Smokin-It User Forum!
Accessories => Gadgets and Gizmos => Topic started by: Camadile on January 30, 2014, 12:36:08 PM
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Hey Guys:
I have a favor to ask.
I have been an outdoor cook (mostly backyard & overland camping) for most of my life. (I just got into smoking over the last year with my Model #2.) Over the last five years, I have been tinkering with and designing a new portable outdoor cooking griddle that turns conventional wisdom upside-down.
I have since started a new company called Mojoe Outfitters to manufacture and market the "Mojoe Griddle" as well as many other future outdoor products and accessories that buck conventional wisdom.
So here is the favor that I am asking: I need your brutally honest evaluation and opinions about the Mojoe Griddle and its price. You can watch several videos of this product in action at my website: www.mojoeoutfitters.com.
By definition, you Smokin'-it guys are all backyard chefs like myself and I'm sure your all have a lot more outdoor cooking gear and gadgets stashed in your garages. Therefore, I will respect and listen to whatever you have to say.
Food for thought: A few months ago, I had a party with 30 guests in my backyard. I smoked a whole brisket in the #2, pulled it and used the Mojoe Griddle on top of a deep fat turkey fryer burner to make smoked brisket tacos for everyone. I fried the brisket with onions and pineapple chunks to make an amazing taco filling while at the same time cooking all the tortillas.
I really appreciate any backyard pro input that you folks can give me. Also, let me know if this is an inappropriate use of this forum.
Thanks,
Cam Stone
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Cam,
You're not spamming us - you're actually a Smokin-It owner, and are introducing us to your own product. I, personally, have no problem with that. If others feel differently, I'm sure they'll let me know.
I checked out the site. Nice site, and unique product. With that said, I think the price is out of line. You'll probably sell a bunch of these to folks in California, and maybe Colorado, (no offense meant to anyone from those states, it's just a cost of living issue. They're used to paying lots more for things than the rest of the country), but you may have a hard time in "middle America." I'm originally from California, and lived in Colorado, so I understand how many affluent live in those states. That may be your target demographic; I don't know.
Although unique, it's just a 24" piece of 1/4" plate steel, some nicely-designed handles, and some bent rod for legs. My local welding shop could throw me one of those together pretty cheap. Don't take it the wrong way; you deserve to make a decent profit on a unique item, and I have no idea what your production costs are. My point deals with perceived value. If you're going to sell something for $250, you'd better have $250 or more perceived value in the item. You asked for brutal honesty - I just don't see that here. I'm all about cool Q tools, but don't see myself buying one of these at your price.
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Hello Cam,
I watched your videos - all of them - and I think you have a good product. Who doesn't need a griddle once in a while? In my scouting days in the early 60's we used dutch oven lids, Coleman griddles on the old stove, but yours has legs and handles which I like. However, like DivotMaker stated, I too would have a tough time parting with that much money.
I realize that time and material went into development, and that there is a crowd that will probably jump on this, but there is also likely to be a group that will take your work and duplicate it at a local welding shop for much less. They will do so not because they are industrious but because your price trumped their laziness.
I do like the product and the fact it is American made. However, the cost is steep. It apparently performs its tasks admirably. The cost factor may be its hindrance to success. Legs? Great! No balancing on rocks. Removable handles? Another plus. The cleats to fit a Weber and prevent sliding? Ingenious. But the price?
I would rethink the $, and the market you are trying to reach.
But don't get discouraged. I do like the concept and the features.
Dave
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Well-put, Dave. A little more eloquent than my review. Thanks for saying what I was trying to say!
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I really liked the pancakes.
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Tony & Dave:
I really, really appreciate the time you took to watch the videos and write down your comments. Thank you so much! I suspected that price might be an issue because I've only sold about 20 units so far, but nobody out there except for you two have told me that, and I respect your opinions.
You are right- the idea is so simple there is definitely the "why didn't I think of that" factor going on. And yes, If you wanted to have your local welder make the griddle with mounting bars minus the handles, he would probably do that for a little less than $200 if he can find the circle blank. The handles are a different story but I won't go into that now. The bottom line is that what pops into your head is: "I can make that myself" and that is an issue that I need to deal with.
I have already spent $5,000 to secure a provisional patent on the Mojoe Griddle and I am in the process of spending an additional $15,000 for the formal patent application. Developing, producing and marketing a new US made product in the US is extremely expensive. I could have gone to China for a lot less money but that's not how I roll. All of this is meaningless, of course, because perception is everything.
All that said, I have another question: At what price would you at least think about buying a Mojoe Griddle. I not talking about actually buying one but just thinking about buying one?
