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Location: Ludington, MI | Watching the live cam at Bents Camp and it appears that winter is here.
What will the Winternet topics be this year? |
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| Snowing here in Rhinelander wi right now. That means the big girls are getting ready to play. First trip out with suckers tomorrow |
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Location: oswego, il | I don't see the current controversy going away anytime soon. |
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Location: Ludington, MI | I don't know that the problem is the man with the southern accent so much as the way the two men (also with southern accents) handled rolling out the product that the man with the southern accent developed. I also wonder if his accent was Wisconsinese or Minnesotan if he would be more accepted in his efforts to edutain and infomarket the muskie hunting public. I personally want a printed product and I'm sure people have knocked on the doors of Mr. Saric and Mr. Heiting to ask if they have no-compete clauses and, if so, for how long. The problem is three-fold: Advertisers want more control over their messaging, they won't pay as much to do it and printing/postage costs are ridiculously high. But having said that, I read "Time On The Water" on my phone and tablet this year and did not die. Although my September did look like Mr. Gardner's, sadly. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | "There's a southern accent Where I come from
The young-uns call it 'country', the yankees call it dumb..." - T. Petty
m |
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Location: Brighton CO. | I don't know about Jim Steve plain retired. (maybe no Jim had something to do with it). |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | tundrawalker00 - 10/15/2022 7:08 AM
I don't know that the problem is the man with the southern accent so much as the way the two men (also with southern accents) handled rolling out the product that the man with the southern accent developed. I also wonder if his accent was Wisconsinese or Minnesotan if he would be more accepted in his efforts to edutain and infomarket the muskie hunting public. I personally want a printed product and I'm sure people have knocked on the doors of Mr. Saric and Mr. Heiting to ask if they have no-compete clauses and, if so, for how long. The problem is three-fold: Advertisers want more control over their messaging, they won't pay as much to do it and printing/postage costs are ridiculously high. But having said that, I read "Time On The Water" on my phone and tablet this year and did not die. Although my September did look like Mr. Gardner's, sadly.
My problem with one of the guys was business related. If their experience was the same as mine, and it apparently was, then I completely understand the statement they released. It had zero to do with accents and everything to do with credibility in a broad sense. Too small a biz not to keep things real. So let's not make it more controversial than it needs to be. Magazines and apps don't have an accent.
By the way, there have been several suggestions to take the Muskies Inc publication digital. As long as the members want that magazine showing up in the mail, it will be on paper, but MI is a non-profit, so there's a BIG difference. I know what it costs to publish a magazine and understand the pressure MH was under. Jim sold it at the right time. |
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Location: NW WI | So Steve, in your opinion,purely talking $ relationship of (membership dues - operation costs - publication costs= X rainy day funds/Savings(let's just say)). If more money is needed in membership dues to yield the desired amount; Than I don't understand why neither organization would not reach out to the people providing the funding first and lay out a proposed price hike in subscription fees in order to Guage if members would rather pay higher fees to operate as normal, or they'll have to submit to a reform caused by the confines of less $. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | 7.62xJay - 10/15/2022 12:40 PM
So Steve, in your opinion,purely talking $ relationship of (membership dues - operation costs - publication costs= X rainy day funds/Savings(let's just say)). If more money is needed in membership dues to yield the desired amount; Than I don't understand why neither organization would not reach out to the people providing the funding first and lay out a proposed price hike in subscription fees in order to Guage if members would rather pay higher fees to operate as normal, or they'll have to submit to a reform caused by the confines of less $.
I never said Muskies Inc needs more to publish the magazine, see the full financial statement on the MI website, it's public information. Our members and contributors are MORE than generous. I said as long as the members want it in print, it will be.
I can't speak for anyone else's financials, but understand how a magazine like MH would no longer be profitable in today's environment. If they decided to call no-joy and go digital, that's the call, it happens all the time in the magazine publishing business. I didn't ask Tony what the plan for the future may be after straightening out the issues. Try reaching out to MH with those questions and comments. |
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| Frankly, I cannot understand why folks were surprised by the MH decision to go digital. Newsweek, which I used to subscribe to just simply folded, remaining only in a vague digital form. Sports Illustrated, which I subscribed to for decades, cut way back. I had just renewed and suddenly they were going to be bi-weekly or monthly instead of weekly. No refund from either. This holds true for dozens of established magazines, with far larger subscription bases than MH. And it is not just cost of paper, mailing, etc.
