The "Holiday Cheer" Touchstyle Club ...

[traktor]

Mobius has a ray of bright cheer for the Holidays, which we call the "Holiday Cheer Touchstyle Club".

This promotional offer gives hundreds of dollars of discount on Mobius instruments, between November 15, and December 31 of 2008.

It's a limited time offer, and ends New Years Eve at Midnight.

Hundreds of dollars of discounts are available on all Mobius instruments, free $90 factory-installed edgedots will be given to the first ten who claim these prizes, and there are also free gifts just for signing up in the club.

Full details are given here --

http://megatar.com/promo/holiday-cheer/

I think you will find the Holiday Cheer page entertaining, and informative, and it shows you how to save money three ways, plus the free gifts. Hope you find it useful!

But please remember, limited offer ends Midnight December 31, 2008. See full details:

http://megatar.com/promo/holiday-cheer/

-- Traktor

PS: For a bit of fun, describe what the page looks like when it first appears in your browser ...

After a few of you have looked and then posted here, you'll see what I mean ...

[PhoBucket]

PS: For a bit of fun, describe what the page looks like when it first appears in your browser ...

White background. Lots of scrolling. Lots of text. Looks like an affiliate marketing page.
Am I missing something?

[rpmartino]

To be honest, it seems like an infomercial style more suitable for cleaning products or loan refinancing rather than a high-end musical instrument. Slick marketing-speak and misleading information over substance. Does anyone actually find it convincing?

I didn't realize I had been ripped off and hindered so much in musical progress by my existing instrument! ;)

Seems like a nice artist feature page with great audio clips and videos of Megatar players would be a more compelling backdrop for a holiday special. Maybe I'm just burnt out after a year of negative and shallow political campaigning.

[traktor]

Hi, Rob,

But wait! There's More!

I was thinking that maybe some other year, I might build a special holiday offer more like other, more refined manufacturers. Special holiday discounts mentioned in whispers while strolling Megatar players sing Christmas Jingles ...

That's it, I'll offer special holiday discounts more like the way that the other, more refined manufacturers do. Oh, but wait. There's a problem with copying the special holiday discounts of the other manufacturers ...

Never mind.

Well, I hope you will find the offer of hundreds of dollars in savings to be useful, if only for your entertaining thoughts, like picture a Megatar singing sweetly beneath your hands, and in the kitchen your wife is stirring a pot of soup, wearing a French Maid's outfit.

And sure, I admit it, you have a point about the cleaning products. But, see, ... if I ever want to sell cleaning products, I can just change the nouns. That way I can re-use it. That was my plan all along. :)

Now you've given me an advertising idea -- "Megatar. It's a clean machine."

:)


But, actually ... what really meant in my note, and what I think you might find interesting might be ...

What color is the headline?

What does it say?


And yeah, I agree with you about all that awful political stuff. I disconnected the television about a year ago, and what I didn't even see any more was as goofy as ever.

[Utmotrix]

I love the little image of people cheering with arms extended at top right of ad.
They seem full of Megatar buying spirit!.

[traktor]

But ... those are the happy Megatar *owners*!

See how happy they are!

[adde65]

To be honest, it seems like an infomercial style more suitable for cleaning products or loan refinancing rather than a high-end musical instrument. Slick marketing-speak and misleading information over substance. Does anyone actually find it convincing?

I didn't realize I had been ripped off and hindered so much in musical progress by my existing instrument! ;)

Seems like a nice artist feature page with great audio clips and videos of Megatar players would be a more compelling backdrop for a holiday special. Maybe I'm just burnt out after a year of negative and shallow political campaigning.


Most of us admire Rob for his measured, impartial comments as well as his musicianship. Reading his response above, surely you must realize that this marketing strategy can only serve to alienate and drive a wedge down the middle of the tapping community?

Instead of addressing Rob's comment with any amount of respect, we get another serve of the jovial, used car salesman act. Great advertising! It has all the panche of a 2AM infomercial..."but wait, there's more - you also get a set of steak knives!"...

Maybe Rob is just too close to the truth. The basic fact is that the instrument will sell itself if enough people out there are making good sounds with it. We'd like to hear more of that instead.

Cheers,
Andy

[arsacane]

For me the page looks a little bit cheesy. I really DON'T like the use of UPPERCASE LETTERS! (don't shout at me pls) Please include links to the products info pages at the end where you give the prices & discounts, it helps. Sound clips will be good and pictures of the instruments too.

I don't like that kind of infomercials neither, they seem bad taste for me; it reminds me those TV sales channels on cable :( (the ones that try to sell you the miracle weight-loss pill, the wonder mixer, and the super gym equipment to get a six pack in 4 weeks). But it's only my taste and Traktor can choose the way he runs his business.
Have you ever considered hiring a web designer for a couple of weeks? That can do wonders.

