Gaining members

In another thread, FerrariFrank1 brought up the subject that perhaps only a quarter of Ferrari owners know about FerrariChat.com, this forum, or the events we arrange and participate in. Gaining more membership can only increase the turnout at events, which in turn makes everything more fun.

I didn't want to hijack that other thread with OT ideas and images, so I am copying some relevant parts here.

From the thread "Geneva, Illinois Gathering?" (http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122771 ), FF1 said in part:

I responded:

I thought a business card size message would be good. I hate getting junk mail on my car (or anywhere), but a nice looking business card is never too much trouble to read or keep. Small cards are easier to keep with you, cheaper, and easier to create. I mocked up a card, and Photoshopped it onto a Ferrari's windshield (guess whos car?). I thought a black card, with the Ferrari logo and minimal text would be classy enough that the card is not instantly discarded as junk mail. And, it doesn't make the owner's car look like it has a parking ticket.

A flyer can be made, if enough content can be assembled (pictures pictures pictures!), but in my experience, keeping flyers handy for the off-chance you see a potential member, is a hassle. I once belonged to Chicago Area Tandems (CATS), (a 2-seater bicycle club with 100 members) for which I was the newsletter editor and publisher. We made flyers to stick on potential members' tandems when we saw them. I saw tandems on dozens of occasions, but only had flyers with me about twice. I knew then that business card sized cards would have been much handier to carry along.

If a flyer is what's preferred, I can go with that. (I'm easy.)

As a graphic designer (and photographer), I can design a card for our community if the group thinks it's a worthwhile idea. I would need a consensus on the text and images to be used. I know printers that will make the cards for cost. I can also make PDFs for electronic distribution, so anybody can print them out themselves if desired.
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That looks great, Tom! Personally, I think that a card or a small flyer, like the size of Half a sheet of paper would work. I think the business card idea is good, but may be too small and be overlooked. That's why I thought a small flyer would maybe be better, and easier to notice. But I was hoping to be able to actually hand it to someone. Very rarely would you probably need to slip one through a partially opened window, or place under a wiper blade. How about both?

Hey, can you P/M me with your Info.? I need a Graphic Designer to help me make Brochures, and Business Cards, ETC... for my new Business ventures. I would rather use someone from here than just the local Print Shop. Thanks!

 

Tom, I hate to be a party pooper, particularly since you're acting in such good faith, but: The S/F logo is owned by Ferrari and if we produce fliers like that, we and probably FChat could get into trouble for that.

I have mentioned this thread to my fellow mods and to Rob Lay (owner of the site). Let's see what they have to say.

 

You are exactly right about the Ferrari logo. My brain fart.

Maybe just a picture of a privately owned Ferrari? It’s legal and ethical to use images of private property with the permission of the property owner and artist (photographer).

 

We can always do both! Keep some cards in your wallet, and some flyers in your car.

 

True dat.

I would still like to see what Rob Lay has to say. You gotta realize we live in a happy to sue society and although far fetched I could imagine an owner taking offense with "spam" being put under his windshield wiper.

There are many great ideas out there, but sadly legalize often kills them before they get off the ground. I hate to be devil's advocate.

Handing fliers out (at an event or not) however is perfectly fine. People get a choice to accept that or not. And quite frankly when the previous owner of my 308 gave me the URL for FChat, it was one of the best things he ever did to me.

 

Yes, just keep a few flyers and cards in all of your cars. And some cards in your Wallet. So if you are out, can give one to somebody if you see them. Maybe at a Gas Station, Parking Lot, Restaraunt, wherever. In person, ofcourse, being the best manner in which to do so, IMO. Just use your own discretion as to whether or not you think it appropriate to leave one under a wiper blade. But, really, I have never seen anyone get upset about that. As long as it is done gingerly and respectfully.

And I think that it would also not be a problem if you had a picture of your own car on it. After all...It is "your" car.

 

I would delete the card image above if I could.

I will redesign a proposed card / mini flyer and post it here.

 

done

PS: Just realized that the car in the pic is mine, hehe.

 

I'm going to play a little Devil's Advocate here. I think it's great to try and spread the popularity of this site and the Chicago Region. Just don't be disheartened when you begin encountering Ferrari owners who don't give a ****. I have met several Ferrari owners the last few years who don't visit FChat or participate in outings. They invariably fell into one of a few categories, but the bottom line is you're better off without them. Like all of us here, most people interested in finding others like them will succeed in landing at FChat.

Personally, I wish it was easier for me to attend all the get-togethers over the years. It would be great if we weren't all so spread out so that socializing wouldn't require so much planning. But, I always try and spread the word by mouth as much as possible, and I find that car enthusiasts usually seem more interested than Ferrari owners.

 

....OK, I just gotta ask.... what else did he "do" to you?!?!?
or will you be banned for lewd commentary???

 

LOL

Nah, just that I probably overpaid when I bought the car. But that might happen to many first time buyers. By now I have learned a few things and more importantly know enough people to (hopefully) prevent that from happening again.

OTOH it seems that no car is without gremlins. I guess that's par for the course on a classic Italian.

 

I am still working on this between real jobs.

I figure I will use a montage of Ferrari car images I have - perhaps just closeup details to identify the marque, maybe the model, but not the owner?. (If any are identifiable, the owners will be contacted for clearance)

When it comes to what to write, I only have a basic idea. I wonder what other members think would be important to add to the mini-brochure. What features of Ferrari Chat are attractive, and what benefits can be listed?

 

Well, IMHO, the emphasis should be on the Local-Chicago section. So that they can get together with others here.

If you want to, you have my permission to use Any of my pictures that I have posted here over the years.