Essex Outfielder : The Unofficial Essex CCC Forum

Cricket => Official Q&A => Topic started by: nat on March 09, 2015, 12:47:19 PM

Title: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: nat on March 09, 2015, 12:47:19 PM
Can the club provide some numbers ... no. of memberships sold this year vs. last year at the same date?
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Starfish on March 09, 2015, 01:09:14 PM
We are over 10% up on income versus this time in 2014. thanks
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Andy on March 09, 2015, 01:19:54 PM
Good!
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Valentines Park on March 09, 2015, 01:49:26 PM
We are over 10% up on income versus this time in 2014.

Fools & their money ...
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: nat on March 09, 2015, 02:52:39 PM
We are over 10% up on income versus this time in 2014. thanks

Thanks but that's not quite answering the question. The ocst of membership has gone up compared to last year so I'd expect income to go up if membership numbers stayed the same.

Can you provide relative membership numbers?
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Starfish on March 09, 2015, 04:21:20 PM
Afternoon, approx 5% up but our large campaign to Juniors and Teens starts, as planned, soon. We are doing all we can to retain current members, appeal to new members and re engage with past members.

We have a large campaign to Essex schools to promote membership. Every Member will be given a lanyard and pin badge and encouraged to recommend their friends and family. We also will give you more chances to meet the players (past and present) and coaches.

As always we are open to suggestions on ways we can improve the offering. Thanks, Danny Macklin, Commercial Director
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: nat on March 09, 2015, 06:09:11 PM
Afternoon, approx 5% up but our large campaign to Juniors and Teens starts, as planned, soon. We are doing all we can to retain current members, appeal to new members and re engage with past members.

We have a large campaign to Essex schools to promote membership. Every Member will be given a lanyard and pin badge and encouraged to recommend their friends and family. We also will give you more chances to meet the players (past and present) and coaches.

As always we are open to suggestions on ways we can improve the offering. Thanks, Danny Macklin, Commercial Director

So 'soaring' = 5% increase ...hmmm. Are you targeting all clubs with a junior section? They would be your best target audience.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Starfish on March 09, 2015, 06:17:10 PM
That represents a large increase to date

Big push to recreational clubs with launch of Friends of Essex Cricket! Watch this space
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Perov on March 10, 2015, 09:07:34 AM
Nat,
I'd like my savings account to soar up to 5%.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: silasgreenback on March 10, 2015, 09:38:50 AM
That represents a large increase to date

Big push to recreational clubs with launch of Friends of Essex Cricket! Watch this space

Good work Starfish. Any increase is a good thing and can only benefit the club and Cricket.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: nat on March 10, 2015, 12:34:17 PM
Nat,
I'd like my savings account to soar up to 5%.

hmmm ...%ages are the last hiding place of a scoundrel. Note that Mr Starfish won't disclose absolute numbers despite repeated requests.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Starfish on March 10, 2015, 12:44:51 PM
We will communicate figures when we reach the season. Approx 3,000 renewals to date
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Andy on March 10, 2015, 03:39:19 PM
Well, Nat you've got your answer. Although how approximate is approximate - better scratch that itch...
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: pablo on March 10, 2015, 04:54:46 PM
What happens if Vaughan, Willis et al have their way and we turn into Home Counties United as a result of the next major upheaval in English cricket ?
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: essexfan548 on March 10, 2015, 06:31:28 PM
We will communicate figures when we reach the season. Approx 3,000 renewals to date

Still not answering the question ...

How many new members have been recruited?

How many failed to renew so far?
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Andy on March 10, 2015, 06:48:35 PM
Ha, ha, ha.  Ve will have the answers Mr Bond...er Starfish...von vey or another (snaps on rubber gloves).
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Starfish on March 10, 2015, 07:30:10 PM
The analysis in full is still to be done, our focus now is on renewals and reactivaiton
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: nat on March 10, 2015, 07:42:05 PM
Well, taking off my shoes and socks ...
...
5% x 3000 = 150 up on this period last year. If correct then this is good...let's see how the final total pans out.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: essexfan548 on March 10, 2015, 08:28:54 PM
The analysis in full is still to be done, our focus now is on renewals and reactivaiton

Then, speaking as a mathematician, it makes absolutely no sense to boast about 'sales soaring' ...

We could do with a good spinner ... but not in this sense.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Andy on March 10, 2015, 08:38:00 PM
Why is this important? Whilst marketing is a satanic art, the team is struggling and the club needs all the PR Puff it can muster to keep the club afloat.

