Ecommerce Success: An Answer To Their Prayers

The Monks of the Cistercian Abbey in Wiscounsin were looking for an answer to their prayers. Literally.

Monks are required to be self sustaining for money to run their monastaries. They usually operate a variety of small businesses to help keep their charitable work up and running.

Through much contemplation and meditation, they struck upon the idea of offering ink cartridges and supplies at a reduce rate. That is how the idea of Lasermonks.com was born two years ago.

Making It Happen

After the brothers decided to move forward on this business model, they seeked the help of some internet designers.

The people they hired were thrilled to be working on such a unique project. In fact they are still working with the monks 3 years later.

Sales were a bit slow until they connected with a marketing and PR company at www.kanatsiz.com

They obviously recognized the unique quality of their story and ran with it. They started promoting them via press releases, which lead to radio interviews, which lead to t.v. interviews...

Which lead to their sales really, really taking off. They rose 700% in 2003 and they expect to triple those sales this year.

Unique Selling Positions

You have to hand it to the brothers (monks). They do have some unique selling positions.

After all their reputation is at stake. That is pretty significant since they have been around for 900 years. Its no wonder they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

It is also reassuring to know that the money is going for good causes.

The extra money is used for a wide variety of charitable causes, including buying computers for underpriveledged youths, money for abuse shelters etc.

You don't see this link in too many site navigation bars...

As an added bonus, some shoppers to lasermonk.com may find comfort in another option. You can request that the monks pray for you in their daily prayer sessions.

Talk about a unique selling proposition.

Obviously the novelty value helps generate considerable free (viral) publicity for them. This has paid off nicely for the monks. They are slated to pull in between 2 to 3 million dollars in sales this year.

This definitely shows you the power of a unique selling position. Given the right marketing and exposure of it, the viral marketing effect to a site's business can be tremendous.

By the way, their prices are actually very good and they may have won over a new customer (me)!