Memberships

[LostDoggy]

Re: Memberships

From newsletter:

The Western Bulldogs are currently at 23,008 match day members but we have 8700 un-renewed members. We are focused on reaching 32,000 members and we need all of YOU to help us reach that target. Come on Doggies supporters; join us in our passion for the Red, White and Blue, Through and Through!

What this sort of tells me is that we've got about 3,000 new members who weren't members last year. This could be made up of on and off members but if it's predominantly people who have never been members that's an encouraging sign. If the 8000 unrenewed members sign up we'll break the 30,000 mark... it's just good to know that the figure is potentially realistic and not a pipe dream. Now if only they'll sign up!

ps. Some of us have mentioned financial difficulties and increasing economic pressures, and I for one totally sympathise, as it is a bit of a strain personally to commit financially to many things that I feel passionately about. Seeing as we are partners with SpiritWest and other community groups, I wonder if we could get creative and create concession membership packages for people on health care cards, or the elderly, or juvenile groups that SpiritWest is involved with. I know that they get free tickets etc, but if we had an official concession membership, similar to (or even lower than) the student rate, they could have more control over their support of the club and not rely on random free tickets, thus creating a greater sense of personal empowerment, while benefiting the club financially and increasing our membership numbers. This has to be a win-win, because it's not as if we're bursting at the seams anyway -- there is plenty of space left at most of our games .. and an empty seat doesn't generate any money.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Memberships

ps. then they could bring back the bus (or buses) and ferry the elderly from their aged care facilities out for the day and throw in a stop at an antique store or a cafe or something. They would love it. I mean, we ARE the "community club".

[LostDoggy]

Re: Memberships

Is one of the best things the club has ever done, having this system where we can pay per month, rather than one lump sum.

This is a major reason why i went from a stock standard 11 game membership, to a 17 game Gold Social Club with level 2 seat at the Dome, i'm paying over 50% more each season because of this, without this system, i'd STILL be only able to afford a standard membership.

No need to re-sign up each year either, which works out perfect for me, you get all your membership gear early, and not have to worry about waiting on your card for round one.

Too easy.

This way your a member for life!

As far as i knew you could only use a credit card to do that, not a visa debit card. I may jsut have to ring the club and find out about this, because if i can use it then next year i willbe a player sponsor. Would love to get will but doubt i will, so may just have toi get mal lynch or guy okeefe, or josh hill.

[Bornadog]

Re: Memberships

What this sort of tells me is that we've got about 3,000 new members who weren't members last year. This could be made up of on and off members but if it's predominantly people who have never been members that's an encouraging sign. If the 8000 unrenewed members sign up we'll break the 30,000 mark... it's just good to know that the figure is potentially realistic and not a pipe dream. Now if only they'll sign up!

ps. Some of us have mentioned financial difficulties and increasing economic pressures, and I for one totally sympathise, as it is a bit of a strain personally to commit financially to many things that I feel passionately about. Seeing as we are partners with SpiritWest and other community groups, I wonder if we could get creative and create concession membership packages for people on health care cards, or the elderly, or juvenile groups that SpiritWest is involved with. I know that they get free tickets etc, but if we had an official concession membership, similar to (or even lower than) the student rate, they could have more control over their support of the club and not rely on random free tickets, thus creating a greater sense of personal empowerment, while benefiting the club financially and increasing our membership numbers. This has to be a win-win, because it's not as if we're bursting at the seams anyway -- there is plenty of space left at most of our games .. and an empty seat doesn't generate any money.

Send an email to the club and suggest it.

GoDogs@westernbulldogs.com.au

[Bulldog4life]

Re: Memberships

From newsletter:

The Western Bulldogs are currently at 23,008 match day members but we have 8700 un-renewed members. We are focused on reaching 32,000 members and we need all of YOU to help us reach that target. Come on Doggies supporters; join us in our passion for the Red, White and Blue, Through and Through!

Not that we'll ever know but I wonder how many of the 8700 members are not true Bulldog supporters but were helping out our Club and are now doing the same with the Kangaroos.

[GVGjr]

Re: Memberships

Not that we'll ever know but I wonder how many of the 8700 members are not true Bulldog supporters but were helping out our Club and are now doing the same with the Kangaroos.

At the absolute maximum my guess would be no more than 500.

[hujsh]

Re: Memberships

Someone on BF claims that we have 24,726 members. That's about 1,600 in less than 3 days. Glad the Melbourne win got more people onboard

[LostDoggy]

Re: Memberships

Why should onfield performance have an effect on membership? To me, it's simple, you're a member because of your love for the club, irrespective of performance.

