New NCRS Marketing initiative.

[Patrick H.]

Re: New NCRS Marketing initiative.

I think that some of the increased posting on Facebook regarding events is a good thing.

I'm not sure why it is necessary to post daily "positive thoughts" as the NCRS on Facebook. It's like John Tesh has taken over the account.
It seems silly to me, unless someone thinks they can calm down the grumpy old men with those posts.

[Tom R.]

Re: New NCRS Marketing initiative.

I thought this a new post due to its tag to the top but then saw the May 2018 date. So the "NCRS on social media" debate gets a lift!

Approximately 65 percent of adults use cell/phone social media. Likely users are women more than men, younger more than older and more highly educated vs. less highly educated.

The NCRS foray into social media is not unlike its use of the "family membership" notion with the intent to expand the base and appeal to a broader audience. The use of social media appeals to the fringe auto enthusiast rather than the hardcore. Who tinkers with cars, engages in forum posts and write NCRS Restorer articles? It is more than likely dominated by the hardcore enthusiast rather than the social media types.

So who uses social media, other the Russians? NCRS use of social media may attract new viewers, the fringe, but will that translate into a Corvette membership, the core? It feels like whitewash.

[Frank D.]

Re: New NCRS Marketing initiative.

I would like to personally thank Lauren for taking the initiative to expand the NCRS. I am 29 and purchased my 67' at the age of 27. Although I spend most of my time working (to pay for the car) and not enough time enjoying it, I am proud to be an NCRS member.

I realize many of you are concerned about the cost / benefit analysis of social media and supplemental privacy concerns. I understand why, but please recognize why it is important to support Lauren and her efforts. Social media will bring new members to the group.

If you are interested in learning more about social media or just want to talk to a new young member, please introduce yourself at Altoona. It will be my first NCRS event and hopefully not my last.

Thanks Lauren!

Marc Greenberg
Black/Saddle 67' - L79 Survivor with 27k miles

Younger people like you are indeed a major point of this marketing exercise IMO...

Folks should at least give it a year to a year and a half before whining...maybe it doesn't work out or add value and so a "lesson learned". Who knows this early ?

Part of the issue potential new members have with the "old guard" is their resistance to change....
There was similar complaints about the heretical new judging classes not long ago.

[John D.]

Re: New NCRS Marketing inititive.

There are currently 2314 members on the NCRS Facebook page, it seems to get lots of traffic daily. Lots of pictures posted of members events, chapter events, cars, and adventures. Not a technical discussion board like this one though.

It sure does Michael. JD hooked on Facebook.

[Tom J.]

Re: New NCRS Marketing initiative.

The Queen City Chapter is having a Regional in April 2019. We are advertising for the public to attend and having a swap meet and show and shine also. We are putting together a brochure to mail out to car clubs around our area to ask members and non members have you ever been to see a judging meet. I doubt many of the NCRS members have ever been to a meet to see what goes on. If more events invited the public they may get a better picture of what the NCRS is really like and possibly grow members no matter what the age group. Oh and we will have a membership sign up for those who might want to join there. Just my 2 cents

[Patrick H.]

Re: New NCRS Marketing initiative.

The Queen City Chapter is having a Regional in April 2019. We are advertising for the public to attend and having a swap meet and show and shine also. We are putting together a brochure to mail out to car clubs around our area to ask members and non members have you ever been to see a judging meet. I doubt many of the NCRS members have ever been to a meet to see what goes on. If more events invited the public they may get a better picture of what the NCRS is really like and possibly grow members no matter what the age group. Oh and we will have a membership sign up for those who might want to join there. Just my 2 cents

While it was 10 years ago, we advertised our NCRS Regional in many local car magazines, ad traders, etc as well as on radio. There was even a TV spot on it. The event center was well known, easy to access, and seemingly had everything going for it.

Gate income was $105 for the event.

Needless to say, we did not advertise the 2011 National or the recent 2018 Regional.
I look forward to seeing how the Queen City Chapter does in comparison.

[Gary C.]

Re: New NCRS Marketing initiative.

FWIW, the Texas Chapter advertises its Regional on local print media, TV, Chamber of Commerce website and sends info to all of the North and Central Texas Corvette clubs. Walk ins usually average around 600 for the event.

Gary
....

[Tom J.]

Re: New NCRS Marketing initiative.

The Queen City Chapter has a 1 day swap meet at Columbia Chevrolet every year in March. This year we are having it on St Patrick's day the 17th usually the gate attendance is between 450-525. We invite other chapters and would gladly show how we do it. We also donate around $5000 to Shriner's Burns Hospital from the prize drawing from the meet.

[Patrick H.]

Re: New NCRS Marketing initiative.

FWIW, the Texas Chapter advertises its Regional on local print media, TV, Chamber of Commerce website and sends info to all of the North and Central Texas Corvette clubs. Walk ins usually average around 600 for the event.

Gary
....

