I understand that a lot of memberships up on the upper end of value, but I still believe with the supporter base it should be higher

The target increase is just stating the obvious, the goal will be to always build upon what you have

Turning apathetic supporters into members (or dollars) is never an easy task. The embedded Carlton supporter in me wants them to reach 50,000. The schadenfreude in me wants them to not reach that figure because it forces them (or should) to re-evaluate their membership, communications and customer service in order to hit more targets. That will be better for everyone in the short-medium term. I'd put good money on their business plan (in-house document) actions being askew from their measurables...e.g We are going to do this. How are you going to do it?

There aren't many I would think are actually desperate to see us achieve 50k, however as a target the club set it is of interest - I thought with a continued run of good form we might have got close, but if we don't it won't ruin my day..

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I think that the CFC may have thought that 50K should come about pretty easily, but are now finding themselves scratching around trying to achieve that figure.
We won't see 50K but rather something around the 47-48K mark, by giving it a really good push, unless we do have a secret weapon being held back.

So what's going to change for next year?
From what has come forward from the CFC, via their communications is this:

1. The membership drive will commence earlier.
2. We will prepare for it better and offer a quicker turnaround service for customers receiving their kits.
3. Communications will be somewhat more open with an on-line service allowing you to track your delivery.

Not sure what Jeanne and the Marketing department have to offer beyond that, but we best make hay whilst the sun shines.

We'll see.

A better package? Online services that leave members feeling they get more value for money? More supporter nights and functions that make them feel included?

On average, what does a Carlton player have to do in terms of media and supporter commitments? We all know Murph, Juddy and the like are making regular appearances and taking TV and radio interviews weekly and that's a strain, but what about the 20-30 players who are doing next to nothing most weeks?

Why can't they rotate through the FD staff and 5 or 10 players every month of the season and have a supporters' night? They'd get more money, more interest and it wouldn't be a drain on anyone. Too busy appealing to those with the spare cash to see how simple it would be to put on a less (but still) profitable night for the average Carlton fan that could turn them into a supporter because they'll be part of a legitimate community.

Probably scared they won't be able to stand negative comments. 99% of people would ask what went wrong in a polite fashion, instead of preaching they know better.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

The would need to screen out TC members

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Damn! The Essendon* loss may have cost us some members! I hope we can regroup and beat Fremantle well so the bandwagoners will jump on!

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dane's trolling again

Early posting today. We are now within 150 or so of breaking our record and still have about 10 weeks to go. We now have 43,649 Members!

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2002:> "In their Masters Chambers
They Gathered for their Feast
They Stabbed us with their Steely Knives
But They Just Can't Kill The Beast!" <2016

THE BLUEBAGGER BEAST IS BAACKK!!

This daily update business is great for us Carlton tragics.

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dane's trolling again

We've only contributed 2/3 our usual Carlton memberships with Lil' Miss Wojee completely losing interest in the AFL and declining to renew. I'd considered renewing anyway but figured if I decide I really want to donate extra I'll just upgrade my own membership.
Lil' Miss Wojee II will come on board in a couple of years though

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"One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds." - Frank Zappa

This weeks graph for your perusal. It clearly shows that we are trending upwards, compared to 2011. Whilst we didn't crack the 1,000 for the week that we have been getting, we are 2,900 up on this time last year.

_________________
2002:> "In their Masters Chambers
They Gathered for their Feast
They Stabbed us with their Steely Knives
But They Just Can't Kill The Beast!" <2016

THE BLUEBAGGER BEAST IS BAACKK!!

For me it's mostly about bragging rights. Not an especially worthwhile goal, perhaps. However it is a very public measure of marketing success for the club, which could possibly provide spin-offs for the club; I'm not sure?

If other clubs are inflating their numbers with rubbish pet memberships (and I'm totally sure if they do or not) then I think we should too. The vast majority of people couldn't care less what type of category contributes to the "official" membership tally.

Aside from that I also like Doc's premise that not making 50K might embarrass the membership/marketing depts into working a bit harder/more effectively.

Although, membership is a pretty basic thing from a dollar and sense pov, either you want to be a member or you don't. I'm not sure there's any magic potions other clubs are offering that we're not.

For me, and I guess others, it's very much an emotional contribution. Living in Canberra, especially, it makes no sense from an economic position as I don't get value for money. I only get the silver 11 game home memberships for mrs camel and I. so it's not like I'm breaking the bank, but it's still nice to have that sense of belonging (whatever that is).

If we accept the club has several hundred thousand fans around the country/globe, it stands to reason, given the apparent success of other clubs, that we should easily get 50K members, probably a lot more.

But it's up to the club to evaluate the worth of a high membership tally and then, if they rate it highly enough, to make a solid effort to convert average fan into a member. An emotional attachment works fine for me, but it may not for others.

However, if the club's finances are truly sound, maybe it doesn't really matter how many members we have. It's grand final success and those Premiership Cups that count the most.

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Well written Camel. I'd love for the club to get on the front foot and invite a focus group down to the club for a robust discussion on what is being done right, what's being done wrong and what can be done to fix it. Because as most of us know...once you're inside the cauldron (or the bubble) of a club, company, etc that has a significant membership/investor segment to it - it can be very difficult to see the forest for the trees. They've absolutely nothing to lose by doing this, and if they were smart about it - could save themselves thousands of consultancy fee dollars in the process....which I'm betting will be the boards next step.

Hopefully, Craig Mathison and Ryan Trainor get given the membership portfolio when they join the board at years end.

mmmmmmmmmmm I didn't know that Craig was coming on board.

Mark Harrison, Ari Suss and Stephen Moulton are stepping down. These two are in. No vote (which is disappointing for some members), but it's positive given their background and love of the club. Board size goes from 12 to 11.

You'd like to think, at the very least, a short 3-5 question survey is sent to non-renewing members every year.* And actually, doing the same for returning members wouldn't be such a bad idea. But a proper sit down focus group could be a good thing if the club is open to new ideas.

Focus groups can be as valuable as they can be dangerous. I don't have a lot of experience with them, but know enough to say they need to managed well and, ideally, without an old agenda behind them that may influence the questions/results.

*I know the club has sent out online surveys in the past, but they cover a lot of things and while no doubt worthwhile, a small number of straightforward questions focused solely on membership, requiring concise feedback, could be a good starting point.

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That board size should be decreasing a lot faster than it is presently. I hope that is a reflection of how few hours they can each contribute to the club, rather than some self-belief they need to keep pressure on at board level.

_________________
29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

I don't know if it's been mentioned; but years ago; there was a ''Blue'' Membership for those who couldn't/didn't go to games; and for that you got a keyring with fixture and the Carlton Magazine for the year.

Is there still a thing like this?.....Collingwood are showing the way with variety of Memberships.

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No ones listening till you make a mistake.

I think there are Warby, but they aren't counted in official statistics.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Only match day memberships count toward the official tally.
I was a Blue Member for a couple of years then upgraded to a Silver 11 game membership.

The kids memberships are more expensive and have less and crappier stuff in the pack than Essendon*'s junior options.

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"One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds." - Frank Zappa