Just a thought.

[kimsark]

Ok from what I've read a lot of people on this forum feel powerless. The biggest problem being we're lacking the numbers to really be effective. So how do we get the numbers we need to become effective? We get the word out.

There are a few ways we could do this:

1. If each of us printed up 50 pamphlets telling smokers that they have an alternative to smoking and there are 8,000 active members on this forum that would be a total of 400,000 pamphlets being handed out. We could give information in the pamphlets about this forum and where they can be purchased online.

Face it some of us had to be pretty savvy with Google just to find this forum. There are a lot of people out there that would like an alternative but either they don't have access to computers or they just don't want to use a computer. This forum and e-cigarettes in general are dependant upon computer users who have the know-how to use Google and find them.

2. I'm sure everyone on this forum knows of a Mom and Pop place that they frequent that would be more than happy to listen to an idea that might bring more customers into their establishments, especially in this day and age. Get the e-cigarettes into the stores where people can find them.

When the Government imposed the tobacco tax a lot of people around here started rolling their own to save money. The local store was losing money hand over fist on the lost cigarette sales. When he found out that people were rolling their own he started bringing in bags of tobacco and the other supplies needed. I'm sure he'd be interested in hearing about this.

Yes, they will probably be over priced but who cares at this point if it gets the word out and the numbers up? There are some cases where "convenience" is the name of the game. When fighting Big tobacco sometimes you have to think like them. Beat them at their own game.

3. Start an internet Chat room. There are lots of possibilities there. Lots of people love to chat online. Open a room where people can get immediate answers to their questions. Where they can "talk" to people. This would make the information easy access for people. We'd be there to give them the links and information they're looking for.

I'm a host in a Geek room on Buzzen. You wouldn't beleive how many people come in looking for help with fixing their computers. Most of the answers to their questions can be found with a simple Google search but either they don't know how or don't want to bother looking so they come to us.

4. If you don't feel comfortable talking to the Mom and Pop people see if they will let you leave some pamphlets in their stores. Include your name, phone number and email address so that people can contact you. Then you can direct them to online vendors if you like.

The only way we're going to be heard is to get our numbers up. Without numbers we have no voice. Talking about not voting for politicians is worthless unless we have the numbers we need to back us up. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease" and we need to build a squeaky whell.

We need to let people know that there is a reasonably priced alternative to smoking. I know that "legally" we can't call it a healthier alternative but we can get the word out on how much safer it is not only for the vaper but for the people around them.

Like I said it's just a thought. Please be gentle with me I'm still kinda new to this. LOL

At least I'm trying to come up with a possible answer to some of the problems facing us and not just whining about it.

 

[ChipCurtis]

From both personal experience and what others have noted on here, unfortunately the sleazy "free trial" scams and the overpriced companies who sell inferior product have in fact been quite effective in getting the word out, if even by unethical means. Those sleazy advertising tactics have so far been more effective than thousands of individual petitions, or letters to senators and governors (which probably mostly don't even get read). For instance, I noticed a huge wave of new members joining up here right around Nov/Dec of last year, when there was a huge spike in e-cig advertising in places like Salon.com, Walmart.com and Amazon.com, as well as some scattered local TV ads. I came in on that wave, actually.

Word of mouth and flyers may have an effect, but not nearly the effect that mainstream advertising can.

Here's another good strategy: the Hollywood Angle. This was played out to effective measure by Blu Cigs, who handed out free kits to these cute female Hollywood starlets at the party following the Grammy Awards. You saw this video with all these cute little starlets with Paris Hilton looks on their faces, puffing away defiantly on their e-cigs like they were saying "Hey FDA, F-U!!"

What a great strategy, and it worked. Simple philosphy: Sex Sells. Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets. A bevvy of Hollywood hotties advertising your product is thousands of times more powerful than 100 fat ugly lawyers, any day.

 

[kimsark]

Yes but the thing is I don't know of any Hollywood "hotties" (didn't even watch the Grammy's). Given that we need to do something. The ball has to start rolling somewhere and unless we're the ones to kick it first it's just going to sit there waiting to be kicked by the other team (the FDA, Big Tobacco, etc).

 

[kimsark]

So Chip, does that mean you're going to sit by and wait for the hotties?

 

[ChipCurtis]

So Chip, does that mean you're going to sit by and wait for the hotties?

I'm just saying, it's a good strategy, it worked well for that e-cig company. It's not the only strategy, and it certainly should not be. But you have to realize just how powerful public image is in this fight. We need to rally the forces from all directions. Both logic and erotic.