<VV> Displays/CORSA PR

[kaczmarek at charter.net]

Ocassionally, Mark and I manage to agree.

     A partial answer to CORSA's financial future is MORE MEMBERS---ones that ACTUALLY PAY DUES. 

Public Relations can attract new members.  PR is Marketing, which is what I do for a living.  Attracting new members is just like advertising a product.  you have to pay if you want to sell. 

An action plan by the Board to increase awareness of CORSA would be a worthwhile endeavor.  However, the club is broke, so how do you finance a program???   Seems to go around in a circle, no? 

If funding is to be had, what are the projected returns in new dues paying members is the litmus test. 

I can tell you that over the last 5 years my company has expanded it's marketing program to many more niches than it had previously.   Steele sponsors the Paint and Body forum on Layitlow.com, to keep a pulse on the lowrider hobby--we have increased advertising to the hot rodders, always a big part of our market, and also now sponsor shows like Lokar Car Show, My Classic Car and other Speed Channel programs. 

But I still am amazed, as a Steele Customer since the mid 80's, and an employee for 5, that I get calls from a glass shop where the guy tells me "I've been in the business for 20 years and I never heard of you".   How had he not?  is completely over my head. 

Things could probably be worked out by members with trailers to move displays around.  Moving that car last year proves VV can do it, and by reaching out to chapters, I think CPF could probably do the same. 

Hank 



---- Mark Corbin <airvair at earthlink.net> wrote: 
> As my late garage mechanic used to say, you slobbered a bib-full there. The
> question is, WHO is able to take up that gauntlet? Most of us in CORSA,
> myself included, are not in such a position. But there ARE a handful who
> are. Any takers?
> 
> One thing CORSA needs is a solid plan for public PR. H&M may manage the
> main office, but they don't do PR. Heck, other than Pete's efforts, the
> best PR we've received recently has been Hemmings, and whomever is
> wispering in their ear, I hope they don't stop.
> 
> The CPF Museum displays that are being stored in Pete C's basement are a
> good example of wasting an opportunity. ALL those artifacts should be
> displayed in one or more museums around the country. Why aren't they? At
> least 5999 is being put to good use, as is the Super Monza and other items.
> The CPF displays are a great opportunity to spread the word. Just since the
> Corvair display at the Corvette museum, I've had a number of people, in
> passing, mention that display. So such efforts DO produce results. We need
> to make more use of them. What's the board's action plan?
> 
> -Mark
> 
> > [Original Message]
> > From: Vairtec Corporation <Vairtec at optonline.net>
> > Subject: <VV> Hank, the Book, the Canopy, and the Director
> >
> > Pete Koehler this summer got more public exposure for the CPF, for 
> > CORSA, and for the Corvair hobby in general than anyone has ever 
> > gotten.  He sold a significant quantity of CORSA merchandise.  He did 
> > these things to demonstrate that they can be done.  They should have 
> > been done beginning ten years ago, with that canopy.  My fear is that 
> > now, with Pete having completed his tour, the ball will now be dropped.  
> > A cohesive plan for 2011 and beyond is needed.
> >
> > --Bob Marlow
> >
> 
> 
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