Marketing a new barn!

[Piper522]

Hello all,
Need some help. I have been at an amazing new barn now since September. My background is in Sales and Marketing so I am helping my BO with marketing her barn. The barn website is www.wilsonhillstables.com (http://www.wilsonhillstables.com) Check it out and let me know what you think. There are a few other "Bay Wind" forumers at the barn and AnnieandDixie and MeandChic are going to come and ride with us one day.

Because of the economy, she is not getting the boarders that she wants. Either the board fees are too high, training/lessons, too high...or it truly is the economy. I want to help her to "grow" her business and barn. (A win-win for me...she is happier and I get to help her find new boarders that I will ride with.)

Some things I need answers with:
1. What is the most important thing to you when choosing a barn for you and your horse?
2. How important is it that the "On site" trainer have training experience or would you consider "show" experience important.
3. Other than Feed STores, Tack Shops, Craigs List, Flyers, joining local Chambers, 4-H, any suggestions on other ways to find boarders?

To be selfish, it is nice only sharing the "15" stall barn with 7 horses...but I want my BO to be successful and I know she needs my help.

Any feedback would be great!

[WashingtonBay]

A good ad in the yellow pages next time around I'd think. People do still use that.

And flyers at shows, if that's the crowd she's aiming for.

Web site.... it's really pretty, but I had to hunt to find out where it is. The city and state need to be prominently listed on the home page, and maybe every other page. That's how people are going to search.

I searched "Horse Boarding Sunbury Ohio" and you're there on the page underneath a few directory type places. Make sure you get added to those directory sites. Consider a paid Google Sponsored link on several keywords like Horse Boarding Ohio, Horse Boarding Sunbury OH, Boarding Stables Sunbury Ohio, Etc, you get the picture. Searching horse boarding Ohio (http://www.google.com/search?q=horse+boarding+Ohio+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a), theres several directory type sites and a couple of sponsored links for other stables on the right. Those sponsored links cost a few pennies per click, but you can set daily limits to stay within a budget.



Also consider holding a fun show or play day and advertise that all over town. People will find out about you that way too. :)

[WashingtonBay]

Also consider offering services for temporary and overnight boarding for travelers, and advertise in those directories.

For everyone's safety, you might want to think through quarantine and proof of shots, etc, and whether there is sufficient separation between temporary horses and the permanent ones, but it is a good way of making a little extra money if you're near a major highway. You could also then let shipping companies know about you and they may use you passing through.

[WP~Paint]

It looks like an very nice website. If I ever moved to that area, I would deff. check it out!

[elevenelevenxo]

Ok, since I'm a Wilson Hill-er, not sure if I count, LOL! But here's my two cents...

1. What is the most important thing to you when choosing a barn for you and your horse?

For me, it's safe and practical riding/training areas. At the barn I kept my mare at when I had her, it was mostly a bunch of pleasure riders. There were some trails on the property and two round pens, but the trails got old and the footing in the pens was extremely unsafe (dirt/grass....but usually mud since this IS Ohio!!). Obviously that made working with my horse difficult, especially since she was generally a spooky mess on the trails. An indoor is a nice luxury and I absolutely love having one to ride in now, but I wouldn't pass up an otherwise perfect barn because they just had a 3-season outdoor.

My other big thing is maximum turn out time possible. I'm a firm believer that horses are happiest and healthiest when they are outside as much as possible. If pasture board is not available, I would prefer my horse be turned out after the AM feeding until they come in at night for their PM feeding. Not all barns are like this, and I know Lauren's opinion on turn-out differs slightly from mine... But most horse people I know want their horses to have as much time out of the stall and barn as possible.

2. How important is it that the "On site" trainer have training experience or would you consider "show" experience important.

It's not terribly important to me since I have no real intentions of buying and training a horse from scratch, but at least for now while I'm still learning a lot, I'd be most comfortable if the on site trainer had some training experience mixed in with their showing experience. Basically, I expect a trainer to not only know how to ride pretty and make their horse pretty, but be a master of general horsemanship and know how to get at least the best of the basics out of any horse. If I wanted to work on a specific area, then I would expect to be allowed to use the trainer of my choice if the on site trainer wasn't qualified to help me (for example....if the on site trainer shows dressage and I need help in getting my horse to cross water, but they've never trail ridden and know nothing about desensitizing like that....). I don't know of Lauren's policy on bringing in outside trainers, but I do know many barns won't allow that. Granted, those are usually discipline specific barns...but you get the idea of what I mean.

