Just curious if anyone has experimented with using promotional items (key chains, pens, foam balls) for CAP? I am hoping to get some decent recruiting drives going here, and just thought this would maybe help out. Any thoughts/experiences?
For starters, who pays for them?
I use them all the time for our "DDR" activities. Balsa Airplanes, Keychain Whistles, Pens, etc. In the last year, I've probably given out 5,000 balsa airplanes to kids and parents, etc.
The DDR promo items are free, you just pay for shipping.
I think I've spend $30 in the last year for about 10K promo items.
I didn't realize DDR was still giving stuff out, I thought they had disco'ed that.
Quote from: Eclipse on May 18, 2011, 10:03:35 PM
I didn't realize DDR was still giving stuff out, I thought they had disco'ed that.
They are still doing the promotional items, just not t-shirts. They have a specific catalog and vendor to order from. Once you get approval for your DDR activity, you're given a code to enter on the vendors site.
Quote from: jimmydeanno on May 18, 2011, 09:58:39 PM
I use them all the time for our "DDR" activities. Balsa Airplanes, Keychain Whistles, Pens, etc. In the last year, I've probably given out 5,000 balsa airplanes to kids and parents, etc.
The DDR promo items are free, you just pay for shipping.
I think I've spend $30 in the last year for about 10K promo items.
Who did you go thru? I have found some promo sites, but I am looking for better pricing.
Eclipse- I am paying out of pocket.
Quote from: mclarke on May 18, 2011, 10:12:20 PM
Quote from: jimmydeanno on May 18, 2011, 09:58:39 PM
I use them all the time for our "DDR" activities. Balsa Airplanes, Keychain Whistles, Pens, etc. In the last year, I've probably given out 5,000 balsa airplanes to kids and parents, etc.
The DDR promo items are free, you just pay for shipping.
I think I've spend $30 in the last year for about 10K promo items.
Who did you go thru? I have found some promo sites, but I am looking for better pricing.
Eclipse- I am paying out of pocket.
I talked to the DDR office at NHQ. They sent a link with all the information.
I should get a hold of them. I am looking more towards general recruiting. Like, going into schools, or airshow displays. Something I can hand out with the Squadron info (foam balls, pens, carabiners, etc)... Just simple things. Hopefully they will have more than DDR only items.
Quote from: mclarke on May 18, 2011, 10:27:01 PM
I should get a hold of them. I am looking more towards general recruiting. Like, going into schools, or airshow displays. Something I can hand out with the Squadron info (foam balls, pens, carabiners, etc)... Just simple things. Hopefully they will have more than DDR only items.
Your wing DDRA or region DDRC is the contact person. In order to be approved properly there MUST be a DDR activity being presented and the proper after action report generated. You cannot just order stuff to give away without the DDR tie in. Given that these items are specifically ordered from the DDR catalog, they are labeled with the DDR logo.
At an information table at a KidsDay community event last Saturday, we passed out about 200 DDR-supplied helicopters. A big hit!
But what's the return on investment? I seriously doubt that more than a dozen prospective members will follow-up. In this case, it didn't cost me anything so I'm not overly concerned.
It's OK to pass out "freebies", but they just make you popular for a moment. What you're really trying to do is find serious, qualified prospects, right? Seriously consider screening to whom you hand out the more pricey things...especially if you or the squadron are paying for them. Make it clear that you are expecting some sort of commitment (visit a meeting, join, etc.) in return.
In the end, I don't think "freebies" accomplish that.
Quote from: AdAstra on May 19, 2011, 12:05:48 AM
But what's the return on investment?
QuoteI seriously doubt that more than a dozen prospective members will follow-up.
If you can recruit 6% of the people you hand a DDR helicopter to, I bet it's some sort of record.
But the ROI is the people who follow up, the parents that now know that CAP exists, the chance of someone else getting ahold of that item with your name on it.
Freebies are more of a visibility thing anyway. I'd rather have kids with CAP/DDR freebies in their hand than a kid whose never had an interaction with us.
Well, I kind of would like to imcorporate what I use to do as an RA (recruiter assistant) for the Army.
When kids come up, I would like to get a name, number, address, hand out little things (maybe a pen), that way I can ensure a follow up with the cadet AND their parents. I want to get the parents involved to hopefully encourage the cadet as well as make sure they understand who we are and what we do. Then, for those who actually join I would ensure a a water bottle. After they commit to the program 6 months get them a squadron t-shirt.
I got some promotional items in the past. Pens seemed to be the most popular and I've done this for other promotional things too. While promoting my website at a large conference, I handed out pens and people formed lines to collect them. Couple thousand of them, poof.
4imprint is good. They price match as well. I knocked a huge amount off my last couple orders by finding some lower prices elsewhere. Their prices are actually good to begin with.
