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Post by slocoma on May 24, 2007 9:50:08 GMT -5
Raising prices can raise perceived value and increase sales.
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Post by Gene on May 24, 2007 9:58:27 GMT -5
Raising prices can raise perceived value and increase sales. The price will raise up next season for those who havent locked in at this low rate. However, that said, people are complaining enough about paying $8. As far as the value, once i go over things with the front office we hopefully can add more bang for the buck. Technically speaking though, if you compare what Joe's club charges in comparison to ours, its roughly the same. For that $15 fee your basically paying for the shirt as well as the candle. When you take that stuff away the Freeze fan club charges about what we do anyways. |
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Post by slocoma on May 24, 2007 10:30:35 GMT -5
I wasn't saying $8 was high. That's nothing. I don't think you should have a problem getting $15.
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Post by Gene on May 24, 2007 11:07:52 GMT -5
I wasn't saying $8 was high. That's nothing. I don't think you should have a problem getting $15. I agree. Who knows, maybe in future seasons we can have "levels" like the Titans club has............  |
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Post by Gene on May 24, 2007 11:25:35 GMT -5
-a "Property of Expressfans" shirt -membership card -10% off Express merchandise I am also working on a 10% discount at a local health club as well as other sponsors such as local restraunts. And that costs $8? I'm sure you don't care about my opinion, but here goes. For your reference, I've never been part of a fan club. To me, I would be paying $8 for a t-shirt. It would be unlikely that I would use any of the 10% discounts. What would interest me and something I would pay for would be: - discounts on game tickets or specially priced fan club section - fan club only events: locker room tour, meeting players before the game or like a bowling event or banquet - a chance to buy game used equipment not available to the general public (jerseys, helmets, footballs) What I'm getting at is I want to get something that no one else can get. Obvisouly, this would take a lot of coordination either with players (to get them to do things on their own time) or with the team. Maybe I'm missing the whole point of the fan club. I think if you can offer some exclusive events you can raise the price dramatically. There is a reason people pay for club seats in the NFL. It's not because they are better seats, it's because of the prestige. Again, as mentioned in this thread previously, till i sit down with Bernie & Ted and come up with a game plan theres not much i can do. Bare in mind the club got off to a late start this season and really there hasnt been a chance to get this stuff worked out. Of that list there you mentioned i have most of those things already on there. I omitted the banquet cause till there is more interest in the club itself it doesnt make much sense for me to financially lay out that expense. Also, till we get our federal papers filed, which will cost $800-$1000.00, we are kinda limited to what we can do. If you noticed on my site i have set up a Fan Club EBAY account which is where i could sell shirts, player worn/autographed stuff & a more expensive yet valuable fan club packages. I also have plans for a fan club for kids called the lil' Engineers. Till i get to sit down with the front office these will just be ideas on paper. Once the season is over and we all sit down and talk over things i am sure we will get all these details worked out........ I think the only point that you are missing is that i cant just stop in down at the Express offices and tell these guys that i need to talk with them for an hour or so. They are both extremely busy. These types of things should be worked out prior to the season. I cant just offer up tickets or VIP seats and player merchandise without their approval. It'll all get worked out one way or another. As these guys wanna run a 1st class team i want the same thing for the Express Fan Club............ |
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Post by slocoma on May 24, 2007 13:01:50 GMT -5
And that costs $8? I'm sure you don't care about my opinion, but here goes. For your reference, I've never been part of a fan club. To me, I would be paying $8 for a t-shirt. It would be unlikely that I would use any of the 10% discounts. What would interest me and something I would pay for would be: - discounts on game tickets or specially priced fan club section - fan club only events: locker room tour, meeting players before the game or like a bowling event or banquet - a chance to buy game used equipment not available to the general public (jerseys, helmets, footballs) What I'm getting at is I want to get something that no one else can get. Obvisouly, this would take a lot of coordination either with players (to get them to do things on their own time) or with the team. Maybe I'm missing the whole point of the fan club. I think if you can offer some exclusive events you can raise the price dramatically. There is a reason people pay for club seats in the NFL. It's not because they are better seats, it's because of the prestige. Again, as mentioned in this thread previously, till i sit down with Bernie & Ted and come up with a game plan theres not much i can do. Bare in mind the club got off to a late start this season and really there hasnt been a chance to get this stuff worked out. Of that list there you mentioned i have most of those things already on there. I omitted the banquet cause till there is more interest in the club itself it doesnt make much sense for me to financially lay out that expense. Also, till we get our federal papers filed, which will cost $800-$1000.00, we are kinda limited to what we can do. If you noticed on my site i have set up a Fan Club EBAY account which is where i could sell shirts, player worn/autographed stuff & a more expensive yet valuable fan club packages. I also have plans for a fan club for kids called the lil' Engineers. Till i get to sit down with the front office these will just be ideas on paper. Once the season is over and we all sit down and talk over things i am sure we will get all these details worked out........ I think the only point that you are missing is that i cant just stop in down at the Express offices and tell these guys that i need to talk with them for an hour or so. They are both extremely busy. These types of things should be worked out prior to the season. I cant just offer up tickets or VIP seats and player merchandise without their approval. It'll all get worked out one way or another. As these guys wanna run a 1st class team i want the same thing for the Express Fan Club............ Gene, I did note that "obivously this would take a lot of coordination either with players or the team". I totally understand that the fan club will have different roles with and without the club's involvement. I think a lot of the fan clubs success relies on how much support it gets from the team. What I think these clubs need to understand is that a fan or booster club is an asset that they should embrace. Basically, a fan or booster club is an extension of the clubs marketing department. Most clubs should realize the value of having fan club. It gives fans a chance to be part of the team, create buzz, market by word of mouth, etc. The best part for the teams is that this marketing should come at little to no cost to them. It's a form of outsourcing. Are you filing for nonprofit status? I'm not arguing with you, but I'm just curious what the advantage of having such a status is for an organization of this type. |
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Post by Gene on May 24, 2007 19:37:13 GMT -5
Again, as mentioned in this thread previously, till i sit down with Bernie & Ted and come up with a game plan theres not much i can do. Bare in mind the club got off to a late start this season and really there hasnt been a chance to get this stuff worked out. Of that list there you mentioned i have most of those things already on there. I omitted the banquet cause till there is more interest in the club itself it doesnt make much sense for me to financially lay out that expense. Also, till we get our federal papers filed, which will cost $800-$1000.00, we are kinda limited to what we can do. If you noticed on my site i have set up a Fan Club EBAY account which is where i could sell shirts, player worn/autographed stuff & a more expensive yet valuable fan club packages. I also have plans for a fan club for kids called the lil' Engineers. Till i get to sit down with the front office these will just be ideas on paper. Once the season is over and we all sit down and talk over things i am sure we will get all these details worked out........ I think the only point that you are missing is that i cant just stop in down at the Express offices and tell these guys that i need to talk with them for an hour or so. They are both extremely busy. These types of things should be worked out prior to the season. I cant just offer up tickets or VIP seats and player merchandise without their approval. It'll all get worked out one way or another. As these guys wanna run a 1st class team i want the same thing for the Express Fan Club............ Gene, I did note that "obivously this would take a lot of coordination either with players or the team". I totally understand that the fan club will have different roles with and without the club's involvement. I think a lot of the fan clubs success relies on how much support it gets from the team. What I think these clubs need to understand is that a fan or booster club is an asset that they should embrace. Basically, a fan or booster club is an extension of the clubs marketing department. Most clubs should realize the value of having fan club. It gives fans a chance to be part of the team, create buzz, market by word of mouth, etc. The best part for the teams is that this marketing should come at little to no cost to them. It's a form of outsourcing. Are you filing for nonprofit status? I'm not arguing with you, but I'm just curious what the advantage of having such a status is for an organization of this type. Last season i did file for the state non profit papers and we are a registered non profit corporation as far as the state is concerned. This season, i'd like to get the federal papers filed and get all that legal mumbo jumbo out of the way. However, that said, membership and shirt sales wont generate the money needed to keep the club afloat thus the reason for going in a different direction next season in the way of how the club must operate. I understand all that you are saying and i am not arguing your points. In fact i agree with most of them and already had them down as things to be discussed. All i am doing is answering your questions. |
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Post by Canton Cougar Fan on May 24, 2007 20:57:08 GMT -5
Here is the way we are operating the fan/booster club in Canton.
First, the booster club is part of the team's front office and I run it.
By doing it this way, I can operate under the banner of the Legends and avoid all the paperwork and filings that Gene has mentioned.
We charge $20 for a membership. Members receive:
- Leatherheads 2007 T-shirt
- Double 50/50 tickets at games
- Team photo (once available)
- Exclusive autograph/meet & greet with Legends players/office/staff.
A note on the meet & greet. We had scheduled it for prior to the Danville game. We were going to have players for 30 minutes, Coach Olive for 10 minutes, Coach Korns (our GM) for 10 minutes, then Joe Hoffman for 10 minutes. However, due to Danville's delay, we got some extended time with players and office personnel. Coach Olive answered questions for about a half hour. It was very nice. Had prize giveaways, etc.
We are talking about adding more perks for next year, plus all season ticket holders will automatically become Leatherheads.
We have 25 members which is about the same as Erie.
Plus we created the Leatherheads Player of the Year award which will be presented to the Legends player who is most active in the community, fan events and team events.