Advertisers love targeted ads and while MH certainly provided a specific market audience, they can get even more specific with online ads. Do a product search online and you will be a recipient of such an ad. Short while ago I did a search on snow plows for a utv and it was almost comical where ads for different plows and accessories showed up. My wife even got one on her FB page.
Edited by North of 8 10/15/2022 2:25 PM
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Location: Ludington, MI | I don't know who is going to publish what going forward, but I sure would like to see a muskie magazine/web product borrow "A Day on the Lake" from Bassmaster. Man, I love learning about their decision-making processes in that feature. |
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Location: Northern Illinois | It is no surprise MH could not make a go of the magazine. The customer base is ridiculously small compared to other printed media which is ALL under pressure. Us old fa**s love the print - I still get the Tribune. But because of the current advertising model as stated above, the operating costs, and just the way people consume news and information now, print media that is not supported by something more than simple sales will go away. |
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| I'm a newspaper guy I guess. Started reading Don Riley in the sports section of the St. Paul paper as a kid. As I aged I started leafing through the paper in the different sections reading stories that popped out at me. Eventually I even started reading the front section above and below the fold. Because of that I think I became kind of balanced, I was able to see stories from more than one view. Today with the digital stuff I don't think people see things from as many angles nor do they form much for opinions until they see which way the crowd is going, then they hop in and go with it.
I miss my newspaper as much as I miss anything since I moved up here. Winternet will be more of the "smart guys" trying to convince the rest of us that they know all the answers..........even to unasked questions. Sadly many will go with the crowd as they don't know how to research and form their own opinion. |
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Location: oswego, il | I'd much rather have the content on my take anywhere always with me phone.. like it or not that's the future. We can go with it or yell.at the kids to get off your lawn.
Our club has been able to reduce our printing costs by thousands by getting people to receive it digital. That money goes right into our stocking and youth programs.
Edited by ToddM 10/16/2022 9:48 AM
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| My guess is most of your membership was recruited in the beginning via printed stories and ads. That membership is getting up in age, are all your younger guys joining because of digital stories getting out locally? Is your membership flat, declining or increasing? |
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Location: oswego, il | Brian Hoffies - 10/16/2022 10:07 AM
My guess is most of your membership was recruited in the beginning via printed stories and ads. That membership is getting up in age, are all your younger guys joining because of digital stories getting out locally? Is your membership flat, declining or increasing?
It's declining. We used to be over 300 members and now just under 200. We were spending upwards of 5k a year to print and send out a newsletter. We went to our membership,. explained to them the cost and to opt out of getting it by mail. Almost all did. It's a win not only for putting that money to better use but we can now add way more content to the newsletter.
I wish there was a way for the younger generation to see the value in M.I. and what it's doing for them at the club level. If everyone contributed just a little bit the clubs would be thriving. They don't need full commitment participation a.donation of any kind, participating in a fundraiser, or anything of value towards it, one thing added collectively would be huge.
Edited by ToddM 10/16/2022 11:30 AM
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| I just wonder how these organizations will recruit new members in the upcoming years. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Brian Hoffies - 10/16/2022 11:37 AM
I just wonder how these organizations will recruit new members in the upcoming years.
One of the effective Muskies Inc recruiting platforms is Facebook. One of my committee's efforts in the coming year will be to convince the Chapters to use social media to connect with, inform, and recruit new members. |
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| For whatever reason, I think a lot of groups are struggling to recruit members. Service clubs, like Kiwanis, Lions, etc. have been having that problem for some time. In banking, belonging to a service club and being active was important for officers and professionals. But, it was harder to get young people to join. When I was retiring, I tried to talk several young professionals to join the service club I was leaving. I heard the same thing: Their kids are so involved in so many things, they don't have time to do stuff themselves. |
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Location: Brighton CO. | The more things change the more they stay the same. I remember my grandparents getting lost in technology and at 62 I think I'm following suit in tweeny years I'll really be lost. |
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| chuckski - 10/16/2022 11:55 AM
The more things change the more they stay the same. I remember my grandparents getting lost in technology and at 62 I think I'm following suit in tweeny years I'll really be lost.
