Interview with the Head of Vapor Bus: One Platform, One Dream!

Interview with the Head of Vapor Bus: One Platform, One Dream!
The interview with the head of Vapor Bus introduces that the development of electronic cigarette media abroad is already very mature. So far, there are not many pure electronic cigarette review platforms in China. Smokers tend to communicate more in QQ groups and WeChat groups, or gather offline with a few friends to discuss.

In this issue of the electronic cigarette public account interview, we invited the general manager of Vapor Bus, Li Guohui, to talk about the topic of electronic cigarette reviews. According to Li Guohui, Vapor Bus, as a professional electronic cigarette review platform, has influenced over 500,000 electronic cigarette players in just four months, becoming the largest electronic cigarette player community in China.

Electronic cigarette public account: Hello, Mr. Li, why did you choose the electronic cigarette industry?

Li Guohui: I am an internet veteran with 8 years of experience, having helped several companies build their online marketing systems from scratch and form SEO teams. I was the SEO head for the largest luxury car plaza in China, Aokangda. In 2015, a few friends who I could talk to wanted to do something together. After a period of research and project selection, we found that there was no professional electronic cigarette review platform in China. To learn about electronic cigarettes, one had to bypass the Great Firewall to visit foreign websites. From data analysis, we discovered that the future electronic cigarette market is enormous, a potential blue ocean worth billions. Since we are good at technology, we decided to establish the Vapor Bus electronic cigarette review platform.

Electronic cigarette public account: How is Vapor Bus different from other electronic cigarette review platforms?

Li Guohui: Our positioning at the time of establishment was to be the "Autohome" of electronic cigarettes, to popularize electronic cigarette culture, and to become the first listed company in the electronic cigarette review platform in China. We want more smokers to correctly understand electronic cigarettes and master the latest information on electronic cigarette products. Through electronic cigarette product reviews, we allow users to gain in-depth knowledge before purchasing; electronic cigarette device usage tutorials can help smokers enjoy the fun of electronic cigarettes more easily, and assist more emerging electronic cigarette brands in effective online marketing.

There are plenty of good products on the market, but often these factories lack marketing thinking and brand operation experience. In addition to being a professional vertical electronic cigarette review platform, Vapor Bus also wants to help more electronic cigarette brands grow.

Electronic cigarette public account: What achievements has Vapor Bus made since its establishment?

Li Guohui: First, I want to thank my friends who have supported me unconditionally. Thank you for your support; Vapor Bus has achieved what it is today. Since April 2015, Vapor Bus has influenced nearly 500,000 smokers, with an average daily visit of 6,000 people; nearly 2,000 reviews and user experiences of electronic cigarette devices and e-liquids; the first electronic cigarette product image library in China, allowing players to understand electronic cigarette devices up close; the first reliable device recommendation channel for buyers, "Worth Buying"; a professional mobile client, allowing users to view electronic cigarette reviews and learn about electronic cigarette knowledge more easily anytime, anywhere; a Q&A community where experienced players are online to answer various questions one-on-one.

Electronic cigarette public account: From a review perspective, what devices do you think newcomers to electronic cigarettes should choose?

Li Guohui: There are too many new devices released by manufacturers now, it feels like mobile phones; the device that suits you is the best device. When purchasing electronic cigarettes, you should have a budget and needs, so you can understand what kind of device is suitable for you on the electronic cigarette review website based on this. I suggest newcomers start with kits, which are simple and convenient, such as beginner kits from major brands like Yijiate, Xinyikang, Kang'er, and Zhuoyue.

Electronic cigarette public account: Do you think now is a good time to enter the electronic cigarette retail market?

Li Guohui: Recently, I have discussed this issue with many friends. Whether to open an electronic cigarette retail store depends on your market positioning, for example, whether the products sold are targeted at players or at people who need to quit smoking. Different positioning has different gameplay. Common models include bar models (most electronic cigarette retail stores in Beijing follow this model), supermarket models (setting up counters in supermarkets), and simple and friendly decoration styles in stores.

In the future, electronic cigarette retail stores will definitely combine online and offline models, such as building official websites, WeChat public accounts, and other promotional channels, using the internet to drive traffic and promote brand culture. Old customers can choose products through the official website and learn about the latest products in-store.

Electronic cigarette public account: How should manufacturers use the internet to build their brands?

Li Guohui: This is a big topic. I believe we should start with the most basic promotion, first having our own official website to report product-related introductions and company dynamics in a timely manner. Products can be sent to experienced players and media for reviews as soon as possible, allowing smokers to understand the advantages and disadvantages of products in detail before purchasing. Each player can influence at least 100 people. As for electronic cigarette reviews, one review can influence at least 1,000 people, and this data will continue to increase over time.

Communication studies are actually quite simple; first, there needs to be a carrier for others to understand, only then is there hope for dissemination.

As an electronic cigarette review platform, we hope manufacturers can notify us of new product information in a timely manner, allowing products to be launched simultaneously in both domestic and foreign markets. The electronic cigarette review platform is the first window to popularize electronic cigarette culture. However, without strong support from manufacturers, the influence of domestic electronic cigarette review platforms is still limited. As frontline personnel in market development, we hope to receive your support.

Electronic cigarette public account: What do you think about the future of electronic cigarettes?

Li Guohui: Electronic cigarettes have been rated by Citibank analysts as one of the "top ten technologies that will change the world" and by Goldman Sachs as "one of the eight fields that will change the world." It is believed that it has the potential to completely change the entire tobacco industry. In the future, people will pay more and more attention to health. From the development of the electronic cigarette industry in the United States, we can see the future direction of the electronic cigarette market in China. Personally, I believe that the manufacturers that can survive in the future will definitely have good products, affordable prices, and a complete after-sales system.

Electronic cigarette public account: What are the future plans for the website? Will there be any additional features to better serve the public?

Li Guohui: Vapor Bus will launch multilingual versions in the future, such as English, German, French, etc., so that people around the world can correctly understand electronic cigarettes; we also hope that more experienced electronic cigarette players can join the Vapor Bus review team to work together to reduce the global smoking rate, a great mission.

Electronic cigarette public account: Thank you very much, Mr. Li, for sharing your insights on electronic cigarette reviews with us amidst your busy schedule. We wish Vapor Bus continued success!