Re: [AGA-sc] was membership now motion for software purchase

[Cheryl Rogers <cheryl@wilstream.com>]

S. Hieber wrote:
> It might be the lack of convention or it could be due to other reasons -- like other places to go for info, slumpy economy generally. . . 

Well, I hope that the new AGA forum will become one of those Other Places.

> I don't think it was artificially inflated since, iirc, we didn't see big spikes around conventions. 

Maybe not BIG spikes, but there were statistically significant 
increases. Since we've only had 5 conventions, and we only have 3 years 
of database data, it's hard to tell, but that's my read.

> The problem is that a *little* advertising isn't generally what works. I think 
> one of the root things in marketing is that the message/exposure should be 
> clear, frequent, repeated and effectiveness is generally a function of those 
> things. I don't have a problem with spending on advertising but I think we 
> should have a plan and scope in mind for something more than a dabble here or 
> there. Not that anyone has suggested a dabble. I only mean to say, I think we 
> need to get on the horse and ride if we want to get anything noticeable out of 
> advertising. Just walking the horse won't get us very far. I could be wrong -- 
> I'm not a marketing expert, this is just what I have heard.

Yes. As it happens, I am a competent horsewoman. But it doesn't have to 
be a huge, full-page, full-color ad either. A slightly cool, 
business-card-sized black-and-white ad that runs for five years in three 
different magazines might be just the ticket.

> Great. How do we deliver it? A mailing separate for TAG or as an enclosure (lap 
> flap)? It is available on line for download for anyone that wants it so I would 
> be hesitant to do a separate mailing. But as an added enclosure, that could be 
> nice. Some further editing first maybe. And maybe then we could do one or tow 
> on the Intermiediates and then on Advanced Topics

I don't really want The Basics to go to AGA members. I want to USE The 
Basics to entice hesitant newbies into the hobby, in hopes of them 
becoming AGA members. We would take the pdf offline; Ben was never that 
comfortable with it to begin with.

> In the last few years I don't recall hearing one that didn't sound either wonky or unlikely to produce meaningful results. But I wouldn't mind spending some money on experiment or study provided it was promising. And If we announced that we were offering some money to be award to the best proposal, we might hear some better experiments or studies. 

Do we have a committee in place to decide which are "wonky"? I think 
that would be good, and I don't think I should be on it. AGA offers a 
grant of such-and-such dollars, and the committee decides who gets a grant.

> But some genuine accounting advice could be very useful. 

See? I didn't know that. If you ever said so, I forgot because I hate 
numbers anyway. Are we doing this whole Board-of-Directors thing wrong?

> Glad you brought it up. I was gong to ask for $64 to upgrade the Quicken. 

I move that Scott buy whatever software he thinks is best for the 
organization.

Cheryl
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