Source: website FTN Motion | Generating awareness through word-of-mouth, social media, and key mentions in the press, Wellington-based FTN Motion has sold out of its 100 Founder’s Edition Streetdogs, securing deposits from Early Adopters from all over New Zealand.
As a startup and without a big budget for advertising, co-founders Luke Sinclair, Kendall Bristow and Saskia Thornton had to think creatively about how to spread enough awareness to generate sales. They managed to sell out of their pioneering electric motorbike, (in less than three months), mainly through word-of-mouth, a few appearances at the Wellington Harbourside market, social media and great press.
Sinclair says: ‘We didn’t have any money to spend on advertising so we hit the streets and just showed the bike off. It was great to get so much traction without spending any money. People just love the design and there’s nothing out there like it!’.
The Early Adopters, who are from all over New Zealand, have been invited to become part of an exclusive group called the Founder’s Club, who will be kept in the loop on the development of the motorbike and business and will have access to priority slots for test drives.
Meanwhile, Sinclair and Bristow have started on their second round of R&D to the Streetdog prototype in their Lyall Bay workshop.
Bristow: ‘One of the main things we have been working on is refining the look of the bike, including improvements on the tank and body and going for an overall more organic feel’.
Amongst other design updates that Early Adopters will see on their bikes is improved seat comfort and riding position, a redesigned electric system, and a wider tyre from a more premium supplier.
On release dates for subsequent editions of the bike, Thornton said: ‘We will release dates later this year, after the production of our Beta units. For now, anyone who is interested can sign up to our waitlist and we’ll notify them once dates are confirmed’.
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