Cam
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Due to its simplicity, anyone who is proficient or has a friend proficient @ welding will copy your idea. If your price point drops to a figure that most find reasonable there is still shipping to wrestle with. The weight of your product will have steep S&H. A reoccuring theme amongst potential Smokin-It buyers, especially the SI#3, choke when they find out the shipping costs. Some fortunate to live relatively close bypass this by picking it up, some get over it and eventually purchase after reassurances from the forum, some purchase smaller units to compensate. However, the key to that always goes back to the total cost as compared to similar options in the market, i.e. ST or Cookshack in this case. What you have designed WILL definately have a niche market. The quality looks very good. Where I would start, is to look for anything else out there that performs a similar function. I happen to have a griddle in a commercial style oven, so it would be unlikely for me to acquire another even though its for outdoor use. Some may rely on their dutch oven lids like Dave mentioned. Granted, these are 2 extreme examples & you wont be directly competing with them but they will factor in on potential sales. Something closer to your idea should be examined. Compare price, quality, function & where its made. The last 3 factors will determine if a premium or discount should be charged. I am not afraid to pay a premium on things I want & am fortunate to be able to do so. But...... I research my purchases & only do so if it makes good sense for me. What you have going for you is the promise of a well thought out product that will allow a portable outdoor cooking experience with the vistas of your choice! It's a foodie lifestyle your selling. I hope you find success in this adventure.
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Thanks for your insights Walt,
You guys have convinced me that I will need to reduce my price and believe me, I spend a lot of time on cost reduction. My target buyer is in the upper end of the various markets that I am going after. I have spent a great deal of time searching the portable griddle competition on the internet and have found that nothing else out there comes anywhere close to the versatility, ruggedness and cooking surface size. There has to be a premium for that so I am definitely not expecting the average Joe camper or backyard BBQ guy to buy one. They will get their griddles from China.
BTW: My target markets are at the upper end of:
- Overland 4x4 adventurers
- Large group car campers
- RV-ers
- Tailgaters
- Survivalists
- Caterers (outdoor parties)
- Serious backyard cooks
Also, I paid $70 to get my Model 2 shipped here because it was worth it. When I saw the shipping price, I did pause for a minute or two though!
Thanks again, Walt, for your input!
Cam
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Cam,
You obviously have a great deal invested in the success of this endeavor. I agree with Walt that you will definitely have a niche market, as I alluded to in my post. After thinking about this some more, I wanted to add a couple more thoughts...
First, the cost of shipping will be a factor for many, due to size and weight. Yes, the cost to ship SI smokers seems hefty, but you're paying for protection and speed. These are big boxes, very-well packed, and contain fragile components (nobody wants a dent in their stainless skin). Your grill couldn't hardly get damaged no matter how it was shipped, so the cost is solely based on size and weight. I didn't explore shipping costs, so this is just a thought about the subject based on guesstimates. Like you said, it's perceptions.
I would maybe consider different size options. I consider myself a "serious backyard cook," but don't buy products that don't fit my needs. Yes, it would be cool to have a Model 4 SI (for bragging rights alone), and I'm fortunate to have the means to have one, but it simply does not fit my needs. I would not want to deal with deployment and storage of a hunk of steel that large. If you had, say, a 16" or 18" model, I could possibly see myself interested. So, my lack of interest in the product is not based solely on cost; it's more about need. With that said, I believe there are many others, in the target markets you mentioned, that would be well-suited with a grill that large. It would also add different price points to the equation.
About the "Made in America" issue: I absolutely applaud your desire to have your product produced here! At the same time, I understand business owners' decisions to produce their products offshore. We live in a very competitive global marketplace, and, sadly, America has a hard time competing. SI smokers are built in China. While I would prefer they were made in the USA, I fully understand Steve's predicament. Is the quality any less? I don't think so. Mine is well-built, and works great. I am sure that producing the SI in the US would probably double its price, and push it into the Cookshack price range. Would I buy one at twice what I paid? A solid "maybe." There are definitely other offshore options than China. South Korea (actually Hyundai) is one of the largest steel producers in the world, is an ally of the US, and a free nation. Who knows, that may be worth exploring. I personally don't think your customers really care where the product is produced, as long as the quality is what it needs to be, and it functions "as advertised." Unfortunately, we (as a Nation) have priced ourselves out of the manufacturing markets due to so many reasons I won't bother to get into. Here's an example - about 10 years ago, a large highway bridge was built in Arkansas. All of the massive I-beams were marked "Hyundai" on them! It was actually cheaper to have them manufactured in S. Korea, ship them here on Hyundai container ships, and trucked to Arkansas, than it was to have them produced in Pittsburgh! Sad, but true.