I hate with an absolute passion, those 'barrackers' who wait & see how we go in the first few games before deciding whether or not they want to join!

When I saw the auto-renew option on my form a few seasons ago, I ticked it without hesitation. I love the Club and the team.

The barrackers who don't sign up are the same barrackers who are dissapointed when we finish with lower membership totals than other clubs. I know not everyone can afford to sign up but the monthly pay option should make it far more accessible to a larger number of people.

Comon people' let's all get on board!!!

[LostDoggy]

Re: Memberships

At the absolute maximum my guess would be no more than 500.

I don't think it would be too many due to the fact that we came off a great 06 season and our press was all positive both on and off the field.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Memberships

Just rang the call centre and we are at 24980 matchday members. Thought you guys might like to know.

[Topdog]

Re: Memberships

Just rang the call centre and we are at 24980 matchday members. Thought you guys might like to know.

Excellent, thanks for the update. I'm sure that doesn't include people signing up after the Saints game.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Memberships

Just rang the call centre and we are at 24980 matchday members. Thought you guys might like to know.

Thanks Mutt, slowly but surely it's heading the right way.

Just a couple of thoughts:

a) Do the club telephone those who haven't renewed to ascertain why?

b) Why don't the club have people approach Bulldogs supporters who are queuing up to pay for tickets (home games only) on match days, to find out why they aren't using a membership?

[GVGjr]

Re: Memberships

Thanks Mutt, slowly but surely it's heading the right way.

Just a couple of thoughts:

a) Do the club telephone those who haven't renewed to ascertain why?

b) Why don't the club have people approach Bulldogs supporters who are queuing up to pay for tickets (home games only) on match days, to find out why they aren't using a membership?

A = I don't think they have done that this year but have in the past.
B = I think the supporters are typically in a hurry and their answers might not be as accurate as they should be.

With B, I know a lot of people of love to queue on the first home game of the season and find it very much of the tradition of supporting the club. Obviously I'd love them to get their memberships earlier but as long as they do thats the main thing.

I'm at a loss why people don't just get into the routine. I buy memberships for two friends and then get the money out of them once the season starts or otherwise they would never get around to it. It's bloody frustrating especially since it's not a financial issue for them.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Memberships

Memberships: I think the whole process is totally soulless.
Buying a membership should be an experience. It's handled by an outsourced company, none of them Bulldogs fans.
Propose this. Like a telethon, we get a bunch of passionate Bulldogs volunteers to hit the phones. You can HEAR the lack of enthusiasm in the voices of the people who call you about your membership. Having a recorded message is worse. Get our ultras to hit the phones.

Once a month is membership drive day. Mitch Wallis is in the Pound, pen in hand, ready to sign up kids and give out a few Autographs. Get Barry Hall or Luke Dahlhaus to do it and I guarantee, you'll have lots of parents making the drive down for a signing and then, fill out a form, kids membership, job done.
That experience, of meeting a player and signing up to a committed relationship with the club will stay with a kid for a long time.
We want lots of supporters, but we want ones who will stick with us as well. Joining the club is not an experience at the moment. You get a cap, scarf, made in China, and it's so remote, and soulless.

Buying a membership code could give you a password to a special video, a special tribute to past legends, or for the kids, a bulldog online game. Some sort of induction to the club.

[Bornadog]

Re: Memberships

Memberships: I think the whole process is totally soulless.
Buying a membership should be an experience. It's handled by an outsourced company, none of them Bulldogs fans.
Propose this. Like a telethon, we get a bunch of passionate Bulldogs volunteers to hit the phones. You can HEAR the lack of enthusiasm in the voices of the people who call you about your membership. Having a recorded message is worse. Get our ultras to hit the phones.

Once a month is membership drive day. Mitch Wallis is in the Pound, pen in hand, ready to sign up kids and give out a few Autographs. Get Barry Hall or Luke Dahlhaus to do it and I guarantee, you'll have lots of parents making the drive down for a signing and then, fill out a form, kids membership, job done.
That experience, of meeting a player and signing up to a committed relationship with the club will stay with a kid for a long time.
We want lots of supporters, but we want ones who will stick with us as well. Joining the club is not an experience at the moment. You get a cap, scarf, made in China, and it's so remote, and soulless.

Buying a membership code could give you a password to a special video, a special tribute to past legends, or for the kids, a bulldog online game. Some sort of induction to the club.

Last year the club brought the membership department back in house