Marketing opportunity

[Manorlounger]

Club has just posted up that the away tickets are sold out for the next home game against Brizzle. Only those on the "data base" will be able to buy tickets for the home area. "Don't worry, if you went to Wembley in the last two years you will be the list"

Well, if that is the case then why not blanket email them all and let them know about the game and that the atmosphere will be great (sold out away) and what an opportunity to see the new signings and experience a day out? How many should that hit? 20,0000 at least?

Rovers game away sold out

 

[Concretebob]

Great idea. Whether the club actually do that is another story - the marketing has been shocking this season.

 

[MJB]

New GDPR regulations coming into force by May will make this kind of marketing behaviour much more difficult so the club will need to be thinking about that if they don’t want a call from the Information Commissioner’s office.

 

[Manorlounger]

New GDPR regulations coming into force by May will make this kind of marketing behaviour much more difficult so the club will need to be thinking about that if they don’t want a call from the Information Commissioner’s office.

Fair point and with that in mind maybe now is the time for the club to act and get consent from the fan base. As you say, the club should be thinking about this and should have someone already on the case. (bet that don't?)

GDPR For those who may be interested!

 

[Lundinsponytail]

Great idea. Whether the club actually do that is another story - the marketing has been shocking this season.

'Shocking' would presume that any marketing has happened!

 

[Concretebob]

'Shocking' would presume that any marketing has happened!

The last marketing email I got was to advertise a free can of carabao if I entered a competiton.

 

[Manorlounger]

The last marketing email I got was to advertise a free can of carabao if I entered a competiton.

I remember that, the link didn't work so I binned it.

 

[Craig]

I actually received an email today advertising the restaurant for this game. Hard to believe, I know.

But generally speaking, I agree. It's almost like the club are happy enough to just scalp fans with season ticket price increases and then coast through the rest of the season with minimal effort. That probably sounds very cynical, but there's no denying that marketing has been extremely disappointing this season.

 

[Upthecowboys]

Spoke to a GDPR expert today and he said that despite the deadlines it won't simply be a May deadline or else. If companies are showing that they are taking reasonable steps then there will be periods of grace etc..

Now would be a very good time for OUFC to start contacting those on their database to check that they are OK with the club holding their details / are happy to be emailed etc.

Guess this would fall under the new MD's remit.

 

[MJB]

Spoke to a GDPR expert today and he said that despite the deadlines it won't simply be a May deadline or else. If companies are showing that they are taking reasonable steps then there will be periods of grace etc..

Now would be a very good time for OUFC to start contacting those on their database to check that they are OK with the club holding their details / are happy to be emailed etc.

Guess this would fall under the new MD's remit.

Yes absolutely, companies will be given grace if they are shown to be acting with due diligence.

However a database of circa 30,000 people (as the Wembley transactions should provide) would certainly fall within the ICO’s particular attention as it’s not an insignificant number.

Not particularly large numbers of course in the great scheme of things but if corners are cut, it could certainly cause problems.

 

[ThatSlopesATwelfthMan]

Interesting thread. Like @Upthecowboys I'd hope the club are planning this stuff now and taking good advice. Our marketing has been underpowered or non existent for a while as most on here have pointed out. GDPR will likely be a factor but there are plenty of avenues for the club to explore, especially the looser rules in play for data obtained via e-commerce transactions (maybe tickets sales). Regardless of all that we really need to get some communications flowing - simple things like the updates that used to arrive in Lunny's name have a disproportionate positive impact.

 

[Whingit]

Just scrolling through Twitter and was getting adverts from Wycombe. We're a long way behind where we should be.

 

[Manorlounger]

Just scrolling through Twitter and was getting adverts from Wycombe. We're a long way behind where we should be.

The official club site features ads for Liverpool FC kit!!!!

 

[Patch]

I get more and seemingly better marketing info from Leyton Orient based on tix I purchased on-line when we played there a couple of years ago than I ever get from OUFC. Ludicrous!

 

[OUFCGav]

Interesting thread. Like @Upthecowboys I'd hope the club are planning this stuff now and taking good advice. Our marketing has been underpowered or non existent for a while as most on here have pointed out. GDPR will likely be a factor but there are plenty of avenues for the club to explore, especially the looser rules in play for data obtained via e-commerce transactions (maybe tickets sales). Regardless of all that we really need to get some communications flowing - simple things like the updates that used to arrive in Lunny's name have a disproportionate positive impact.

There aren't looser rules in play for data obtained via e-commerce transactions. You can only store and process (or use it) for accepted purposes, just like any other data handed over. The data does need to be properly maintained, accurate, and only stored for an appropriate amount of time.

