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The USBGF

Posted By: April Kennedy
Date: Monday, 21 August 2017, at 7:11 p.m.

In Response To: The USBGF (Albert Steg)

Hi Albert,

Happy to chat with you and share what is working for us. Boston is one of those areas that I was surprised to learn that there was not a large club. You certainly have the population there and I think that it just takes an individual like yourself to make a big impact on growth.

Some initial things to think about before marketing, is what experience your newcomers will have. For us, it was hard for a newcomer to walk in to our regular night because the level of play is so high. So, we created a separate, casual, event just for them, called "Beer & Backgammon" where they had the benefit of a a 20 min beginner lesson. After that they were paired 1:1 with one of our experienced players for an individualized play session. One strict rule: No chouetting with the newcomers, but we had a nice chouette after with regular club members that was really pleasant. This ensured that the event was appropriate for them, but it also helped our experienced club members reorient. The spirit of growing our club has caught on, so that there are more coming of various skill levels and it is easier for someone new to just show up at the regular club night.

As far as the appropriate marketing channel you have some options. Meet up seems to be effective for bringing in newcomers. You are right there is a cost. Initially it is $120 per year for up to 50 members or $180 per year for unlimited members. We have a rake at our weekly tournaments which easily pays for this expense. If you don't have weekly tournaments, but have a weekly chouette, this cost is less than one point per month. Just throw a column on your sheet for marketing (marketing always wins) :) If you are not ready for that a Facebook event that your club shares may work, assuming that some of them are on Facebook.

I think that it really starts with assessing what the strengths and weaknesses are of your group, deciding where you want to end up and then taking incremental steps to get there. Some clubs may want to get more of their own house in order first, and others are raring to go to reach out to the world.

Lots of luck and feel free to call anytime.

Messages In This Thread

• The USBGF
  Karen Davis -- Monday, 21 August 2017, at 1:08 a.m.
  • The USBGF
    Bill Finneran -- Monday, 21 August 2017, at 12:18 p.m.
    • The USBGF
      Carter Mattig -- Monday, 21 August 2017, at 3:00 p.m.
      • The USBGF more than one quote may apply
        Bill Finneran -- Monday, 21 August 2017, at 5:35 p.m.
        • The USBGF more than one quote may apply
          Colin Owen -- Monday, 21 August 2017, at 10:31 p.m.
          • The USBGF more than one quote may apply
            Bill Finneran -- Tuesday, 22 August 2017, at 12:32 a.m.
            • The USBGF more than one quote may apply
              Carter Mattig -- Tuesday, 22 August 2017, at 3:54 a.m.
  • The USBGF +1 *NM*
    svilo -- Monday, 21 August 2017, at 1:06 p.m.
  • The USBGF
    Carter Mattig -- Monday, 21 August 2017, at 2:55 p.m.
    • The USBGF
      Albert Steg -- Monday, 21 August 2017, at 4:13 p.m.
      • The USBGF
        April Kennedy -- Monday, 21 August 2017, at 7:11 p.m.
        • The USBGF
          Albert Steg -- Monday, 21 August 2017, at 8:12 p.m.
          • The USBGF
            April Kennedy -- Monday, 21 August 2017, at 8:37 p.m.
            • The USBGF
              Mick Z -- Tuesday, 22 August 2017, at 1:07 a.m.
              • The USBGF
                Bill Riles -- Tuesday, 22 August 2017, at 2:40 a.m.
                • The USBGF
                  Mick Z -- Tuesday, 22 August 2017, at 3:37 a.m.
  • The USBGF (reformatted)
    ah_clem -- Tuesday, 22 August 2017, at 2:59 p.m.
  • The USBGF
    Keene -- Tuesday, 22 August 2017, at 4:46 p.m.