Apparently nobody in the Detroit area likes Corvettes.

[Chris E.]

Re: New NCRS Marketing initiative.

I'm a marketing guy by day and a Corvette nut by night. I'm glad we are increasing our presence on social media. Our Chapter did this a few years ago, and the first member that found us had a family owned since the 70s 1954 Corvette. I'm not sure if he would have found us otherwise. We are thrilled to have him as a member.

Also, with respect to younger members, I am happy to report that the North Central Chapter has in the last couple years picked up three new members all under the age of 45, all of which have Corvettes.

[Ronald L.]

Re: New NCRS Marketing inititive.

get back on topic or the threats will be realized.

my teenagers told me facebook is for old people, never used it, and no need, so facebook is dead, if you think that is a good way to keep in touch,I don't know how posting hi and what you did when you woke up today for the entire world who has nothing better to do but search your old people profile, its a pretty sad cold impersonal media form.

and yes, where is the rest of the world/ WhatsApp - Snapchat instagram ...at least WhatsApp is 1:1 Hi Roy - how ya been? only none of you say that because is it 1:1 personal.

[John W.]

Re: New NCRS Marketing inititive.

Ronald,

Teenagers may not use Facebook but my 40 (or so) year old daughters do. If we can bring in more 40 year olds, it will bring our average age down. Maybe some of them will be able to manage a WhatsApp - Snapchat - instagram account for NCRS.

[Dick W.]

Re: New NCRS Marketing inititive.

An article on FB marketing and judging your ROI on the investment https://goo.gl/eRx7BU

[Ronald L.]

Re: New NCRS Marketing inititive.

Patrick, Detroit people don't like Corvettes? Or some don't like what been sprinkled into the cometary above? I could have joined in 76-79 time frame, but I did not, the sprinklings above are the tip of the iceberg. And in that time frame it was a lot easier, I could go to the print file and look up all the parts numbers to know exactly how a part was made and finished. Didn't need the NCRS. I'm still surprised that somebody hasn't compiled exactly what was on those prints to eliminate all these opinions on how parts were finished. I know lots of X GM have "LOTS" of prints and some have those Golden Faster books. Won't share due to fear of losing a pension, OK, where do those books end up after the pension expires? The dumpster? What real value was that, versus sending them to a source that will benefit the hobby?

So more than one thing needs to change, younger people won't give you one second of time with the way NCRS is set up now, but they will attend all the Cars & Coffees and other get togethers that are "open".

John, not sure what you mean no Facebook for under 18? Their choice or 'the rule of big brother'? It's their choice regardless, it was more than a year ago. And why Facebook - you guys are missing reality. All Facebook does is give all your personal trends and posts to highly sophisticated computer profiler companies that have sufficient AI to re-create your entire life virtually....then sell it to the advert companies that are all over every where you really go, like CF ebay and any google search. Have you ever noticed that you could be talking about a new battery on your iPhone that is sync'd to your PC and when you open ebay batteries are in the header bar advert???

NEXT - You have a huge societal disruption starting in this decade as well. There are people that have not driven and won't. Those that have drifted with a steering wheel in their hands at 14...?...might be just a little hard to get them behind a computer on wheels...

Facebook start in May, great, but the person in charge of this needs to be on Instagram, and Snap Chat too, more Instagram is where all these cars guys and gals are at that are 'in the current". That is where they share and message each other...

[Jimmy D.]

Re: New NCRS Marketing initiative.

I would just like to suggest a few things that might help with memberships. Being a member for just a few years I would like to see life time memberships. Example could look like this, if your a full member for 5 years you could pay a final payment to become a life member. Adding past dues to a final payment to be a life member. Offer life members something different than members. This might give new members something to work for. The simple fact of not having to renew every year will help. Also why not look at a different class maybe modified class. Something that encourages creativity in a build not exact nut and bolt restorations. This might appeal to a younger groups of people. I'm 51 years old and own 69 and 70 convertibles and I'm guessing I'm one of the younger one's in the group. I don't like all the social media stuff but that's where we are! Use it as a tool and lets move forward. I was at a car show last summer and was speaking to an older guy with a 67 he owned for years. We were talking about how to get younger generations interested in the car hobby. He made the comment to me that if we don't sell these old cars before we die that are wives will sell these things in the front yard in a garage sale. I know of an American Motor Cycle Company that is having the same problem. I's very hard to move forward when the founders and members from long ago who created all of this are still running it. It's hard to change!! I get it. Thanks Jimmy

I'm a marketing guy by day and a Corvette nut by night. I'm glad we are increasing our presence on social media. Our Chapter did this a few years ago, and the first member that found us had a family owned since the 70s 1954 Corvette. I'm not sure if he would have found us otherwise. We are thrilled to have him as a member.

Also, with respect to younger members, I am happy to report that the North Central Chapter has in the last couple years picked up three new members all under the age of 45, all of which have Corvettes.