Kent CCC have for the 2009 season offered free membership to everyone under 13.
And for the first Friends Prov Trophy game, they're offering every member up to four free guest tickets for providing the mobile phone and e-mails details of four cricket enthusiasts who aren't already members.
Exactly the sort of creative marketing Charlton should be trying.
There are intersting parallels between the current plight of both Charlton and Kent.
Kent made a big loss last year, were releagted from div one of the county championship and had to announce substantial redundancies just before Xmas. But at the same time, they advertised for four new marketing staff, all of whom are expected to pay back their salaries several times over in increased membership/sponsorship/hospitality income. Hope it works !
At least one free cup game and some sort of reward system for those who renew next year on away tickets for the next 5 years. E.g. Anyone who buys a season ticket before the start of next season will be at the front of the queue for all away games (demand one day might pick up!) and would be known as Gold Season tickets holders. Would reward loyalty with loyalty.
I don't think a reduction in cost is going to encourage me to renew. If a resturant served up shite time after time and offered me a 10 or 20% discount I just wouldn't go back.
I may renew and I may go on a match by match basis like I always used to before we got in the Premier and was forced to get a season ticket. At least that way I can vote with my feet if the menu is similar to this season. In 40+ years I've taken time out before for other reasons (playing Saturday football/getting married/having kids etc). The last three seasons have knocked the stuffing out of me for now, but I still may renew, at any price.
The Norwich prices work on the basis that they are for CCC or if promoted the Premiership. If relegated they offer 15% discount if renewed by end Feb and 10% if renewed after. If they renewed after April 13 and were promoted there is a higher renewal and new season ticket offer.
There is also a lower price for renewals than for new season tickets (around £20-£30 for adults).
The Barclay Stand (Our covered end) 2 tiers prices same for lower and upper
Up to Feb 28 Up to Apr 13 Up to May 9
Adult £366 £398 £415
Over 60 £224 £243 £250
Under 21 £150 £160 £170
Under 12 £82 £83 £85
Jarrold stand mid pitch (the expensive seats and the equivalent to C,D E of lower west)
Up to Feb 28 Up to Apr 13 Up to May 9
Adult £427 £476 £537
Over 60 £273 £288 £537
Under 21 £251 £288 £537
Under 12 £82 £88 £90
They started selling a couple of months ago, I think we could have done this also.
I really think supporters would have thought we had taken leave of our senses if we had put season tickets on sale in January, in the midst of one of the worst sequences of results in living memory, and threatened fans with big increases if they didn't pay up now.
Roughly speaking Norwich charge what we charge for season tickets but force people to pay in February or face punitive increases. I don't see that working for Charlton in our current circumstances, but it evidently works for Norwich so good luck to them.
We look at what other clubs do, as they look at us. Norwich copied Valley Express.
Whatever you think of it now, the offer of a free Premier League season ticket was a big success for Charlton in retaining season tickets two years running and it didn't cost the club a farthing - although we'd all have been delighted if it had.
It wasn't my idea but it worked, so why not recognise that clever marketing can exist at The Valley as well as at Carrow Road?
How about a "ticket exchange program" where you can exchange stubs not used for games that you miss to bring along a friend or family member to another game. Just an idea.
I agree the free Premiership ticket offer worked for its intended purpose ie to retain revenue. But I think it might have added a sense of false expectation which is why we are now seeing such a disgruntled fanbase.
The more I have seen of this thread I think it might be best to just offer the cheapest season tickets we can and forget any clever marketing/pricing. The only thing that is going to encourage season ticket purchases is success on the pitch.
We could have adopted the Norwich model without having season tickets rise above current levels. Make it an incentive to renew early with further 10-15% off if we went down. I would have renewed already and the club would have a better idea of its cash position ahead of the new season and we would have a fuller Valley.
Norwich allow season tickets to be sold back to the club for games holders cannot make and split the funds if a sale is made. Only something you can do if you are at close to capacity as they are.
Perhaps looking at what other Division 1 clubs are charging would give us a guage to go by. We have a close example in Millwall. Don`t see why our prices should differ very much from what they are charging this season. Anyone know ? Have checked our OS and its not on there.....Typical Charlton ;0)
Brentord Prices current season
Standard Price / Early Bird
ADULT Braemar Road Stand 400 / 380
22 to 59 Bill Axbey Stand 380 / 361
Ealing Road Terrace 300 / 285
SENIOR Braemar Road Stand 280 / 266
60 to 84 Bill Axbey Stand 260 / 247
Ealing Road Terrace 160 / 152
YOUNG PERSON Braemar Road Stand 280 / 266
16 to 21 Bill Axbey Stand 260 / 247
Ealing Road Terrace 160 / 152
JUNIOR Braemar Road Stand 60 / 57
7 to 15 Bill Axbey Stand 60 / 57
Ealing Road Terrace 60 / 57
ADULT FAMILY Braemar Road Stand 860 / 817
2A + 2J Bill Axbey Stand 820 / 779
Ealing Road Terrace 660 / 627
[cite]Posted By: ShootersHillGuru[/cite]Perhaps looking at what other Division 1 clubs are charging would give us a guage to go by. We have a close example in Millwall. Don`t see why our prices should differ very much from what they are charging this season. Anyone know ? Have checked our OS and its not on there.....Typical Charlton ;0)
Millwall's average crowd last season was 8,691 and it's currently 8,222 - despite the fact that they are having a much better season.