Don't take it out on the only department that generally appears to know what it's doing!

I am a true believer, I am a true believer, I am a true believer, I am a true believer, I am a true believer, I am a true believer, I am a true believer, I am a true believer.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Starfish on March 10, 2015, 08:39:10 PM
Why is this important? Whilst marketing is a satanic art, the team is struggling and the club needs all the PR Puff it can muster to keep the club afloat.

Don't take it out on the only department that generally appears to know what it's doing!

I am a true believer, I am a true believer, I am a true believer, I am a true believer, I am a true believer, I am a true believer, I am a true believer, I am a true believer.
We are up on this time last year and in 2013, we are trying to drive additional interest, renewals and new Memberships are encouraging. We are not providing a running commentary but will certainly listen and discuss ideas to support this desire.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: nat on March 10, 2015, 09:01:57 PM
Not expecting a running commentary but I think you misunderstand your customer. The average cricket fan/member is a bit too intelligent to fall for silly marketing hype. Let's have a grown up discussion.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Starfish on March 10, 2015, 09:14:25 PM
I agree, you are an intelligent bunch! We are merely trying to drive additional interest, we are up on sales but 100% not resting on our laurels. Thanks for your time, happy to catch up with anyone especially at the forum tomorrow evening.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: jimmy on March 10, 2015, 11:02:11 PM
I bet they wish they'd never said anything about membership now.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: essexfan548 on March 11, 2015, 12:04:03 AM
I agree, you are an intelligent bunch! We are merely trying to drive additional interest, we are up on sales but 100% not resting on our laurels. Thanks for your time, happy to catch up with anyone especially at the forum tomorrow evening.

What forum? When was that announced?

Another mid-week meeting ... sigh
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Starfish on March 11, 2015, 06:19:37 AM
Forum was announced at least two months ago. Thanks
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: afinetickletoleg on March 11, 2015, 08:11:16 AM
Why is this important?


This is a good question. Anyone care to answer?
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: sufcessex on March 11, 2015, 09:11:30 AM
where is Essex are the schools being targetted as i haven't seen or heard anything from the school that my youngest attend in Southend?
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: essexfan548 on March 11, 2015, 09:57:47 AM
Forum was announced at least two months ago. Thanks

Where was it announced? Why are members not told ...
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Starfish on March 11, 2015, 10:21:49 AM
This was communicated in January and again in February via website and social media. We were unable to put in the Membership magazine in November as fixture / pre season dates were not known.

As mentioned above the school programme is yet to start, it is impossible to target every school as we would need a huge amount of resource however we will do all we can with the schools we work with. The key challenge is getting the school to pass the details to the pupils.

Thanks, Danny
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Starfish on March 11, 2015, 10:22:47 AM
This was included in a flyer in the November mailing as well, thanks
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: sufcessex on March 11, 2015, 10:26:50 AM
As mentioned above the school programme is yet to start, it is impossible to target every school as we would need a huge amount of resource however we will do all we can with the schools we work with. The key challenge is getting the school to pass the details to the pupils.

Thanks, Danny

Thanks Danny i do appreciate the County is massive and targetting every school is difficult.  The School in Southend my youngest attend have a good tie in with Southend United who supply free kids tickets etc to encourage youngsters to attend.  They also have also recently attended the England v Italy Six nation match so if you can hit the right schools the information will be passed on.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Starfish on March 11, 2015, 11:02:56 AM
Please send us school details, thanks
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Valentines Park on March 11, 2015, 12:07:24 PM
I bet they wish they'd never said anything about membership now.

Trouble is as the only part of the club that ever communicates anything the commercial team will always be a lightning rod for the idiocies of Larry & Co.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: nat on March 11, 2015, 08:01:03 PM
Please send us school details, thanks

You'd be far better off using your scarce resources targetting club junior sections where, by definition, the kids have an interest in cricket. Suggest contacting the organisers of all Essex junior leagues, contact names at all related clubs... an E-mail should do the trick by at least starting the process.

What 'special' offer are you giving junior members? It's one thing to recruit them, what will you do to get them to attend games and keep coming back?
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Starfish on March 11, 2015, 08:51:25 PM
Thanks for above,

Our Junior and Teen Membership priced at £15 offers great value for money, a summer of entertaining cricket we hope, chance to meet the players, be a mascot, train in the Essex a Auto Group Graham Gooch Cricket Centre, meet Eddie and Ellie.