But that said there seems to be very little use of the data we have whether current or not. There is pretty zero marketing of the club, and there don't seem to be there resources there to do so. There is certainly nothing innovative or interesting. Low level advertising (like the Wycombe Twitter ads) is not hard or that expensive. It's not like we are talking about getting Spielberg in to direct a TV ad. It's about creative little things that follow a vague plan.

 

[horseman]

Talk about after the horse has bolted, this should have been done as a matter of course on a regular basis. Poor timing now especially when the 20.000 no longer have a Wembley trip to look forward too.

Have a marketing drive in the month or 2 leading up to the new season with initiatives that will have prospective customers not wanting to miss out rather than making it easier to spend in other areas.

 

[Manorlounger]

Talk about after the horse has bolted, this should have been done as a matter of course on a regular basis. Poor timing now especially when the 20.000 no longer have a Wembley trip to look forward too.

Have a marketing drive in the month or 2 leading up to the new season with initiatives that will have prospective customers not wanting to miss out rather than making it easier to spend in other areas.

Absolutely. But, how come we can all think of opportunities and have ideas and the club does not?
It raises some alarming concerns for the business end of the club. Hopefully the new MD has this on his list of "things to do". His comments at the recent Oxvox meeting would suggest that he has, let's see how quickly the club reacts.

 

[Deleted member 462]

Talk about after the horse has bolted, this should have been done as a matter of course on a regular basis. Poor timing now especially when the 20.000 no longer have a Wembley trip to look forward too.

Have a marketing drive in the month or 2 leading up to the new season with initiatives that will have prospective customers not wanting to miss out rather than making it easier to spend in other areas.

Absolutely. But, how come we can all think of opportunities and have ideas and the club does not?
It raises some alarming concerns for the business end of the club. Hopefully the new MD has this on his list of "things to do". His comments at the recent Oxvox meeting would suggest that he has, let's see how quickly the club reacts.

I believe these idea were certainly there under Kevin smith and Sarah. They weren’t always acted on due to cost, and with out anyone doing that role have slipped away even more. Which brings me back to the question the other day, which director is responsible for marketing and commercial, and if the idea was that board members used their expertise and saved a role, what have they been doing other than turning up for a free meal on matchdays.

 

[Deleted member 462]

What really annoys me is someone who does this for a living decided to look at the ox4life package and say - figures don’t work on that, we could make more money.

Short sighted beyond belief. Children are literally the future of any club. Get them hooked and u have them there as the package states for life.

Think outside the box, look at the bigger picture, what ever the buzz term is.

Reduce kids tickets across the board make it a cheap attractive price. Yes u won’t make money on that, but neither will u on a empty f*****g seat. Then look at the wider income, that kid wants to come again, kids have to have a full paying adult with them, kids want a program, a shirt, an Oufc woolly hat. And once they have them, they want a new one the following year as they have grown out of it, or their mates have a newer one.

To just sit back and say meh put the price up on kids tickets, is the lazy option. The family room is a brilliant idea and works, u have to get kids in the stadium for it to have the effect it’s meant to.

Rant over

 

[Sarge]

What really annoys me is someone who does this for a living decided to look at the ox4life package and say - figures don’t work on that, we could make more money.

Short sighted beyond belief. Children are literally the future of any club. Get them hooked and u have them there as the package states for life.

Think outside the box, look at the bigger picture, what ever the buzz term is.

Reduce kids tickets across the board make it a cheap attractive price. Yes u won’t make money on that, but neither will u on a empty f*****g seat. Then look at the wider income, that kid wants to come again, kids have to have a full paying adult with them, kids want a program, a shirt, an Oufc woolly hat. And once they have them, they want a new one the following year as they have grown out of it, or their mates have a newer one.

To just sit back and say meh put the price up on kids tickets, is the lazy option. The family room is a brilliant idea and works, u have to get kids in the stadium for it to have the effect it’s meant to.

Rant over

Well put @Dave T ...... when accountants start pecking the heads of decision makers theres only one result,l prices increase....specifically, when it comes to football clubs, the fans, supporters and followers are percieved as cash cows to be mercilessly milked dry... then bullshitted to and hit even harder in the pocket.

HOME attendances lower than last season...... prices substantially increased for ST and matchday tickets.....you dont need to be an accountant to add up what are major contributory factors..... do 'we' get value for money from OUFC on matchdays? I dont think we do, not this season!

Full price advance adult ticket in advance for Charlton away on Saturday £20 , on the day price £23, which is still less than an advance matchday ticket at the breeze block! which is as cold as a morgue before, never mind after, being fleeced yet again

 

[gingerox]

On a positive note, the club seem to be much more proactive on Twitter with regards to advertising tickets recently. Obviously there's still flaws in the marketing but I suppose social media's now the best place to advertise?

