STFC Promotion morning

[Tom]

I agree in part, but by buying a season ticket you do so on the assumption that the club is fully entitled to run promotions. For all I care the club could do free entry for one or two game if it boosted the attendance longer term. I feel and whether I'm right that the club is in a unique situation where by it has a disproportionate amount of season ticket holders compared to paying entries week on week and something needs to be done.

 

It is going to have to take a hit to entice people to games and promotions like this need to be more regular because more needs to be done to stop the increasing age gap between it's support and to become more prominent in the minds of the public in Slough.

 

I feel it should do so in a targeted fashion and create a long term promotion strategy?

 

For example, will a ladies day or picnic really raise much or increase attendances for just a single game or longer term? Honestly, I would say no when you look at the make up of the attendances which is predominantly male and attempts before such as the breast cancer awareness day didn't increase attendances or broaden the make up of the attendees.

 

Instead wouldn't the club be better spent over the course of a couple of months doing the promo morning and being visual on a regular basis in Slough high street or Queensmere, attempting to get the kids in it's youth teams to games, building relationship with local businesses and being really targeted and focused on those efforts for example - I'd wager it would increase attendances longer term with people and increase repeat returns.

Edited July 9, 2014 by Tom

[Mark44]

A very good post Tom......

 

I like the idea of linking with the youth set ups and it brought along parents who seemed to be getting into the game........

 

I think location plays a big part also, a lot of our fanbase is from the Wexham estate and this is no coincidence with our old home being close by....in truth Sycob is a pig to get to and if we were regularly visible (as Tom menioned) in and around Slough perhaps a coach service would have some benefit

[Stuntman Mark]

Agree with Tom. As a season ticket holder, I don't care what discounts the club does to get more punters in and wouldn't expect the same. The long term future of the club is more important than me saving a few quid. I know everyone who I go to matches with would also feel the same. 

[staines_rebel_Jr]

on the stand in town we could do a raffle for a adult and child season ticket.

 

£1 per ticket.

ask for an e-mail address so that the winner can be announced.

but also send information in the e-mail about the next few games, ticket prices, directions to the ground and other info.

[Rebel Kay]

I think the majority of Season Ticket holders would take the same view as Stuntman Mark.

 

We do need to build the relationship with the Youth set up and the parents and this will be addressed this year.

 

I think the presence in the High Street and other populated places is an excellent idea as is displaying posters wherever we can.

 

We need to work with the local media and local businesses, local schools etc.  So much to do and it must be done in a co-ordindated and professional manner.

 

Keep the ideas coming and we will consider them all.  However, we can only do so much, so if anyone is wanting to help please come and talk to us at one of the pre season games or pm me.

[Rebel Sue]

I don't think Mark was saying don't do it he was just saying we have to be careful with gate money as it is our main money maker on home match days.

 

As for the youth side its worth a try but they don't seem to have shown much interest in that past and as for schools we have put flyers into all the local schools before. Sorry if I sound miserable but just being honest.

 

Think handing out fixtures in the high street is good as there are still a lot of people out there who don't know the football club exists.

[epicrebel]

I agree in part, but by buying a season ticket you do so on the assumption that the club is fully entitled to run promotions. For all I care the club could do free entry for one or two game if it boosted the attendance longer term. I feel and whether I'm right that the club is in a unique situation where by it has a disproportionate amount of season ticket holders compared to paying entries week on week and something needs to be done.

 

It is going to have to take a hit to entice people to games and promotions like this need to be more regular because more needs to be done to stop the increasing age gap between it's support and to become more prominent in the minds of the public in Slough.

 

I feel it should do so in a targeted fashion and create a long term promotion strategy?

 

For example, will a ladies day or picnic really raise much or increase attendances for just a single game or longer term? Honestly, I would say no when you look at the make up of the attendances which is predominantly male and attempts before such as the breast cancer awareness day didn't increase attendances or broaden the make up of the attendees.

 

Instead wouldn't the club be better spent over the course of a couple of months doing the promo morning and being visual on a regular basis in Slough high street or Queensmere, attempting to get the kids in it's youth teams to games, building relationship with local businesses and being really targeted and focused on those efforts for example - I'd wager it would increase attendances longer term with people and increase repeat returns.

 

Can I answer the ones in red one by one.

 

1) So let people in free for a couple of games, ok sounds good, BUT who will cover the costs of this? no money for players wages, rent to sycob, Ref fee's and stuff like lost balls ect. Steve

2) A family turns up for ether picnic or ladies day The future of Slough will be with them, and as Tom said not that many ladies watch us so extra there (future).

3) Mark Betts has trouble (apart from a very few) to get the families to go into his club house, and they are there already with the kids playing football.

Things like Slough high street is great, As I've said in this thread give away things like signed shirts as SR jr has said. NO cost at the gate.

Nearly everything comes out of the gate so we need to try and leave it alone.

I do think people will take advantage of it, and we'll never see them again or it'll be the regulars (I say not all) just getting in for cheep.

But YES keep the Idea's coming in.

[Tom]

I don't think Mark was saying don't do it he was just saying we have to be careful with gate money as it is our main money maker on home match days.

 

As for the youth side its worth a try but they don't seem to have shown much interest in that past and as for schools we have put flyers into all the local schools before. Sorry if I sound miserable but just being honest.

 

Think handing out fixtures in the high street is good as there are still a lot of people out there who don't know the football club exists.

 

I would argue those that perhaps these were treated as one off attempts at gaining interest? Putting flyers into local schools is massively hit and miss, how many kids would actually take them home and show their parents? How many parents would then actually take any notice of them without seeing them as junk and just putting them straight into the bin? I'd also argue that the vast majority have never even heard or been to a game in the first place so whats the incentive to come?

