Be sure to read the Updates tab (at the top of the page) -
we have received over $200 in contributions so far,
from folks who preferred to send a check - Thank you sooo much for your support!
Three years ago, the original objective of this project (CentralOregonTrailCourse.com) was
to create a virtual, interactive, equestrian website that would connect central
Oregon's equine trail course event organizers with potential competitors. I
had just purchased my first horse and wanted to compete in local trail course
competitions; however I had trouble finding the events because local event
organizers just don't have the funds to advertise. So I set out to build a
community-based website as a centralized resource for listing equine trail
course events as well as information and products related to equine trail
course competitions.
Listing events on the site, has been, and will always remain, free.
Over the years, the site has naturally evolved to serve all
of central Oregon's horseback riding community (aka Central Oregon Trail Horse) as more and more horse-related
business and viewers have visited the site. This website is a place where
business owners can publicize their businesses as well as a place for horse
clubs and event organizers to advertise their clinics, club meetings, competitive
trail rides, expo, festivals, fundraisers, horse shows, non-competitive trail
rides, seminars/workshops, trail course practice/playdays and other horse
related events happening in and around central Oregon.
We help market local events via our website
and thru social media networking and internet media outreach.
Our primary goal has been to connect horseback riders and
horse-loving public with central Oregon’s horse-related businesses and
expose them to some of the best horse-related activities central Oregon has to
offer.
But that's not our only goal. We
know that along with a thriving calendar of horse-related activities comes a
public eager to engage in those activities, and the combination of our local
events and local businesses make central Oregon prime for that opportunity.
We love central Oregon.
We want to improve the economy.
We know that supporting
local independent businesses keeps and creates local jobs here in central
Oregon.
Who are we?
My name is Sandra Mayernik, and for the last three years, in
addition to part-time and full-time jobs, I have been passionately volunteering
my time and my wallet to support our local economy by re-directing dollars into
the local economy thru promoting local horse-related businesses and events. I
love what I do and I love helping small local businesses succeed. I am a
dedicated and technically skilled business professional with a versatile skill
set developed through life as a
business owner, independent consultant, office manager, bookkeeper, webmaster,
project manager, administrative assistant and office clerk.
Holly Perry is my graphics assistant and designed the new logo concepts - you can vote on your favorite logo concept here. She is also my sister and a big supporter of everything I do.
The other member of 'we' is my husband, Jeff. Without his
support, this journey would have been even tougher.
The Impact
Over 12,000 people have visited our website
with close to 50,000 page views over the last three years
Some local businesses have stepped up to the plate and have
supported Central Oregon Trail Horse thru advertising, Resource Directory
upgrades and prize give-aways, etc., however for the most part, my wallet (and my
heart) has funded this project and now I really need your help. Our personal
income has taken a big hit recently and this project needs to start meeting its
own expenses and expand the marketing efforts in order to succeed.
As you might suspect small business are in a Catch 22, they don’t
always have the funds necessary to advertise their business but without advertising
most potential clients don’t know that they are even exist.
We help small business market their business, services and events for
free:
As our local business supports other local businesses we'll all benefit as we are able to –
- Provide
more support to other local businesses
- Bring visitors to the area as we make
our community more interesting, unique and worth traveling to see
It is a great time to support small businesses in the United States. We
are trying to do our own little part to stimulate the economy. Even a small
business like ours can make an impact. Every little bit helps.
IndieGoGo is a "crowdfunding" website that helps
artists and entrepreneurs get their projects and small businesses off the ground.
It has received national press from Good Morning America, New York Times, Wall
Street Journal, PBS, and more. They offer us online resources to promote our
equine community start-up and allow us to collect contributions (as small as $5)
from gracious people like you through a safe payment method. However,
we must obtain our financial goal in a limited number of days. Our campaign
will end on March 07, 2012. Please check back often for upcoming events and
updates on our goal.
Want to be clear about this...
we are not a non-profit nor 501(c)(3) so donating doesn’t entitle you to a tax
deduction.
What We Need & What You Get
Step One: This is where we are now
Your Contribution will Fund
- $500 earmarked
for increased marketing of our website and therefore local equestrian
events and small businesses thru the addition of paid advertising spots.
- $500 earmarked
toward production costs for Central Oregon Trail Horse mugs, T-Shirts, and
other promotional items.
- Bring
more tourism dollars into the area during this tough economy by helping to
sponsor local horse-related events and awards
- Between
4% and 12% of all funds raised thru IndieGoGo are used to pay for this
campaign. See pricing for more information about the fees.
Step Two: Next Step
- On-going
support of Step One
- Increased
marketing of our website and therefore local equestrian events and small
businesses thru the addition of paid advertising spots beyond the internet
thru newspaper/sponsorships, etc
- Our
Website - domain registration, hosting, software, technical support and provide
additional services to readers and supporters
- To be
determined
Step Three:
- On-going
support of step two
- End of
the Year Trail Activity Award - annual award(s) given to the most active
trail rider in central Oregon-based events.
- To be
determined
Perks for our supporters
In addition to having the satisfaction of helping to keep
dollars in our economy, keep and create jobs, and help people have fun
exploring our neighborhood businesses and events, we have very cool perks for
you, depending on the level you are able to help out...
We appreciate anything you can do!!!
A little goes a long way...
Other Ways You Can Help
Business Supporters: $$Varies
If you have a business and or service you want to advertise... Check out our http://centraloregontrailcourse.com/get-noticed/
or http://centraloregontrailcourse.com/get-noticed/full-site-advertising-option/
Make a direct contribution, via Paypal, to sandy@centraloregontrailcourse.com
Become a guest
contributor to the website; adding original content to the site regarding
horses - helps bring more people to the site and increases exposures for event
organizers and our advertisers.
Add to our perks. Do you have something (product or service) to
donate that would encourage more people to contribute? Contact us, we'd love to
hear from you.
Share! If you
enjoy central Oregon Trail riding opportunities as much as we do, please help
us get the word out and make some noise about our project thru Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn. mention it to your friends. Casually walk up to a strangers and ask them if they have heard of our campaign... Don't forget you can
'SHARE' our story in your social media networks!
Thank you for reading until the end!