I don't know that it's so much that I get lost in the technology as that I don't see the value or upside of it. I really struggle to any any value in Facebook. I will admit I enjoy You Tube. |
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Location: oswego, il | In wish Muskies Inc would get the musky show discount incentive going again. Save a percentage on purchases if they signed up with a club at the show with participating vendors. I remember if you say bought a net you basically saved enough the membership was free. The first year they did it we signed up 90 people. |
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Location: NW WI | ToddM - 10/16/2022 11:27 AM
Brian Hoffies - 10/16/2022 10:07 AM
My guess is most of your membership was recruited in the beginning via printed stories and ads. That membership is getting up in age, are all your younger guys joining because of digital stories getting out locally? Is your membership flat, declining or increasing?
It's declining. We used to be over 300 members and now just under 200. We were spending upwards of 5k a year to print and send out a newsletter. We went to our membership,. explained to them the cost and to opt out of getting it by mail. Almost all did. It's a win not only for putting that money to better use but we can now add way more content to the newsletter.
I wish there was a way for the younger generation to see the value in M.I. and what it's doing for them at the club level. If everyone contributed just a little bit the clubs would be thriving. They don't need full commitment participation a.donation of any kind, participating in a fundraiser, or anything of value towards it, one thing added collectively would be huge.
I don't think that it's that they don't see the value, I think it's that they don't know M.I. exists period. I only leatned of it's existence last year because of this forum. |
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Location: oswego, il | 7.62xJay - 10/16/2022 3:00 PM
ToddM - 10/16/2022 11:27 AM
Brian Hoffies - 10/16/2022 10:07 AM
My guess is most of your membership was recruited in the beginning via printed stories and ads. That membership is getting up in age, are all your younger guys joining because of digital stories getting out locally? Is your membership flat, declining or increasing?
It's declining. We used to be over 300 members and now just under 200. We were spending upwards of 5k a year to print and send out a newsletter. We went to our membership,. explained to them the cost and to opt out of getting it by mail. Almost all did. It's a win not only for putting that money to better use but we can now add way more content to the newsletter.
I wish there was a way for the younger generation to see the value in M.I. and what it's doing for them at the club level. If everyone contributed just a little bit the clubs would be thriving. They don't need full commitment participation a.donation of any kind, participating in a fundraiser, or anything of value towards it, one thing added collectively would be huge.
I don't think that it's that they don't see the value, I think it's that they don't know M.I. exists period. I only leatned of it's existence last year because of this forum.
Agree that's part of it. Many say they don't have the time and that's fine. There are so many ways to contribute that takes very little time. Direct contribution or fundraising prizes are easy. Today I procured a humidifier for our banquet. Could be anything a restaurant gift certificate anything like that. I think of all the people who have a close relationship with resorts and guide services that could get a trip, discount voucher it all adds up.
Edited by ToddM 10/16/2022 3:10 PM
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Location: Brighton CO. | Our old Colorado chapter were very good at raising money. Part of that was when my dad was Chapter president we as a chapter would buy a item for X then make $100 dollars for example at the banquet. Then the next year we would buy the same item or similar and make nothing. Then the next year they (members of the board) would want to buy the same thing and my dad would say don't do it our records show we made nothing or in some cases we lost money. there's a art to making money and having a big war chest but you also have to watch what you as a chapter and organization to get the most bang for your buck and also make sure you spend your money right way to maintain your nonprofit status. |
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| Brian Hoffies - 10/16/2022 1:53 PM
chuckski - 10/16/2022 11:55 AM
The more things change the more they stay the same. I remember my grandparents getting lost in technology and at 62 I think I'm following suit in tweeny years I'll really be lost.
I don't know that it's so much that I get lost in the technology as that I don't see the value or upside of it. I really struggle to any any value in Facebook. I will admit I enjoy You Tube.
