Interview with VaporBus Head: One Platform, One Dream!

Interview with VaporBus Head: One Platform, One Dream!
The head of VaporBus, Li Guohui, discusses the development of electronic cigarette media abroad, which has matured significantly. In China, there are currently not many pure electronic cigarette review platforms, and smokers tend to communicate more in QQ groups, WeChat groups, or through offline gatherings with friends.

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

Electronic cigarette public account: 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 establish their online marketing systems and build SEO teams. I was the SEO head at the largest luxury car plaza in China, Aokangda. In 2015, a few friends and I wanted to do something together. After some research and project selection, we found that there was no professional electronic cigarette review platform in China. To find information about electronic cigarettes, one had to access foreign websites. From data analysis, we discovered the enormous potential of the electronic cigarette market, a future blue ocean worth billions. Since we excel in technology, we decided to establish the VaporBus electronic cigarette review platform.

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

Li Guohui: Our positioning at the start was to be the "Autohome" of electronic cigarettes, popularizing electronic cigarette culture and becoming the first listed electronic cigarette review platform in China. We aim to help more smokers correctly understand electronic cigarettes and master the latest product information. Through electronic cigarette product reviews, we allow users to gain in-depth knowledge before purchasing; tutorials on using electronic cigarette devices help smokers enjoy vaping more easily and assist emerging electronic cigarette brands in effective online marketing.

There are many good products on the market, but often these factories lack marketing thinking and brand operation experience. Besides being a professional vertical electronic cigarette review platform, VaporBus also aims to help more electronic cigarette brands grow.

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

Li Guohui: First, I want to thank my friends who have supported me unconditionally. Thank you for your support; VaporBus has achieved what it is today. Since April 2015, VaporBus has influenced nearly 500,000 smokers, with an average daily traffic of 6,000 visitors; 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 app for viewing electronic cigarette reviews and learning about electronic cigarette knowledge anytime, anywhere; and 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 should choose?

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

Electronic cigarette public account: Do you think it's a good time to enter the physical electronic cigarette market now?

Li Guohui: Recently, I have discussed this issue with many friends. Whether to open a physical electronic cigarette store depends on your market positioning, for example, whether the products sold are aimed at players or people looking to quit smoking. Different positioning leads to different strategies, with common models being bar mode (most physical electronic cigarette stores in Beijing follow this model), supermarket mode (setting up counters in supermarkets), and simple and friendly decor mode.

In the future, physical electronic cigarette stores will definitely combine online and offline models, such as building official websites, WeChat public accounts, and other promotional channels to attract 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 it starts with basic promotion, first having an official website to report product information and company updates in a timely manner. Products can be sent to experienced players and media for reviews first, allowing smokers to understand the pros and cons before purchasing. Each player can influence at least 100 people. So, electronic cigarette reviews are crucial; one review can influence at least 1,000 people, and this number will continue to grow over time.

Communication studies are actually quite simple; you need a carrier for others to understand, and then there is hope for dissemination.

As an electronic cigarette review platform, we hope manufacturers can notify us of new product information promptly, allowing products to be launched simultaneously in foreign and domestic markets. The electronic cigarette review platform is the first window for popularizing electronic cigarette culture. However, without strong support from manufacturers, the influence of domestic electronic cigarette review platforms remains limited. As market pioneers, 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." They believe it has the potential to completely change the tobacco industry. In the future, people will pay more attention to health. From the development of the electronic cigarette industry in the United States, we can see the future direction of the Chinese electronic cigarette market. I personally believe that 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 additional features to better serve the public?

Li Guohui: VaporBus 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 VaporBus 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 amidst your busy schedule. We wish VaporBus continued success!