking!

See......NOW you are working like an Army....ahhh, does a heart good;) Carry on.

McShaneArabians wrote:

This is a great idea...and I will have to see what kind of organization I can co-ordinate in my area...nice thinking!

You go, girl! As I said previously, this can be done very inexpensively. The main thing is to get new people looking at our horses. We can only sell and deal amongst ourselves for a limited time, then we MUST involve new people. If you think about why you got into Arabians in the first place, it probably wasn't for the business. It was TO HAVE FUN! To begin with, you probably just wanted to ride. So we need to convey to our visitors how much fun they can have with an Arabian. Whether it's weekend recreational riding, or 4-H, or all-breed competition, or Class A, they need to know that they can do it with an Arabian, and they need to know that we will be there for them after the sale.

Now, are there any OREGON members out there reading this? Let me hear from you!

We're not in Oregon either, Region 3, I would love to do something like this in our area! I know Renee is right around the corner, anyone else in the Lincoln/Newcastle, etc. area that would be interested?

Shiniane wrote:

Not sure what I can do for my area. Far as I know, there is no one around me at all that owns or breeds arabian horses. Any suggestions would be welcome though, I'm in the Oglesby area (La Salle County), Illinois.

Go ahead and host one yourself! It's really easy to do. All you need to do will be to post some flyers at the local feed and tack stores, and run an ad in the classifieds section of your local paper. If you have stallions standing, or sale horses, you might also want to run an ad in the paper that serves your nearest large town or city. As much as getting other horse people out to your facility, you also are seeking to involve those who would be first time owners. And of course, if you do get responses from local Arabian enthusiasts, steer them to this website as well, encouraging them to join AA ( I always snicker to myself when I type AA - now Del needs to put together a 12-step list for dealing with this affliction ). I can't imagine that you're the only Arab enthusiast in your area, but if so, congratulations, girl, you have a captive audience! The day of your event, have your horses looking their best, and just serve simple refreshments. AHA has breed promotional materials that you can get for free to pass out, or print up and pass out your own as it pertains to your own horses and program. And don't forget to have fun!

I have that same problem, there is no one in my area. I'd bring some of mine to someone else's open house near me if they wanted to band together though

Shahnara wrote:

I have that same problem, there is no one in my area. I'd bring some of mine to someone else's open house near me if they wanted to band together though

I hadn't thought of that - I do have enough room, though, for people in my area who just don't have the facility. Alas, I'm not getting much in the way of interest for this here, as can be seen by the responses ... guess I'll just have to do one myself.

I think we will do one this year as well. There are a lot of barns in my area, but a lot are big names/trainers, so not in the same club for the most part. I've been wanting to do an open barn for years. I will be planning ours for sometime in May. Nice weather and 2 new babies on the ground!

Okay... here's an idea I've been bouncing around for those in the Nor Cal area at least and maybe some of the other Military Advisors might consider something in their respective regions/disciplines.....

An "Ammy Army" clinic day where I could do private dressage lessons for those who want them at a low cost.... I'm thinking like $35 where my lessons are normally $50. Just Ammy Army folks, with the mindset of watching everyone's lessons so that they have reference points to then help each other back at home.

Clinics would be monthly or every other month so students could get help/training at a more affordable rate, have the support and assistance of their fellow army members while home practicing (either by getting together to ride or just via chatting here) and a day to get together network, etc.

Any takers in Nor Cal for an Ammy Army dressage/sport horse/hunt seat clinic?

Great idea. In addition, I can make myself available (FOR FREE) for the HALTER portion of a clinic. Have folks haul their horses in for the day, see what they have, and help folks make adjustments as needed.

At the conclusion of the clinic we can have a "show" where we can have people take their horses through the process and give them "handler" tips during a class.

Stacie Moyle Dressage wrote:

Okay... here's an idea I've been bouncing around for those in the Nor Cal area at least and maybe some of the other Military Advisors might consider something in their respective regions/disciplines.....

An "Ammy Army" clinic day where I could do private dressage lessons for those who want them at a low cost.... I'm thinking like $35 where my lessons are normally $50. Just Ammy Army folks, with the mindset of watching everyone's lessons so that they have reference points to then help each other back at home.

Clinics would be monthly or every other month so students could get help/training at a more affordable rate, have the support and assistance of their fellow army members while home practicing (either by getting together to ride or just via chatting here) and a day to get together network, etc.

Any takers in Nor Cal for an Ammy Army dressage/sport horse/hunt seat clinic?

You know I'll be there! If not to ride (since I usually do that with you) to help out!

It's times like this I hate being on the opposite coast from all of you. Maybe I can come without a horse, just myself to learn

COMMANDER wrote:

Great idea. In addition, I can make myself available (FOR FREE) for the HALTER portion of a clinic. Have folks haul their horses in for the day, see what they have, and help folks make adjustments as needed.

