Class / Fleet Newsletters

Because of my work with the Hobie Class News / Hobie Hotline, I've been asked to make a presentation on "newsletters" at the US SAILING One-Design Sailing Symposium in New Orleans next month.

So what's everybody's opinion? Is the printed page still relevant in the Internet Age? If so, what purpose should it serve? What should it contain? Who should it go to? How often?

Of course, I have my own opinions on this, but I'd like to hear from a broader audience.

yes a paper trail is always nice, I love getting the hotline in the mail, even though I've already read it online, I read it again, usually giving it to someone that does not do the online this as most of us do, kids mostly. I think one should be sent to every person in the world, well maybe that's a bit over kill. I think monthly or bi monthly works well. If there is a lot of info maybe once a month, but if its getting harder and harder to make some good content them bi monthly is fine. It needs to have history, upcoming events, FUN DAYS, local demo days from dealers/fleets, results form past events, and one good human interest story. You can just give them some copies of the Hotline and tell them to copy it!

_________________
Brad Stephens
[email protected]
(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
http://www.sunjammers.com
www.facebook.com/sunjammers

I still like the hard copy.
I was told by my brother who is a teacher that studies show those over 35 still want things in print and the younger crowd wants everything electronic.
I like to thumb through old copies now and again.
I like pictures, regatta stories, results and the occasional human interest story.
I do think that more could be done with the youth section.
Our commodore has asked for some youth bios to put in our newsletter.
Maybe something like that could be done for kids around the country.
Call it something like Cat Kids and have 6 at a time on a page with short bios and pictures.
Everytime Sarah has had a picture in the Hotline she brings it to school and will show her friends. How better to find new kids to sail.

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Pat Bisesi
Fleet 204 Syracuse, NY

Yes, The printed Hotline is still very much relavent / desired. Allthough I will download and peruse the PDF version. I READ the hard copy when it comes to my PO Box. I hate reading on a computer screen.

I agree I look forward to the HotLine showing up,especially in the winter.I also enjoy flipping through some back issues.From a selfish point of view I wish it was a monthly publication ,but realize Bi Monthly is still pretty good.As far as articles I am more biased towards racing related articles,i.e race results,tunning,tips,rules and interviews.

I certainly don't mind getting a newsletter online if that means more money can be spent in other useful areas. Printing and mailing costs are very high and online newsletters allow cost effective options for nice color photos, links to sites of interest and even video. Many yacht clubs have gone to a two option system for their newsletters. When memberships are renewed, they ask if you want to receive a paper or online newsletter. That way they know how many to print. I suspect this all comes down to how comfortable your members are with computers as a media source. I gave up my newspaper subscription years ago when I got tired of 3 day old news and 90% ads.

Matt,

You do a great job, it's a great "rag", wish there where more like it. Of course I'm an old fart, but I see my 20 year old sons and friends looking at it, (strategically left out for view). They laugh at the pictures of the way we looked back in the 70's and 80's. As the age pole suggests, only the "hard core" youngsters are digging for it on the net, or even know an on-line version is available.

It's a great marketing tool for any sailors' coffee table. We pull them all and the parts catalogs out at the fleet meetings. It entices HCA membership.

The people part is what makes it, the technical we can get here on the net.

Thanks for your efforts

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hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

It's great to get a sailing mag, in the mail, in the middle of winter! Online is fine, but at least for the next 20 years, it should NOT take the place of the real mag.

Our job as Class officers is to encourage and promote Hobie Cat sailing; the Hotline is a VERY IMPORTANT tool that helps make that happen.

I love PatB. comments about the Youths in the Hotline. Pat, could you please to put together something for the next newsletter? Matt is pretty easy to work with, especially when it's ahead of deadline

I think that the printed page is great and should be continued. It's nice to have a version on the web that can be viewed also, like when you need to look up that article with fantastic advice but aren't near home. But, I trust the US Postal Service much more than the World Wide Web. Very few times has the printed page failed me.

This is coming from a fairly young guy at 23. I'm new to the sport but discovering a copy of the Hot line/ On line was fantastic, thanks to one of MBounds earlier posts by the way. Discovering that a sailing magazine existed for the specific type of boat I sail was both exciting and interesting and it reassured me that I had chosen the right boat to sail. But now that I know it exists, I want the printed page. It is also a very inticing aspect of joining the Hobie Class Association, which I plan to do at the beginning of the year and partly for that reason. What magezine would beach cat sailors have if there wasn't the hotline? I think that the printed page gives the feeling of permanance in the company that supports this product that we all cherish so much.

I also like the comment on the strategic placement of the Hotline. Its a good way to advertise in general, reguardless how how small it may be. I think that the majority of folks I know in my age group wouldn't have had a clue about what a Hobie was if I hadn't of gotten one. It's those sparked conversations that help others become interested, and hopefuly involved in this sport. In short, keep the printed page if at all possible. It will help reach a larger audience.