Energy gels: GU, Whasp, USN

[niterider]

 

We are a bigger gel with more ingredients

 

 

 

 

That could also be a problem. I want carbs, and maybe some electrolytes. All the other stuff is BS (unless you have some multi-study research to say otherwise)

[Pornstar]

I have study behinde ingredients.

 

www.whaspgel.com is our website, we international, we sell in OZ, NZ, UK

 

[niterider]

www.whaspgel.com is our website' date=' we international, we sell in OZ, NZ, UK

 

[/quote']

 

 

 

Suggest you register whasp.co.za and redirect it to that site. Also you probably want your site redesigned - it is not very search-engine friendly and clearly wasn't built by someone who understands what that means. From a design point of view it also isn't very professional. Web is my professional area of expertise - I'm not trying to pull your chain here, just offering constructive criticism.

 

 

 

 

I have study behinde ingredients

 

Hopefully you have more than one. A single study confirms nothing. You might also want to place links from the listed ingredients to a page that details why that ingredient is important. I stand by my assertion that most of that stuff is marketing BS and just a way to differentiate your product from the many others in the marketing place.

[chucky]

vooma is just sugar water,only enervit for me,they have 32 years of sciene tific research behind them ,the product comes from italy, you pay for what you get,wwwenervit.co.za

[Cranky]

I think the Whasp website, which I found easily, was great. I see that most sponsored athletes are triathletes and agree that it would help to get a big name road and MTB cyclist on board. As an MTBer, I have never seen Whasp on a cycling shirt or event t-shirt, or received one in a goodie bag, or got one free during a race. I first tried them because of the good price relative to competitors. I have received lots of USN and Fast Fuel products, in comparison, and have noticed their sponsorship.

[rad006]

I think the Whasp website' date=' which I found easily, was great. I see that most sponsored athletes are triathletes and agree that it would help to get a big name road and MTB cyclist on board. As an MTBer, I have never seen Whasp on a cycling shirt or event t-shirt, or received one in a goodie bag, or got one free during a race. I first tried them because of the good price relative to competitors. I have received lots of USN and Fast Fuel products, in comparison, and have noticed their sponsorship.[/quote']

 

 

Cranky didnt you see me with my Awesome WHASP kit at crater cruise???

 

I advertise WHASP on my MTB and Tricycle.... Although a bigger WHASP presence on my Tricycle would be nice hint hint

[CaptainDura]

Collin

 

I think availability is still your biggest problem. anybody that did the argus this year saw your add about getting 2 of your gels for any other brand gel exchanged so your marketing is working.

 

I cannot get whasp at the durbell pharmacy i go to to for supplements, its not at my local lbs, its not at sportsmans warehouse.

 

Another mention on this thread was that of visibility.  I recall you selling some shirts a while ago.

 

I am sure that if you make these shirts like very very cheap for us to buy, most of us would (like make it R100 per shirt or something rediculous) This advertising would be invaluable if you have a a couple hundred of these shirts at races etc where your  brand will be seen by a lot of people.  also the shirts last a long time and the cost of this type of ad is invaluable in the long run.

 

my 2c worth

[Zatek]

We don't have a Dischem in our town so getting your stuff by Clicks will help your sales? I have never tried whasp but if I can get it I will give it a go.

[PPWTF]

 

Pornstar - the accepted wisdom in Sponsorship is that it is far better having 1 or 2 major sponsors than 30 plus small sponsors.

 

the rational behind it is the amount of time and energy take up servicing the 30 small sponsors is likely equal or greater than the amount required to service the 1 or 2 major sponsors, but the smaller sponsors have a significantly smaller 'impact'

 

Also, as others have said here, think about publishing your independent research on the product. When anyone is developing a new power meter the first thing most will look for is either Hunter Allen involvement in the product development, or a Hunter Allen review - it's like the golden seal of approval, something money can't buy (at least not directly ) So in the sports nutrition market I'd say do what Hammer did and go OTT on promoting the Independent review findings.

 

Lastly, Robbie Hunter was a Weider athlete whilst riding for Phonac.... the product is typically seen as a body building supplement! Now I'd guess the deal was done out of a desire for sponsorship cash not admiration for the Weider product...... Why not approach someone like Chris Froome or JLA... as up and comers who already have media profiles, I'm sure they'd be keen on a deal that brought in some extra cash and built their profile beyond the Barloworld brand

 

PPWTF2008-10-30 00:12:35

[AndreZA]

I am sure that if you make these shirts like very very cheap for us to buy' date=' most of us would (like make it R100 per shirt or something rediculous) This advertising would be invaluable if you have a a couple hundred of these shirts at races etc where your  brand will be seen by a lot of people.  also the shirts last a long time and the cost of this type of ad is invaluable in the long run.

