Re: A Chance to Grow the Fan Base? : Tue Feb 16, 2016 10:26 am  

roofaldo2 wrote:

but the RFL think that word of mouth is sufficient to market the game.

I have to take issue with this.

The RFL is not the sole body for marketing the sport. In fact, the RFL is only responsible for marketing the competition, and about 5-6 events per year (most of which sold very well last year). The rest? That's down to the clubs.

The marketing of the sport at club level is, in many cases, utterly appalling. We've had clubs underselling the sport, excessively discounting and devaluing their product, clubs not utilising social media, not utilising community marketing and not doing a whole host of things particularly well.

Expensive football tickets are not a new phenomenon. If clubs are just starting to see the opportunity now, where have they been for the last 10 years or more?

Re: A Chance to Grow the Fan Base? : Tue Feb 16, 2016 10:48 am  

meast wrote:

it wasn't that long ago that kids understood "no".
i was brought up with the saying "i want, won't get" but it seems the easiest way to parenting these days is to let the kids to what they want so they won't nag or bother.

if you choose to fork out for replica shirts every year then that is your choice, not the clubs, they don't make you pay £ hundreds for merchandise, so if RL is expensive for you, it's because you've made it expensive.

This needs a whole new thread or a completely different forum.

The modern way is style over substance in almost all walks of life.
Why else would folk with barely any cash "need" the most up to date mobile or pair of trainers ?

RL as a sport has to explore new ways of generating cash. However this generally means that existing fans parting with a larger share of their hard earned wonga.

As others have said, just because something is available doesn't mean that you have to buy it but, in an ideal world we would increase income by attracting new fans and not by leaning more heavily on the ones that we have.

Re: A Chance to Grow the Fan Base? : Tue Feb 16, 2016 11:27 am  

meast wrote:

it wasn't that long ago that kids understood "no".
i was brought up with the saying "i want, won't get" but it seems the easiest way to parenting these days is to let the kids to what they want so they won't nag or bother.

if you choose to fork out for replica shirts every year then that is your choice, not the clubs, they don't make you pay £ hundreds for merchandise, so if RL is expensive for you, it's because you've made it expensive.

My kids waited for birthdays/ Christmas to get a new shirt etc. Just like a fan isn't forced into buying club merchandise, a parent still has the right to tell their child 'no'. They don't HAVE to have everything and won't die for the lack of the latest socks. It's no wonder kids these days have no understanding of the value of anything. We are doing our kids a massive disservice for their futures.

Re: A Chance to Grow the Fan Base? : Tue Feb 16, 2016 1:01 pm  

wrencat1873 wrote:

This needs a whole new thread or a completely different forum.

The modern way is style over substance in almost all walks of life.
Why else would folk with barely any cash "need" the most up to date mobile or pair of trainers ?

RL as a sport has to explore new ways of generating cash. However this generally means that existing fans parting with a larger share of their hard earned wonga.

As others have said, just because something is available doesn't mean that you have to buy it but, in an ideal world we would increase income by attracting new fans and not by leaning more heavily on the ones that we have.

I know what you mean but I don't think it's a bad thing that RL is trying to get more money from its existing fan base. I think it's been woefully poor at doing that. Of course though, ultimately we have to grow our fan/supporter/customer base, something that RL has also been very poor at. The well run clubs will be trying to do both.

Re: A Chance to Grow the Fan Base? : Tue Feb 16, 2016 5:59 pm  

Fantastic Mr Catpiss wrote:

Well, when people bend over and let 6-10 year olds have an iphone, you do wonder wtf is going on in the world.

"its what they wanted!"

exactly!
it's easier now to just give in to kids rather than say no to them, after all nagging kids interfere with facebook and all the other stuff people do these days.

Re: A Chance to Grow the Fan Base? : Tue Feb 16, 2016 6:02 pm  

Milly wrote:

My kids waited for birthdays/ Christmas to get a new shirt etc. Just like a fan isn't forced into buying club merchandise, a parent still has the right to tell their child 'no'. They don't HAVE to have everything and won't die for the lack of the latest socks. It's no wonder kids these days have no understanding of the value of anything. We are doing our kids a massive disservice for their futures.

agreed, and unfortunately i think it's too late, today's children are the next generation and what will happen when they reach adulthood and demand to have everything because they want it?