I finally got on Facebook because more and more that is where places like restaurants, bar and grills, etc. post their specials, concerts, etc. A lot of places no longer update their web sites on a regular basis. We like live music and several places near us have it but to find who is playing, have to access Facebook. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I literally live on social media and in the digital content realm most of the day. Not a bad job at all. That's actually what this place is, we just started it before social media was a thing. |
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Location: Brighton CO. | Marketing been around since the dawn of man, there is something (product/service) is for sale or trade. This has been promoted my whatever means of the latest forms of communication since the beginning of time and some time the product loses it's shelf life. The next generation can careless for example. It can be a lot of work to kept your product relative. |
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| Does MI have a dedicated social media person keeping them relevant on social platforms? I haven't seen anything. |
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Location: SW Ohio | sworrall - 10/16/2022 12:50 PM
Brian Hoffies - 10/16/2022 11:37 AM
I just wonder how these organizations will recruit new members in the upcoming years.
One of the effective Muskies Inc recruiting platforms is Facebook. One of my committee's efforts in the coming year will be to convince the Chapters to use social media to connect with, inform, and recruit new members.
I get that MI, their chapters, or any organization, for that matter, who is trying to recruit need to use social media. But they can't forget that some of us don't use FB, IG or any other site. I attended a MI chapter tournament on a local lake this past weekend. As we don't have a local chapter, I attended one from a state club located a few hours away. Other than the name of the lake, there was no info on their website or in the newsletter. Of course, i showed up at the wrong ramp where we've launched before. Ended up texting a couple officers to find out where I needed to be and made it with a few minutes to spare before the start. Was told "it's on FB" which I don't use. If an organization goes to 100% social media with no other information outlet, they can expect some to stop attending or caring.
A bit off topic about "Winter" but as things change, membership committee thinking needs to include everyone involved. I've yet to read the last two MH e-zines because I spend 10-11 hours a day on the computer at work and have almost no desire to sit for hours on this one at home. This site, one other fishing site and one truck site is all I look at for about 15 mins total a day. I'm over my time limit now so I'll end this post... |
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Location: oswego, il | chasintails - 10/17/2022 12:06 PM
Does MI have a dedicated social media person keeping them relevant on social platforms? I haven't seen anything.
It's Steve. I see M.I. posts on FB all the time. They also do a good job of sharing club info from their pages.
Edited by ToddM 10/18/2022 5:50 AM
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| OH Musky - 10/17/2022 5:32 PM
sworrall - 10/16/2022 12:50 PM
Brian Hoffies - 10/16/2022 11:37 AM
I just wonder how these organizations will recruit new members in the upcoming years.
One of the effective Muskies Inc recruiting platforms is Facebook. One of my committee's efforts in the coming year will be to convince the Chapters to use social media to connect with, inform, and recruit new members.
I get that MI, their chapters, or any organization, for that matter, who is trying to recruit need to use social media. But they can't forget that some of us don't use FB, IG or any other site. I attended a MI chapter tournament on a local lake this past weekend. As we don't have a local chapter, I attended one from a state club located a few hours away. Other than the name of the lake, there was no info on their website or in the newsletter. Of course, i showed up at the wrong ramp where we've launched before. Ended up texting a couple officers to find out where I needed to be and made it with a few minutes to spare before the start. Was told "it's on FB" which I don't use. If an organization goes to 100% social media with no other information outlet, they can expect some to stop attending or caring.
A bit off topic about "Winter" but as things change, membership committee thinking needs to include everyone involved. I've yet to read the last two MH e-zines because I spend 10-11 hours a day on the computer at work and have almost no desire to sit for hours on this one at home. This site, one other fishing site and one truck site is all I look at for about 15 mins total a day. I'm over my time limit now so I'll end this post...
You took the words right out of my mouth. Almost word for word. |
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| ToddM - 10/18/2022 5:49 AM
chasintails - 10/17/2022 12:06 PM
Does MI have a dedicated social media person keeping them relevant on social platforms? I haven't seen anything.
It's Steve. I see M.I. posts on FB all the time. They also do a good job of sharing club info from their pages.
