MAAST bank account

[FireWater]

I think news release would be great free advertising! In fact it's why I suggested it for L*MAR and was going to compile a list of newspaper contacts but sadly the MAAST Marketing team didn't seem interested... :(

We were interested just swamped. I am compiling a list so that myself and the rest of the marketing guys can get going. Would you by chance want to help out any Karin? Would love to have enthusiastic and helpful folks to add to the team.

[ramsey]

2. Advertising, advertising, ADVERTISING! I can have the tastiest food, at rock bottom prices, served by the best servers but if no one knows my restaurant exists, the customers will not come!

Christopher

I've seen this first hand. I noticed a thread on nano-reef asking if anyone was from Texas. I posted that I was and told people in the San Antonio area to check out MAAST. At least one person signed up because of this and had never heard of us. I think there's probably a ton of people that have never heard of MAAST but would love to join a local reef club. What about trying to get a partnership of some kind with other reef forums in addition to other local reef clubs?

[ramsey]

Another idea! What about giving sponsorship discounts for sponsors that give charter members discounts? For example, if a LFS is willing to give charter members a 25% discount, they get a good discount on sponsor fees. I think this would be a win-win situation. LFS's would be more willing to offer discounts and become sponsors and members would be far more likely to get a charter membership.

[ramsey]

One more! What about having monthly raffles? Each month you could raffle off a different item. I'm sure sponsors would be willing to cut MAAST a deal on an item for raffle. I don't expect to get free stuff but if we could get them to give it at cost. Make it only for charter members. That would be yet another incentive to become a charter member.

[jroescher]

Another idea! What about giving sponsorship discounts for sponsors that give charter members discounts? For example, if a LFS is willing to give charter members a 25% discount, they get a good discount on sponsor fees. I think this would be a win-win situation. LFS's would be more willing to offer discounts and become sponsors and members would be far more likely to get a charter membership.

There's been a lot of suggestions about offering discounts to sponsors for a variety of reasons. Also discounts for members at events, or for the raffles. The problem is that the sponsors and the membership fees pay the bills. If we discount them, we lose revenue to continue or expand.

[FireWater]

I've seen this first hand. I noticed a thread on nano-reef asking if anyone was from Texas. I posted that I was and told people in the San Antonio area to check out MAAST. At least one person signed up because of this and had never heard of us. I think there's probably a ton of people that have never heard of MAAST but would love to join a local reef club. What about trying to get a partnership of some kind with other reef forums in addition to other local reef clubs?

This sounds like a good idea. It is where I would like to think the general membership could and would help out the most. Several of us belong and/or browse several other forums. We should all be proud of the MAAST name and be able to pass it on where ever we are at. I am not sure of the logistics of offering to partner with advertising from one forum to another but, if members would post about us when they get a chance (with out offending or being obnoxious) it would go a long way.

[DarkHorseMBA]

So I'm a web member and at first I did not consider joining, I did not see the value in charter vs web member. It's not until AFTER I joined the group and have received so much help, that I feel the group is something I's like to support. To the question is how does MASST relate that value proposition to non members. I have a couple Idea, I'm sure more will hit me later.

1. Workshops
These could be held at/with local vendors/sponsors. Nothing fancy, just a hour or so on topic or product. Some of the great knowledgeable members here could donate their time and run the workshop. Sponsors would get a traffic boost at their location. After the workshop the instructor could talk up the benefits of membership and maybe even some of the member only workshop that may be coming up. This would help prospective members, see value in membership and sponsors could pay to have th event at their location.

Some examples of workshops.
Fragging
Selecting live stock, what fish are compatible?
Dosing: When How, why?
Q/A sessions (ask the experts)
ATO systems


2. Vendor discount list
Have list of vendors offering discounts to MAAST members. The list should have % off or what ever sponsors are willing to do. Again this would build traffic for sponsors. For example I might go in to get salt mix for 10% off and buy other things. Again building value into my $25.

Just some Ideas.

How about partnering with a LFS to allow people to join and pay for membership on the spot. Kind of what some other stores do with loyalty programs. Barnes & Noble, Game Stop, and etc. "join our club and get a discount today, and membership for future discounts.

[Mr Cob]

^good idea but all monies have to go through the Treasurer.

[Mr Cob]

One more! What about having monthly raffles? Each month you could raffle off a different item. I'm sure sponsors would be willing to cut MAAST a deal on an item for raffle. I don't expect to get free stuff but if we could get them to give it at cost. Make it only for charter members. That would be yet another incentive to become a charter member.

I think we are only allowed two raffles per year as a non profit organization. I think we can do door prizes any time we want though....but door prizes don't exactly bring in any money for the club.

Ramsey, I think you have great ideas....glad you post them as you think of them even if a few of them might not be attainable due to some of the club's limitations.

[DarkHorseMBA]

^good idea but all monies have to go through the Treasurer.

Maybe a weekly pick up process?