Years ago, WIWAC, I set up with NHQ to work with their vendor for promotional things, thus giving us lower prices and no setup fees. I'm not sure if this could still be arranged as it was many years ago.
Quote from: mclarke on May 18, 2011, 10:12:20 PMEclipse- I am paying out of pocket.
Inappropriate - at a minimum it should be squadron funds. I cringe whenever I hear people tell me they do things
like this out of their own pocket, because that results in situations which are not sustainable, scale-able, or that live beyond the person
with the benevolent checkbook.
Further, in some case they engender an inappropriate feeling of "ownership" of the squadron or process, which may in turn lead to
an inappropriate level of bad feelings if things change or do not go the respective member's way. It also allows people do "do things"
without any scrutiny of the finance committee or command staff, which in itself is not appropriate.
If it works as a recruiting tool, the unit should pay for it.
To the original question, a charitable organization giving stuff away with the right hand and asking for money with the left
doesn't usually send the right message.
Quote from: Eclipse on May 19, 2011, 12:58:30 AM
Quote from: mclarke on May 18, 2011, 10:12:20 PMEclipse- I am paying out of pocket.
Inappropriate - at a minimum it should be squadron funds. I cringe whenever I hear people tell me they do things
like this out of their own pocket, because that results in situations which are not sustainable, scale-able, or that live beyond the person
with the benevolent checkbook.
Further, in some case they engender an inappropriate feeling of "ownership" of the squadron or process, which may in turn lead to
an inappropriate level of bad feelings if things change or do not go the respective member's way. It also allows people do "do things"
without any scrutiny of the finance committee or command staff, which in itself is not appropriate.
If it works as a recruiting tool, the unit should pay for it.
To the original question, a charitable organization giving stuff away with the right hand and asking for money with the left
doesn't usually send the right message.
I have seen what Eclipse describes first hand. Bad feelings are always the result. Your intentions are great but save your $$$ and get your unit/wing to pay.
Eh, it is never a problem for me because I am the recruiter and PAO, so anything I by for either task I keep with me, unless I want it to be distributed in anyway.
I have actually bought numerous items for the squadron out of pocket (needed a new light in the hangar for example, but it was a 10.00 lamp for the uniform area)... No big deal... I buy with the mind set I am donating this to the squadron, so I just keep a personal record of what I spend. Tax time comes, a really good family friend is a paralegal and helps me thru it all. No probs.
Once I buy something for the Squadron, it becomes the Squadron. If I leave CAP (which I will never do), or switch squadrons, I will not ask and would not ask for anything back. I feel that as long as I keep that in mind it is never a problem.
Quote from: CAP Producer on May 19, 2011, 01:12:36 AM
Quote from: Eclipse on May 19, 2011, 12:58:30 AM
Quote from: mclarke on May 18, 2011, 10:12:20 PMEclipse- I am paying out of pocket.
Inappropriate - at a minimum it should be squadron funds. I cringe whenever I hear people tell me they do things
like this out of their own pocket, because that results in situations which are not sustainable, scale-able, or that live beyond the person
with the benevolent checkbook.
Further, in some case they engender an inappropriate feeling of "ownership" of the squadron or process, which may in turn lead to
an inappropriate level of bad feelings if things change or do not go the respective member's way. It also allows people do "do things"
without any scrutiny of the finance committee or command staff, which in itself is not appropriate.
If it works as a recruiting tool, the unit should pay for it.
To the original question, a charitable organization giving stuff away with the right hand and asking for money with the left
doesn't usually send the right message.
I have seen what Eclipse describes first hand. Bad feelings are always the result. Your intentions are great but save your $$$ and get your unit/wing to pay.
Eh, I understand where you are coming from, however, I have money that is just laying around. Having looked into it, its tax deductible, plus, helps the squadron out quite a bit. I tend to try and not ask our squadron as we have some current plans that are on-going.
^ Everything is fine until someone loses an eye...
...or is denied a promotion or other job / dec / whatever.
Then it goes from the objective "They denied me my promotion..." to "They denied me my promotion, do you have any idea how much money I've given these guys?"
Quote from: Eclipse on May 19, 2011, 01:28:45 AM
^ Everything is fine until someone loses an eye...
...or is denied a promotion or other job / dec / whatever.
Then it goes from the objective "They denied me my promotion..." to "They denied me my promotion, do you have any idea how much money I've given these guys?"
Actually, I have my 2nd Lt, I really do not care about promoting now. This is as far as I want to go, however, I am still going to do all the other work. I do get where you are coming from though, but even so, its not about what I can get, but what I can give to the organization. The greater good. Besides, I may not be in the state much longer, so I want to contribute as much as possible before I leave.