It was just 3 years ago there were 22,000 more in our ground than at the Den. Given that at our lowest this season there were just 13,500 at The Valley, if things continue to go wrong for us and better for them, they were soon be having higher crowds.
[cite]Posted By: AFKABartram[/cite]I wouldn't shout too soon Airman.
It was just 3 years ago there were 22,000 more in our ground than at the Den. Given that at our lowest this season there were just 13,500 at The Valley, if things continue to go wrong for us and better for them, they were soon be having higher crowds.
Personally, I think there is a big risk of our attendances falling off a cliff. My point is that it would be bizarre to take a club that is singularly unsuccessful in attracting support when it is doing well and base our own pricing on what doesn't work for them.
Going back to the Norwich example - one thing that we must bear in mind, is that Norwich are centre of their own universe.
They are the only club in Norfolk, they've no other major club within miles, and with the biggest centre of population east of Peterborough, so they've no serious competition.
Even if the ticket price was £50 if pardky is still in charge i definately wont be renewing and will select the games i go to.
Im know this doesnt seem to be much of an issue on here with most people but quite a few people i have spoken to have said the they will not renew, not all because of pardky but some for other reasons ie finance.
"Going back to the Norwich example - one thing that we must bear in mind, is that Norwich are centre of their own universe.
They are the only club in Norfolk, they've no other major club within miles, and with the biggest centre of population east of Peterborough, so they've no serious competition. "
Fair point but 10 years ago they only had 6,000 season ticket holders. The population of Norfolk is only around 500,000. A three fold rise in season tickets in 10 years and facing relegarion to the 3rd tier for the first time in 60 years. They have sold more season tickets this year than this time last year. Something the target 40,000 committee can only dream of.
[cite]Posted By: Maglor[/cite]"Fair point but 10 years ago they only had 6,000 season ticket holders. The population of Norfolk is only around 500,000. A three fold rise in season tickets in 10 years and facing relegarion to the 3rd tier for the first time in 60 years. They have sold more season tickets this year than this time last year. Something the target 40,000 committee can only dream of.
Agreed, but it's not just about marketing, is it? Their fans are still hungry to get back to the top level and believe they can do it. Our fans have had eight seasons of top-flight football in recent memory and more recently been served up wiith three consecutive seasons of disappointment, to put it mildly. The club hasn't yet given them reason to think things are likely to improve in the near future.
[cite]Posted By: Maglor[/cite]"Fair point but 10 years ago they only had 6,000 season ticket holders. The population of Norfolk is only around 500,000. A three fold rise in season tickets in 10 years and facing relegarion to the 3rd tier for the first time in 60 years. They have sold more season tickets this year than this time last year. Something the target 40,000 committee can only dream of.
Agreed, but it's not just about marketing, is it? Their fans are still hungry to get back to the top level and believe they can do it. Our fans have had eight seasons of top-flight football in recent memory and more recently been served up wiith three consecutive seasons of disappointment, to put it mildly. The club hasn't yet given them reason to think things are likely to improve in the near future.
Norwich sacked their manager, appointed a guy already on the payroll, who has gone out and signed a number of loans and non-league players. A world away from us eh ?
At present, for one reason or another, Norwich have a greater number of committed fans than us. That is shown by them taking greater numbers away from home, and getting a higher ST renewal rate than we are likely to.
[cite]Posted By: AFKABartram[/cite]Norwich sacked their manager, appointed a guy already on the payroll, who has gone out and signed a number of loans and non-league players. A world away from us eh ?
One obvious difference is that they appointed a local hero.
At present, for one reason or another, Norwich have a greater number of committed fans than us. That is shown by them taking greater numbers away from home, and getting a higher ST renewal rate than we are likely to.
Apart from crunching carrots and other unsociable activities, many of their supporter base has always been loyal and focussed on NCFC.
Apart from 'the Sky 4' on the telly, they can only get their football at Carrow Road.
Competition? Not really, what else is there to do in Norwich.......?
Comments
And for the first Friends Prov Trophy game, they're offering every member up to four free guest tickets for providing the mobile phone and e-mails details of four cricket enthusiasts who aren't already members.
Exactly the sort of creative marketing Charlton should be trying.
There are intersting parallels between the current plight of both Charlton and Kent.
Kent made a big loss last year, were releagted from div one of the county championship and had to announce substantial redundancies just before Xmas. But at the same time, they advertised for four new marketing staff, all of whom are expected to pay back their salaries several times over in increased membership/sponsorship/hospitality income. Hope it works !
Personally would keep prices at the same leval.
I may renew and I may go on a match by match basis like I always used to before we got in the Premier and was forced to get a season ticket. At least that way I can vote with my feet if the menu is similar to this season. In 40+ years I've taken time out before for other reasons (playing Saturday football/getting married/having kids etc). The last three seasons have knocked the stuffing out of me for now, but I still may renew, at any price.