[/quote']

 

That is the only reason I have a Linden Cycles top. It's butt ugly but it was cheap and they get the advertising. Otherwise I will not wear kit with logos on. I'm not paying to so that other people can get advertising from it.

 

Maybe so something like what Hammer is doing. They've got a big bottle of gel and you top up a little bottle to take along with you.

 

What about energy drinks. Yes I know it takes more money but if you can get people to use your energy drinks, they will follow with the gels. Especially if you make the two work better together.

 

 

[nochain]

Pornstar, <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Do you have estimates as to how big the current Gels market is and what your current share of it would be,as well as what share your major competitors each have at the moment?

Also do you have exposure in all possible markets?

Ever think about trying to sell these to companies with heavy labour intensive workers?..like mines for instance? Could be a possibility?

 

[porky]

Heres my view.

 

1)Cut the freebies, people only use it because its free, and go back to what they were using initially and paid for, next time they need a gel.Unless you are a multinational and can reach millions of people in one swoop, DONT give your product away.

 

2)Cut the size of your sachet and its relevant price (or market two sizes) - most users of an energy gel are just recreational athletes, for them price is key, they are not interested in the specifics, if they see one gel for R7.00 and another for R12.00 - they will generally pick up the 7 buck item, few of them will read the label.

 

3)Unfortunately in SA we still have the "imported is better" mentality, a local product has to be priced right, even if its better it wont be competitive until its percieved as "value for money".!

 

4)Availability is key, as someone mentioned Wasp is not that easily available - increase distribution.

 

5)I am also not sure of the advantage of sponsoring a pro athlete, generally it can be looked at a a walking advert but personally if you ask me who sponsors which pro athlete, I couldnt say, and I will bet 80% of people wouldnt remember either.

 

Rather use that money for regular branding excercises at events or in magazines.

 

       

porky2008-10-30 00:22:12

[stringbean]

I looked at the wasp gel and was very interested especially with the caffeine content but i got put off by the flavours they came in.I only use gels for 3hr plus rides and the thought of taking kiwi or berry blaze for 6 hrs just doesnt gel.I prefer a neutral flavour.Sponsering of individuals is a wast of money IMO.I don't use GU because xyz uses it.I use it because it tastes good,and works for me.Why not rather sponser an event,mtb local RR or triathlon.Sponsered riders only look at what is in it for them,not promoting your product or company.The content of your product looks good and the price is good,so for me it is just the flavours and exposer.

Good luck

m2c 

[wackwack]

Porn*,

 

For me it's all about the flavours. I buy GU for 2 reasons only.

 

1) I prefer a thicker gel

2) It has a plain flavour & a vanilla flavour

 

I do not eat fruit - out of the 4 gels you have on offer 3 are Berry flavour & 1 Kiwi..........which flavour would you like me to buy?

 

That is what has stopped me trying out your product

 

"use it - don't use it"

 

Buying in bulk should also be a must, with a discount of course.

[TXS cyclist]

HI

snip snip
Thats also the price point' date=' we only R11.99 in dischem and everybody else is more expensive than us and will be going up a lot more, GU is soon going to be R 18.

snip snip

[/quote']

 

Pornstar

 

I only use the wasp gels.. however last tiem I bought at Dischem it was R14.99 (two weeks ago) even at that price it is a bargain for me.

 

I like the berry and infact like to taste the flavor. So for me you dont have to mask a flavor. So this is very personal. Some like to taste the flavor while other do not like it.

 

I also like the bigger packaging and really soft kind packaging. making it better for me to sqeese it out.

 

the other problem is that our dischem only stock 2 or 3 of your gels. Never seen the green one on the shelf you talk about.

[RABUBI]

Pornstar, <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Do you have estimates as to how big the current Gels market is and what your current share of it would be,as well as what share your major competitors each have at the moment?

Also do you have exposure in all possible markets?

Ever think about trying to sell these to companies with heavy labour intensive workers?..like mines for instance? Could be a possibility?

 

[/quote']

 

Or the ladies of the night, might help them through the cold winter nights, and raveclubs...