If you've been following the plot, you'll know that our fledgling pie business got a bit of a boost a few days ago when InMadrid (monthly English-language paper) published an interview with me. Naturally, as a web-savvy kinda dude, I checked the SERPS (Search Engine Results Pages) to see what impact this had on our website. If you Google 'pork pies Madrid', huzzah! Number one already! But the next result caught my eye, a discussion thread on BritExpats.com.
So, of course I went there for a look, and was astounded by the negativity, comments like 'well good luck, but it'll never work'. Sheesh, thanks for the advice guys, don't you think we thought about this for a few minutes before deciding to go ahead? Some other bugger posted a recipe for a Scotch egg - you can make this yourself for tuppence! But, as a subsequent supporter pointed out, you can also build a sofa, a car or a yacht, if you want to. I signed up to BritExpats in order to be able to post a reply, got accused of spamming and self-promotion (not allowed). It's all completely weird. I've had a few private messages with the moderator, who's actually very keen on the idea and can't wait for us to hit Malaga. And I have to point out I'm in a purely defensive position here, against folks who have never experienced the joy of a GBF pie. I am not spamming (pointless - these guys aren't even our market yet) - I hope I can be a bit more subtle than that. Grrr.
They say 'no publicity is bad publicity', but I think that's about as true as 'the camera never lies'. Anyway, let me call on PR guru Alexander McNabb - is I doing this right?
I Can't Complain. Not Really
3 days ago
10 comments:
Pending a reply from the oracle that is MacNabb, just a word of support. GBF is an inspiration, one I spoke about to my ex here in Munich who used to do the odd bit f catering...
There are naysayers everywhere, just waiting to sprout like fungus from the woodwork. Don't let them get to you.
Apologies in advance if Bayern Munich thrashes your lot on Wednesday. And if that be not the case, then I'll have to condier eating Humble Pi!
Gotta get on that forum to look at what's gone down & haven't done so yet as life's a bit mad 'in station', but a few pointers for now.
1) Getting on the forum and chatting to people is not spamming. Tell them not to be such tossers - you have a right to your POV and to express it in the face of criticism.
2) Post your views off-forum and post the link to said views.
3) Don't argue with the 'it'll never work' brigade. It'll work or not - but their views won't impact that one important face. If it doesn't work, let them know they were right. If it works, I would suggest the world's biggest Nyah Nyah Nyah Nyah Nyah in neon letters 100 foot tall.
4) Don't get embroiled in the forum - get on with doing your thing. Use YOUR properties (ie this blog) to promote what you're up to - and occasionally let people on the forum who are interested know that they can get you on Blog, Facebook and Twitter.
5) Use Twitter - get people's ideas, feedback, input and contribution. Twitter's great for that.
6) Get pie samplings going as quick as you can. A forum post takes 2 seconds to read and digest. A great pie deserves much, much more attention.
Hope that is some help, it's just a quick skimming of the 1/2 inch of Champagne poured over a pint of Methodist near-beer.
;)
Oh, and I'm not a bloody guru - I'm a very naughty boy...
Point 3) above. For 'face' read 'fact'.
Type in haste, repent at leisure...
Mac T: Thanx, it's just a thing the English, methinks (I phoned my dad the other day and told him about the pies. He asked, who's making the pies? Me, I replied. But you can't cook! He sez. Oh dear, oh dear.)
I have to admit to not being completely confident about Spain vs Bayern Munich GolMacchina Alemana, but at least we're there and gonna give it a go, eh?
@McNabb - pretty much winning then! Ta.
"At the risk of appearing to be doing self-promotion, you can read about my adventures in Madrid at http://probablymadrid.blogspot.com. I'm not feeling terribly welcome on this forum - I think I'll only be back if there's any more dissing to be straightened out. Or to let you know when we've turned over our first million Euros and gloat a bit."
Jejeje.
Forget the naysayers, Keefie - just concentrate on getting those pies out there. 'Tis easier to diss than to do.
Mac: I'm sensing a Deutschland - Nederland final!
What a deeply dispiriting experience: it seems I did everything right, as suggested by Naughty Boy McNabb, but it's hard to argue when you don't know where the objectors are coming from (well, literally, they're Brits in the south of Spain, on the Costas, and I think one in Galicia) - but it's like gate-crashing a party where everyone knows everyone else and half of them are pissed. All of them speak with great authority about products they know nothing about and not one of them has sampled the products. Grrr. The thread has been closed at my request, 'cos, dammit, I have pies to make!!! Sadly some asshole got the last word in: 'I know what goes into pork pies' - not ours, you don't - all that's in them is pork, seasoning, our own pickle and jelly. I hate Brits, sometimes.
The negative feedback (IMHO) is just so bloody typical of Brits, who think they're so so much better than the rest, because they escaped from their end of terrace in Croydon/Hull/Middlesborough. They clear off to the Costa-del-wherever, set up fish n chip shops & continually bleat about how wonderful their homeland was. (I positively LOATHE British immigrants in SA who make the mistake of telling me how bad it is here).
It boils down to jealousy keefie - they're jealous of you, because you've taken the bull by the horns & found a nice niche in the market, which will hopefully make you heaps of dosh. You go for it mate & I wish you every success!
I think Jayne has something. I was wondering if the negativity has something to do with the kind of Brits who tend to bugger off to Spain (exceptions proving the rule).
I really believe that the British ex-pats here in Germany bring with them an attitude less freighted with resentment and presumption of entitlement.
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