Pipe Makers Ignoring Messages?

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PipeIT

Lifer
Nov 14, 2020
5,235
30,853
Hawaii
The simplest way for me to explain this, is for Management.

Using Social Media to run a business of off solely by whatever tools they offer to Manage with, is what everyone needs to consider.

Social Media sites, don’t provided all the eCommerce Management Tools, that you can plug into a website.

Also, when you use any other businesses platform, you are limited with what they offer and controlled by them.

With your on site, you are 100% in control.

Now, if everyone is thinking Websites are Old School, and this is a reason(s), then you are not understanding the full capabilities of what websites are, and what they are used for, and in all the various ways they are used. You are most likely thinking from past experiences about websites in the past.

Don’t take me wrong, I’m not here giving lip, I’m here helping and explaining with a background professionally from IT and eCommerce is all.

A good way to also look at this, is the site is your Home online, and then, you do with your House whoever you wish.

I guess you could say, some own a Home and some Rent.

Instgram is like being a Renter, and there’s nothing wrong with Renting, but you will never have control, or the best tools at your disposal is all.
 

PipeIT

Lifer
Nov 14, 2020
5,235
30,853
Hawaii
Oh, I’m not saying don’t post and sell through Instagram, and when pipes are flying off the shelf faster than you can keep up, that you now have no time, to put all this up on a website.

No, that is not what I am now saying. I’m saying; How are you now Managing all this?

I never said put up pipes and sell them on a website, of course you can do that.

I’m saying learn about all the tools out there, to help you manage all the sells off of social media, that you plug into a site, when you learn these, then you will see and reap greater online success. ;)
 
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Jan 28, 2018
14,036
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Sarasota, FL
If I want to sell a pipe, I post pictures where pipe smokers are - forums, facebook, instagram, and it's sold before I can get it uploaded and write a description on the website. I (and I think most pipe makers) like to have a dedicated website because it also provides a platform where I can talk about briar, philosophy, forgery, whatever I feel like, and on my own terms, no 40 character limit. But it's for sure not "needed" the way it might have been at one point. But then I'm shit at branding and representation too, I feel like the pipes have to sell themselves, I don't do a lot of "picked at midnight and pissed on by a unicorn" sales tactics.
I think it depends on several factors. If you want to sell a few pipes per month, Instagram, forums, Facebook, etc, are more than adequate. If you want to sell several hundred per year, a web site may be needed. It also adds the e-commerce utility. Tinsky would be a decent example. And there are the reasons you listed as well.
 
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PipeIT

Lifer
Nov 14, 2020
5,235
30,853
Hawaii
Again, it’s not about size or volume, it’s really about how you want to run, control and manage.

One very important point I failed to bring up, is that I mentioned before; Management & Organization.

Online Management & Organization, they certainly share similarities with the Traditional Pen & Paper world, but there are very real differences too, and these are the ones you need to know.

These ‘Differences’, are what you want to learn about, they are the ones that help at any level.

I hope I have made this all very clear now.

So, in the end, it will all depend on what you want, but, if anyone ever says, there is always room for help and improvement, then learn about these things to help you. :)
 

PipeIT

Lifer
Nov 14, 2020
5,235
30,853
Hawaii
@TN Jed I’m a PC Geek and don’t mean that with any implied attitude, I’m just an enthusiast, it’s my world.

I get it, and a real reason as to why, is because as a world, we are on the middle of the fence when it comes to tech.

We use it, but don’t use it properly, nor fully understand how to use it properly.

So the problem is, that Tech, for a lack of better words, is trying to push along at the speed of light, but to much of the world is straddling the fence, so they’re tripping out with all the problems you mentioned and more.

And then there’s the Addiction of Tech, because the new toy Tech hasn’t become boring enough to the world.

Make any sense?

When we get off the fence, and use the tech properly, and the addiction wears off when Tech is no longer the fun attraction toy, hardware and social media wise, we’ll begin to move forward.

Said another way, much of the world is still like a kid with a new toy, can’t let it go, and still trying to figure out how to use it.

If I took my best guess, maybe in the next 10-20 years our heads will be in a better place hopefully, only time will tell, but one day, it will change.
 

The Algerian

Might Stick Around
Jul 6, 2022
71
445
Golden Valley, AZ
Verboten isn’t the word I wanted to use, but my English isn’t always the best. Regardless, I know of no one in my business who uses email - for good reasons - but I’ve come to realize that email Is a dead way of communicating unless you are of a certain age. Laugh if you want, but you are only looking in the mirror if you see others laughing with you.
 