You mentioned, you could have gone offshore, but that's "not how I roll." Unless you find a manufacturer who is going to be competitive with other countries, I would urge you to reconsider your position. Until your patents are secure, you can bet that a competitor or two is already figuring-out how they can reproduce your grill cheaper. In the end, buyers will turn to the cheaper competitor. Research manufacturing in free countries that are strong allies of the US. You don't have to go to China. Hold on - my steel fabricator buddy is calling. Be right back... (just kidding! ;) )
I wish you the best success, Cam! Many folks, who have never attempted to start a business, don't know what you are going through right now. Keep the faith, stay strong, and above all - make sound business decisions without emotion.
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Cam,
Have you thought about going to Kickstarter with this? I agree with most on the pricing but I do understand that your demographic might be in the upper range, period. And you can make a decent profit from those people. But if you wish to maybe make it more mainstream then you might want to do something in a smaller range to alleviate some of the costs but still end up with a better product than some competitors that will come out. I have backed a lot of projects on Kickstarter that have failed and succeeded and learned a lot from that based on their feedback.
You have a unique product for some and for others something that could be made with some effort. Don't dwell on that much since there will always be those of us out there that have the resources to mimic products through friends and family.
I wish you the best of luck on it and keep trucking along. You will do well with it overall.
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Great recommendation, Ben! I know a little about Kickstarter, but not much. I'm going to look into it!
You're absolutely right about him profiting from the upper-end market, but why limit it to that? This is a viable product across a much larger demographic. One of the biggest detriments to new start-ups is placing limits on what they think they can do. Go for a larger demographic, and let sales and interest drive where you end up. The market will define itself over time, but cannot be "predetermined."
Another rule I've lived is that people will pay more than you think they will. I think Cam is seeing that his current pricing is not producing the sales he is expecting, at least with his current advertising. But, if he lowers it too much, he may be leaving money on the table. One way to narrow-down pricing is to test different prices through different sources of advertising. It's proven that there is an optimum price for everything; too low, and people will think it's a scam. Too high, and people immediately retreat. The right price, with the right value built into the product, will produce the most sales. I think Cam's website builds value, but needs some more "in use" videos to build more. He needs some good shots of an expedition cooking a big meal on it at the end of the day, or a bunch of RVers gathered around it, smiling and happy at the smell of the food. Sell the sizzle, not the steak.
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I had some down time (goofing off again) so I prowled around looking at pricing for carbon steel plate at 1/4 inch. I could not locate round discs, just flat stock in both cold rolled and hot rolled. A square 2' X 2', sheared to size ran in the high $40's to the low $70's, depending upon supplier. When the sizing was done by plasma or CNC Laser, the cost went up considerably. I can only guess that producing a round with no burrs would be pricey. And adding the legs and handles, and cleats, I reckon Cam is in the ball park. It is a nice product, good features, but it has to be viewed more as a necessary specially item rather than a simple addition to our outdoor/back yard cooking equipment.
If I had a cabin in the woods off the grid, real rustic, oil lamps and such, this would be a good item to have for a variety of reasons. There are pros and cons with all products for open fire cooking. I am or was used to the cast iron skillets balanced on coals and rocks method; ideal for 1 or 2. For several folks, repetitive cooking till all are served. This sort of solves the 'why can't we all eat at the same time" problem. I can see it being used like a stove top with pots and pans as cooking vessels when it is not needed as a griddle.
It is a niche product. Nothing wrong with that. And I truly do like it. I guess it boils down to lifestyle and pastimes and budget. But for my limited use, I will stick with my old Lodge grill/griddle at approximately $50. It is lacking in the features of the MoJoe, but for me it works.
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That's it, in a nutshell, Dave! "Why do I NEED this product over what I have now?" If Cam can crack that nut, he'll have a winner, for sure!
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I think he will do well. Just needs some additional exposure on a venue other than 'smoking'.
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Exactly you guys. This is something that fills a need for SOME people but mostly not everyone. Smaller size. Maybe. But still something that might not get to the same point of "Why not just use a Lodge cast iron skillet or whatever"
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Thus why I would suggest a Kickstarter campaign to HELP him get to a bigger audience. Plus they will fund him getting more R&D done to hone the final product and help to secure a better foundry that could cut costs.
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Couldn't agree more, Dave. I saw the post you started on another forum, which adds a different perspective to the discussion. Hope no one minds me posting the link:
http://www.letstalkbbq.com/index.php?topic=7884.0http://www.letstalkbbq.com/index.php?topic=7884.0 (http://www.letstalkbbq.com/index.php?topic=7884.0http://www.letstalkbbq.com/index.php?topic=7884.0)
I'm a member over there, and these guys will definitely give some good feedback.
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Ben - helpful, as always! Great suggestion for Cam!
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Tony,
Just spreading the word.
