Programme on-line?

[Sir Rebel1965]

A thought to give sponsors more exposure and fans who may have missed buying them at the match a chance to see the articles, so why not publish match programmes on line after games?

I think there would need to be a gap between the match and the programme going on line so match sales are not hit, but maybe a week or two after the game so the programme is there for reference for fans and the sponsors get another round of exposure, possible to a much larger audience?

As the programme is in a digital format for printing, the transfer onto the club’s website should be straight forward.

It is a digital world and even old wrinklies like me and Reading Rebel can now just about use a computer.

[Irishadrian]

Excellent idea imo.

[GlenSTFC]

When I was involved in producing the clubs programme the buying percentage was around 25% of the attendance. It’ll be interesting to know if that figure has changed much. There was talk that printed programmes would be extinct in the coming years due to many clubs going digital. But some clubs have demonstrated that both media formats can co-exist. I’ve not bought a Slough programme for many years but have this season as there’s more (interesting) content than previously.

[Holyport Rebel]

Not a good idea to me.

I think this would reduce the number of programmes sold on the day, as a number  of people I think would probably wait until it came out later on-line to see it and save themselves 3 quid.

Fewer programmes sold on the day make the cost of producing a physical match programme  less profitable ( or  have  bigger losses.)

This could tip the balance as to whether or not to go to the time and effort to print an actual "proper" match programme.  

I'm not in favour of anything that increases the possibility of losing a real physical matchday  programme.

I love getting a match programme on the day at whatever ground I am at.

On-line match programmes leave me cold.

Not interested in them at all.  

 

 

 

 

Edited September 6, 2023 by Holyport Rebel

[Sir Rebel1965]

Not suggesting getting rid of the printed one as it is liked by a lot of people.

The key is how long after the game before it goes online so it doesn't have a negative impact on hardcopy sales.

One question is would you get more advertising revenue by demonstrating it gets lots of online views?

If you look at most advertising nowadays it is online, YouTube, tiktok, etc and companies pay good money for impressions, so you may be able to have the adds in the program and others linked to the online version.

I myself have 3 YouTube channels and you soon have to understand which markets pay the best impression rate, and how you tailor your content i.e. on YouTube you make sure your videos are just over 8 minutes so you get mid role advertising, which then bumps up the revenue you get.

A programme is only sold to one person, and probably only viewed by that person, end then you need to consider the environment effects of producing a printed document. Online with good SEO you can attract a massive flow of visitors to a website to view that same material - no printing costs, other than for those who want a hard copy. 

An option could be to give STFC membership holders rights to view it online on the day.

Lots of options for the club to consider.

[Holyport Rebel]

Hi Sir Rebel.

I come in peace.

Yep, I know you are not suggesting getting rid of the printed match day programme but, as I tried to explain in my previous post, I fear any on-line copy whenever posted will inevitably lead to lower matchday sales and therefore an increased risk of a printed version becoming not viable.

You could well be right and an on-line version may get loads of views from people.

I would not be one of them though.

Call me an old fogey but I fear and worry about this rush for everything to go on-line and digital.

It's all going to end in tears. 

Edited September 6, 2023 by Holyport Rebel

[Sir Rebel1965]

7 minutes ago, Holyport Rebel said:

Hi Sir Rebel.

I come in peace.

Yep, I know you are not suggesting getting rid of the printed match day programme but, as I tried to explain in my previous post, I fear any on-line copy whenever posted will inevitably lead to lower matchday sales and therefore an increased risk of a printed version becoming not viable.

You could well be right and an on-line version may get loads of views from people.

I would not be one of them though.

Call me an old fogey but I fear and worry about this rush for everything to go on-line and digital.

It's all going to end in tears. 

Digital is a tricky one as there are somethings I will not yet move over to, as a paper article is real.

I still have a monthly magazine in hard copy, even though the digital version can be viewed without the advertisements, yet I still crave to touch and turn the pages and have over 30 years of magazines in a bookcase, much to my wifes displeasure.

Having seen first hand how a full digital system of banking/money works in China, where the population are ranked by the government how good citizens they are by what they buy, makes you wonder where things are going.

Think the solution is choice.