At the conclusion of the clinic we can have a "show" where we can have people take their horses through the process and give them "handler" tips during a class.

Could you be dragged out of California to a nearby state to do a Halter clinic, and, what would I be looking at for associated costs?

Yea, I can be dragged out of state to do that. Associated costs? Gas and a hotel room;) The clinic would be free since I am an Ammy.

COMMANDER wrote:

Yea, I can be dragged out of state to do that. Associated costs? Gas and a hotel room;) The clinic would be free since I am an Ammy.

That's easy enough. I was thinking air fare, lodging and all meals, just didn't know what else. Now, what's your time frame on this. I think I saw in another thread that you are tradomg California earthquakes for Florida hurricanes?

I will be in Korea 21-27MAR then will be making final preps for Vegas. Return from Vegas 20Apr. I am pretty much free the entire months of May and June. July will be filled up by Regionals and the move to Florida.

Del, we want to see you in Dressage whites

COMMANDER wrote:

I will be in Korea 21-27MAR then will be making final preps for Vegas. Return from Vegas 20Apr. I am pretty much free the entire months of May and June. July will be filled up by Regionals and the move to Florida.

I'm thinking mid June or later. By that time, the weather will have stabilized here and should be consistantly nice.

Okay, Region 4 and 5 Ammys - how many of you would attend this, if I go to the expense and effort of putting it together for you all? Sound off!

COMMANDER wrote:

I will be in Korea 21-27MAR then will be making final preps for Vegas. Return from Vegas 20Apr. I am pretty much free the entire months of May and June. July will be filled up by Regionals and the move to Florida.

I just looked at the Region 4 calendar - Region 4 Preshow and Championships run from June 14th to June 20th. Don't know if you've ever shown Region 4 or particularly wanted to, but if there turns out to be sufficient interest in having a Del clinic, we could plan to have it sometime during the week leading up to the show, and if you want to bring your show horses, you could shoot on over and take in the show. I can provide stalls here for your horses from clinic to showtime ... just a thought.

I love your ideas! I am thinking about one for those who want to start their horses around scary objects.(ie. flying turnout blankets and such) I would do it for free for a promotion for Ammy Army. I think it would be awsome for any other Region 16ers to add to it.

Natalie Angstadt wrote:

Del, we want to see you in Dressage whites

I'll bet that's about as about as likely as seeing ME in Dressage whites. And he even rides on occasion. Haha

Austin wrote:

Natalie Angstadt wrote:

Del, we want to see you in Dressage whites

I'll bet that's about as about as likely as seeing ME in Dressage whites. And he even rides on occasion. Haha

OK halter brate, are WE going to go through this again...

What is wrong with dressage whites???



I'll be wearing them again in a couple of months. Will be switching between those and the halter suits...

If Del comes out to anywhere near region 15 to do anything, count me in. I'd love to come, meet him & watch him work his magic with a horse

Ranyiah_86 wrote:

I love your ideas! I am thinking about one for those who want to start their horses around scary objects.(ie. flying turnout blankets and such) I would do it for free for a promotion for Ammy Army. I think it would be awsome for any other Region 16ers to add to it.

I would love to do this in Region 16 with you, even though we are in different states, I am sure we can figure something out! I would gladly do a demo on anything from braiding to show grooming type of thing! It would be really awesome if we could collaborate at a show we would both be at, and possible if it was ok with the show and we would have to find a horse but offer pony rides to outside people! I have sooo many ideas! We need to exchange numbers and get somethings rolling for our Region. I have noticed that we are lacking in some areas! I have recently aquired a contact lady in CT that has an Arab barn, maybe I can talk her into letting us hold an Arab meet and greet at her barn! I am going to send you a pm and leave my number in there!
Shana

Ok, we have a date for our open house! It'll be our first! May 23rd. Will update with a time once we decide on that.

Mortazavi Farms would like to welcome all to come and visit our stallions, mares, sales horses and foals. We will have 2 new foals at that time, both new crosses!

Our open house will be from 2 to 4 pm on the 23rd.

Look forward to seeing many friends new and old!

Mortazavi Farms wrote:

Our open house will be from 2 to 4 pm on the 23rd.

Look forward to seeing many friends new and old!

I'm so proud of you - you're going to have a blast. Wish I lived in your neighborhood so I could be there with you. It's too bad there seems to be nobody local to my area who wanted to do this. I'm involved in an open barn tour in August, as part of Central Pacific Al Khamsa during the Al Khamsa and CMK convention in Redmond this August, but really had hoped to meet some of the Portland area Region 4 Ammys and do one together with them. Maybe there just aren't enough Reg. 4 AA members yet. Perhaps next year ...

Yea, we're kind of doing our own too. The rest of the barns in our area are all more big barns/older established breeders. We will have our friends/clients at Shadow Oak Arabians bringing down two of their Akdar Brins foals.

Will let everyone know how it goes.