Jan 28, 2018
14,036
158,146
67
Sarasota, FL
Verboten isn’t the word I wanted to use, but my English isn’t always the best. Regardless, I know of no one in my business who uses email - for good reasons - but I’ve come to realize that email Is a dead way of communicating unless you are of a certain age. Laugh if you want, but you are only looking in the mirror if you see others laughing with you.
That may be the case for more casual conversations. However, in the real business world, email is still heavily utilized. I just wish the texting apps would become more robust with more integrations, and standardized, so it would be more useful. Perhaps I just don't understand it enough.
 

The Algerian

Might Stick Around
Jul 6, 2022
71
445
Golden Valley, AZ
That may be the case for more casual conversations. However, in the real business world, email is still heavily utilized. I just wish the texting apps would become more robust with more integrations, and standardized, so it would be more useful. Perhaps I just don't understand it enough.
My friend, I respect your perspective. It is, how do you say, good for one who travels on a train. I mean no offense, but your thinking is two dimensional. I tell you this, businesses where the lives of todays adults are concern do not rely on emails or texts. Yes, it is crazy what one must do. Do you agree?
 
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Jan 28, 2018
14,036
158,146
67
Sarasota, FL
My friend, I respect your perspective. It is, how do you say, good for one who travels on a train. I mean no offense, but your thinking is two dimensional. I tell you this, businesses where the lives of todays adults are concern do not rely on emails or texts. Yes, it is crazy what one must do. Do you agree?
I respect your opinion and perspective as well. Not sure I understand you. A person send me an email. How would you propose I respond? I presently use email, sms text, messenger for Facebook and some other and What's App. For that matter, I have some projects where I communicate via Slack and Trello. Depends on the situation and the other party. Wish I could consolidate to one. I use PC, laptop, iPad and iPhone. Many of my emails have attachments, business docs. Text on iPhone and iPad kind of ducks due to the apple os. Handling files is cumbersome.

I am curious to your sage advice.
 

PipeIT

Lifer
Nov 14, 2020
5,235
30,853
Hawaii
@The Algerian if you don’t mind me asking what business do you work at?

Do you have any professional background in IT and eCommerce, online marketing, PR, etc..?
 

PipeIT

Lifer
Nov 14, 2020
5,235
30,853
Hawaii
I've never owned a computer and only use my phone to do forum chat and buy things. 🤷‍♂️
Cellphones are certainly a huge market, especially since a Smart Phone is a computer.

If you own a Smart Phone, then you own a computer that makes calls... LOL 😆

I know we still call them phones, since using them for calling is the main objective, but they run a computer based system designed for phones, the keyword being ‘based’.

P.S. By the way, which phone do you have?
 

The Algerian

Might Stick Around
Jul 6, 2022
71
445
Golden Valley, AZ
The business people I know use a variety of social media and communicate with clientele using the apps carrying the messages but often times using a variety of social media apps. The challenge is the apps are always changing. Personally , I use message forums and single shot boards with those whom I still have some business relationships.
 
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Jan 28, 2018
14,036
158,146
67
Sarasota, FL
The business people I know use a variety of social media and communicate with clientele using the apps carrying the messages but often times using a variety of social media apps. The challenge is the apps are always changing. Personally , I use message forums and single shot boards with those whom I still have some business relationships.
A lot of people I do business with eschew social media for the most part. They may be outdated but they still put the most money in my pocket.

Sins like the answer is mostly what I do. That is, use the communication tool that is appropriate for the situation. One person's outdated is another person's state of the art.
 

PipeIT

Lifer
Nov 14, 2020
5,235
30,853
Hawaii
@The Algerian I’ve been involved in IT a little over 30 years, so I’m not making this stuff up.

Email, explained from an IT professional perspective, as explained to a Layperson, is IT 101, 1st Grade level, it’s kiddie stuff. So if an IT Tech can’t figure out kiddie stuff in 30 years, they might as well hang it up... LOL 😆

But, I know what I’m talking about, as a professional IT Tech, I’m not spouting nonsense.

It’s a fact in the business world at least 90% of businesses world wide, rely heavily on email.

Spend a little time and Google email in the business world, it’s not complicated to find the information regarding this.

I’m not denying other means of communication happening in the business world, but we are only talking 10% of businesses in the world don’t rely, or need much email.

In truth, email is an extreme reality in the business world, there is nothing Old School or Old Thinking about it. It is a Standard in the business world to this day.

P.S. Don’t take anything I’m saying the wrong way, like I’m trying to come off with an attitude or be rude here, I’m not, I’m only talking, nothing implied. :)
 
Jan 28, 2018
14,036
158,146
67
Sarasota, FL
By the way, if day most people think I'm stupid, outdated and a social outcast because I smoke 5 or 6 bowls of tobacco per day. Doesn't mean I'm going to throw away my pipes and tobacco.
 
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