USL Sacramento - building local support

Discussion in 'Sacramento Republic FC' started by techguy9707, Feb 1, 2013.

  1. techguy9707

    techguy9707 Member

    Nov 23, 2011
    Antelope, CA
    I know we can't dictate what the team does, but what are some ideas about ways to build the local support.

    Should we have in-person forums before or after a soccer event?
    Do we meet in a bar or a quieter venue?

    How does the team discuss ideas that may not turn into concrete plans without over-shaing or over-committing?
     
  2. Blaugrana stunna

    Blaugrana stunna New Member

    Dec 3, 2012
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    I think a bar/restaurant is a good idea. We can have weekly forums. We can meet there before and after the game. It can turn into a regular thing to do at a couple places. Though, I don't know too many decent places within walking distance of Hughes (if that's where they are planning to play)
     
  3. QuietType

    QuietType Member+

    Jun 6, 2009
    Sacramento, CA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Track 7 Brewery. Also, there is a light rail stop literally at Hughes' doorstep, so people can take advantage of that to have meet ups where light rail can take you.
     
  4. QuietType

    QuietType Member+

    Jun 6, 2009
    Sacramento, CA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Does anyone here attend Sac City College or know someone who does? Would be a good source to have outreach to the primarily youth that attend there. Probably the best way to quickly increase the ranks of a supporters group. (Discounted or free tickets for SCC students would also help!) ;)
     
  5. Bosnian Diamond

    Bosnian Diamond Member+

    Aug 9, 2011
    Mars
    Club:
    FK Velez
    Nat'l Team:
    Bosnia-Herzegovina
    SO the group name Sac City Soldiers has been mentioned (I am in favor of it). ANy other ideas for a supporters group name?
     
  6. Knave

    Knave Member+

    May 25, 1999
    More pressing than figuring out a supporters group name, is gathering names of supporters.

    That's really what I want to begin talking about. This forum is great, but it's not enough. We have to start putting together names and contact information. An old-fashioned email list can be a pretty powerful thing, and there's plenty of free services online that can help you do it. (I've used MailChimp before on other projects.)

    I think name, email address and zip code is what's needed. The email address is the most important info because it's the means of continued contact. The zip gives you an idea of the geographic range of interest. The name, frankly, could be optional if people want to protect their identity.
     
    markmcf8 repped this.
  7. mangerson

    mangerson Member+

    Sacramento Republic, San Jose Earthquakes
    Jan 8, 2008
    Sacramento, CA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Sutter's Army?
     
    markmcf8 and Bosnian Diamond repped this.
  8. Knave

    Knave Member+

    May 25, 1999
    I'm just putting this down as a marker of sorts ...

    Yesterday I listened to the latest Big Question podcast about the financial and cultural relationships between craft beer and American soccer. There are a number of local brewers around. I think there are opportunities here for supporters to forge relationships between local brewers and this future team.

    Listen to the podcast. Hear what other supporters have done. I am confident you'll agree this is an avenue worth pursuing.
     
    quakesfan209, markmcf8 and Mikey mouse repped this.
  9. NateTheRed

    NateTheRed New Member

    Feb 1, 2013
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    You had me at craft beer ;)
     
  10. techguy9707

    techguy9707 Member

    Nov 23, 2011
    Antelope, CA
  11. mangerson

    mangerson Member+

    Sacramento Republic, San Jose Earthquakes
    Jan 8, 2008
    Sacramento, CA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  12. techguy9707

    techguy9707 Member

    Nov 23, 2011
    Antelope, CA
    I am hoping to build some sections to discuss different ideas. The group allows you to send emails out but people can have their information private. I think I can also create calendars and you can choose to get email or text reminders.
     
  13. Knave

    Knave Member+

    May 25, 1999
    I'm not sure why we need another discussion forum. Can't we discuss all this here? I thought that was basically the point of requesting this board.

    I would strongly recommend MailChimp for a simple email list.
     
  14. techguy9707

    techguy9707 Member

    Nov 23, 2011
    Antelope, CA
    You're right. I looked at MailChimp vs. G. group and Chimp looks better for our needs.