 

Regarding the youth side, I think they would show interest. Perhaps parents use it as "day care" but at the same time the managers of these teams should be instilling the want to come watch these games and each week after training bring the kids along - if Steve Hale can bring his U10 side along at the end of last season why can't and why didn't the other managers? 

 

Wouldn't it be amazing if at the start of the season all the youth team managers brought their teams along and from then onwards once a month or more.

 

Promoting the club can't just be seen as a one off thing done at the start of the season, it has to be long term to keep the club in peoples minds.

[Ian]

Don't want to be a party pooper but any sort of High Street campaign will have zero impact on the gate. We've done it before. It might increase presence of the STFC brand but it won't put crowds up.

 

Maybe if we want to encourage people along we should be more targeted. Tom and I referee in the Slough Soccer Combination League where you have multiple teams across ages from 10 to 15. There's dozens of kids, families and coaches who are obviously into their football. Maybe we should be targeting them. Lots of clubs will want to come along in their club colours and most teams, not all, are from the Slough area.

Edited July 9, 2014 by Ian

[Rebel Sue]

Yes Tom exactly my point they could all bring their team to a game but they dont even though they are supposed to be Slough youth. The only thing I have encountered with them on the odd occasion they do turn up is do we get discount!

 

Think Ian has hit the nail on the head to be honest.

[rebelade]

How about asking MYFC if they can help with some fundraising, let's set a target say £1000, then choose a home game where few away fans are likely to attend, and have that as free entry day but link it with raffles /tombola and have this as a support your club day. Let's take a game from last season with a gate about 250, take out season tickets and complimentary tickets that would leave 100 paying, so at £10 loss is £1000

[Rebel Sue]

Also you could get someone from management to ring the local schools and talk to the P E teacher and invite them and their school football team to a particular game especially if they have a school mini bus.

[Hammer_rebel]

Just to point out only cause it didn't work the 1st time doesn't mean it won't have benefits, the fact is we need to remind slough that the football club is still going. Sometimes it's not all about how many people u get through the gate it's more about the exposure and hopefully when they do fancy a local game they remember we are still going.

[staines_rebel_Jr]

^{One of the most important things we need to do is; make sure we create a great atmosphere at the first couple of games of the season. (bring back the play off atmosphere)}

 

^{this we do two things: help the players and get them going straight from the very first second of the season and show any new fans that coming to our matches is more than just filling some time on the weekend.}

 

^{I know people have said this is a bad idea but I still think that putting up some cover at the dead end (no matter how small) will make a HUGE HUGE difference. not just does it make for a better atmosphere but it will also help the team, how many times have we had an average half when attacking that end then in the second half we play much better, its partly down to the noise we can make at the shed end.}

 

 

^{edit: sorry about the size something went wrong}

Edited July 9, 2014 by staines_rebel_Jr

[richierebel]

If we are talking about getting into Schools, it got me thinking, what happened to our Football in The Community that we used to get involved in, I remember that was Brian McDermott`s first role with us, then Gary McGinnis and Gary Brazil, Mark Fiore and Delroy Preddie got involved, I am not privvy to how it worked or what we got out of it, but it must have done some good! Is a similar scheme worth looking into now?

[richierebel]

The other thing I thought of handing out, pretty similar to what someone already suggested but like a loyalty card or what I call at my pub a frequent diners card! So each time they come they get a stamp and every seventh game or something they get in for free, thus on a 21 match home game they get 3 games free - saving of £30 - however they have spent £180 to make that saving.

[Hammer_rebel]

We also need to make the most of the crowd at cup games...... Maybe give 1/2 price voucher for next league game out? The fact is most of the loyal are season tickets so won't lose there but all new fans may think I enjoyed that and with 1/2 price may be tempted to come again?

[Curtis]

To determine what our target market is for new fans it might help if we reflect back on how and what it was that got us hooked on attending matches, for me:-

 

1. my first experience was being taken to a match by my Dad when I was about 10 years old

 

2. it was great standing on the terraces, learning the songs and singing along, and spending time with my Dad.... it was probably the first time I'd heard him sing or seen him jump with joy

 

What can Slough Town offer that the likes of Chelsea can't:-

 

1. affordability....... many parents couldn't afford the expenses of travel, food, programmes and tickets at Premier League clubs and even if they could they would probably struggle to get hold of tickets

 

2. standing and camaraderie..... there is nothing quite like standing behind the goal at a match, and as a child I would have hated having to remain seated for an hour and a half

 

3. accessibility...... our players and managers are in the bar area after every game, happy to chat and answer fans questions, nobody who comes to matches could feel like a 'customer', they are all part of the club

 

4. friendliness...... you could possibly attend a whole season at a big club and not make a single friend or acquaintance, that just isn't possible at Slough Town, if you don't bump in to a familiar face at the first game, after two or three games it is virtually guaranteed people will start chatting to you

 

(Maybe alternative words could be used there as a marketing slogan for STFC..... there's already an S for standing and F for friendliness there)

 

As far as where to target the marketing it probably is the Primary Schools with father and son offers or family offers..... and on-line purchases of these would be preferably, as it could create an impulsive immediate commitment, rather than waiting until the Saturday and seeing what the weather was like.

[HorshamRebel]

Stand on Terraces in a Friendly Community

[HorshamRebel]

We need to advertise all the things we currently do, that a lot of the fans (attending, and non attending) may not be aware of.

 

For example, we have

 

• Clean sheet collection of £n.nn per clean sheet
• Goals Scored collection of £n.nn per goal scored
• etc.

the more we advertise these, the more people we can get doing them and earn money for the club over the season