Dave
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Exactly Divot and Sarge! That discada is where I would be thinking for a close competitor.
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The discada is sort of a wok/griddle wannabe. Not quite a wok and not quite flat. Sort of a functional 'tweener.
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The Discada @ DiscGrill.com sells for $249 with FREE shipping. Your product does indeed look nicer. It seems there are many varieties & manufacturers. I agree that this would be in the right ballpark for general comparisons.
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The discada @$249. including shipping includes the burner assembly. Under accessories, the disc alone is $85. Unless I am missing something, that is a huge difference. Also I could not determine the disc thickness. Overall I would prefer a thick flat surface.
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WOW! You guys have been busy! I step away from the computer for a little while and look what happens! This is like the mother of all focus groups. I would probably have to pay a marketing company $20 grand to get this kind of consumer input.
Thank you all very much.
In my next few posts, I'll try to answer most of your questions and comments.
BTW, I'm uploading a new Mojoe video right now that I think all of you will get a kick out of.
Cam
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Cam, you've probably noticed most of us around here are pretty shy and withdrawn, but we can occasionally come out of our shells for a good cause! ;D
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Many of you have suggested that I offer an 18" griddle and I may just do that. Just to make it clear, the Mojoe Griddle works just as well on an 18" Weber as it does on a 22".
The three mounting bars welded to the bottom of the griddle are 8" long so that the griddle can be mounted on heat sources with smaller rims than the 22" diameter of the standard Weber. These heat sources include single burner propane stoves such as a deep fat turkey fryer burner or the standard two burner Camp Chef style stove as well as the 18" Weber. The Mojoe Griddle performs very well on highly centralized heat sources such as these because it is made with 1/4" hot rolled steel plate. This material is highly efficient in transferring heat from the center heat source out to the rim edge. Cast iron can't do that nearly as well.
Secondly, even a small reduction in griddle diameter drastically reduces the cooking surface area and one of my main selling points is a large cooking surface not available from anyone else. The 24" Mojoe Griddle has pi sq. ft. (3.1416 sq. ft.) of cooking surface. That's 452 square inches. An 18" diameter griddle would have only 254 sq. inches, a reduction in surface area of 44%!
Also, any bigger than 24", the Mojoe Griddle will not be able to be carried vertically (using one handle) because it will scrape the ground. The weight will also increase as the square of the radius. I think I am already at the upper limit as to the weight (35 lbs) that most people will comfortably carry.
A smaller griddle will probably be in the future because, from your comments, there is a market for it.
Cam
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I like the 20 grand comment!
Seriously, for an electric smoker forum, this is by far (or most probably) the most active for a company run forum and although your griddle is not a smoker item, we do like stuff that deals with meat, heat, and eat. And most of own own equipment besides an electric smoker. And we have opinions and like to share.
Enjoy and happy smoking (girdling)!
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Shipping costs:
Yes, they are significant and yes they will hold back some sales. Right now, I'm using an off-the-shelf double walled box 24" x 24" x 6" high. Because of the height, I'm using a lot of Styrofoam packing materials inside the box. Believe it or not, my total cost of packing materials is about $15. Shipping weight is 44 pounds.
Cam
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I like the 20 grand comment!
Seriously, for an electric smoker forum, this is by far (or most probably) the most active for a company run forum and although your griddle is not a smoker item, we do like stuff that deals with meat, heat, and eat. And most of own own equipment besides an electric smoker. And we have opinions and like to share.
Enjoy and happy smoking (girdling)!
LOL Girdling?!
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Ok Ben, you got me. Griddling!!!!!!!!!
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New Mojoe Video: "The World's Fourth Largest Pancake"
OK, I promised you a new video and I just finished uploading it to YouTube. My son had a crazy idea for a viral video- He said why don't you make the world's largest pancake? I instantly thought it was a great idea but I thought "The World's Fourth Largest Pancake" would be more fun! So I set it up and we did it.
I haven't even had a chance to put a thumbnail image on it but I thought you guys should be honored by being the first viewers. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6HC1Jcoi9o
Cam
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Love the enthusiasm. How about a crepe?
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I always thought about doing crepes on the Mojoe but I need to get one of those twirling sticks first.
Cam
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Could be the worlds largest!
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I had my favorite girdle on while I was griddling!
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Awesome, Cam! That's exactly what you need! Btw, how many times did you miss on the flip? lol! ;D
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Hey Tony:
I had this diabolical plan in my head. Perform two epic fails before pulling out the the pizza spatula and nailing it. I actually did do two lame failures using normal spatulas (the video is still in the can) but for brevity I decided to leave them out.
