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It's That Time! Fall Bulletin News

You've got products and services and our members would LOVE to know more about them!  It's time to reserve your spot in the Fall Edition of The Bulletin. Fall Road Four times a year we print a high quality magazine (and online edition) covering member news, interviews, thoughts and ideas about the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association. And because we allow advertising in the mag...you get to be there too.

So, if you've got news or simply want to make sure our members see what you have to offer this is the time to secure your spot. Here is a link to the sizes and special member pricing for the ads and if you've got NEWS about your business we'd love to share with everybody.  Sure, you can do social media (and we do) but this is an opportunity for some "hard-copy" reading that stays around longer than a scroll through. 

Send your story or ad to [email protected] and we'll do our very best to make sure it gets in.  Have questions and want to visit?  Sure, call us at 877-668-0900 and we'll be happy to help!

Thank you for being a member...it does matter! 


Marketing & Advertising with Jeff Pfeifer of TractorHouse

Advertising and marketing products and services can be a nightmare. So many avenues and so little resources. Here, during the NTPDA Annual Conference Jeff January 2023 and Trade Show, we sat down to talk about those topics, the use of print and digital media with Jeff Pfeifer of TractorHouse.com.  TractorHouse has been coming to our annual events for years and not only does the Lincoln, NE based company produce products that put buyers and sellers together they also create and host many of the websites currently in use by our members. Click the player to listen to a wide-ranging conversation about several of the ways you can take your product or service to the consumer who is motivated to buy.  This conversation originally aired on News/Talk 1540 KXEL based in Waterloo, Iowa.  Enjoy...

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFMPodbeaniTunesSpotifyStitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

 


The Bulletin for 2023!

Many of you know that we've revamped the official publication of the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association...The Bulletin. Each quarter a new edition December 2022 COVER comes out and is not only sent to every member in the U.S. and Canada but is also posted on our website. We do that so everybody has access to our member news, information and see what our advertisers want you to know.

This is a great way to connect with our membership. Perhaps you've not been to a Summer Meeting or to the NTPDA Annual Conference and Trade Show but you want to get your products or services seen by our entire membership. This is a great way for you to connect and share with them who you are and what you have.  And advertising rates are low. Here is a link to sizes and rates.  Also you should know that we've not increased the prices for the ads.

Yes, there are DEADLINES.  Creating this quarterly magazine takes several weeks so we've got to have some firm deadlines for article and advertising submissions.  To get The Bulletin out to our membership in a timely manner...we just have to do it this way.  So, alright already...what are the deadlines!

The March issue or Spring Edition deadline is February 16

For the Summer Edition that comes out in June the deadline is May 18.

The Fall Edition that will hit in September the deadline is August 17.

The Winter Edition, that will be delivered just ahead of our Annual Conference in December, has a deadline of November 16.

Please write these dates down. It's always great to work with our members to produce a high value, high quality piece. 

Should you need help in creating an ad or updating an ad we are here.

Final question:  "Can non-members advertise in The Bulletin?"  Yes they can however the rates are double those of our members.  So, it's best to join our association and get a better rate.

Questions or comment?  Call me at 515-707-7699 or [email protected].

  


Winning in a Business Dominated by Men - Meet Terri Stevens

She started selling recycled tractor parts when she was seventeen. Something not many young women did in the 1970's.  Fast forward several years and she Terri Stevens January 2023 became the owner of The Tractor Barn. Today Terri Stevens sells tractors, parts, lawn and garden machines to an ever expanding customer base. We caught up with Terri in Nashville at the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association Annual Conference & Trade Show.  Where we talked about a host of things including how NTPDA has impacted her and her business.  How have things changed in her world...let's find out as you "Meet Our Members". 

Thanks for listening to a program dedicated to raising the brand of NTPDA. 

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFMPodbeaniTunesSpotifyStitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour. 


It's Going To Be Awesome!

Very soon we're going to be sending out a link, by email, to those of you who have registered for our Annual Conference and Trade Show scheduled for Whova Logo January 19 - 21 in Nashville. The link will take you to the Whova Event & Conference App which will give you the power to communicate with other conference attendees, post photos, make appointments, check the agenda, gather contact data at the trade show booth, experience some great contests and more. This also means that we'll be going mostly paperless in January.