[Nathan]

13 minutes ago, Sir Rebel1965 said:

I still have a monthly magazine in hard copy, even though the digital version can be viewed without the advertisements, yet I still crave to touch and turn the pages and have over 30 years of magazines in a bookcase, much to my wifes displeasure.

That's mainly why I stopped regularly buying programmes years ago; they simply cluttered the place up. I now only usually get one for big games. A digital alternative may help generate income from people who do likewise.

[SloughFlyer]

I think this is an excellent idea and 100% something the club could trial for a period of time to see what impact it might have one way or the other.

[Rebellier]

Sir Rebel, does your wife mind you keeping all those old Razzle and Mayfair mags?

[Sir Rebel1965]

9 hours ago, Rebellier said:

Sir Rebel, does your wife mind you keeping all those old Razzle and Mayfair mags?

Its the sticky pages and stains on them she objects too!

Edited September 7, 2023 by Sir Rebel1965

[Curtis]

If this suggestion is that the club sell a digital copy of the programme at probably a reduced price after kick off time then I think it’s a great idea.

I would think most people buying programmes at matches are the ones arriving early & reading pre-match.

And those remote and possibly listening on Rebels Radio could enjoy reading the digital programme whilst listening.

[Holyport Rebel]

I would guess that those people saying it's a great idea to have the programme online are those people who don't buy a copy.

Can't blame them for wanting something for nothing.

All mostly important, necessary info like transfers, injury updates, coach departure times for away games and other stuff is already available on-line on the club/supporters club websites or twitter. 

If people are that desperate to read the programme then buy one and help the club's finances in a least a little way.

Curtis has sort of beaten me to the  suggestion I had come up with.

If people are that eager to read the match programme, but not pay 3 quid for the privilege, put it online a week after the match and charge them 1 pound 50 to do so.

Curtis, you said most people who come early to the matches are those who buy programmes.

I don't know about others, but I intentionally now get in the ground early to make sure that I can purchase a copy before they might sell out.

By the way Sir Rebel, I found it interesting that you say you have first hand experience of what is going on in China.

Just wait for the CBDC's to be introduced here (as they will be.)

We will be truly stuffed then.

 

Edited September 7, 2023 by Holyport Rebel

[Reading Rebel]

I see no problem with having the programme on line a week or two after the game at a cost of say £1.50 to £2.00.

This would obviously give more exposure to sponsors and also help prevent anyone from thinking they can read it for free which would inevitably lead to a reduction in match day sales. 

As a thought surely doing it on line would come at a cost to the club in monetary terms and manpower? 

[Sir Rebel1965]

Selling a few electronic copies will only generate a few quid for each programme, the trick is to get high level impressions for the advertisements as it will generate longterm income from follow up views, as well as more exposure to those who originally advertised.

[SloughFlyer]

8 hours ago, Holyport Rebel said:

I would guess that those people saying it's a great idea to have the programme online are those people who don't buy a copy.

Can't blame them for wanting something for nothing.

All mostly important, necessary info like transfers, injury updates, coach departure times for away games and other stuff is already available on-line on the club/supporters club websites or twitter. 

If people are that desperate to read the programme then buy one and help the club's finances in a least a little way.

Curtis has sort of beaten me to the  suggestion I had come up with.

If people are that eager to read the match programme, but not pay 3 quid for the privilege, put it online a week after the match and charge them 1 pound 50 to do so.

Curtis, you said most people who come early to the matches are those who buy programmes.

I don't know about others, but I intentionally now get in the ground early to make sure that I can purchase a copy before they might sell out.

By the way Sir Rebel, I found it interesting that you say you have first hand experience of what is going on in China.

Just wait for the CBDC's to be introduced here (as they will be.)

We will be truly stuffed then.

 

HP - we buy a programme at every Slough game and, where available, at the 90+ games we attend across the season.

I think its a brilliant idea and as SirRebel said, it's more about raising the digital profile of the club and sponsors to attract better and bigger sponsors. More eyes/profile = more sponsors = more money. Tiktok didn't sponsor Wrexham last year because they love Welsh football. Different levels of course, but as ideas go, I think this is one of the best ok here for a while.

[bluerebel]

There are many Slough supporters who no longer leave near enough to get to games. 

We should make the programme available to order electronically via the club shop.

At the moment I am buying extra programmes and mailing them off to supporters who have a season ticket but can not get to games for health reasons.