I did nail the flip on the first try with the pizza spatula and I'm actually very proud of that. As you saw, there was a lot of pressure to do it right with all the people watching (plus I was out of pancake mix)!
Cam
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Ha! I probably would have dumped half of it on the ground, even with the pizza spatula! Good job under pressure!
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LOL glad to hear you had on an appropriate girdle. Never can be too careful.
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OK, guys:
I've lowered my price to $195. I won't make much money but I need customers right now.
Check out the latest video that I just uploaded (If you are into bacon, this will get you really hot and bothered!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF9ixDZQXCk
Enjoy.
Cam
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Great vid, I LOVE bacon so this worked out well for me! You might want a bacon press next time.
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Bacon, Oh sweet Bacon! I knew there were dome baconophiles here!
Cam
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Great video. And how did you train your pup to ignore BACON!
I also think the price reduction will help. At least I hope it does.
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Thanks David:
Mojoe doesn't seem to give a campfire no mind. She has spent her whole life near one! Hopefully the price reduction will work wonders.
Cam
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Hello.
I think this is neat!
Let me ask you a question where if answered could help your sales.
it's not clear to me why I should want this, does that make sense?
Nothing I buy is stuff I need... It's something I want, just like the SI3. I want it to the point where I think I need it and it then becomes a priority to purchase.
At home, seems one could cook on their stove. Camping some may think $195 is a lot for a camping accessory. For example if roughing it on the cheap this could be costly and tough to carry on a hike. If the type of camper with a Winnebago well those come with mini kitchens.
Right now I may only think I want this for my back yard camp fire in the woods. Then I'm struck with is there another alternative such a DIY version of this.
I love the creativity... But challenge to think of the hook... I am not a marketing whiz but am hopeful you don't drop the price because that usually cannot be recovered.
Good luck!
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Cam, I just got to watch the bacon video. Great idea, I mean, what kind of weirdo doesn't like watching bacon cooking?? They don't hang with this crowd, I can tell you! ;D
Although the video is good to show the whole process, it gets a little boring in the middle. When you get up over 6 minutes on a video, there better be something exciting going on to hold viewers attention, or they're gone. I would recommend to maybe superimpose a little digital timer on the screen when you start the bacon cooking (you do advertise it as "in 5 minutes." So, once the bacon is all on, start the clock. When it gets to the middle few minutes of just flipping, speed up the video to get through that quickly. It's like watching a video of someone assembling something that has 15 bolts of the same kind; you just need to get the concept, then speed through the other 14. I know this may seem a little nitpicky, but I was ready to click off at about 2 1/2 minutes. You asked for unbiased honesty. :o Or, as has been suggested elsewhere, you could have had a bacon-bikini-clad model cooking the bacon! lol! ;D
I think the price change was probably good, at least until you get a customer base and word of mouth spreads. Have you considered a couple of smaller sizes?
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If you use the bacon bikini model, then you need to do the opposite and slow it down so it takes 30 minutes.
Tony, your such a deviant!
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Now, speaking of bikinis ... I will take two!
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Hey, I could be on Mad Men! Hehe!
One more thing I forgot to mention, Cam - none of your videos I've watched have anything about the Mojoe griddle, just what you can do with it. I would suggest 20-30 seconds, at the beginning of each video, telling what the heck you're cooking on!
"Hey folks, Cam here with Mojoe.com! Today, we're cooking a pound of bacon in less than 5 minutes on the hottest, and most versatile outdoor griddle available anywhere! (focus on the grill). Here's the Mojoe Griddle! It's 24 inches of solid American steel, made right here in America! It's non-stick surface is great for grilling anything, over any kind of fire! Check us out at MoJoe.com! Today, I'm going to show how great the Mojoe is for breakfast!...."
Think Guy Fieri, or maybe Emeril (Bam!), enthusiasm when introducing the grill - just not quite as far as Vince from Sham Wow! The way the videos start now, you might as well be cooking on the Waffle House griddle; too much focus on what you're cooking, not what you're cooking it on! You should portray a cook who's excited about cooking on a new product that works, and solves your problems! "One of the problems with most outdoor griddles is they're too small to cook for a crowd! I have never found a griddle large enough to cook for my group of (fill in the blank)." See where I'm heading with this? Problem...Solution! Why do I need/want this?
Cam, I love this kind of stuff! If my opinions are too lengthy, or unwelcomed, just say the word! I maybe look at this kind of process a little differently than some, and I hope any input I give may help!
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Hello.
I think this is neat!
Let me ask you a question where if answered could help your sales.
it's not clear to me why I should want this, does that make sense?
Nothing I buy is stuff I need... It's something I want, just like the SI3. I want it to the point where I think I need it and it then becomes a priority to purchase.