 

[Deleted member 462]

What really annoys me is someone who does this for a living decided to look at the ox4life package and say - figures don’t work on that, we could make more money.

Short sighted beyond belief. Children are literally the future of any club. Get them hooked and u have them there as the package states for life.

Think outside the box, look at the bigger picture, what ever the buzz term is.

Reduce kids tickets across the board make it a cheap attractive price. Yes u won’t make money on that, but neither will u on a empty f*****g seat. Then look at the wider income, that kid wants to come again, kids have to have a full paying adult with them, kids want a program, a shirt, an Oufc woolly hat. And once they have them, they want a new one the following year as they have grown out of it, or their mates have a newer one.

To just sit back and say meh put the price up on kids tickets, is the lazy option. The family room is a brilliant idea and works, u have to get kids in the stadium for it to have the effect it’s meant to.

Rant over

Well put @Dave T ...... when accountants start pecking the heads of decision makers theres only one result,l prices increase....specifically, when it comes to football clubs, the fans, supporters and followers are percieved as cash cows to be mercilessly milked dry... then bullshitted to and hit even harder in the pocket.

HOME attendances lower than last season...... prices substantially increased for ST and matchday tickets.....you dont need to be an accountant to add up what are major contributory factors..... do 'we' get value for money from OUFC on matchdays? I dont think we do, not this season!

Full price advance adult ticket in advance for Charlton away on Saturday £20 , on the day price £23, which is still less than an advance matchday ticket at the breeze block! which is as cold as a morgue before, never mind after, being fleeced yet again

It also has a negative affect in a few other way. By increasing the lounge package myself and other moved. They were when I last heard 25 members down from last season, meaning that despite the increase they are actually making less from the lounges. Add to that they increased the kids prices massively, meaning if I wanted to take my 4 year old along this season it would have cost £350. (More than an adult in other areas) So not only did they lose me, but also a new member who may have grown up and gone on to remain a lounge member.

Merchandise sales was also up last season, was that down to a better range, better advertising ? No it was because we had a really good previous season, fans were happy and connected with the club. Happy fans spend more. And there’s more of them. My first thought on the price increases was, well I’m going to pay it as I’m a sucker and always will (they knew that). But do u know what I’m not going bother getting a shirt this season.

First thing I’d do (after the kids prices) would be to give fans those little things that don’t cost a lot but encourage them to spend more.

Put the money off voucher for the shop back in the season ticket package.

Say u can come to first checkatrade game free or first league game for just £5.

Give the old family area in ssl tickets to charities or emergency service workers for games that are low attendance, it’s a good will gesture and May attract a few back.

Do what I’ve seen recently for Forrest, write to ex season ticket holders, saying we miss u, here’s a pair of complimentary tickets come back and hopefully fall in love with ur club again.

Offer deals saying we have two home games coming up buy both and we will knock £5 off

I’m thick as, and don’t work in marketing, it’s not hard something will work others won’t. But doing nothing gets u nothing

End of even longer rant.
Apologies

 

[Sarge]

On a positive note, the club seem to be much more proactive on Twitter with regards to advertising tickets recently. Obviously there's still flaws in the marketing but I suppose social media's now the best place to advertise?

Assuming everyone has a twitter account ..... is a bit presumptuous , but a move in the right direction

 

[Sarge]

It also has a negative affect in a few other way. By increasing the lounge package myself and other moved. They were when I last heard 25 members down from last season, meaning that despite the increase they are actually making less from the lounges. Add to that they increased the kids prices massively, meaning if I wanted to take my 4 year old along this season it would have cost £350. (More than an adult in other areas) So not only did they lose me, but also a new member who may have grown up and gone on to remain a lounge member.

Merchandise sales was also up last season, was that down to a better range, better advertising ? No it was because we had a really good previous season, fans were happy and connected with the club. Happy fans spend more. And there’s more of them. My first thought on the price increases was, well I’m going to pay it as I’m a sucker and always will (they knew that). But do u know what I’m not going bother getting a shirt this season.

First thing I’d do (after the kids prices) would be to give fans those little things that don’t cost a lot but encourage them to spend more.

Put the money off voucher for the shop back in the season ticket package.

Say u can come to first checkatrade game free or first league game for just £5.

Give the old family area in ssl tickets to charities or emergency service workers for games that are low attendance, it’s a good will gesture and May attract a few back.

Do what I’ve seen recently for Forrest, write to ex season ticket holders, saying we miss u, here’s a pair of complimentary tickets come back and hopefully fall in love with ur club again.

