CAP Talk

General Discussion => The Lobby => Topic started by: RiverAux on April 05, 2008, 01:36:57 PM

Title: Odd choice
Post by: RiverAux on April 05, 2008, 01:36:57 PM
So, I was taking a look at the http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/html/ site and noticed that they had an ad there for the 2008 national conference.  Why would you put that on your recruiting site?  It has absolutely no relevance to potential recruits and while there are some things there for the "average" member, for the most part its not for newbies. 
Title: Re: Odd choice
Post by: flyguync on April 05, 2008, 01:42:34 PM
An expensive way to check off a confrence block for level 3 for a gung ho newbie.
Title: Re: Odd choice
Post by: Capt Rivera on April 06, 2008, 01:57:43 AM
Quote from: RiverAux on April 05, 2008, 01:36:57 PM
So, I was taking a look at the http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/html/ site and noticed that they had an ad there for the 2008 national conference.  Why would you put that on your recruiting site?  It has absolutely no relevance to potential recruits and while there are some things there for the "average" member, for the most part its not for newbies. 


It does have relevance in my opinion. Some people won't invest time/money in a organization if they don't know about possible opportunities before hand.

Also, you and other current members obviously visit the page and therefor see the banner.... Out of sight, could mean out of mind, so NHQ is keeping it in sight.
Title: Re: Odd choice
Post by: RiverAux on April 06, 2008, 02:32:35 AM
Yes, but I don't think 1/2 of 1 percent of potential new recruits would be remotely interested in attending the national conference to attain training.  What they do have is primarily geared at mid-upper level CAP members. 
Title: Re: Odd choice
Post by: stillamarine on April 06, 2008, 03:07:16 AM
Not necessarily. Take the PAO Academy. Something very good for a new PAO to take imho.
Title: Re: Odd choice
Post by: Capt Rivera on April 06, 2008, 04:30:56 AM
Quote from: RiverAux on April 06, 2008, 02:32:35 AM
Yes, but I don't think 1/2 of 1 percent of potential new recruits would be remotely interested in attending the national conference to attain training.  What they do have is primarily geared at mid-upper level CAP members. 

someone might think:
"Cool, CAP has conferences that i might want to attend someday... lets see what they accomplish".... click... Great, any member can go to the national conference... maybe i should join....

its not about them actually attending... people need to know what is potentially available to them....

not everyone goes to conferences just to check a box.... at least I don't
Title: Re: Odd choice
Post by: NIN on April 06, 2008, 12:12:40 PM
Think of it like this:  They don't put "Warrior Leader Course" or "Sergeant Major Academy" on "GoArmy.com," do they?

I think the problem we have it two-fold: 

1) Rank & file members are not the intended target of this site, yet we all look at it and go "Ugh."  Mind you, I'm ex-Army and I look at GoArmy.com and pretty much everything there is fine. Its professional marketing pap written to target potential recruits, right?  But its for the most part accurate and correct, and pretty much universally is not cheesy.  Not so with gocivilairpatrol.com

2) I don't think CAP itself understands the difference between the purposes of gocivilairpatrol.com and cap.gov.   Thus you get stuff really directed at the membership on the recruiting site.  Wrongo.  (Again, to use the goarmy.com example: How many soldiers in the Army do you think actually have visited goarmy.com since they enlisted?  Probably darn few. After they're in, army.mil is more important/relevant to them. They don't need marketing hoo-ha..)





Title: Re: Odd choice
Post by: RiverAux on April 06, 2008, 01:02:15 PM
If anything, they need to highlight something like the National Emergency Services Academy.  I would be all for that on the recruiting page. 
Title: Re: Odd choice
Post by: Capt Rivera on April 06, 2008, 03:07:52 PM
Quote from: RiverAux on April 06, 2008, 01:02:15 PM
If anything, they need to highlight something like the National Emergency Services Academy.  I would be all for that on the recruiting page. 

Yes I agree that would be a better choice...

All I'm saying is that I THINK I understand their intention. We all know the outcome of every intention is seldom the PERFECT result....
Title: Re: Odd choice
Post by: Short Field on April 06, 2008, 05:37:07 PM
Advertising your national conference on a recuritment ad sends a message that (1) CAP is a National program - not just a local squadron thing, and (2) Members are invited to participate at all levels.

Besides, it doesn't cost any more to include the national conference on the ad.  So what is the issue - we are giving the potential members too much information?

Title: Re: Odd choice
Post by: RiverAux on April 06, 2008, 05:39:43 PM
The issue is that I think it is not the best way of using the limited space available on the front page of our recruiting site.  Its not the cost -- its the space. 

Keep in mind that on this same page we are giving more prominence to our national conference than 3 of our primary missions, which are hidden down on the very bottom on the page. 
Title: Re: Odd choice
Post by: DrDave on April 07, 2008, 04:00:38 PM
For what it's worth, I attended my first National Board meeting 11 days after getting my CAP ID number. 

(Well, it was in my own hometown, couldn't pass up the chance to see how this new organization I joined works.)

Having said that, I like the idea of a revolving ad for our national activities on the gocivilairpatrol site -- i.e. NB, NESA, Flight Academies, other NCSA's, etc.  If the purpose of the site is to market and recruit, seems like a great way to do both right off the welcome page.  Could change everytime you access the site.

Dr. Dave