At home, seems one could cook on their stove. Camping some may think $195 is a lot for a camping accessory. For example if roughing it on the cheap this could be costly and tough to carry on a hike. If the type of camper with a Winnebago well those come with mini kitchens.
Right now I may only think I want this for my back yard camp fire in the woods. Then I'm struck with is there another alternative such a DIY version of this.
I love the creativity... But challenge to think of the hook... I am not a marketing whiz but am hopeful you don't drop the price because that usually cannot be recovered.
Good luck!
Hello Mr. Polish Q:
You just hit the biggest Marketing Nail right on the head: Why do you want it? Based on all of the wonderful and thoughtful comments so far, I have totally failed to answer that question on my website. This is by no no means a bad thing because now I know what I need to concentrate on. Just about everyone who has personally seen the Mojoe Griddle in action or has been given a personal sales pitch by yours truly has bought one.
I have tried to do the same personal touch though the videos on my site but I always seem to come up lacking. I've never done videos of my pitches before and it's a whole different ballgame because I can't see and experience the viewer's reactions and personal needs and adjust the presentation accordingly. I guarantee you that if I was able to give you a personal presentation and demo of the Mojoe Griddle, you would have no doubt as to why you want one- Not because I'm a great salesman but because I could ask you questions to find out what your needs are and show you how the product can make you a better outdoor cook. By tailoring a presentation to your specific needs and actually witnessing the Mojoe Griddle's almost miraculous capabilities (yeah, I'm selling now, sorry), you would definitely know why you want it.
Your inspiration has given me the focus for a new video that I need to make titled: "Why Do I Want a Mojoe Griddle?" Thanks Mr. Q.
By the way, I would never want anyone to attempt to put a Mojoe Griddle on their backpack and people who want to rough it on the cheap are not in my target demographic. I am looking for people who: Want the best outdoor cooking equipment and/or bragging rights, Cook for large groups of people, Want to simplify and reduce the amount of gear they need and need an appliance that they can use in the backyard, on the 4x4 trail, tailgating and camping.
Your thoughts have gotten me thinking and that's a good thing.
cam
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Cam, I just got to watch the bacon video. Great idea, I mean, what kind of weirdo doesn't like watching bacon cooking?? They don't hang with this crowd, I can tell you! ;D
Although the video is good to show the whole process, it gets a little boring in the middle. When you get up over 6 minutes on a video, there better be something exciting going on to hold viewers attention, or they're gone. I would recommend to maybe superimpose a little digital timer on the screen when you start the bacon cooking (you do advertise it as "in 5 minutes." So, once the bacon is all on, start the clock. When it gets to the middle few minutes of just flipping, speed up the video to get through that quickly. It's like watching a video of someone assembling something that has 15 bolts of the same kind; you just need to get the concept, then speed through the other 14. I know this may seem a little nitpicky, but I was ready to click off at about 2 1/2 minutes. You asked for unbiased honesty. :o Or, as has been suggested elsewhere, you could have had a bacon-bikini-clad model cooking the bacon! lol! ;D
I think the price change was probably good, at least until you get a customer base and word of mouth spreads. Have you considered a couple of smaller sizes?
Great insight Tony:
I think you are right on. I just talked to the Mojoe Outfitters Video Editing Dept. (my son!) and he'll be making your changes to the video in between his college studies.
You're also right that a bikini clad model would capture interest for the whole six minutes. I've already been told by you guys that my ass is not something you want to see! I did in fact think about your needs in this regard and have provided you a video on my website that was submitted by my first customers. It is long, over 12 minutes, but it includes at lease 8 minutes of lovely ladies and cleavage and only four minutes of Mojoe-ing.
Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEAYIn6mnFU
I hope this fills the gap!
Cam
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HAHAHAHAHA Love the bikini model idea. Makes me think of another video I saw....hmmm where was that.
Cam you are getting the best FREE study group ever. Take everything in and love that we are all talking about your product. It is nice and I do think there is a market for it. Just work on your suggestions and nail the "I F'n NEED that thing!" results.
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Hey, I could be on Mad Men! Hehe!
One more thing I forgot to mention, Cam - none of your videos I've watched have anything about the Mojoe griddle, just what you can do with it. I would suggest 20-30 seconds, at the beginning of each video, telling what the heck you're cooking on!
"Hey folks, Cam here with Mojoe.com! Today, we're cooking a pound of bacon in less than 5 minutes on the hottest, and most versatile outdoor griddle available anywhere! (focus on the grill). Here's the Mojoe Griddle! It's 24 inches of solid American steel, made right here in America! It's non-stick surface is great for grilling anything, over any kind of fire! Check us out at MoJoe.com! Today, I'm going to show how great the Mojoe is for breakfast!...."