The Norwich prices work on the basis that they are for CCC or if promoted the Premiership. If relegated they offer 15% discount if renewed by end Feb and 10% if renewed after. If they renewed after April 13 and were promoted there is a higher renewal and new season ticket offer.
There is also a lower price for renewals than for new season tickets (around £20-£30 for adults).
The Barclay Stand (Our covered end) 2 tiers prices same for lower and upper
Up to Feb 28 Up to Apr 13 Up to May 9
Adult £366 £398 £415
Over 60 £224 £243 £250
Under 21 £150 £160 £170
Under 12 £82 £83 £85
Jarrold stand mid pitch (the expensive seats and the equivalent to C,D E of lower west)
Up to Feb 28 Up to Apr 13 Up to May 9
Adult £427 £476 £537
Over 60 £273 £288 £537
Under 21 £251 £288 £537
Under 12 £82 £88 £90
They started selling a couple of months ago, I think we could have done this also.
Roughly speaking Norwich charge what we charge for season tickets but force people to pay in February or face punitive increases. I don't see that working for Charlton in our current circumstances, but it evidently works for Norwich so good luck to them.
We look at what other clubs do, as they look at us. Norwich copied Valley Express.
Whatever you think of it now, the offer of a free Premier League season ticket was a big success for Charlton in retaining season tickets two years running and it didn't cost the club a farthing - although we'd all have been delighted if it had.
It wasn't my idea but it worked, so why not recognise that clever marketing can exist at The Valley as well as at Carrow Road?
The more I have seen of this thread I think it might be best to just offer the cheapest season tickets we can and forget any clever marketing/pricing. The only thing that is going to encourage season ticket purchases is success on the pitch.
Norwich allow season tickets to be sold back to the club for games holders cannot make and split the funds if a sale is made. Only something you can do if you are at close to capacity as they are.
Standard Price / Early Bird
ADULT Braemar Road Stand 400 / 380
22 to 59 Bill Axbey Stand 380 / 361
Ealing Road Terrace 300 / 285
SENIOR Braemar Road Stand 280 / 266
60 to 84 Bill Axbey Stand 260 / 247
Ealing Road Terrace 160 / 152
YOUNG PERSON Braemar Road Stand 280 / 266
16 to 21 Bill Axbey Stand 260 / 247
Ealing Road Terrace 160 / 152
JUNIOR Braemar Road Stand 60 / 57
7 to 15 Bill Axbey Stand 60 / 57
Ealing Road Terrace 60 / 57
ADULT FAMILY Braemar Road Stand 860 / 817
2A + 2J Bill Axbey Stand 820 / 779
Ealing Road Terrace 660 / 627
VICE PRESIDENTS 1000 / 950
Millwall's average crowd last season was 8,691 and it's currently 8,222 - despite the fact that they are having a much better season.
Anyone think we should copy that too?
It was just 3 years ago there were 22,000 more in our ground than at the Den. Given that at our lowest this season there were just 13,500 at The Valley, if things continue to go wrong for us and better for them, they were soon be having higher crowds.
:o(
Personally, I think there is a big risk of our attendances falling off a cliff. My point is that it would be bizarre to take a club that is singularly unsuccessful in attracting support when it is doing well and base our own pricing on what doesn't work for them.
They are the only club in Norfolk, they've no other major club within miles, and with the biggest centre of population east of Peterborough, so they've no serious competition.
Im know this doesnt seem to be much of an issue on here with most people but quite a few people i have spoken to have said the they will not renew, not all because of pardky but some for other reasons ie finance.
Roll-on the new season.
;o)
For you Oggy....
Ideal for flashing....(!)
;o)
They are the only club in Norfolk, they've no other major club within miles, and with the biggest centre of population east of Peterborough, so they've no serious competition. "
Fair point but 10 years ago they only had 6,000 season ticket holders. The population of Norfolk is only around 500,000. A three fold rise in season tickets in 10 years and facing relegarion to the 3rd tier for the first time in 60 years. They have sold more season tickets this year than this time last year. Something the target 40,000 committee can only dream of.
Agreed, but it's not just about marketing, is it? Their fans are still hungry to get back to the top level and believe they can do it. Our fans have had eight seasons of top-flight football in recent memory and more recently been served up wiith three consecutive seasons of disappointment, to put it mildly. The club hasn't yet given them reason to think things are likely to improve in the near future.
I'm clinging on to the 'hasn't yet' !!!
At present, for one reason or another, Norwich have a greater number of committed fans than us. That is shown by them taking greater numbers away from home, and getting a higher ST renewal rate than we are likely to.
I knew we should have gone with Cheryl Baker.....
Apart from crunching carrots and other unsociable activities, many of their supporter base has always been loyal and focussed on NCFC.
Apart from 'the Sky 4' on the telly, they can only get their football at Carrow Road.
Competition? Not really, what else is there to do in Norwich.......?
;o)
Or all home cup tickets a fiver each, if you purchase your ticket before the end of may.