Cheers, arsacane.

PS: I agree with Phobucket, the page is too long! Stick to the mini-skirt principle: Long enough to cover the subject, short enough to remain insteresting.

[traktor]

Hi, Andy,

Generally, I agree with you that Rob has always been measured and even-handed. And although I didn't exactly feel that "slick marketing-speak and misleading information" is exactly what I would call impartial, but I do respect Rob's opinion, and yours.

However, it is true that I keep my own counsel regarding my marketing experiments. And I let the universe show me the answers, rather than relying too much on the spoken opinions of others.

And, so far, while the Universe has shown me that a couple of respected Stick-players don't much like what I've said, that has not, so far, been the consensus of activity as manifested by the Universe.

It may be shocking to you, but some people actually *like* the idea of certain features available only on our Megatars, some people like paying less money, some people think they sound better. Huh. Imagine that.

I know that you, like me, will always try to keep an open mind to see what's true. Not what people say, but what they do.

And speaking of that, it could just be that you don't actually speak accurately on behalf of the Universe. However, your opinion is important to me and I thank you for speaking up to share your opinion. I will respect your opinion, and I'm sure that you will respect my opinions as well. And I won't call you a jovial used car salesman and I'm sure you won't be calling me names either, no doubt, just because you have a differing opinion.

Because we're gentlemen, and we both agree upon more than we disagree about, I should think. The fact is, based upon my experience, I think that Megatars sound better, look better, feel better, play more in tune, cost less, and get delivered faster.

I suppose that you feel that your instrument sounds better, looks better, feels better, plays more in tune, costs less, and gets delivered faster. Or maybe you have some other opinion. Whatever your opinion, I'm sure it's a good opinion, a fine opinion, and based upon the facts as you have experienced them, and therefore "true" to the best of your ability.

That's how mine is, too.

Doesn't that sum it up, fairly fairly?

Can we simply agree to disagree?

[traktor]

For everyone else, I do want to validate one of the things that Andy said ...

... The basic fact is that the instrument will sell itself if enough people out there are making good sounds with it. ... That is *so* on target. That is exactly right.

And that's why, as explained on the Holiday Cheer Touchstyle Club (http://megatar.com/promo/holiday-cheer/) webpage, it explains not only *WHY AND HOW* Mobius gives you More, but also it explains *WHY* Mobius instruments are Intentionally Under-Priced.

It's part of our clever plan, you see, to get more and more people out there making good sounds with it. So far, the plan seems to be working. The part where we underprice the instruments is working really well. And the part where more and more musicians are making more and more music with more and more Megatars is working really well also.

There's a darn good reason for it, of course. It just makes sense, when you think about it.

If you haven't read the Holiday Cheer Touchstyle Club (http://megatar.com/promo/holiday-cheer/) page, for gosh sakes, stop what you're doing and go and read every word right now, to see why it is vitally important.

As Andy says, "the instrument will sell itself if enough people out there are making good sounds with it," and that fact is working to save you money.

Want the facts? Click here to get the full story of the Holiday Cheer Touchstyle Club (http://megatar.com/promo/holiday-cheer/), and why. And how. And why not?

[adde65]

Hi Traktor,

Hi, Andy,

Generally, I agree with you that Rob has always been measured and even-handed. And although I didn't exactly feel that "slick marketing-speak and misleading information" is exactly what I would call impartial, but I do respect Rob's opinion, and yours.

That's exactly my point. Rob obviously felt the need to respond in this manner. What does this tell us?



...It may be shocking to you, but some people actually *like* the idea of certain features available only on our Megatars, some people like paying less money, some people think they sound better. Huh. Imagine that.



It's not at all shocking to me, you are obviously missing the point here.
The comment I made has nothing to do with any criticism of your instruments, which look well made and are not for me to judge since I've never played one.



And speaking of that, it could just be that you don't actually speak accurately on behalf of the Universe. However, your opinion is important to me and I thank you for speaking up to share your opinion. I will respect your opinion, and I'm sure that you will respect my opinions as well. And I won't call you a jovial used car salesman and I'm sure you won't be calling me names either, no doubt, just because you have a differing opinion.



First of all, I would never be so presumptuous as to tell anyone that I "speak accurately on behalf of the Universe".

Secondly, I might be splitting hairs but I didn't call you a name. But I did liken your marketing technique to that of a happy car salesman, which was a bit rude. I'm sorry.



Because we're gentlemen, and we both agree upon more than we disagree about, I should think. The fact is, based upon my experience, I think that Megatars sound better, look better, feel better, play more in tune, cost less, and get delivered faster.

I suppose that you feel that your instrument sounds better, looks better, feels better, plays more in tune, costs less, and gets delivered faster. Or maybe you have some other opinion. Whatever your opinion, I'm sure it's a good opinion, a fine opinion, and based upon the facts as you have experienced them, and therefore "true" to the best of your ability...