Think Guy Fieri, or maybe Emeril (Bam!), enthusiasm when introducing the grill - just not quite as far as Vince from Sham Wow! The way the videos start now, you might as well be cooking on the Waffle House griddle; too much focus on what you're cooking, not what you're cooking it on! You should portray a cook who's excited about cooking on a new product that works, and solves your problems! "One of the problems with most outdoor griddles is they're too small to cook for a crowd! I have never found a griddle large enough to cook for my group of (fill in the blank)." See where I'm heading with this? Problem...Solution! Why do I need/want this?
Cam, I love this kind of stuff! If my opinions are too lengthy, or unwelcomed, just say the word! I maybe look at this kind of process a little differently than some, and I hope any input I give may help!
Tony: Don't stop with your comments! You have no idea how your thoughtful insights (and everyone else's) is helping me.
I made all of those videos between June and November of last year and I really had no idea what I was doing. I made a lot of videos in a rapid fire mode and wasn't thinking of including what you are suggesting in the first of many videos taken on any given subject. You are absolutely right. Thanks
Cam
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CAM stop now....Tony will get a big head and think that he is a marketing guy and leave us to live in Hollywood. Don't let that happen to us.
LOL he is great though, love his insight and the great info he puts out there. Need I say more about the brine???
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HAHAHAHAHA Love the bikini model idea. Makes me think of another video I saw....hmmm where was that.
Cam you are getting the best FREE study group ever. Take everything in and love that we are all talking about your product. It is nice and I do think there is a market for it. Just work on your suggestions and nail the "I F'n NEED that thing!" results.
I already said that this was worth $20,000 but I think we are now approaching $30-40,000! Thanks to all of you and I'm sorry about Tony's new big head! (I'm sure that you will all be able to squish it back into shape in the near future.) I promise to work very hard on the "I Need This Thing!" thing.
I've been thinking about how I could thank all of you who have helped me so much on this thread. So if you provide me with your shipping address via PM, I will send you a couple of bottles of my Mojoe Toothpicks (my next blockbuster product!). They are on the website now so you can check it out (in the "Shop" or "Shop Online" page.) This is another one of those products that most people won't get until they try it. I must be a masochist! I am not trying to buy you guys off, I just want to say thank you with some substance instead of just blathering "Thank you" all over this forum.
Cam
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Love the enthusiasm Cam!
I have my own engineering firm and it doesn't quite work to show bikinis... Else I would. Hahahaha
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Love the enthusiasm Cam!
I have my own engineering firm and it doesn't quite work to show bikinis... Else I would. Hahahaha
That's where engineers miss it, Steve! Bikinis ALWAYS work! LOL!!! ;D
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CAM stop now....Tony will get a big head and think that he is a marketing guy and leave us to live in Hollywood. Don't let that happen to us.
LOL he is great though, love his insight and the great info he puts out there. Need I say more about the brine???
Have your guy call my guy - we'll do lunch! ;)
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Hmm... Thinking really this may work.
I might lose some credibility but who cares !!,
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I've been thinking about how I could thank all of you who have helped me so much on this thread. So if you provide me with your shipping address via PM, I will send you a couple of bottles of my Mojoe Toothpicks (my next blockbuster product!). They are on the website now so you can check it out (in the "Shop" or "Shop Online" page.) This is another one of those products that most people won't get until they try it. I must be a masochist! I am not trying to buy you guys off, I just want to say thank you with some substance instead of just blathering "Thank you" all over this forum.
Cam
Your "Thanks" works fine for me, Cam! I'm just happy you're listening to all of us, and are engaged in our opinions! You've probably noticed we're a little shy, but we're trying!... ;)
Steve - better to try and fail, than not try at all!
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Regarding the MoJoe toothpicks. They work (on my lowers) and are stout. And SHARP! Rinse and re-use.
Did I say the tips are pointed and sharp?
Thanks Cam.
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Hi Ben:
The super sharp tip will break off after a couple of uses. Spend an hour with one when you are sitting in front of your screen- you'll feel like you just got back from a deep cleaning at the dentist.
Cam
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LOL I had to read back to see if you were replying to something that I said about the picks but I think you were talking to Dave. Either way, can't wait to do my own dentistry at home. Cheers!
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Dave and Ben:
Sorry about the name foul-up. Sometimes I do a dyslexic move so I recently joined an organization to help me through it. Its called "DAM" which stands for "Mothers Against Dyslexia"
Cam
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CAM...LOL that is much too!
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sknaht Dave!
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Mean you dave since ben is I?
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Yep!
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WTB Ben: I put your toothpicks in the mail this morning.
Cam
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SWEET! Can't wait to pick my gums to perfection!
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Stop it! You guys are me killing!!