Ok thanks, don't have FB anymore but do look at Insta Gram from time to time, probably why I didn't see anything. |
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| It's a double edged sword. Social media will reach an audience far younger than the average muskie angler. That's the youth in "youth fisheries and research" We need them. They are the future of the sport. But when it comes to who has the money, the time, and the desire to really improve our fisheries it's NOT the young kids. They don't remember what the fishing was like before catch and release, before increased size limits, before the massive stocking efforts in MN, etc.
So how do you reach the young crowd and get them into the game? Social media. How do you keep from leaving us old farts behind who don't play the tweets and twits and twats game because they didn't even have a cell phone until they were 40? |
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Location: oswego, il | esoxaddict - 10/18/2022 10:26 AM
It's a double edged sword. Social media will reach an audience far younger than the average muskie angler. That's the youth in "youth fisheries and research" We need them. They are the future of the sport. But when it comes to who has the money, the time, and the desire to really improve our fisheries it's NOT the young kids. They don't remember what the fishing was like before catch and release, before increased size limits, before the massive stocking efforts in MN, etc.
So how do you reach the young crowd and get them into the game? Social media. How do you keep from leaving us old farts behind who don't play the tweets and twits and twats game because they didn't even have a cell phone until they were 40?
I.can understand tweets and twits but twats? You must be getting old. |
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Location: Ludington, MI | ... or British |
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| As a 70+ guy, I am a little confused about the idea older folks are not comfortable with tech. Yes, my adult children are more tech savvy than I but I first used a desk top computer at work back in the 1980s. By the 1990s, most folks either worked with computers or had one at home. The first ATMs went into use 50+ years ago but some folks still like to get cash from a teller, not a machine, but that is the exception not the norm.
Older fishermen may not be the social media users younger people are but they find their way here, don't they?
To me, anyone under age 60 saying they are not comfortable using tech to communicate is like someone in the 1940s lamenting they can't still plow and harvest with horses. Maybe join the Amish? (By the way, the Amish in Kingston used the ATM we had there, but unfortunately it was sometimes their horses that left a "deposit" in the lane by the drive up)
Edited by North of 8 10/18/2022 9:48 PM
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Location: Northern Illinois | North of 8 - 10/18/2022 9:24 PM
As a 70+ guy, I am a little confused about the idea older folks are not comfortable with tech. Yes, my adult children are more tech savvy than I but I first used a desk top computer at work back in the 1980s. By the 1990s, most folks either worked with computers or had one at home. The first ATMs went into use 50+ years ago but some folks still like to get cash from a teller, not a machine, but that is the exception not the norm.
Older fishermen may not be the social media users younger people are but they find their way here, don't they?
To me, anyone under age 60 saying they are not comfortable using tech to communicate is like someone in the 1940s lamenting they can't still plow and harvest with horses. Maybe join the Amish?
I'm with you here. In my 70's but I was in computers early on - ever hear of a Commodore 64? More to the point, My kids and grandkids force me to text and use social media to communicate with them. It's an accommodation I'm happy to make. |
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| Just checked and what I remembered was right, that Commodore 64 is supposed to be the biggest selling single computer model of all time. Over 15 million. Never used one
but had friends that had them. |
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| I am the only guy on the planet with this tri-fecta.......
1) Never used a ATM.
2) Never used a debit card.
3) Never Facetimed.
Sometimes I wonder how I can even wake up in the morning. |
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Location: Brighton CO. | At 62 years of age I know what a Commodore 64 was, I've only facetimed once by mistake, I don't use a debit card (I use a credit card and pay it off in full) I use the ATM no reason to walk in the bank. I have a whole list of things I need to learn and do so never a dull moment. Can you teach a old dog a new trick? Time will tell. |
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Location: Mt. Zion, IL | TCESOX - 10/18/2022 6:39 AM
OH Musky - 10/17/2022 5:32 PM
sworrall - 10/16/2022 12:50 PM
Brian Hoffies - 10/16/2022 11:37 AM
I just wonder how these organizations will recruit new members in the upcoming years.
One of the effective Muskies Inc recruiting platforms is Facebook. One of my committee's efforts in the coming year will be to convince the Chapters to use social media to connect with, inform, and recruit new members.