Quote from: AdAstra on May 19, 2011, 12:05:48 AM
At an information table at a KidsDay community event last Saturday, we passed out about 200 DDR-supplied helicopters. A big hit!
But what's the return on investment? I seriously doubt that more than a dozen prospective members will follow-up. In this case, it didn't cost me anything so I'm not overly concerned.
It's OK to pass out "freebies", but they just make you popular for a moment. What you're really trying to do is find serious, qualified prospects, right? Seriously consider screening to whom you hand out the more pricey things...especially if you or the squadron are paying for them. Make it clear that you are expecting some sort of commitment (visit a meeting, join, etc.) in return.
In the end, I don't think "freebies" accomplish that.
Well you've got to remember that CAP is not seen as a main stream youth development organization. :( There's plenty of other organizations, well know (boy/girl scouts, The Y, etc) that likely have easy access and even more local support than CAP will EVER accomplish --- that's just the way it is with very little chance for change.
Personally, I don't think those freebies really do any good in recruiting. I think the cadets themselves recruit other cadets and the gimmicks don't retain people (cadets or seniors) if they personally don't buy into the program.
RM
Quote from: RADIOMAN015 on May 19, 2011, 03:40:14 AM
Quote from: AdAstra on May 19, 2011, 12:05:48 AM
At an information table at a KidsDay community event last Saturday, we passed out about 200 DDR-supplied helicopters. A big hit!
But what's the return on investment? I seriously doubt that more than a dozen prospective members will follow-up. In this case, it didn't cost me anything so I'm not overly concerned.
It's OK to pass out "freebies", but they just make you popular for a moment. What you're really trying to do is find serious, qualified prospects, right? Seriously consider screening to whom you hand out the more pricey things...especially if you or the squadron are paying for them. Make it clear that you are expecting some sort of commitment (visit a meeting, join, etc.) in return.
In the end, I don't think "freebies" accomplish that.
Well you've got to remember that CAP is not seen as a main stream youth development organization. :( There's plenty of other organizations, well know (boy/girl scouts, The Y, etc) that likely have easy access and even more local support than CAP will EVER accomplish --- that's just the way it is with very little chance for change.
Personally, I don't think those freebies really do any good in recruiting. I think the cadets themselves recruit other cadets and the gimmicks don't retain people (cadets or seniors) if they personally don't buy into the program.
RM
A.I.D.AThey have their place. This is why probably the vast majority of organizations (especially large organizations) actively marketing use them.
But CAP doesn't follow standard marketing practices and that's working great...
Do you really ask for a commitment over a pen? Who expects retention because you gave someone a pen? It is all how you work it in to what you are doing. It is part of a process.
My information tables used multiple techniques to gain attention and take that attention to action. They worked well. Giveaway items were included in that. We got a lot of requests for information and recruited a lot of people.
The commitment is not based on the pen. The pen is free, but gives the information for CAP (website, email, phone number, whatever it is)... Its more of a hey, check us out kind of thing...
The commitment is to get them into the meeting, introduce them to the squadron, get them involved. I would give a CAP water bottle or squadron shirt as a incentive... kind of a "I am in CAP, ask me what we do" to further do recruiting...
Think of it in terms of the Army. You get a boonie hat... its not just for your pleasure, it also gets other people to say hey, cool hat, where you get it... they tell you and you call the army up... its a cycle. Indirect recruiting. The pen or key chain is more of a "this is our information", something that is not a formal business card.
Quote from: mclarke on May 19, 2011, 10:55:50 AM
The commitment is not based on the pen. The pen is free, but gives the information for CAP (website, email, phone number, whatever it is)... Its more of a hey, check us out kind of thing...
The commitment is to get them into the meeting, introduce them to the squadron, get them involved. I would give a CAP water bottle or squadron shirt as a incentive... kind of a "I am in CAP, ask me what we do" to further do recruiting...
Think of it in terms of the Army. You get a boonie hat... its not just for your pleasure, it also gets other people to say hey, cool hat, where you get it... they tell you and you call the army up... its a cycle. Indirect recruiting. The pen or key chain is more of a "this is our information", something that is not a formal business card.
I have to agree. I haven't seen anyone walk into a recruiting office and not walk out with some sort of bling. Heck, I've got a closet full of Army National Guard T-Shirts, hats, mugs, pens, lanyards, etc. from when I worked with a recruiter. CAP is no different.
Quote from: caphornbuckle on May 20, 2011, 10:17:34 AMCAP is no different.
Again, last I checked the military was not a 501c(3)...yet...
Quote from: mclarke on May 18, 2011, 09:25:59 PM
Just curious if anyone has experimented with using promotional items (key chains, pens, foam balls) for CAP? I am hoping to get some decent recruiting drives going here, and just thought this would maybe help out. Any thoughts/experiences?