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When stop we do will you well as!
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I haven't hard so laughed in quite a while!
Mac
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Dyslexics of the world, untie!
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Some of this exchange reminded me of Yoda!
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Some of this exchange reminded me of Yoda!
Obiwan? Ben? Maybe there is a connection!
Cam
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Quite possible, says I.
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:o :o
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This is getting in to the "I'm not as think as you drunk I am" territory.
I'm going to bed guys- I'm getting up early.
Cam
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Cam
I have another hook for you,,,
We really need one of these at the hunting camp,,, come out of the woods in the evening, Start the fire and throw a backstrap and some wild rice on the MoJoe, and crack open a cold one after a long day in the woods..
Lets eat...
Think Duck Dynasty...
Some of the best meals I have ever eaten where at the hunting camp,, easy to throw into the truck when heading out, you are cooking for a bunch of people at camp...It might be the place to drum up some business...
??
PJ
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Cam
I have another hook for you,,,
We really need one of these at the hunting camp,,, come out of the woods in the evening, Start the fire and throw a backstrap and some wild rice on the MoJoe, and crack open a cold one after a long day in the woods..
Lets eat...
Think Duck Dynasty...
Some of the best meals I have ever eaten where at the hunting camp,, easy to throw into the truck when heading out, you are cooking for a bunch of people at camp...It might be the place to drum up some business...
??
PJ
Hey PJ:
Hunters are a natural for the Mojoe Griddle. I'm not a hunter so I don't understand their needs completely but I do know that they do a lot of camping in the far outback. I also know that they do a lot of camping in cold/snowy weather. Cold weather highlights one of the great features of the Mojoe that I use frequently but haven't emphasized: With the heat from the campfire or stove cranked up, you can cook an entire meal for the camp on the Mojoe and when it's done, affix the handles and carry the entire meal (on the Mojoe) over to your table (or tailgate!). Everyone sits around the Mojoe and eats their still sizzling food right off the Griddle. The food will stay hot right through to the last bite because the Mojoe Griddle's heavy steel will remain hot for a long period of time. And, no plates to clean up afterward.
I've eaten many hot meals during a snow storm!
As an added bonus, the Mojoe protects your campfire from the rain or snow while you are cooking and the rain/snow is instantly vaporized when it hits the griddle.
PJ, you're right, this is an angle that I do need to focus on.
Cam
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Sounds good, I like the idea of pulling off the fire and using it as a warmer plate...
PJ
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Cam, Heck you could even say that it's residual heat can warm up a large tent once it is to a reasonable level....but that is reaching out there a bit.
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I think the tent warmer aspect is definitely treading into lawsuit waters! Ouch!
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I didn't say it was a great idea. LOL
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I'm back from the mountains. The tent warmer thing got me to thinking... With the lags attached, the Mojoe could be set on the fire for a minute or so, removed from the fire and voila- instant butt warmer seat!
I have sat on the Mojoe Griddle numerous times to put shoes on or just because it was convenient.
Cam
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Brings whole new meaning to "grilled buns!" :o
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Brings whole new meaning to "grilled buns!" :o
I think chicks would dig it!
Cam
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LOL
8)
PJ
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what do we have here????
I really enjoy the reading material. Great illustrations, made me laugh!
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That's very nice, Cam! Very thoughtful, indeed! ;D
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Wicked sharp.
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what do we have here????
I really enjoy the reading material. Great illustrations, made me laugh!
Hope you like them Ben! My son's girlfriend did all the illustrations.
Cam
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I do like them! You need to work on integrating some of the humor that's in there on you advertising. Those picks look crazy sharp.
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Hi Folks:
If anyone is interested, I took some glamor shots of the Mojoe Griddle while I was up on the mountain somling ribs and chainsawing oak. You can see them at:
https://plus.google.com/photos/101250678563375301739/albums/5979273171549744961?authkey=CImSkYvxod_DYA
(https://plus.google.com/photos/101250678563375301739/albums/5979273171549744961?authkey=CImSkYvxod_DYA)
Warning: You may want to view these pictures in private 'cause you never know what could happen!
Cam
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Nice pics. The food looked delicious!
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Hi All:
If you're interested, I just got my first video product reviews of the Mojoe Griddle by outdoor cooking pro Gary House which are now posted on his "Cooking Outdoors" YouTube channel. Here are the links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4nMtZK7Wes
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwkTcZxe48o
Let me know what you think!
Cam
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Nice videos, Cam! That should bring some sales! Very well-done.
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Nice videos, Cam! That should bring some sales! Very well-done.
Thanks Tony,
Website traffic has increased a lot- we'll see!
Cam
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I'm wondering who got the second Philly cheesesteak sandwich. They looked delicious.