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Jayhawk
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 Posted -
5/4/2009
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12:07:54 PM
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Social Networking
Edited by - Administrator on 9/3/2009
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Jayhawk
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Posted - 5/5/2009 : 11:05:48 AM
There are many other MBCA Sections and individual members on Facebook. Here are just a few
_____________________________
Gene Ramp
webmaster@kcmbca.org
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Jayhawk
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Posted - 5/5/2009 : 1:48:05 PM
Background At the national MBCA meetings in Indianapolis recently, we were treated to a wealth of reports, discussions and other information about our national club. The headline from many of those meetings was that we are in trouble. Specifically, our membership has declined by more than a thousand members per year, for the last ten years – and it is getting worse. It went from over 30,000 ten years ago to less than 20,000 last year.At the fall MBCA board meeting last November, the board created a Marketing & Branding committee to research our current situation and solicit help from an independent contractor in order to determine what is wrong and how to fix it. That committee reported back to us in Indy: They have selected an international marketing firm, Brodeur Partners, to do the initial work. MBCA has agreed to pay them $50,000 for a 12 week study and we should have their report sometime this summer. Until then, we were urged to do what we can to beef-up local memberships. Throughout the meetings many suggestions were offered, but one that came up frequently was to use social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, and others to increase our visibility and attract new and younger members to MBCA. One of the main findings of the Marketing & Branding committee was that MBCA nationally is viewed as “old and out of touch,” and that image is hurting our club. It was stated that Brodeur Partners will also recommend using social networking as a means of improving our image and membership. Thus we have created Club Pages on Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. National MBCA President, Peter Lesler, recently stated that “…we will be embarking on an aggressive campaign to harness the power of social internet groups.” Many MBCA Sections and individual club members are already active on these sites, and I would like to invite you to join us on ours. Regards, Gene Ramp
Board member & webmaster
KC-MBCA
_____________________________
Gene Ramp
webmaster@kcmbca.org
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shanedbetz
1st Gear
4 Posts
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Posted - 5/5/2009 : 3:07:29 PM
MB Clubs on Facebook
Shane D Betz |
Slik560
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Posted - 5/6/2009 : 9:57:30 AM
What a great idea!!  While many of us do not actually use or frequent the social sites such as Facebook, they are invaluable in "getting the word out" and driving people to our actual club website. To me, it's more like advertising. It also might help to change the elitist image that some might have of us. Like it or not, we HAVE to start attracting younger members, or eventually the club will suffer.
It's harder to get anyone to join anything these days, so I think it's vital that we use all means at our disposal to attract and recruit new members.  When I try to sell the club, I stress the many benefits you get and contrast those with the only two requirements for getting those benefits: own a Benz & pay the annual dues. 
Kevin Arburn
OPKS
1987 560SL / 2003 ML320
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Slik560
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Posted - 5/6/2009 : 10:04:43 AM
If you want to look at an entirely different Mercedes Benz audience, visit the MB section of the 6-Speed Online forums: http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/mercedes-amg-37/ These are mostly MB owners interested in performance and appearance. Behold the future! (just kidding - but it is indeed a different venue. The online forums have a strong appeal to younger owners, in that one, it's easy and two, requires little or no committment. That kind of thing is hard to overcome to attact people to a "live" car club.
Kevin Arburn
OPKS
1987 560SL / 2003 ML320
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Jayhawk
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Posted - 5/6/2009 : 10:15:26 AM
Thanks Kevin!
That 6speedonline site is great. I registered and look forward to what they have to offer.
Gene
_____________________________
Gene Ramp
webmaster@kcmbca.org
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Jayhawk
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Posted - 5/6/2009 : 1:47:35 PM
Here is a Facebook link to hundreds of non-MBCA Mercedes-Benz Clubs around the world.
_____________________________
Gene Ramp
webmaster@kcmbca.org
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Jayhawk
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Posted - 5/6/2009 : 4:01:14 PM
Our LinkedIn Group, Mercedes-Benz Club of America, has grown by leaps and bounds since last week's MBCA meetings in Indy, and we are close to 120 members now. And not only is it growing in membership, it is active in conversation as well. If you haven't joined, please do so.
LinkedIn MBCA site
Thanks,
Gene
_____________________________
Gene Ramp
webmaster@kcmbca.org
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Jayhawk
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Posted - 5/6/2009 : 10:09:09 PM
Here is how MBUSA uses social networking to get the word out?
