Every time I attend a match at Soccer Park, I don't just see it as affordable entertainment. And to be blunt I don't do it because it's good soccer or because I love NASL. I go to games because I want to see MLS in St Louis. So every time I go to a game, I consider it a long-term investment. Each ticket I buy is my way of "voting" for MLS to award a franchise here. My point in sharing this is that people go to games for different reasons. For example, lowering ticket prices won't affect me much because I'm not going for affordable entertainment. Cheap tickets is a major benefit, but not my primary reason for attending. Our efforts could benefit from understanding why people attend. If you know why they come, you'll be able to do a better job of appealing to their wants and needs. Let's look at some of the potential reasons why people come to games and who that audience is: 1) Families looking for affordable weekend entertainment 2) People looking for an excuse to get wasted and set off smoke bombs 3) Soccer players who like being around the game 4) Fans with a long term vision of MLS coming to St Louis Advertising "be part of the crowd" with a picture of smoke bombs going off won't appeal much to Group #1. But advertising the ticket prices might. On the other hand, advertising ticket prices to Group #4 might not matter as much. Instead they might want to see a message like "get in on the early stage" or "help bring MLS to St Louis one game at a time". I love to see fans taking initiative to help elevate the club and bring more fans on board. Hope this feedback is helpful. I look forward in helping any way I can.
5) Fans who like soccer, like having a hometown team to cheer on, like to drink a few beers, don't mind the smokebombs, maybe once played or still play soccer, would love to have an MLS team here and like that it's affordable entertainment. but yes, I see your point. that's why I'm also posting the plain, but professional looking flyers that Ken Godat of Ac St.Louis gave to me. I do like your phrase you came up with, maybe Brad could come up with one of those too.
Not to be a downer here but I wouldn't play up the whole MLS idea too much. There were some Eads Brigadeers who were pretty active until it was announced that we were getting an NASL team instead of an MLS team. I hate to see people only come in support of the team in hopes of it getting promoted, then if that doesn't happen they get pissed and stop supporting all together. People who'll support the team no matter what league they're in are a much better long term investment. That being said you're absolutely right that we need to appeal to peoples motives for coming out. The best are the ones who love soccer and will support the club and the ones who are just looking for cheap entertainment... then we can convert them.
I think it's a wonderful idea to come up with different flyers for each demographic. Make 4 different ones and spread them out accordingly. Shops like Soccer Master would be an ideal location for demographic #1 since it's mostly families and coaches that come in there. Passing out flyers for demographic #2 would be wonderful at placed like The Amsterdam or other pubs and bars. #3 and #4 would be just fine anywhere really...
I'll play around with some other designs, but I kind of agree with Tim on the MLS fans. This is NASL and we should be proud of that. St. Louis was the MLS doormat and that ship has sailed. I'll be happy if it ever happens, but I'm thrilled to have the team we have. Besides- are there that many diehard MLS fans in St. Louis to market to? I can work on a Soccer Mom Flyer and a Support Your Local Team Flyer. Everybody else feel free to make your own as well. I'm no professional, just a dork with a Mac and a little free time.
Perhaps we could drop off the Soccer Mom flyers at places like SoccerMaster? Also, can somebody PM me Ken's email address? I have a couple ideas/leads on how to get some high school teams involved.
Soccer mom is awesome! Please don't take this the wrong way because I'm only thinking out loud, but is the Spanish flyer too stereotypical? I'm not saying it is. I think it's great. Whatever it takes to bring more fans.
There is a perfect Target/strip-mall for me to put up all of the different fliers. There is a soccer master, comic shop, Mexican restaurant, and a bunch of other shops.
Chickenhead, I'd change the "Wednesday" to "Miercoles" and "July" to "Julio"... Otherwise, it's amazing!
Should I change the "Wednesday" and "July" per MUHooligan's suggestion? Also- Should I do the same flyer in English to post next to the Spanish ones? Surely there will be some English speaking people in these places too?
I emailed .pdf copies of the flyers to everyone that requested them. If you didn't get them or still want them, just let me know.
I'd love some, I think you have my email. Also, an idea: we create a facebook event for the game on th 28th. ONE EVENT, encompassing, HSC, STL Ultras, Eads Brigade, RCS, L. Army, UK, etc. etc. etc. Invite pretty much everybody you know that has even a 5% chance of showing up. Who's with me?
Jen started a facebook event for the pre-game tailgate party. RSVP and invite as many people as you can think of. I invited all my soccer friends, but I don't know too many UK members. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=133857609985315
OK...I sent out invites to about 75 or 80 people...I don't know...a bunch on my friends list. I also mentioned that there are a LIMITED number of free tix.