I would like to hear what you do to advertise and promote your hub. Both online and offline.
Google adwords etc?
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Aug '14last reply
Sep '14- 12
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I would also look to your local area, Universities, Architects are great places to promote 3D Printing services. I agree with Sandra as well an online presence whether twitter, instagram with cool prints to show off your printing knowledge really helps people to be attracted to your Hub as seeing something Tangible that looks great incentivises people even further.
So alot of foot work is required. I will get the runningshoes out and start. Thanks!
Print some giant boots to roam around Copenhagen that’ll get people talking!
I will 
Yes I think my wife would be worried if I was walking around in them. 
I need some flex to print me some cowboy boots.
Promoting a Hub is the same as promoting any other production service outlet like a webshop or physical store. If you want to get the most out of it you should create a solid marketing plan and business model for it.
It’s important to decide if your Hub will be the only outlet you offer your services through.
For me the Hub is complementary to our direct 3D printing and design service website, so I don’t actively promote the Hub but rather our website and we can link to our Hub if we want.
One thing to note is that 3D Hubs is very local-focussed. So although you can promote it in another city, chances are that users from other cities quickly discover that there are 3D Hubs closer to their location once they’re on this site.
So, from a business and marketing standpoint, It’s good to be aware of the fact that you’re operating within an open platform. It’s very much comparable to selling stuff on eBay: you can promote your eBay add but visitors can easily check if another eBay users offers the same product cheaper and/or more nearby.
As with eBay, what can set one Hub apart from another is good reviews, high rating and quality examples of your work. And pricing of course, but in my opinion there aren’t enough options on 3D Hubs right now to set-up a clear and competitive pricing scheme. For example: in the real world you would offer a discount if someone wants the same model printed many times and so on.
Good Luck!
Thank you for the very good advice. im starting to fell well equiped.
Hi Nick,
Great points. We are currently looking into equipping Hubs better to market themselves, watch this space!
Fixing Ads at Universities is a great deal. Here in Brazil we have those Academic Departments for each Program, like engineering and architectture and so on. And they are used for students support (full of students).
So you just go there and tape your ad to a wall?
Not that easy. But still is. I just need a stamp/authorization from the Department, which is pretty straightforward here.