I get that MI, their chapters, or any organization, for that matter, who is trying to recruit need to use social media. But they can't forget that some of us don't use FB, IG or any other site. I attended a MI chapter tournament on a local lake this past weekend. As we don't have a local chapter, I attended one from a state club located a few hours away. Other than the name of the lake, there was no info on their website or in the newsletter. Of course, i showed up at the wrong ramp where we've launched before. Ended up texting a couple officers to find out where I needed to be and made it with a few minutes to spare before the start. Was told "it's on FB" which I don't use. If an organization goes to 100% social media with no other information outlet, they can expect some to stop attending or caring.
A bit off topic about "Winter" but as things change, membership committee thinking needs to include everyone involved. I've yet to read the last two MH e-zines because I spend 10-11 hours a day on the computer at work and have almost no desire to sit for hours on this one at home. This site, one other fishing site and one truck site is all I look at for about 15 mins total a day. I'm over my time limit now so I'll end this post...
You took the words right out of my mouth. Almost word for word.
X2. No more fb for me. It is irritating to me that it is an expectation to follow a fb page to know what is going on locally. IDNR and the local lake closures here are only listed on FB. |
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Location: oswego, il | I had a computer around 1990 that didn't have windows it had geoworks.
I am not opposed to technology. Last year I told an employer during an interview that I hope I learn something new the day that I die. I've watched way too many people become dinosaurs in life and in their career. Last thing I ever want to do.
Edited by ToddM 10/19/2022 3:53 AM
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| Brian Hoffies u are not alone on the tri fecta |
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| Surprised about the ATM part of that tri-fecta. More and more places are adding a surcharge for using a credit card. Picked up a new chain for my saw last week, made sure I stopped first at a Kwik Trip for cash, Stihl dealer adds a 4% surcharge for credit card.
The debit card I agree with. The only real purpose I can see is if you are an individual who can't control your spending, so credit cards are too much of a temptation. Better protection on purchases with a credit card, plus cash back, etc.
Facetime was something I really didn't have any interest in, but then we got our first grandchild during the pandemic, and he was 5 hours away. So yeah, I appreciated it. |
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Edited by North of 8 10/19/2022 7:49 AM
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| North of 8 - 10/19/2022 7:37 AM
Surprised about the ATM part of that tri-fecta. More and more places are adding a surcharge for using a credit card. Picked up a new chain for my saw last week, made sure I stopped first at a Kwik Trip for cash, Stihl dealer adds a 4% surcharge for credit card.
The debit card I agree with. The only real purpose I can see is if you are an individual who can't control your spending, so credit cards are too much of a temptation. Better protection on purchases with a credit card, plus cash back, etc.
Facetime was something I really didn't have any interest in, but then we got our first grandchild during the pandemic, and he was 5 hours away. So yeah, I appreciated it.
Deep, deep in my heart I 100% believe credit cards are driven by the financial institutions and the government. The government wants to be able to tax every penny a person has. The financial institutions want to tap every dollar you earn as many times as they can. Once they eliminate cash altogether they will have won.
North, I know you were a banker but you will never change my mind on this. |
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| Brian Hoffies - 10/19/2022 8:42 AM
North of 8 - 10/19/2022 7:37 AM
Surprised about the ATM part of that tri-fecta. More and more places are adding a surcharge for using a credit card. Picked up a new chain for my saw last week, made sure I stopped first at a Kwik Trip for cash, Stihl dealer adds a 4% surcharge for credit card.
The debit card I agree with. The only real purpose I can see is if you are an individual who can't control your spending, so credit cards are too much of a temptation. Better protection on purchases with a credit card, plus cash back, etc.
Facetime was something I really didn't have any interest in, but then we got our first grandchild during the pandemic, and he was 5 hours away. So yeah, I appreciated it.
Deep, deep in my heart I 100% believe credit cards are driven by the financial institutions and the government. The government wants to be able to tax every penny a person has. The financial institutions want to tap every dollar you earn as many times as they can. Once they eliminate cash altogether they will have won.