3. Other than Feed Stores, Tack Shops, Craigs List, Flyers, joining local Chambers, 4-H, any suggestions on other ways to find boarders?

Not sure there!!

I do hope Lauren is able to get more boarders, though I agree with you - it's nice being a small barn!! But 15 stalls really isn't that huge compared to other places I've been to. :) So hopefully everyone else who comes in will be as nice as everyone who boards there now! I'm hoping that I'll have a horse of my own to fill one of those stalls pretty soon!

[AUEquine]

1. What is the most important thing to you when choosing a barn for you and your horse?
For me it's number one, care and safety of my horse! After that it really rests on the atmosphere. The barn I'm at now, isn't all I want, there's no arena, I have to do everything myself, rather rough on amenities. But I'm completely happy because I have great barn owners who are my best friends and love my horse, and I'm pretty much by myself, not alot of personalities to clash. So for me an atmosphere that makes me want to spend time with my horse is what I look for. I can give and take on amenities as long as the basic needs can be met. I'd rather have a run in barn and a pasture than a big deluxe barn with all the big deluxe attitudes.
2. How important is it that the "On site" trainer have training experience or would you consider "show" experience important.
To me it's of the least importance. 'On site' trainers tend to think they run things and that they know it all. I train my own horses, and while I definatly don't know it all, I DO NOT want unsolicited advice. I also don't want a hassle if I chose to bring in my own trainer. Certain people just learn better from certain trainers.
3. Other than Feed STores, Tack Shops, Craigs List, Flyers, joining local Chambers, 4-H, any suggestions on other ways to find boarders?
I've been through the new barn search 3 times in the last year or so, the biggest thing for me.... a good website. We're all computer based now, so what did I do... I sat down and googled horses+auburn. I wouldn't have given my current barn a second look based on the website... it's not very good! But luckly after inquiring with a friend about another barn she sent me in the right direction! All the things you listed are a great ways to get the name out there, but poeple like to do research first. They don't wanna just cold call a place, things have changed, they wanna get as much info as they can from the computer. So I recomend alot of pics and alot of info. But keep it simple and not too cluttered [I haven't checked the site out yet to see, I will in a bit].

[FoxFireEMT]

I choose a barn with how my "heart feels about it". I don't like uppty, high class snotty barns... I'm not rich & I don't want to pretend to be rich. So my first priority is my comfort & my horses!! I like laid back barns, back yard barns. So maybe this is not a good thread for me to be posting on. LOL. But seriously the place looks wonderful & looks like she has a lot of amenities. Really does look like a wonderful place. If that was what I was looking for I would def. check into it!!

[Kaitlyn]

Wow, how much is full care board there? I may have to move to Columbus lol.

[AUEquine]

ok, back with a website critique. Great website, on of the best farm/barn websites I've ever seen!
Only complaints I would have would be #1 needs a price list. I look at this amazing barn and all it's amenities, I'd probably write it off pretty quick... 'I can't aford this in a million years.' Now I don't know you're prices, but maybe it's not as expensive as I might think fancy website and great pictures. So a price list is deifnatly informative.
Only other thing is there are a few place on the website that made me laugh... got a little hokie! This being the main one "The main aisle and surrounding areas are softened by a beautiful stamped concrete pattern that appeals to the senses. " Left me wondering if ya'll hold hands and sing Kum by ya before lessons!!!

ETA: Ya'll did a great job of portraying the barn through pics. You show that it has nice amenities, but it doesn't look snotty. The pics of the people are real, they're in jeans, t-shirts and jackets. No one is wearing expensive stuff. The pic in the arena just looks like a great group of people to be with! Looks like a place where you can get the low key atmosphere while still having great amenities!

[Gem's Mom]

Well... I looked at the website and not wanting to start an argument or anything but the whole focus on safety part with pictures of students not wearing helmets really doesn't make sense to me :-/ That kind of contradiction would make me think there's other things that may be said but not really done around there.

