What is wrong with our Supporters

[Bornadog]

I really don't understand supporters of our great team when it comes to buying a membership. As of last week the statistics show we have signed just over 20,000 members, which includes 4000 new members but excludes 9000 members from 2006 yet to sign?

Why do our members take so long to sign up? Why do we have to struggle to get the membership target right up to the cutoff day? Is it the economics of the Western Suburbs, is it the supporters who just want to wait and see ( if we are going to be any good) then buy a membership, is it the marketing department.

Frankly I am really sick of it, sick of fair weather supporters, we have to get over 30,000 members and we have to get them before the start of the season so that we have a good base for the future. Some teams are already well and truly over this mark.

What can the club do, are there suggestions? I really don't get it.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: What is wrong with our Supporters

Some people just have different priorities at different times, whilst you, I and plenty of others like to get their memberships earlier, some like to wait till the football actually starts and purchase their tickets in Round 1. I know quite a lot of people who do this they all love the club just as much as we do but won't purchase their Memberships till the season begins. For those that don't re-sign I can't answer for but to say perhaps there are issues eg; moved away, can't afford it etc.

[Bornadog]

Re: What is wrong with our Supporters

For those that don't re-sign I can't answer for but to say perhaps there are issues eg; moved away, can't afford it etc.

But why our supporters, why are they slow and other clubs don't seem to struggle as much to get their past members to sign up. Our supporters are still signing up right to the last minute and I don't mean round one, I mean in May/June cutoff time.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: What is wrong with our Supporters

But why our supporters, why are they slow and other clubs don't seem to struggle as much to get their past members to sign up. Our supporters are still signing up right to the last minute and I don't mean round one, I mean in May/June cutoff time.

It has always been like that the Kangaroos are the same way and even Melbourne in recent times. I would assume quite a portion of our un-signed ones that sign up late wait to see if we will figure in finals and that is why there is a last minute dash. Exposure has a lot to do with it aswell so with quite a few FTA games coming our way that will hopefully improve the figures long term.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: What is wrong with our Supporters

If you wait until the start of the season to see if we're good enough to make the finals, you're not a supporter your a prostitute.

having said, that please sign up....

I don't understand why more people dont direct debit. As low as $13 once a month. Really it's no savings, no where will i pull the money from, it's a pack of smokes a month or less than one ciggy less a day or the price of a six pack or one less beer every 5 days in return for 13 games plus access to finals tickets and knowing you're doing your bit to sucure the future of our great club. Some people **** me to tears.

[GVGjr]

Re: What is wrong with our Supporters

But why our supporters, why are they slow and other clubs don't seem to struggle as much to get their past members to sign up. Our supporters are still signing up right to the last minute and I don't mean round one, I mean in May/June cutoff time.

There is a number of reasons in my opinion.
1) The stronghold of the club supporter base is in an area that struggles economically.
2) The threat over the last 10 years that the club would have to relocate meant that supporters had to be convinced before joining up.
3) Lack of sustained success has resulted in supporters not wanting to recommit each year.
4) A sense of apathy amongst a number of supporters that as long as the club is in no immediate danger of folding or merging then they don't need to be pro-active joining each year.
5) That memberships to football clubs don't offer good value and that people who joined up for the 1st time last year didn't think they got value for money.
6) Out of control prices at footy venues has pressured familys.
7) Pay TV and the footy rights deals with free to air channels results in it being easier to simply stay at home.
8) A sense of doom amongst a number of supporters that we cannot actually win the flag.


There is probably 10 more valid reasons as well but I think we have to face facts that we have a lot of supporters who place a number of conditions on if they will dig deep and actually sign up.

The way we played last year, the signing of Aker, and the players coming back from injury should be enough to spur people to sign up but there is something lacking.
It's still early days but it would be a terrific stepping stone for the club to get to 32,000 members this year.

[Missing-Dog]

Re: What is wrong with our Supporters

If you wait until the start of the season to see if we're good enough to make the finals, you're not a supporter your a prostitute.

Geez thats a bit harsh. And what about the sex trade workers who have already signed up?

They're already prostitutes!

Perhaps some of our supporters arent welcoming enough to other supporters? Does that turn people off?

Frankly, I will take their money as long as they join before the deadline. I'll take anyones money.

Ooh hang on. That makes me sound like

[alwaysadog]

Re: What is wrong with our Supporters

With respect Bornadog, why would the average supporter sign up early? I know, for we tragics, it's impossible to get through a week without a Bulldog fix; it's our habit and fortunately it's legal.