North, I know you were a banker but you will never change my mind on this. |
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| I'm still physically able to walk into the bank and I'm not scared of people. (tellers) Pretty sure those tellers have families and bills to pay. I believe shopping on-line (Amazon) and using ATM's ect. hurts the local employment and economy. When you eliminate jobs you eliminate taxes so it tickles down and hurts everybody. But, I'm just a old guy set in my ways. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | esoxaddict - 10/18/2022 10:26 AM
It's a double edged sword. Social media will reach an audience far younger than the average muskie angler. That's the youth in "youth fisheries and research" We need them. They are the future of the sport. But when it comes to who has the money, the time, and the desire to really improve our fisheries it's NOT the young kids. They don't remember what the fishing was like before catch and release, before increased size limits, before the massive stocking efforts in MN, etc.
So how do you reach the young crowd and get them into the game? Social media. How do you keep from leaving us old farts behind who don't play the tweets and twits and twats game because they didn't even have a cell phone until they were 40?
This is a common misconception. I target specific age groups and demographics and they are basically the only ones who see the MI ads to draw them in. I can decide who sees any ads or promotions and who doesn't. Ad sets are designed to resonate with each age group. The page has grown like a weed for a couple years now, and we're spending a tiny amount of money. Distribution across age groups is exactly how the ads were targeted.
Chapter websites are a big issue. A few are well managed, but many have no active webmaster and are not updated as often as would be effective. Some are so old they are flat broken. It's being addressed but is a chapter-to-chapter issue. Te National website is always a work in progress, but everything you would want to know about MI is there.
A monthly newsletter is emailed out to every chapter for distribution to members. If you are not seeing the newsletter, ask your Chapter president to send you a copy.
We've had a post on top of the general messageboard for a long time asking folks here to participate. Join up! It costs about what a bait does these days, hardly a deal breaker to participate in the conservation of the sport, youth recruiting, and research.
The data below is for 30 days of activity.
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Location: Stevens Point, Wi. | Brian Hoffies - 10/18/2022 10:31 PM
I am the only guy on the planet with this tri-fecta.......
1) Never used a ATM.
2) Never used a debit card.
3) Never Facetimed.
Sometimes I wonder how I can even wake up in the morning.
Add me to your tri- fecta |
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| That is really interesting Steve. That targeting of specific groups at very low cost is probably what cost print magazines a lot of advertisers. |
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| There are more annoying things in life than pop up targeted ads, although there aren't many. |
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Posts: 32914
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | North of 8 - 10/19/2022 11:25 AM
That is really interesting Steve. That targeting of specific groups at very low cost is probably what cost print magazines a lot of advertisers.
Exactly. The client can know who saw the ad, how many people it was served to, and what each person engaging with the ad did. At pennies per engagement, it's effective and reasonably priced. |
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Posts: 20243
Location: oswego, il | I pay for everything with a.credit card and pay it off every month. I do have a debit card but I only use it when I have to have cash or a store that doesn't take credit like woodman's.
Steve is correct about the club websites. It's very hard for clubs to find someone who has the knowledge to be webmaster. We are one of the bigger clubs and our website until the very recent launch of our new one was broken and unused for years. We had a message board and I was unable to post anything on it for 8 years. Everyone else had similar issues so it died. Those who were responsible for it fought to keep it rather than getting a new one. We are still without a webmaster going into the new website. Getting younger people into the club to contribute anything or even participate is a huge challenge. What they don't realize is M.I. is a great vehicle to organize funding for musky related projects with structure and accountability. You will not have that trying to organize anything on social media. Just trust that the funding goes where it's supposed to and they follow through. |
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Posts: 504
Location: Ludington, MI | I have been told since the Atari 2600 that I had too much screen time. We had an Apple IIe, where I learned enough BASIC to make money tutoring it in college. Compuserve 1996, Facebook since mid-2000s. It's apparent to me that FB has jumped the shark. It barely survived the 2020 election and won't survive the 2024 election. The divisive, insistent political types wrecked it -- both sides. And now I see they aren't letting you "snooze" or unfollow people anymore. Good luck with that in an election month. |
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Posts: 1364
| I think it's great to reach out to people in new ways, to better reach certain demographics. As long as those new ways aren't the only way you are reaching out. There are a variety of reasons people may not participate in a particular form of social, or any other kind, of media. For me, this board is the only form of "social media" that I participate in. While there might be some features of things like Facebook that might be enjoyable, I haven't heard one good thing about the company that runs it. Not someone I'm going to sign up with. It's one thing to simply visit a site to gain information, it's a whole other thing to sign up to participate in something. If something is only available to people who are signed up on a platform, then they are saying to me, that they aren't interested in my business or interest.
