[AGA-mcm] [Fwd: Thank you]

[Cheryl Rogers <cheryl@rightstuffwebsites.com>]

I don't know what to think about this. My first response *was* to take 
offense, not offense that RH offered criticism, but that he presumed that 
our Membership Drive was a failure, that I must be dissappointed, and that 
we made a mistake. Because it wasn't, I'm not, and we didn't.

The goal was to generate interest in promoting the hobby among our 
membership. Perhaps it was a baby step, but I *know* that I sent out more 
promotional packages to various folks this summer than I did last summer. 
It's part of a process, not a one-shot deal.

I don't like being put in the position of having to defend the Membership 
Drive.

His suggestions, are of course, good ones, and we had the same ideas when 
we started the Membership Drive and RH approached us (yes, he approached us 
with this, I did not "challenge" him, although it certainly made the whole 
thing seem more exciting).

The limiting factor, as usual, is people. I personally will not have the 
time to implement these ideas until probably next year. It makes me very 
frustrated to be criticized for something that I know quite well but am 
helpless to do anything about.

Cheryl

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Thank you
Date: Fri, 3 Sep 2004 02:34:07 -0700
From: Robert H <robertph3@comcast.net>
To: Cheryl Rogers <cheryl@wilstream.com>
CC: Phil Edwards <biotypical@hotmail.com>

Cheryl,

Thank you for allowing me to participate in your AGA membership drive. I am
happy that my efforts paid off.  You must be disappointed in the overall
results considering 21 of the 29 refferals came from one source. I do not
mean to gloat or be condencending, but I offer critisism to hopefully be of
help to the organization.

I think the biggest mistake the AGA made was to reley on individuals instead
of other businesses and WEB sites like me. My guess is most individuals
would have very few friends if any that are interested in the hobby.
Businesses and WEB sites that reach a large number of people present a much
greater opportunity.

I sold the idea of membership solely on the merit of the TAG magazine, as I
think that is the organizations greatest asset and appeal. I told people,
"where else in the United States will you have a chance to read new and
original material by Amano"!   There are five major  english speaking forums
on the internet that are devoted to Aquarium plants. My forum with 2600
members, Plantedtank.net with 3000 members, plantgeek.net with 983 members,
AquaticPlantCentral.com with 978 members, and Aquaticquotient in Asia with
3000 members.
Any of these forums, particularly those with a large influx of new members,
could make the same appeal to it's members as I did to my forum members.

In the USA, there are several online dealers of aquarium plants, and
seemingly more showing up every day.  Of all of them myself and Fishvet have
done a large amount of print advertising. Fishvet is a wholesaler as well as
a retailer, and has a whole network of retail customers across the country.
Others such as Arizona Aquatic Gardens do classified advertising, while the
remaining ones reley on limited WEB site advertising and search engines. All
have a customer base of various size that can be reached if they agree to
become involved or enticed to be involved thru perhaps a barter system such
as free advertising or listing in TAG.

There are also two super large mail order internet companies, Drs Foster and
Smith and Pet Solutions who much to my chagrin started selling live plants
this past year. They do a huge amount of advertising in all three American
aquarium magazines, as well as internet ads and have a huge customer base.

By making an appeal to all of these organizations the AGA would have access
to literally hundreds of new prospective members, and you would have the
best chance for success in my opinion if the pitch was primarily around the
merits of the magazine rather than the organization as a whole. There is
nothing wrong with thinking big. The worst that can happen is you will not
get as many new members as you hope, but I bet it will be more than 8 !! I
became involved primarily because Phil asked me to, and because I wanted AGA
members to know I did care about the organization.

I hope you do not take offense by my words as that is not truly the intent.
I am a businessman and a salesman, and that is how I tend to look at
everything or any opportunity. When an organization is trying to overcome
stagnation and grow, I think it needs the outlook of a salesman. I may not
get along with all it's members, but I think the AGA is a wonderful
organization doing great things for the advancement of the hobby and I would
truly like to see it grow and prosper. I look forward to the convention and
I hope I get a chance to meet you! Feel free to share this with anyone if
you feel it is appropiate.

Best regards

Robert Hudson





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