_____________________________
Gene Ramp
webmaster@kcmbca.org
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Jayhawk
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Posted - 5/7/2009 : 2:06:46 PM
More outreach for Mercedes-Benz...
Mercedes-Benz TV
_____________________________
Gene Ramp
webmaster@kcmbca.org
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Jayhawk
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Posted - 5/17/2009 : 10:18:40 AM
"...Many of the suggestions they stressed was harnessing the power of social internet groups. We will be embarking on an agressive campaign near term. I may ask for your help."
Thanks, again ,
Peter Lesler
National president
_____________________________
Gene Ramp
webmaster@kcmbca.org
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Jayhawk
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Posted - 6/2/2009 : 12:14:16 AM
I thought you'd like to know: We have received many positive replies from MBCA members locally, regionally and nationwide for our website, e-News and the Networking sites. But the best "thank you" of all came from out national MBCA club president. Here is what he said:
"Many thanks for your efforts in gaining exposure through link'd in, facebook, and you tube. I only wish others took our suggestions to heart, Please keep me posted on your success and David and Chuck, please be vigilant for any sudden changes in membership numbers in the heartland of America. Pete Lesler"
_____________________________
Gene Ramp
webmaster@kcmbca.org
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Slik560
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Posted - 6/2/2009 : 8:29:17 PM
I think we'll start to gain some ground with the new electronic outreach. I've spoken with several MB owners at work and out & about and all were unaware that there was an MB club...National or local. Twitter, anyone? 
Kevin Arburn
OPKS
1987 560SL / 2003 ML320
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Jayhawk
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Posted - 6/2/2009 : 9:20:08 PM
Actually, I'm looking into setting up a Twitter page for MBCA too. I just wanted to let things settle in a bit w/ our Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube sites before moving on to the world of Tweets. I have received many positive comments from our members and strangers alike about our new social networking sites. As our local membership numbers continue to improve, I am feeling that we are meeting w/ success already. G
_____________________________
Gene Ramp
webmaster@kcmbca.org
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Jayhawk
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Posted - 6/4/2009 : 12:56:56 PM
That's great Shane. LinkedIn is an incredible resource for businesses and clubs alike! Gene
quote:
shanedbetz wrote:
Gene,
This is awesome! Please check out my Linked in company by searching for "Televerge" on www.linkedin.com
Shane
Edited by - shanedbetz on 6/4/2009
_____________________________
Gene Ramp
webmaster@kcmbca.org
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shanedbetz
1st Gear
4 Posts
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Posted - 6/4/2009 : 3:09:41 PM
Gene,
This is awesome! Please check out my Linked in company by searching for "Televerge" on www.linkedin.com
Shane
Edited by - shanedbetz on 6/4/2009
Shane D Betz |
goober19
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Posted - 6/15/2009 : 7:53:29 AM
I just joined facebook yesterday so anyone who has one send me a friend invite. Good to be a part of the group!
SPC Harns Ian D. |
Jayhawk
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Posted - 6/15/2009 : 9:47:13 AM
Welcome a-board!
Here is the Facebook Group I set up for our Club, http://www.linkedin.com/groups?viewMembers=&gid=2001664&sik=1245076897989
Shane set one up too that you should join. Here's the URL: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2007176&goback=.anp_2001664_1245076897989_1
Gene
quote:
goober19 wrote:
I just joined facebook yesterday so anyone who has one send me a friend invite. Good to be a part of the group!
_____________________________
Gene Ramp
webmaster@kcmbca.org
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Jayhawk
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Posted - 6/24/2009 : 9:26:22 AM
More success for the club! I just got a message from one of our networking sites that we have another new member. Jon McCleary sent me this message from our LinkedIn Group:
JUST JOINED MBCA
...great job setting this up! Hope to see you at a car event soon. 2004 s 430 - this is my 3rd MB.
Check it out here
WELCOME TO THE CLUB JON!
_____________________________
Gene Ramp
webmaster@kcmbca.org
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Slik560
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Posted - 6/24/2009 : 9:32:54 PM
Yee-hah! Sorry, I just get carried away... I love it when a plan comes together. 
Kevin Arburn
OPKS
1987 560SL / 2003 ML320
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