    Watch for a Chimp message very soon. I have it setup but don't have the link with me.
     
    markmcf8 repped this.
  15. Mikey mouse

    Mikey mouse Member

    Jul 27, 1999
    Charleston, SC
    Club:
    Charleston
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    goo

    thanks for the link I missed it. As a big supporter of craft beer

    Here in Charleston the club has linked up with local Holy City Brewing and sell their brew at the beer garden and in the pub at the stadium. Our supporters group have worked with other local brewer in the past (Palmetto Ale, Westbrook, Mobius, and Coast) at various get togethers and who have usually donated a keg for our tailgates.

    the good thing about local brews it easy to just to call up the or go into the brewery and talk to them.

    Back on topic though, does Sacto have a AO chapter might get some support there as well. anywhere that shows EPL match locally you will likely find some as well.

    Also a facebook page or group for supporters would be good too.
     
  16. techguy9707

    techguy9707 Member

    Nov 23, 2011
    Antelope, CA
    Yes, we have an AO chapter. I have not been to any of the functions they host but I am sure we will pool resources. I was going to attend the USA v CAN game party but I got sick and have been since then.
     
  17. proud smurf

    proud smurf Member

    Jul 30, 2005
    Uranus
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Guys, once you have the name of the group, I'm all to help you by making you a banner like I did for
    the Victory (USL 2005) and others SGS in the area.

    As per the name of the group, I always like the ones that give you an idea of of a large numbers of members, like brigade, army, etc.
     
  18. markmcf8

    markmcf8 Member+

    Oct 18, 1999
    Vancouver, WA, USA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    proud smurf's banners are legend! This would be a huge boon to any supporter's group.

    Sutter's Army, class, history, and no one can make jokes about your sacs. ;) Import point that!

    - Mark
     
    NowhereMan repped this.
  19. Knave

    Knave Member+

    May 25, 1999
    I've had good success with MailChimp email lists. The setup can be a little tricky (the interface to make this field required, and that other one optional isn't great) but you only do that once, and then it's done and you have an easily distributable link (and QR code) to the survey page. The trick is to get that link out on social media.
    Both good ideas. And then we should see if we can't have the Sacramento Pro Soccer Facebook page publicize the supporters Facebook page.
     
  20. NateTheRed

    NateTheRed New Member

    Feb 1, 2013
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    I'm not sure where our team stands on money, but since Facebook has that new advertise function for posts, maybe they could start doing some of those later in the year? Even take donations that would go towards the advertising?
     
  21. techguy9707

    techguy9707 Member

    Nov 23, 2011
    Antelope, CA
    One idea I had about a Supporter's Group Name is something like "The Fortress" playing off Sutter's Fort. This can either be created before the team name... or after.
     
  22. techguy9707

    techguy9707 Member

    Nov 23, 2011
    Antelope, CA
    As far as getting a supporters/fan groups going. I created a Twitter profile @SacUSLProFans https://twitter.com/SacUSLProFans , a Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/SacUSLProFans . I also plan on creating some calendars that you can link to. I link several teams calendar's to my personal Gmail account and it's very nice to have them in my phone without needing to dig for them, or maintain them.

    I will get the MailChimp setup so we can create mailing lists.

    I did have a tweet chat with Marcos Breton, a local journalist, and he seems interested in what have building here. He likes his soccer/futbol. A little press might be good. He recommended deVere's Pub as a place to watch some soccer and have a meetup. deVere's tweeted that were interested in what we are starting.

    I do want to put this out there, I have taken some steps to get some communications channels up and running; but, this is going to take the efforts of more than one person to make it a success. I am technically savvy and can do anything we want with computer graphics, I would like to see to get some "people leaders" engaged.
     
  23. proud smurf

    proud smurf Member

    Jul 30, 2005
    Uranus
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I just "like" the fb page !
    This is defenetly a very good step to start with
     
  24. mangerson

    mangerson Member+

    Sacramento Republic, San Jose Earthquakes
    Jan 8, 2008
    Sacramento, CA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    That would work. I had posted "Sutter's Army" because I like the name "Sam's Army" for the supporters of the UNMNT. However, Portland already has "Timber's Army" so, with MLS aspirations, we should probably stay away from "army."
     
  25. Blaugrana stunna

    Blaugrana stunna New Member

    Dec 3, 2012
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Wow! TG this is awesome. I will be spreading the word about the supporters pages
     

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