|
Post by 56george on Jan 3, 2014 13:00:07 GMT 10
Hey fellow Shadow Riders Australia members. I have taken part in discussions centered around promoting our Honda Shadow motorcycles. Particularly to raise awareness of the fact that SRA exists and to encourage other Honda Shadow riders to share our love for our Honda Shadows. I remember troggy approached Midland Honda and asked if they would help promote our group by handing cards to buyers of Honda Shadows from their dealership. I'm sure we would like to have our group SRA recognised as an independant and we'll supported group of Honda Shadow riders. To be seen as a well organised group with a degree of structure and leadership and direction. What are your thoughts. How far do we want to go with this? How quickly do we want to grow Maybe we take things slowly and allow the group the grow at a pace we can control and not get out of hand. What structure would be best suited to our group. How best can we raise our profile How can we get our name out there Can we advertise in local magazines A banner to erect when we park at events How about local tv or local news papers or flyers Advertise on Gumtree in automotive and community sections
Share your thoughts guys. It's time for SRA to take the next step up. To make 2014 the year it happens.
|
|
|
Post by zombielovechild on Jan 3, 2014 16:34:24 GMT 10
Mate I have given out cards at numerous shops and honestly most of them don't hand them out with the exception of the salesman I spoke to , other steps need to be taken , make us a proper club like the ulysis group with organised meets apart from the 1 big one a year we have now , I've had several friends either walk away from or check out the site and not join the SRA because it's not a proper nor organized club , it pains me to say so but if it's to be a serious enterprise it needs to be taken more seriously
|
|
|
Post by 56george on Jan 3, 2014 20:03:45 GMT 10
Hey Zombie Lovechild. Thanks for the feedback. I think it's a catch 22 situation really. Support in Numbers would help SRA grow but we struggle to get the membership up because we lack an organised structure. I'm sure we could put in place a basic structure and plan and organise rides and events from a meeting of members. An ideal scenario would be to have people join SRA and as a member proactively promote our group. It's unfortunate that people look but are put off my the lack of an organised structure. There are many Honda Shadows out there in WA and Honda Shadow owners I have met don't know SRA exists.
|
|
|
Post by intherough on Jan 3, 2014 20:58:27 GMT 10
Well if people are coming to this site you have to ask, what would entice them to stick around and check it out further? More regular rides? Pre and post reports of the rides with pics of happy smiling faces? Commentary/reports on our Meet & Bleats?
So is it really a structured organization that people are looking for and keen to get in to. Bikers will still look for the structured organisations/clubs like Ulysses but that won't stop them from joining groups like SRA either - I know, I'm a Ulysses member as well as part of SRA and I know I'm not the only one.. And gues what? I don't even ride a Shadow!! So how did I get to find this group? Through a group ride from another Perth forum where I met a couple of SRA members. There were more regular updates to the forum and definitely more group rides. Over time I even made a couple of friends and that kept me stay in the group.
So, a structured organisation or regular reports and more content updates that stirs the inquisitive nature enough for them to come and attend their inaugural SRA ride or event? We've been fairly quiet here in WA during 2013 and without regular updates to our forum then why would anyone want to stick around? So more group rides, events and updates are what I'd like to see happen.
Shall we step it up a notch?
Angel, Troggs, Scrap, Greyshadow, Moe, George, me old mates ... let's go for a ride and see who else wants to tag along. I'll bring the camera.
|
|
|
Post by 56george on Jan 3, 2014 22:04:49 GMT 10
Hey roughy. Satisfying everyone's needs is difficult at the best of times. And I don't think we should try to be everything to everyone. It's just not possible. I agree roughy we ride and entice members by doing what we do best and that's riding and enjoying each other's company. We post our rides before and after, We hold more of them and In the case of special events we ride united under the SRA banner. I can't help thinking a public show of unity in a small group would turn heads and open eyes.
|
|
|
Post by 56george on Jan 3, 2014 23:47:25 GMT 10
Hey roughy. Satisfying everyone's needs is difficult at the best of times. And I don't think we should try to be everything to everyone. It's just not possible. I agree roughy we ride and entice members by doing what we do best and that's riding and enjoying each other's company. We post our rides before and after, We hold more of them and In the case of special events we ride united under the SRA banner. I can't help thinking a public show of unity in a small group would turn heads and open eyes.