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Post by expressfan01 on May 24, 2007 22:24:41 GMT -5
It would be hard for us to do a meet and greet, since there is one after every game.
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Post by Gene on May 25, 2007 7:02:40 GMT -5
I would say that with the meet & greet there should be an exclusive one just for fan club members, at the beginning of the season. After the games, its madness. Must be atleast 2,000+ fans running around the field, mostly kids too, getting autographs.
I too wanted to have an awards banquet at the end of the season. Every week, we could have an MVP award where maybe the Player of the Game could be awarded a plaque and/or a $25 prize. Also, could have Player of the Year, Hard Luck Player of the Year, etc etc.
While the paper filings are a pain in the a$$ and are a bit pricey they do allow an organization to run without paying taxes. Ron, you have a good setup there too. Its good that you have help running the club. I find it hard to believe that there arent any Expressfans out there who dont want to , as Joe said, jump off the train and actually lend a helping hand. I have to believe there are fans out there who want too, they maybe just dont know of the opportunity.......
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Post by Free Agent Fan on Jun 13, 2007 13:10:46 GMT -5
Titan Fans do you want to support your Team more? Become a booster!
Blue Level – $100
· Membership Card
· Window Decal
· Monthly E-Newsletter
· Name in Program and Media Guides
Gold Level – $500
· 10% off Season Tickets and Merchandise
· Preferred Seating for Season Tickets and Play-off Tickets
· Tallahassee Titans License Plate
· Membership Card
· Window Decal
· Monthly E-Newsletter
· Name in Program and Media Guides
Platinum Level – $1000
· 15% off Season Tickets and Merchandise
· Preferred Seating for Season Tickets and Play-off Tickets
· Two Complimentary tickets for Booster-Team Dinner
· Tallahassee Titans Season Media Guide
· Tallahassee Titans Polo
· Tallahassee Titans License Plate
· Membership Card
· Window Decal
· Monthly E-Newsletter
· Name in Program and Media Guides
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Post by Canton Cougar Fan on Jun 16, 2007 21:28:59 GMT -5
It would be hard for us to do a meet and greet, since there is one after every game. Sorry, I should have been more specific. We scheduled the exclusive meet and greet before the game. It was a Sunday 5pm start and we had the fan club in the building at 3 for the exclusive event. |
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Post by scooter on Jun 17, 2007 9:33:12 GMT -5
I think that the one advantage we have is the Fan Club Members Only discounts on the Freeze Merchandise that Slanky sells. The discount is a minimum of 10%! They round it off so there isn't an odd amount, it makes it much easier for the Freeze and a better deal for the Fan Club Members. I know that I got much more than $15 just in discounts! It's a great selling point and it was just unfortunate that we had such a horrific season. That alone affected memberships greatly. How many casual fans want to lay down $15 to support a team that is 1-13? I still like Joes' idea of trying to get the Freeze to let us do the Mini Helmets instead of the T-Shirts for 2008. That would be an easy sell. I can tell you that I like the Leatherheads double 50/50 tickets for Fan Club Members. The team photo is also nice, if you can have it for the start of the season. It's something that fans can get autographed, like the Mini Helmets. You turn it into a collectable. The only negative of the photo is personnel changes that occur during the season. That's why the Mini Helmet is a little ahead of the team photo in my opinion. The toughest thing about having a Fan Club for a Football team is the number of home games a team plays. When you only have 7 opportunities to support an Org. at the Arena, it makes the "selling" of it that much tougher. Unlike our cities "sister" franchises the SeaWolves have 71 home games. The Otters have 34 home games(I think). That's many more opportunities to sell your product. Our home games can sometimes be 3 or 4 weeks apart. That makes it a much tougher sell. We signed up about 90% of our members at our first two home games. We were lucky if we sold 2 or 3 total from the 3rd home game on.
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Post by cantonfan on Jun 17, 2007 10:51:06 GMT -5
It would be hard for us to do a meet and greet, since there is one after every game. Sorry, I should have been more specific. We scheduled the exclusive meet and greet before the game. It was a Sunday 5pm start and we had the fan club in the building at 3 for the exclusive event. That was great, I hope we have more than 1 meet and greet next year, maybe 2-3 of them, one should be the first game of the season |
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Post by Canton Cougar Fan on Jun 17, 2007 23:26:04 GMT -5
Sorry, I should have been more specific. We scheduled the exclusive meet and greet before the game. It was a Sunday 5pm start and we had the fan club in the building at 3 for the exclusive event. That was great, I hope we have more than 1 meet and greet next year, maybe 2-3 of them, one should be the first game of the season You only play 7 home games and you want almost half of them to be meet and greets? Come to the Eat n Greets at the restaurants. |
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