For the rest, till the real stuff starts it's not an issue, they won't bother till then. Then you have those who aren't too flush and for whom it takes a lot of time post Xmas to get the readies together. Then there are those who while they follow us aren't rusted on so they wait and see: if we don't start well they won't buy.

I would like to know in how many seasons we have had over 20,000 signed up before the start of the preseason comp, afterall our total was only just over 26,000 last year. While I sympathise with those who are frustrated by our recalcitrant supporters I suspect that we are slowly turning it around.

The fact that we have so many of last years members unsigned suggests that the die hards like us have got to keep asking friends and acquaintances "Are you signed up yet?"

[Topdog]

Re: What is wrong with our Supporters

When I went to the WO the day before the intraclub match the lady there told me they had either 20,600 or 21,600 I can't remember to be honest.

Anyhow, I was having a chat with my mate when I was there. And I basically had a joking go at him for having not signed up yet. His response

"What's the point? To get yet another Bulldogs scarf?? I'll just get it when I go to the ground"

Mind you I haven't gotten my membership yet either.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: What is wrong with our Supporters

When I went to the WO the day before the intraclub match the lady there told me they had either 20,600 or 21,600 I can't remember to be honest.

Anyhow, I was having a chat with my mate when I was there. And I basically had a joking go at him for having not signed up yet. His response

"What's the point? To get yet another Bulldogs scarf?? I'll just get it when I go to the ground"

Mind you I haven't gotten my membership yet either.

That to me is not a major issue, it's personal choice at what point you sign up.

My problem is people waiting to see how we'll go. On the premise they signed up last year like this and hopefully this year, when things are bad they wont sign up and we'll go into a continual cycle of membership rises and falls meaning regular bad times for the club.

[GVGjr]

Re: What is wrong with our Supporters

Freo have a membership target of about 38,000 for this year and think they might even crack 40,000. Given they are such a young club it must be a concern to clubs like ours.
We are doing well and will pass last years numbers easily but it does say that we haven't yet maximised our membership possibilities. The interstate clubs just keep powering on and really we need the people who follow the club to actually become supporters by buying memberships.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: What is wrong with our Supporters

We are doing well and will pass last years numbers easily but it does say that we haven't yet maximised our membership possibilities.

Yes, that is true although we are making in-roads and the increase in Memberships in the last two years tells us that there is scope for further improvement. The club has been tapping into different areas trying to bring out the supporters and willing them to join the club. With continuing success both on and off the field, the sky is the limit. Everyone will want to be with us.

[Missing Dog]

Re: What is wrong with our Supporters

I think you are over analysing things.

Some people want to pay as soon as possible, but some people are happy to wait.

There are 16 people in my immediate family that are members. About 12 of us have choosen the automatic renewal, but another family of 4 always sign up at Round 1.

The are very busy with other things on and basically leave lots of things to the last minute.

Each to their own

[Bornadog]

Re: What is wrong with our Supporters

I think you are over analysing things.

Some people want to pay as soon as possible, but some people are happy to wait.

There are 16 people in my immediate family that are members. About 12 of us have choosen the automatic renewal, but another family of 4 always sign up at Round 1.

The are very busy with other things on and basically leave lots of things to the last minute.

Each to their own

These aren't the guys we are talking about, its the struggle to get to our targets. Have a look at last year and how we made the target, basically we were still signing up people right into the season (about round 8 or 9 can't remember the cutoff date), whereas other clubs can hit their targets by round one or two.

At the end of the day its a struggle to get WB supporters to sign up.

[GVGjr]

Re: What is wrong with our Supporters

These aren't the guys we are talking about, its the struggle to get to our targets. Have a look at last year and how we made the target, basically we were still signing up people right into the season (about round 8 or 9 can't remember the cutoff date), whereas other clubs can hit their targets by round one or two.

At the end of the day its a struggle to get WB supporters to sign up.

I agree with this. I have no problems with people getting their memberships on the first home game of the season (I have a problem if they have a whinge about waiting in line too long though) nor do I see anything wrong with people waiting until now to sign up. What irritates me though is the amount of time and expense the club has to spend to chase down those who just seem to forget to do sign up again especially since things have come so far and that signing up is not the chore that it once was.

When you consider:
* The monthly payment option
* The club being open 5 1/2 days
* The ability to pay online
* The auto renewal
* Family days

and the ongoing plight of the club with regards to memberships, I'd like to see some of the supporters be a bit more proactive with joining up instead of having to be tracked down each season.
Like Aker, I know a number of supporters that choose to wait but I still wish they would endeavor to sign up earlier rather than later.