Over the summer Kim has been working on making sure this will be a positive experience and we're almost at launch. When you get your notice via email you can start to build your profile in the app. That would include your photo, details about your company, contact information, etc. 

Whova Ad Capture ImageOne more thing. The Whova App also allows you to market your company to attendees. Yes, there is advertising space that scrolls from page to page. The Board has recommended that  advertising space be sold to our membership at $500 per advertiser and we already have two spots taken!  You can advertise your website, special deals and more. It's a new and exciting way to market your company to our membership. And, the app stays live for weeks after the event. If you would like to claim an advertising spot connect with Kim by email, [email protected] or me at [email protected] and we'll get you hooked up.

Also a reminder that you can register for our Annual Conference and Trade Show now and save.  Here is that link, and check out how fancy this looks...also another big change. 

We hope you'll engage with this new technology because it will truly enhance your experience. So, you know, I've used the Whova App at several national events and it's really slick.  Be watching for your email invite and thank you for being a member!

Michael & Kim


Meet Loader Parts Source with Video!

So often our NTPDA Members might think that everybody knows what and how their business runs. But, in fact, that's not the case. There are always new Levi Burkholder Jan 2020 consumers to reach and there are always current customers to keep. The message here is that businesses must keep marketing and explaining and that's exactly what this new video from member, Loader Parts Source does.

Levi Burkholder started his company from scratch. He and his crew know how important it is to keep others informed. Take a few minutes and check out their new "explainer video". It will tell you much.

 

Thank you for reading and for being an NTPDA Member! It matters...

 


Put It On Video - Nashville & Beyond

As we make plans for a very different Annual Meeting and Trade Show we kicked around the idea of allowing our members to create a brief 3 – 5 minute video Video Crew to showcase their products/services.  Stay with me on this because it’s a great marketing tool for your business.

As you may know, due to COVID19 we’ll not be having a Trade Show in Nashville this coming January but (and this is where it gets interesting) how about hooking up with your fellow members via a produced video that we’ll not only share with attendees who come to Nashville in January but then release to all our members during the months following the scheduled January meeting?  Think of this as an enhanced Member Benefit! This is for all our members, Regular and Associate.

Here’s what I’m hoping for:

  • Create a short video with your crew to highlight your product/service;
  • Make sure it is “evergreen”. In other words no time limits on pricing, etc. If you have special NTPDA Member Pricing make sure it can carry through for months;
  • The video can be funny or serious...but you know this crew...if you can create with some humor...so much the better;
  • Put it on a Flash Drive and send it to me or, if you have the ability to use a Dropbox that will work as well.
  • We’ll then take your video and create the program for attendees and then begin to share it on our NTPDA Blog and through our social media platforms.

Work for you?  And, the Board has said there will be some prizes for “Best Of” so get cracking!  Deadline for you to get me your video is December 15, 2020.

Thanks and my address is: 2009 80th Street, Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324

Michael Libbie, Business Development/Membership Cell: 515-707-7699


A Member Marketing Tip

From every report we've gotten it seems like our National Tractor Parts Dealer Association members who are selling parts into the agricultural sector are having a Brand Warrior Image really good year. Each day we reach out to both our Regular and Associate Members and, from what we hear, things are going well. That's the good news and we're grateful.

One of the things members might consider is to reach out to your "Brand Warriors" those top ten or fifteen people you KNOW who love your business and your service. Last week this segment aired on Insight on Business the News Hour and we thought it might be something valuable as you continue through this season and even during some slow times.  Your "Brand Warriors" can help you expand your business if you simply ask them to get involved.  Click on the audio file to listen.

IOB 3 May 2020 Mkt Tip

Remember, your membership is truly an investment and we're here to do everything we can to make that a reality.


We REALLY Want You!!

OK, so you missed out on the free registration last month. Don't be sad. We get it...everybody is busy. But wait!  There's more!  Early But Wait Theres More
registration ends on November 30 and what does that mean for you?  Simple we'll knock off $150 bucks from your NTPDA20 Registration!  Rather than spending $450 (after 12/31) each registration is just $300.