Like I said, I have no valid opinion of your instruments. I have no interest in telling anyone which instrument I think is "best" for them, me or anyone else. I don't see Warr, Harpejji or anyone else pursuing this type of marketing. I just don't get why you are driving this argument of "us vs. them" so hard, when virtually everyone on this forum LOATHES that discussion. Anyone who goes down that path ends up being the least popular person on the forum for at least a month. Which might not be a great way to attract new customers?


Can we simply agree to disagree?

Sure.

Cheers,
Andy

[traktor]

That's fine, Andy.

We'll just agree to disagree.

[traktor]

Now, everyone else ...

Have you seen the Holiday Cheer Touchstyle Club (http://megatar.com/promo/holiday-cheer/) page?

Is it cheesy? Or is it wonderful?

Does it make you want to grab the deal now, for the most affordable, best sounding Megatar of your life?

Or not?

Is it horrid and wedge-driving and dreadful? Or does it just speak the plain unvarnished truth, and there's no sense to hide it?

Is the Holiday Cheer Touchstyle Club (http://megatar.com/promo/holiday-cheer/) a great way to save and get a great instrument?

Is it nice to have great features and great sound, along with underpricing and holiday discounts? Are those ... good things?

What's important here?

Politics? Or music and fun and saving a little money this holiday season?

Should we try to be more politically correct? Or should we just shout it out? Should we call it as we see it? Or tiptoe around?

What's important here?

You be the judge.

----
I cannot think of many situations where money-savings was considered a bad thing. Shall we consider style? Or shall we consider substance?

It's your music. It's your pocketbook.

You be the judge.

Evaluate what's being offered at the Holiday Cheer Touchstyle Club (http://megatar.com/promo/holiday-cheer/) here.

[PhoBucket]

I think the ads are cheesy, and the savings would still be the savings without the infomercial. As you say, it is your choice to market as you see fit, but that is my opinion of the ad.

[traktor]

http://tappistry.org/images/cheers.jpg
We have one vote for Cheers ... (one thumb up!)

http://tappistry.org/images/cheese.jpg
We have two votes for Cheese ... (two thumbs down!)

So far, the Cheese is way ahead! The consensus so far ... Cheese!

Let's hear more votes. Don't spare me. You all know me. Sure, it's the holiday season ... hearts are filled with visions of sugar-plums ... but please be brutally honest ...

Is it Cheers?

Is it Cheese?

Here is that special offer we're all considering --

Holiday Cheer Touchstyle Club (http://megatar.com/promo/holiday-cheer/).

Add your vote! Let your voice be heard! Sing it out now! (http://megatar.com/docsfiles/soundfiles/Cardwell-SingItToTheWorld-20080816.mp3)

[Jim_D]

Cheese!

I really don't like its style, or the cheering people, or anything about it, other than the discount.

As it is, I already have a megatar and right now I don't need another one, but if I was thinking of buying one, this page would put me off. If I did want one right now, and wanted to convince my significant other that we could spare the money and showed her this page, I don't think it would come across very well as a necessary purchase.

Ultimately as a player I want an instrument, not a campaign. Yes, I want an instrument that plays in tune and is cheaper, but it is still an instrument when it arrives at my house, and not a comparison with something else.

So an advert that showed me really nice photos of the instrument, and players playing it, and links to sounds and videos would be more attractive to me than an advert that had cheesy graphics and a political-style agenda.

[Bulwinkl]

I believe the instruments you make and sell are great.
I believe that a discount is a great idea.
I don't believe that long wait time for stick and warr is a result of anything but the fact that these two small companies actually have to fulfill most of the world's demand in instruments and repairs.
I don't believe that putting down other people and companies without calling names can do anyone an honour.
I believe a video of Dino Haak on that page would cause sales instead of bad thoughts.
I do not believe that any person who might get influenced with that style of advertising will ever play any musical instrument.

And please find and put a syncronised video of "live in Beijing" on your website!
Thank you.

[zooplankton]

Thumbs down. The advertisement reads like a political attack ad crossed with a conspiracy theory book. It made me wonder what kind of company I was dealing with, and it actually deterred me from buying a Megatar for over a week. (True story.)

Later, fortunately, I found the ultimate Megatar "ad" right on their web site!

http://www.megatar.com/english/videos/videos.html

Real players making real music with the megatar. That's what sold me!

[degauss]

I'm just beginning with tapping, but since Traktor asked, I must agree with most posters that this campaign would've turned me down if it had been one of the first pages I'd seen when I was looking for an instrument. I'd have been more attracted by something in the lines of the article about the SustainoTapper, plus some accompanying video of a tapping master and some (non-comparative since readers can do that for themselves) emphasis on price and delivery times. Cheers!