Constructive Advice (2)

[West Peterson]

Many newsletters I receive are fairly well done, but...

1. No Contact information. I feel there is a strong need to include Phone number and/or e-mail address (both preferably). This publication listed its directors, but no contact information, not even for the editor (return address not good enough).

2. Lots of photos of people without any captions. The saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words," is incorrect. It should say, "A picture is worth a thousand words MORE than what's written in the caption."

Even if you do not have any new members, and everybody already knows everybody,the members who did not participate in a particular event may want to know what's going on in the photo. Captions also help New Members know who is who.

Both these items are common among the hundreds of newsletters that are sent to me. I post this merely as a way of helping Editors to improve their publication as a "tool" to recruit new members and/or retain new members.

[Terry Bond]

Dittos from the web viewpoint West. I think it's a problem of "assuming" that everyone knows who is who and whats going on in a club. Not always the case, and even us old timers can forget when a meeting starts, or where we meet up for the next tour. Those points of contact (especially coordinators for club activities) are very important.

Terry

[R W Burgess]

Terry and West, you are both aware that I'm helping Mike get our web site up to par with the rest of the AACA Web Sites. I contected one of the web site webmaster this week to let him know that an area code would be handy in having poeple call him. He wrote back that there was only one area code in his state, but I did not know that, so an area code is still needed, in my mind. He agreed that he would add it. I notice a lot of sites are still under construction after more than a year, very disappointing. I would hope that our region doesn't get lax like this.

Wayne

[Terry Bond]

Absolutely Wayne/Mike-can't "assume" everyone knows everything. Keeping websites updated is vital. Unfortunately, some people think that all you need is a billboard along the highway and never update any info. A strong website can help keep members active, involved, and can also be a very strong recruiting tool. These days, first thing people do when they go on vacation or think about relocating is to look on the internet for info about the area they are headed to or passing through.

Terry

[Guest ChefJenk]

Ladies & Gentlemen

As a new webmaster & new member of the AACA I have found the "skeleton" of the site to be quite a challenge. What pages should exist? What are the basics a Club website should have in order to be "average"? I think that there should be a website guideline manual created by the national team as well.Similar to the Newsletter Manual. That one has taught me alot. I feel there should be guidance to cover at least the basics. I'm sure Peter G. has ALOT of info we could all benefit from as well. What would it take to begin the process of a web manual?

I look forward to your input.

Matt Jenkins

Queen City Region of the AACA

Webmaster@queencityaaca.org

[tcmb67]

Hello:

Best thing I can tell you is to look at other web sites and then you will get an idea of what you need. Also be sure to get feedback from your membership. I am always looking at other club's web sites to see if there is something I can do differently. I think it's Terry Bond who has said in the past that a "good website mirrors a good newsletter" as far as the content. And the final thing to add is if you have any questions just ask here. There are a bunch of us who love to share what we know. Good luck with your web site.

[R W Burgess]

Good job, Brian. I thought Terry would have answered my now, but you said exactly what I have heard him say more then once, "Your web site should mirrow your newsletter"! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Another thing of importance is to keep your site up-to-date. Don't leave out-dated info on your site, keep it current. I like pictures of your members too, spread out in your site, along with their names identifying them and any autos pictured.

Oh, I'm not a judge or even a Director, but I did "Sleep in a Holiday Inn" last night! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[Guest Moepar]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Oh, I'm not a judge or even a Director, but I did "Sleep in a Holiday Inn" last night!

Wayne </div></div>

I hope you didn't get in trouble again Wayne & got tossed out for the night!!!

[R W Burgess]

Dawn, My "Holiday Inn" had a big Red Sign in front that said "Peterbilt". Even had two bright lights on each side of it. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[West Peterson]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dawn, My "Holiday Inn" had a big Red Sign in front that said "Peterbilt". Even had two bright lights on each side of it.

Wayne </div></div>

Wayne's epitat:

Old trucker's never die. They just get a new Peterbilt.

[Guest Moepar]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dawn, My "Holiday Inn" had a big Red Sign in front that said "Peterbilt". Even had two bright lights on each side of it.

Wayne </div></div>

Wayne's epitat:

Old trucker's never die. They just get a new Peterbilt. </div></div>

And just HOW do you know this, West?!?