Offer deals saying we have two home games coming up buy both and we will knock £5 off

I’m thick as, and don’t work in marketing, it’s not hard something will work others won’t. But doing nothing gets u nothing

End of even longer rant.
Apologies

All good suggestions and feasible too ....except one, the 'old family area in SSL is occupied ( in places) , among others, my Dad and nephew (and sometimes my Sister) have had STs there pretty much since moving from the Manor

 

[Deleted member 462]

It also has a negative affect in a few other way. By increasing the lounge package myself and other moved. They were when I last heard 25 members down from last season, meaning that despite the increase they are actually making less from the lounges. Add to that they increased the kids prices massively, meaning if I wanted to take my 4 year old along this season it would have cost £350. (More than an adult in other areas) So not only did they lose me, but also a new member who may have grown up and gone on to remain a lounge member.

Merchandise sales was also up last season, was that down to a better range, better advertising ? No it was because we had a really good previous season, fans were happy and connected with the club. Happy fans spend more. And there’s more of them. My first thought on the price increases was, well I’m going to pay it as I’m a sucker and always will (they knew that). But do u know what I’m not going bother getting a shirt this season.

First thing I’d do (after the kids prices) would be to give fans those little things that don’t cost a lot but encourage them to spend more.

Put the money off voucher for the shop back in the season ticket package.

Say u can come to first checkatrade game free or first league game for just £5.

Give the old family area in ssl tickets to charities or emergency service workers for games that are low attendance, it’s a good will gesture and May attract a few back.

Do what I’ve seen recently for Forrest, write to ex season ticket holders, saying we miss u, here’s a pair of complimentary tickets come back and hopefully fall in love with ur club again.

Offer deals saying we have two home games coming up buy both and we will knock £5 off

I’m thick as, and don’t work in marketing, it’s not hard something will work others won’t. But doing nothing gets u nothing

End of even longer rant.
Apologies

All good suggestions and feasible too ....except one, the 'old family area in SSL is occupied ( in places) , among others, my Dad and nephew (and sometimes my Sister) have had STs there pretty much since moving from the Manor

I’m not suggesting they get moved, or an ultra style take over, but I’m sure they wouldn’t object to sitting with a few nhs workers, or cancer research volunteers, or teachers. U can only give away available tickets, but I’m sure they would rather sit in a block with others than in a nearly empty area. I’d happily have it where I am but think it works better if u have people all sat fairly near each other rather than spread out, get chatting with co workers this is alright ain’t it, fancy doing it again next week. While at the same time a good bit of pr

 

[Sarge]

I’m not suggesting they get moved, or an ultra style take over, but I’m sure they wouldn’t object to sitting with a few nhs workers, or cancer research volunteers, or teachers. U can only give away available tickets, but I’m sure they would rather sit in a block with others than in a nearly empty area. I’d happily have it where I am but think it works better if u have people all sat fairly near each other rather than spread out, get chatting with co workers this is alright ain’t it, fancy doing it again next week. While at the same time a good bit of pr

It does get busy there for the 'bigger' games

theyd probably welcome a bit of company at the quieter matches....its brass monkeys there on winter tuesday nights!

 

[Deleted member 462]

I’m not suggesting they get moved, or an ultra style take over, but I’m sure they wouldn’t object to sitting with a few nhs workers, or cancer research volunteers, or teachers. U can only give away available tickets, but I’m sure they would rather sit in a block with others than in a nearly empty area. I’d happily have it where I am but think it works better if u have people all sat fairly near each other rather than spread out, get chatting with co workers this is alright ain’t it, fancy doing it again next week. While at the same time a good bit of pr

It does get busy there for the 'bigger' games

theyd probably welcome a bit of company at the quieter matches....its brass monkeys there on winter tuesday nights!

That’s what I mean, not the big games they look after them selves. But like us the club know full well, as early as fixture release day which games will be low attendances. Now those seats are either going to be empty with no income, or full with no income. 1/ it’s a good will gesture 2/ a great bit of pr 3/ even if u only attract 1 person back to another game, that’s 1 more than u had before. And it’s cost the club nothing, other than a bit of admin to hand tickets out

 

[horseman]

Anyone know what the sales are from season tickets?

 

[carefreeoufc]

As I’ve said on similar threads I didn’t renew my season ticket this year and have no had one email from the club about what’s going on or attending games.

I thought IL as an owner was useless but I used to get bombarded with stuff whether a ST holder or not. I think there even used to be a weekly email from KT before the match or something.

The Unicorn Theatre in Abingdon markets itself better than OUFC.

 

[MJB]

On a positive note, the club seem to be much more proactive on Twitter with regards to advertising tickets recently. Obviously there's still flaws in the marketing but I suppose social media's now the best place to advertise?

Yes KF is doing an excellent job in that regard. It has noticeably improved - particularly with regards to fan interaction.