My suggestion is the use of pamphlets.... fairly cheap (especially if you go to kinko's or something like that :clap:) and easy to give out. people take them, and then look at them wether or not they want to, thus getting informed. If you do, make sure it isn't all type, use pictures.
Quote from: Skydude61 on May 20, 2011, 07:03:50 PM
Quote from: mclarke on May 18, 2011, 09:25:59 PM
Just curious if anyone has experimented with using promotional items (key chains, pens, foam balls) for CAP? I am hoping to get some decent recruiting drives going here, and just thought this would maybe help out. Any thoughts/experiences?
My suggestion is the use of pamphlets.... fairly cheap (especially if you go to kinko's or something like that :clap:) and easy to give out. people take them, and then look at them wether or not they want to, thus getting informed. If you do, make sure it isn't all type, use pictures.
Cadet & Senior pamphlets can actually be ordered from NHQ on eServices.
Quote from: Spaceman3750 on May 20, 2011, 07:11:29 PM
Quote from: Skydude61 on May 20, 2011, 07:03:50 PM
Quote from: mclarke on May 18, 2011, 09:25:59 PM
Just curious if anyone has experimented with using promotional items (key chains, pens, foam balls) for CAP? I am hoping to get some decent recruiting drives going here, and just thought this would maybe help out. Any thoughts/experiences?
My suggestion is the use of pamphlets.... fairly cheap (especially if you go to kinko's or something like that :clap:) and easy to give out. people take them, and then look at them wether or not they want to, thus getting informed. If you do, make sure it isn't all type, use pictures.
Cadet & Senior pamphlets can actually be ordered from NHQ on eServices.
Very Good Point
Quote from: Eclipse on May 20, 2011, 02:55:06 PM
Quote from: caphornbuckle on May 20, 2011, 10:17:34 AMCAP is no different.
Again, last I checked the military was not a 501c(3)...yet...
Actually I was referencing the fact that we do recruiting like the military. Sometimes with the military. In that aspect, CAP is no different. Our nonprofit status has little impact on recruiting except that some of the stuff they pay for in CAP is tax deductable.
at my old squadron every cadet who recieved their Earhart award got a coffee cup.
Quote from: shlebz on August 04, 2011, 05:12:05 PM
at my old squadron every cadet who recieved their Earhart award got a coffee cup.
I believe we gave Squadron challenge coins at C/SSgt.
Quote from: USAFaux2004 on August 04, 2011, 05:15:34 PM
Quote from: shlebz on August 04, 2011, 05:12:05 PM
at my old squadron every cadet who recieved their Earhart award got a coffee cup.
I believe we gave Squadron challenge coins at C/SSgt.
Correct - or at least that's how it was last I discussed it.
Cadets at S/Sgt, Seniors at 1st Lt. Though I don't think that's really a "promotional item" as they recognize fairly significant accomplishment.
I was replying more directly to the necro post about the mugs.
As for promotional items, unlike the USMC, USAF, or the US Army, we don't have a huge recruiting budget, and can't give away hundreds of dollars per recruiting drive to high school kids that will take anything as long as it's free.
Quote from: USAFaux2004 on August 04, 2011, 08:49:49 PM
I was replying more directly to the necro post about the mugs.
As for promotional items, unlike the USMC, USAF, or the US Army, we don't have a huge recruiting budget, and can't give away hundreds of dollars per recruiting drive to high school kids that will take anything as long as it's free.
Yeah, I still have no idea why I took some of my free crap.
I did hand a shirt back to a USA SSgt and politely tell him I wasn't joining the Army and couldn't justify a shirt. I mean, a pen I'll use, but wearing an Army shirt... Eh.
USAFaux- Oi! You forgot the Coast Guard and Navy!
Did not. They never visited my High School in the 3 years I was there.
Quote from: USAFaux2004 on August 04, 2011, 09:30:48 PM
Did not. They never visited my High School in the 3 years I was there.
The Navy probably figured their encampment contribution was enough work for a year ;D
USCG... Well, you're land-locked. For all intents and purposes.
Quote from: DakRadz on August 04, 2011, 09:44:30 PM
Quote from: USAFaux2004 on August 04, 2011, 09:30:48 PM
Did not. They never visited my High School in the 3 years I was there.
The Navy probably figured their encampment contribution was enough work for a year ;D
USCG... Well, you're land-locked. For all intents and purposes.
Yes, except for the second largest (by volume) of the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River, and huge natural and man-made bodies all over the place, we don't see much in the way of water...
Quote from: Eclipse on August 04, 2011, 05:22:53 PM
Cadets at S/Sgt, Seniors at 1st Lt. Though I don't think that's really a "promotional item" as they recognize fairly significant accomplishment.
Nice idea. I believe I will attempt to steal it!