Discount in the shop, exclusive offers plus much more and the pride of being a Member, hopefully for life!
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: essexfan548 on March 11, 2015, 09:09:26 PM
This was included in a flyer in the November mailing as well, thanks

Not in my envelope and where is 'as well' ..
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: essexfan548 on March 11, 2015, 09:10:15 PM
Thanks for above,

Our Junior and Teen Membership priced at £15 offers great value for money, a summer of entertaining cricket we hope, chance to meet the players, be a mascot, train in the Essex a Auto Group Graham Gooch Cricket Centre, meet Eddie and Ellie.

Discount in the shop, exclusive offers plus much more and the pride of being a Member, hopefully for life!

It was £1 one year for Juniors ....
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: nat on March 11, 2015, 09:13:17 PM
Thanks for above,

Our Junior and Teen Membership priced at £15 offers great value for money, a summer of entertaining cricket we hope, chance to meet the players, be a mascot, train in the Essex a Auto Group Graham Gooch Cricket Centre, meet Eddie and Ellie.

Discount in the shop, exclusive offers plus much more and the pride of being a Member, hopefully for life!

Not enough I'm afraid.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Starfish on March 11, 2015, 09:17:41 PM
Please advise how we can cost effectively add value, we have reduced T20 Junior prices to just £10.

Huge family focus and more chances to play on the pitch, a plan to have a Junior open day, free guest tickets. Sorry if that's not enough for £15, we also will have exclusive discounts and offers at other sports teams and values. Thanks
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: afinetickletoleg on March 11, 2015, 10:42:49 PM
Thanks for above,

Our Junior and Teen Membership priced at £15 offers great value for money, a summer of entertaining cricket we hope, chance to meet the players, be a mascot, train in the Essex a Auto Group Graham Gooch Cricket Centre, meet Eddie and Ellie.

Discount in the shop, exclusive offers plus much more and the pride of being a Member, hopefully for life!


Not enough I'm afraid.

What more do you want?

For the sake of £15 I'm thinking of getting one for my boy and just taking him for a few days.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Slogger on March 12, 2015, 12:10:15 PM
Junior membership is excellent value. You only have to go twice to make it worthwhile. It's a shame there aren't a few more games in the school holidays but I doubt Essex can do much about that.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: essexfan548 on March 12, 2015, 01:00:18 PM
When my son was younger EVERY ground we went to let him in free for county matches ... including Chester-le-Street, Trent Bridge, New Road, Wantage Road ...
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: firehazard on March 12, 2015, 01:04:45 PM
Junior membership is excellent value. You only have to go twice to make it worthwhile. It's a shame there aren't a few more games in the school holidays but I doubt Essex can do much about that.

Agree on both counts. When my kids were younger all three of them were junior members. It was well worth it - but there was more cricket at suitable times in the school holidays then.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: sufcessex on March 12, 2015, 01:37:52 PM
Junior membership is excellent value. You only have to go twice to make it worthwhile. It's a shame there aren't a few more games in the school holidays but I doubt Essex can do much about that.

Agree on both counts. When my kids were younger all three of them were junior members. It was well worth it - but there was more cricket at suitable times in the school holidays then.

My son who is now 21 was a member all his younger years but my other 2 sons who are 7 and 8 haven't become members purely because of the lack of cricket they will get to see.  T20 can be too late, so their mother tells me and the rest is during school time.  As i've mentioned on another topic the day they go back to school after the summer a 4 day game starts yet during the summer the only cricket is Colchester week.  Having cricket at a suitable time is something needed to encourage youngesters to attend.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: nat on March 12, 2015, 01:56:43 PM
You miss the point of my comment. The cost is largely irrelevant, £5, £10, $15 it doesn't matter. The question is ... what is the club doing to encourage them to attend matches?
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Starfish on March 12, 2015, 02:13:30 PM
Please see above, we have a wide scale campaign to appeal to school, recretioanal clubs and past and current ticket buyers.

We would love to have the time and budget to target every child in Essex and the wider area but that's obviously not feasible.

We have a number of events in shopping centres, link up with every football league club in the area.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: sufcessex on March 13, 2015, 09:16:24 AM
You miss the point of my comment. The cost is largely irrelevant, £5, £10, $15 it doesn't matter. The question is ... what is the club doing to encourage them to attend matches?

i don't think the fixture lists helps youngsters attend, although school trips for the day would be a good idea and may assist catching a few youngsters who would want their parents to take them again.
Title: Re: 'Membership sales soar ...'
Post by: Starfish on March 13, 2015, 11:59:57 AM
We will communicate at start of season, our focus is on working on renewals.