Other than that it looks beautiful! And totally out of my price range lol

[WashingtonBay]

LOL - The idea that I wouldn't be required to wear a helmet really appeals to me. :) Safety is more than helmets, and I'm a grown up who doesn't want to be nagged about helmets to ride my own horse.

Sounds like pleasin' everyone is never possible, it's who you want to appeal to.

[Buckpoco]

Maybe I didn't look that carefully but did she post her board price on the website? I automatically assume board is outrageously expensive if it's not posted.
Also, when I boarded I wanted someone there all day(not somebody who lives 10 miles away and has another job) of course quality feed, lots of turnout time and trails. What kept me for years at certain barns was all of the above plus nice people.

[AUEquine]

LOL - The idea that I wouldn't be required to wear a helmet really appeals to me. :) Safety is more than helmets, and I'm a grown up who doesn't want to be nagged about helmets to ride my own horse.

Sounds like pleasin' everyone is never possible, it's who you want to appeal to.

I agree with you on the helmet thing. Though I do believe that everyone under 18 should be require to wear one. After 18 it's your own head to worry about!

I am always respectful of others though, I always wear mine when I ride [english that is] at someone elses property.

But I've found most western people could careless if you wear or don't wear a helmet, they think a horn is enough. While I don't usually wear a helmet when riding western or dressage, my choices are made based on the horse and the activity.

[WashingtonBay]

Agreed, the prices must be on the website. It shouldn't be a guessing game.

[WashingtonBay]

AU, if I were riding someone I thought would throw me I'd wear one. Actually, if I were riding someone I thought might throw me I'd have my head examined. I'm past that stage in life when I wanted that kind of excitement. :D I wore them when I jumped. Not for saddle seat or dressage.

I ride English all the time, but mostly trail now, and I just don't think they're comfortable to wear all day. Not any kind of hat.

But I guess we're getting side tracked.... whose fault is this again? :D

[Gem's Mom]

I guess I didn't think many of the kids in the lesson pictures looked 18. Also with all those pretty pictures there was only one rider in a helmet (that I saw at least). I donno, just think if you're going to talk about safety perhaps throw in a few more pics kids using safety gear?

Anywho, looks really nice and if I ever wanted to live in Ohio again I'd try to live by that barn :-D

Also I agree with the person who said put out fliers etc at shows. That could help bring in some boarders. Or stuff up at tack shops/feed stores. I'm not sure how you get listed on it, but we found our current barn using google maps lol. Searched farm and turned out there was one a mile from our house!

And yes, price list would be great. I'm just assuming I'd never be able to afford it, but who knows?

WB, not my fault! um, perhaps it is... And FYI my helmet has protected me from more stray branches and trees than anything else! I wish I would have gotten a picture of me putting a blaze orange stocking cap over it to ride one winter. Toasty warm and the whole world had an orange glow to it!

[WashingtonBay]

I ride English so I can duck those branches. :)

And this post too, is your fault. :D

[Gem's Mom]

Ah, well I can only duck so low on a 16+ hand horse! LOL.

[WashingtonBay]

You need taller trails. :)

[Gem's Mom]

Very true, taller trails would help. Maintaining the ones we have would be great too, then we wouldn't be forced to "off road" around a fallen tree so much. I have learned that both my horses will plow thru anything I point them at, weather there's room for me or not they don't care lol

[jeezitsjacki]

I thought it looked really great, I love when websites have lots of pictures, and it was well organized. I agree with the others who said that your price needs to be listed

[Piper522]

Hey all!

Thank you so much for all your feedback. This gives me some great things to discuss with the BO. We are actually having a meeting tomorrow morning.

To answer a few Questons:
1. Right now full Board is $500 a month with a 12 month agreement
2. Anyone under 18 has to wear a helmet. There are both English and WEstern riders there...mostly Western. I am almost 40 and more times than not I wear my helmet.
3. The atmosphere is very laid back and not snobby at all.
4. I brought my own trainer there from another barn and she is actually training a few other lesson people.

As far as marketing, we had a big Open house a few months back. We had raffles, raised money for a place call "Last Chance Corral" and gave free lessons ALL DAY LONG. From that open house there are has been SIX I think new lesson people.

