Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: GG on October 13, 2019, 03:45:16 pm

Title: Poor Pubicity
Post by: GG on October 13, 2019, 03:45:16 pm
During my wandering around the Internet I've viewed many Model Boat Club sites.  Some are extremely good and easy to use, others need a little more effort and some, being tactful here, need a lot of work before they have any value at all.  The latter often give the impression that they were started with masses of enthusiasm which evaporated rather quickly.  Updating, if still carried out that is, seems to be scheduled using a geological time base rather than this years calendar.  Believe me, any website that has not been updated for some time does create a negative image for the club.  I'm a member of a club that still proudly lists its events for 2016 which suggests it hasn't done much in the succeeding three years.


Looking at a club's website as a prospective new member and you want to find useful information as quickly and painlessly as possible.  A few sites could give you the impression that the club has set up a sort of IQ test to keep the lower orders out of the illustrious tanks?


Another apparent club membership requirement could be 20:20 vision since they use a small and/or difficult to read print style.  Perhaps the worst I've ever encountered was a club which used a coloured page upon which a barely different coloured text was printed.  Maybe it gained some points for artistic style but usability was almost zero!


Secretive club meetings and sailing waters can be another problem.  Many clubs are very good with clear directions and even maps.  The odd ones can rival the colourful but useless directions you get when lost in rural backwoods, i.e. based on features that only locals might know.


So, here's what I would expect a decent club website to feature;
1) Easy to read text
2) The "homepage" contains a clear menu to direct you to contents of the site
3) A map, link or Post Code to enable you to locate the sailing water
4) Details of when and where the club meets
5) Details of the clubs activities including any restrictions such as when and what types of models they can sail.
6) How to contact the club


Other features, such as the club's history, photos of members and their models, can be useful extras that create an impression of the club.  But, the key word is "EXTRAS" if you want the website to attract new members.


I'll suggest all clubs with a website do a critical audit of it and assess its fitness for purpose.  If it is not easy to use or lacking in vital information then who knows how many potential new members you have lost?


Glynn Guest
Title: Re: Poor Pubicity
Post by: dougal99 on October 13, 2019, 04:08:34 pm
Useful advice there.  :-)) If I could add another point: spelling. There's an l in publicity  :police:
Title: Re: Poor Pubicity
Post by: GG on October 13, 2019, 05:11:45 pm
Dougal,
       The occasional minor mistake in my work keeps me humble.
                                                                                        Glynn
Title: Re: Poor Pubicity
Post by: Andyn on October 13, 2019, 05:23:55 pm
This is why ours is one of the best going ;)
Title: Re: Poor Pubicity
Post by: raflaunches on October 13, 2019, 05:31:12 pm
One good thing about my clubs website is that it has to be updated every two weeks so the next club meeting is advertised- it keeps me relatively busy with new articles/messages/pictures from the events we attend or put on.
Title: Re: Poor Pubicity
Post by: Subculture on October 13, 2019, 05:42:34 pm
'Poor pubicity'- isn't that akin to stroppy teenagers?
Title: Re: Poor Pubicity
Post by: aeronut on October 14, 2019, 10:03:57 am
I'll certainly agree that many club websites could use some work, but some clubs are secretive about the location of their sailing waters for very good reason and this should be respected.  Any serious enquiry of the committee will usually produce the location.
Title: Re: Poor Pubicity
Post by: warspite on October 14, 2019, 10:35:17 am
Not stroppy - just from the large housing estate %)