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Member
Posts: 11
Location: 97527 | Stallion owners... What have you found to be most effective with getting the word out on a new stallion. I recently purchased a young stallion who will be competing beginning 2018, and I'm trying to determine what is effective advertisement versus a waste of my time. Thanks in advance!! |
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  That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
 
| Winning offspring is the best advertisement. Get some babies into the best hands possible. Professional photographs are important, but mare owners will still want to see non pro photos as well. Lots of request for donated breeding will be coming, just remember that donated breeding typically end up being used on the lowest quality mares. I think a good online presence helps alot as well. Many stallion owners really turn off potential customers by shoving thier stud down everybodys throat, so you need to keep it balanced. |
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 Expert
Posts: 4625
 
Location: Desert Land | I agree with everything above except the donated breedings. I think it depends on the stallion and how much the auction ends up bringing. On a good stallion, those auctions bring just about what the normal stud fee is so I don't think you see a decline in quality.
And I DOUBLE AGREE on professional photos. I seen the ad for the OP's stallion and it does not do that horse any favors. I would wait to put any more money in advertising until you can get better pictures. Make sure your pictures have the full horse in them - people are suspicious when you cut the feet off thinking there is something you're trying to hide. |
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 Pedigree Freak
Posts: 2998
| If you do donate breedings, make sure it is in reputable incentive auctions. Like ones that have minimum bids, and that make foals eligible for the said incentive program.. you can still have minimum requirements with what type of mares with some.
Depending where in Oregon you are.. I recommend Carrie Anderson for photography. She covers southern oregon.. |
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 Guys Just Wanna Have Fun
Posts: 5530
Location: OH | For a small time breeder I found that advertising was pretty much a waste of time till my boys had babies out and winning. Then it doesn't matter on advertising because people will find you.
Also, I am a control freak when it comes to our stallions so I will not do donated breedings simply because I lose control over what mare goes under them. Just me---not saying I am right.
Edited by Mighty Broke 2017-01-10 7:27 AM
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | I agree...
Good, professional photographs for the official ad or for at least your official online advertising. Then nice candid every day pictures of him that are *STILL* flattering. If it doesn't make him look good, don't post it on fb, even if you think it's cute.
I appreciate proven mare or multiple mare discounts and am more likely to gamble on a young stallion if I feel like I'm getting a good deal and I think the stallion is worth it.
Tactful advertising- I agree, do not shove your stallion down everyone's throats on Facebook or the internet.
Proper terminology- You need to know the correct terminology for just about everything. If you're trying to sell me on a breeding and use improper terminology, it makes me question your authenticity and your competency. We spend thousands in stud fees and up to thousands in vet bills per mare every year (some years are easy, some years are hard) and the last thing I want to do is invest in a horse who won't deliver either due to himself or most often his management or lack thereof. If you don't really know what's going on (and that's ok- we all start out somewhere, I lost a nice stud fee when I first started trying to breed mares because I didn't know exactly what i was doing) its OK to stand him somewhere and let them handle it.
No DRAMA- I will tell you, 9 times out of 10 what STOPS me from breeding to a stallion is not the stallion itself, it's the owner or something in the contract like hidden fees. Stay out of the drama on Facebook and don't post dirty laundry all over the place... anything that makes you look less credible and reliable will turn people off of your product
That's just my opinion on things... but having a good horse is just 1 part of MANY that determine your future success. This is all such a fickle market. It's all about people's opinion on what you have to offer.. so make sure you show them the best you have. |
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Member
Posts: 11
Location: 97527 | Thanks for your input, I appreciate all the good advise that everyone has shared... I completely agree. Since I'm new to Stallion ownership my plan was to offer AI service only, and my vets office is going to be taking care of collecting and shipping semen for me. They typically bill the mare owner for the collection and shipping, I will be disclosing this in my contract. Would this scare you off as a mare owner? |
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