Look, we really want you to join us for the business opportunities, networking and fun we'll have in Phoenix. Registration is easy and right here

Over the past week we've been on the phone with a number of our members who have already registered. The number one reason they've made plans to attend in January?  "Increase business!" and at the end of the day...isn't that what this is all about? Getting to know each other better and having more access to our suppliers and our fellow members. Sure, we'll have a great time, (just like we do every year) but the bottom line is YOUR bottom line. After all, we exist to bring value to our members...all our members!

So, don't delay. Register here for NTPDA20. Watch our Facebook Page for regular updates and if you use Twitter you can find us @NTPDA

And, yes, we'll keep bugging you because we've got a great line up of events and business education.  Plus...some special opportunities for you and your business to get noticed that you can use well after the Annual Conference and Trade Show. We'll be recording radio and video spots that you can take back with you...to promote your business on your social media channels and if you use radio spots back home.  The value of that exceeds $1,000 a crack.

Hope to see you in Phoenix in January!


Twitter Basics

Several weeks ago we shared with you that we've done a "social media audit" of our NTPDA members. Just to see what social media platforms they are using and what we might do to better help our members communicate with their customers. We've already looked at Facebook now a peek at Twitter. Twitter Logo 2019

We found a minority of our members on the Twitter Platform. Most likely that's because they may not be aware of how many people in agriculture are already there and think it's not worthwhile. Nothing could be further from the  truth. If you go to Twitter and search for #Farming #Agriculture #Harvest19 you'll find a host of farmers and ranchers there talking about their experiences. You'll also find some of the major equipment retail centers using Twitter to inform folks about their offerings, pricings, etc.

In other words: Twitter is a happening place.

So, let's set out some basics for Twitter use...ready?

  • Have a Plan - Just like with Facebook you need to have a plan for Twitter. What you want is to share information that farmers and ranchers find useful. That is a BUNCH better than using the platform simply for selling stuff. So, think about what you know about parts and agriculture that others might find useful and then create a calendar of what to talk about;
  • Your Business Blog - We've said for YEARS that every business should have a business blog that is attached to your website. That gives you more power from search engines AND you get to tell YOUR story in your own words. But then...what do you do with your blog?  Share it on Twitter. Again if you are sharing information farmers and ranchers find valuable...you win;
  • When to Tweet - We've always thought that the best times to Tweet is when your customers are active on their computers...makes sense right? However with so many farmers and ranchers using their phones to interact that means your customer isn't tied down to a computer screen. He or she might be waiting at the grain elevator or on the combine scrolling through social media and making comments.  Bottom line is that if you are active so too is your customer;
  • How to Tweet - You can jump on Twitter and create an account for FREE. However we think it's wise to purchase a subscription to a system that will allow you to manage your Twitter stream more effectively. There are several out there. We've used Hootsuite for years. It gives you the flexibility to follow others, schedule your Tweets and see what is going on at a glance;
  • Use Images - People respond to images more than just words. Make sure your Tweets have images most of the time; 
  • Tweet Often - Twitter is like a message board that constantly is moving. If you Tweet, say at 6:00AM but not again until Noon you've lost six hours of "eyeballs". We recommend tweeting at least eight to twelve times a day. By using your automated system that's pretty easy to do;
  • Don't Link to Facebook - OK...we know some of you do but your Tweet shows up like this: "facebook.com7476982" or something like that. The reader has NO idea what you've posted. Facebook and Twitter are two very different animals. If you are going to link to Facebook make sure you post what it's about;
  • Re-Tweeting - One of the best ways to engage is by retweeting posts you think are interesting and/or valuable. And, as a favor, always RT our Tweets...please;
  • Using the Hashtag - Once you've been on Twitter for a bit you'll get the hang of Hashtags. It's how to search for something or to keep a topic fresh. You can even set your search for a # Hashtag. For example, like in the opening of this post... #Agriculture put that into Twitter and see what people are talking about when it comes to topics.  This is really handy when you are at a trade show and there is a Hashtag for the event. NTPDA uses #NTPDA20 as the Hashtag for our upcoming annual meeting in Phoenix.

There you have it...some very basic thoughts about Tweeting for Business. As always let us know if you've got questions or comments. You can leave those here on this post!  Thanks for reading and being an NTPDA Member!