|
|
troglett
Scout
You can't have everything ..where would you put it ? (Richard Wright)
Posts: 157
|
Post by troglett on Jan 4, 2014 0:44:44 GMT 10
George , you know I wholeheartedly support anything to raise the profile of the group. My discussions with Jason at Midland Honda were not just centred around a card drop , I need to find the time to sit down with him and write some copy regarding the group which he will include in an email out to all the folks he's sold Shadows to in the last 3 years ..and there are a lot of them. Unfortunately this isn't something I can handball to anyone else as it's basically dependent on the fact that Jason and I are mates ( yep , he's also Louie's nephew ..but we wont hold that against him..hehehehe ) which is why he's prepared to make a bit more of an effort on our behalf than most dealers would . I do agree with Zombie ..most riders do crave structure and an obvious "lead from the front" situation and pretty much every Shadow owner I've spoken to about joining the group has said this in one way or another .. I have met and spoken to one prospective new rider today and left a polite note on another nice 400 Shadow which was parked where I park while I'm at work. I dont know if anything will come from the note , but most of the questions that the guy I spoke to today was asking had to do with structure and organisation , so I really do feel it's prevalent in rider's minds . If they dont find the things they feel they need from a group ( sorry , I can't say club...we dont wear 3 piece patches..so to me , we're not a club )they will most likely continue to ride alone or with friends and never go beyond that. Trog
|
|
|
Post by dg6oo2 on Jan 4, 2014 10:17:13 GMT 10
All good points have been made on this subject probably the only thing I could add would be an s.r.a sticker on the members bikes with the web address on it so when the bike is parked at a ride or rally the forum is being advertised, I know as far as merchandise goes the s.r.a has some really neat stuff already, As for raising the forums profile for other shadow riders I,m all for it whether it be handing out cards doing more rides n rallies because if it wasn,t for puffy(paul)introducing himself to me and talking about the forum I didn,t know the forum existed, as most forums I know of are U.S based.
|
|
|
Post by Steve Coe on Jan 4, 2014 11:21:26 GMT 10
Sorry it's been so long I've forgotten my login. I've been as bad as many others and have been only on FB for a long time now and have left the pro board site flounder. Rusty started this web page with a $ , or two, and a dream. Yes we have slowly raised our profile and now have an elected committee and looking forward to our second AGM. There are many clubs out there that have a lot fewer members than us and are surviving well. As I said we started slow and grew because blokes like Ray, Rusty, Jayne and the like got out there and spread the word. You will not get every shadow rider to join all we can hope for is to continue our growth at its present rate. If we want a more structured organisation we can run elections on a state based council with a national head quarters. Have our AGM and then have a state organised muster latter in the year to elect state council. Only a thought.
We must also encourage new members through rides and invitation on FB and other social media outlets that many of us are currently participing in this should increase our profile, thereby increasing membership
Steve Coe Member Nr 003
|
|
|
Post by angel on Jan 4, 2014 12:16:33 GMT 10
I think the main reason for the falling off of the SRA site in general last year was the introduction of the facebook site. most people pop onto FB daily so without having to sign in to another site they are able to keep up to date with each other. With WA last year a few major offs leaving riders injured and horseless, as well as personal issues stopping things were the things that held us back from even being our normal selves. It is a new year and we can shake ourselves off and start again. We dont need any official structure. we just need regular rides and photos, which always happen thanks to Roughy. I will make sure we have once monthly rides at least by posting up dates and we can organise amongst ourselves who will lead and to and from where. You all know by now that as the medic i prefer to be tail end charlie so the normal rules of " he who posts leads" do not apply For those who are new, we do not like long rides and do not leave early enough to do them anyway. We usually meet up at 9.30 for 10 am sart. have a long and chatty lunch then ride on, either ending in afternoon coffee before splitting up for home or we continue the ride and stop somewhere for a quick goodbye before going our own ways
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2014 19:25:14 GMT 10
Well i,m definately with Angel on the one thing . People we need pics of the meets or rides. It shows people thta look in on us how much we enjoy the events . Another thing to look at maybe is give yourselves enough leed time for a ride . Posting monthly group rides in advance to me give one and all a chance to keep that date free or organize with the co-ord another date . But best to keep it solid iff possible . Then again anyone doing a spontanious ride put it out there as well . Hope i,m not intruding here . Cheers Ray
|
|