There are a few really fancy barns in this area so we do have to compete with them.

The BO Lauren lives on the premise. She is young but very knowledgeable with horses and has 4 of her own at her own "private barn" on the property.

I am going to talk to her about doing the "overnight" thing.

We do plan on having a FUN horse show in the spring for anyone that has never been to a REAL show yet but wants to start getting experience.

All of you are amazing with your feedback and responses!!! I love the support from the forum!! You all ROCK!! :)

[Gem's Mom]

oooh oooh fun show! Make sure you include an egg and spoon class and ride-a-buck! They're my favorites!

[oursarge]

Our barn has it's own shows. They are the only ones I do and when I don't get nervous they are fun. My Delta and I have gotten 1st in Western Pleasure twice and a 1st and 2nd in Horsemanship and a 2nd in Trail. Some people from our barn have gone on to the bigger shows after practicing at the barn shows but I haven't.

We all have t-shirts with the stable name on them and some of us have jackets. I wear my jacket all the time so I'm like a walking advertisement!

[WashingtonBay]

Boarding prices are all over the board, so what she can charge at this time depends entirely on the competition that exists locally.

[Piper522]

Everyone who gave me feedback...i showed my BO all of your comments and it was really helpful. She is going to put the price on the opening page of the website. She is also dropping board down to $450 to help fill it up....anyone wanna come and join us!!!

[WashingtonBay]

It's a lovely place, but it's a bit of a long commute for me. :)

[Piper522]

WB - there is a wonderful heated lounge...you could stay for a few days!

[Kaitlyn]

LOL I may move to Columbus to go to med school,I may have to keep her in mind! :)

[elevenelevenxo]

WB - there is a wonderful heated lounge...you could stay for a few days!

The couch is very comfy indeed. My boyfriend will attest to it - he came out with me one evening and fell asleep up there while I was horsin' it. LOL.

Melissa, can you believe that....rather than bond with Cabo, he fell asleep! :rolleyes:

[AUEquine]

One more thing... The one good thing about the last barn I was at was that you had the option to pick when you're board was due. This was a life saver sometimes. Most people get 2 checks a month, and it seems that all the big bills come out of the first one (for me at least). So it was helpful that I could chose for my board to be due on the 15th and late by the 20th of each month. It's just a nice option to give your boarders.

[elevenelevenxo]

LOL I may move to Columbus to go to med school,I may have to keep her in mind! :)

Do ittttttttt!!!!!!!! :cool:

[elevenelevenxo]

One more thing... The one good thing about the last barn I was at was that you had the option to pick when you're board was due. This was a life saver sometimes. Most people get 2 checks a month, and it seems that all the big bills come out of the first one (for me at least). So it was helpful that I could chose for my board to be due on the 15th and late by the 20th of each month. It's just a nice option to give your boarders.

I'm pretty sure there's a grace period of 10 days or so, isn't there Melissa?

[AUEquine]

I'm pretty sure there's a grace period of 10 days or so, isn't there Melissa?

yes but that second check usually doesn't come in that time frame!

[Piper522]

The couch is very comfy indeed. My boyfriend will attest to it - he came out with me one evening and fell asleep up there while I was horsin' it. LOL.

Melissa, can you believe that....rather than bond with Cabo, he fell asleep! :rolleyes:

You tell Zach that for Christmas I want a picture of him on CAbo! :cowboy:

[Piper522]

LOL I may move to Columbus to go to med school,I may have to keep her in mind! :)

One of the trainers at the barn works as a Professor at OSU...she can get to the barn in 20 minutes.

[Piper522]

yes but that second check usually doesn't come in that time frame!

I think the BO would allow a boarder to pick the pay date. THat would be a big life saver depending on when you get paid. I will bring that up to her.

[Kaitlyn]

Y'all make it tempting lol. Looks like there's more jobs in Columbus in the meantime to pay for 450 dollar board. The place does look worth it though, all the pictures and the organization on the website is most definitely what I look for. I get very easily pushed off, persay, when a barn doesn't have a website at all or it's very messy and too many graphics are on it. This just seems perfect.