Discussion: communicating to members
in: Orienteering; General
Apr 19, 2010 5:11 AM
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Post on
how social media is being used by Orienteering Australia.
On a related topic, the annual argument about whether or not we should produce a national magazine is going around.
Should we or shouldn't we?
Should it be paper or electronic or both?
Should we try to get it on the shelves of newsagents?
how social media is being used by Orienteering Australia.
On a related topic, the annual argument about whether or not we should produce a national magazine is going around.
Should we or shouldn't we?
Should it be paper or electronic or both?
Should we try to get it on the shelves of newsagents?
Apr 19, 2010 5:13 AM
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we should, in paper and given the low cost why not
BUT i can the argument both ways.
I would maybe reduce it to twice a year but then it's 'old news' especially for the newsagencys
BUT i can the argument both ways.
I would maybe reduce it to twice a year but then it's 'old news' especially for the newsagencys
Apr 19, 2010 8:12 AM
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Juffy: ;) don't get me started.
lazydave: low cost to OA or the members?
lazydave: low cost to OA or the members?
Apr 20, 2010 12:37 AM
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I think having a paper copy is nice, but not if it prevents us from doing other useful things, which at present I believe it does. So here is what I wrote about the magazine issue in an email:
Yer I think the magazine is a tough one, partly because I think the right thing to do is to cut something that a number of people have strong emotional attachment too.
What is the magazine for?
If it's marketing, then it should go outside the members, it should be on the shelves of newsagents. I'm not sure if it's achievable for orienteering to produce something that is of suitable quality though. A better way might be to go in with established magazines. E.g. An expansion of the R4YL section, but in something like Outer Edge.
If it's to keep members informed, or entertained, then it needs to go. There are other much cheaper ways to do the same thing.
Paper or digital?
I think this fundamentally relates back to what the magazine is for. If it's marketing, then go paper, and get it spread around. If it's not going to get spread around, or its not for marketing than paper is a waste of time. But if there is an electronic version, then I don't see the point in putting together something that looks the same, just in an electronic version. It's wasted resources trying to generate content for the sake of content, formatting it so it fits into a magazine type format. I think OA should produce a more professional email bulletin to its members, most of the content being a hyperlink away. This could still include the types of information that is in the current AO, nutrition stuff, great legs all that kind of stuff. It would just mean there is a shift in mentally in that all content would be searchable online. It would also be quite small (in terms of downloads etc). I think this model could be really effective and cheap. The editor would essentially compile the existing posts, perhaps add a bit, include some extra parts, link to video, include letters to the editor etc. The reader can then also choose what else they read. Is downloading a real issue, or a perceived issue?
I would prefer to read interesting content in a paper version. But I think its just a nice luxury, and if I wanted to I could print it (although social fx isnt good for printing ;) ). I don't think this nicety justifies doing it unless there is a real marketing push.
Yer I think the magazine is a tough one, partly because I think the right thing to do is to cut something that a number of people have strong emotional attachment too.
What is the magazine for?
If it's marketing, then it should go outside the members, it should be on the shelves of newsagents. I'm not sure if it's achievable for orienteering to produce something that is of suitable quality though. A better way might be to go in with established magazines. E.g. An expansion of the R4YL section, but in something like Outer Edge.
If it's to keep members informed, or entertained, then it needs to go. There are other much cheaper ways to do the same thing.
Paper or digital?
I think this fundamentally relates back to what the magazine is for. If it's marketing, then go paper, and get it spread around. If it's not going to get spread around, or its not for marketing than paper is a waste of time. But if there is an electronic version, then I don't see the point in putting together something that looks the same, just in an electronic version. It's wasted resources trying to generate content for the sake of content, formatting it so it fits into a magazine type format. I think OA should produce a more professional email bulletin to its members, most of the content being a hyperlink away. This could still include the types of information that is in the current AO, nutrition stuff, great legs all that kind of stuff. It would just mean there is a shift in mentally in that all content would be searchable online. It would also be quite small (in terms of downloads etc). I think this model could be really effective and cheap. The editor would essentially compile the existing posts, perhaps add a bit, include some extra parts, link to video, include letters to the editor etc. The reader can then also choose what else they read. Is downloading a real issue, or a perceived issue?
I would prefer to read interesting content in a paper version. But I think its just a nice luxury, and if I wanted to I could print it (although social fx isnt good for printing ;) ). I don't think this nicety justifies doing it unless there is a real marketing push.
This discussion thread is closed.