I fully admit I'm an old fogy. I love to read the actual paper version of a newspaper. But not all us old fogies who eschew much of the modern communication methods, are technophobes or don't know how it works. I work on a computer all day, every day, at work, and the last thing I want to do in my off time, is spend more screen time. I know how all this new technology works. I've been following technology for over 30 years. I just don't find a lot of the popular uses, very useful. Lots of bright shiny things without a lot of substance. Kind of like me with muskie baits. I love pretty colors and cool paint jobs. Probably doesn't do anything to actually help me catch fish. |
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| Something that grinds me about merchants in my area who not only charge 3-4% fee for using a credit card, they want to do the same for a debit card. Unlike the per use fee for credit cards, most debit card processors charge a relatively small monthly fee for debit card processing. Not all merchants do this, but I think some are pushing for pure cash transactions, not because of processing fees, but because cash sales make for easier tax dodge. |
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| Any merchant who is doing any decent volume of credit cards pays 1.7% for fee's. If they pay more it's on them. For larger volume retailers it's actually a profit point. |
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Location: Brighton CO. | I've noticed as of late gas stations having different prices for cash and card. As far as social media I do have a Facebook account but never post anything and last week was my birthday and not one person wished me happy birthday but at my age that's a good thing! And I also like to spread out a real newspaper with my coffee. And I cheek the obits in a few places to see who died. |
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Location: SW Ohio | sworrall - 10/19/2022 11:28 AM
A monthly newsletter is emailed out to every chapter for distribution to members. If you are not seeing the newsletter, ask your Chapter president to send you a copy.
Wow...I've yet to receive a newsletter from MI thru the chapter I belong to (2 hours away). Nothing on their website links to it either. I get it that some chapter's sites are bad or down. FB makes it to easy to not use it. I have personal reasons for not using FB due to being banned multiple times because someone with a differing opinion didn't like mine. No discussion , no reasoning, just BAM! So, I stay away.
I'm neither technology challenged nor against it. I use it everyday, and I'm asked daily how to use what we have a work (mostly MS products). All I'm saying to to not lose focus on us older folks while trying to recruit younger ones. Retention needs to be a major focus as well. |
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Location: oswego, il | We get the international newsletter throughout chapter rep through constant contact and on our FB page. It does get emailed to the chapters. |
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Posts: 230
| I bailed on Chapter 39 of Muskie Inc after several years of no paper copy of the monthly news letter mailing, no digital monthly news letter, no response to repeated emails asking about the missing news letter. It has been a while but I doubt I would ever reestablish a Chapter 39 membership. A number of my muskie fishing partners have had the same experience with 39. I wonder, how many other chapters are losing members for similar reasons? I don't expect much from a chapter other than some timely communication that establishs a sense membership. |
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Location: oswego, il | Abu7000 - 10/22/2022 4:10 PM
I bailed on Chapter 39 of Muskie Inc after several years of no paper copy of the monthly news letter mailing, no digital monthly news letter, no response to repeated emails asking about the missing news letter. It has been a while but I doubt I would ever reestablish a Chapter 39 membership. A number of my muskie fishing partners have had the same experience with 39. I wonder, how many other chapters are losing members for similar reasons? I don't expect much from a chapter other than some timely communication that establishs a sense membership.
Who did you communicate with regarding not getting a digital copy? I get mine every month. It's also been posted on our FB page and our website. Did you change your email? The only person I know of that doesn't get the copy changed email and did nothing to rectify it. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | OH Musky - 10/20/2022 5:21 PM
sworrall - 10/19/2022 11:28 AM
A monthly newsletter is emailed out to every chapter for distribution to members. If you are not seeing the newsletter, ask your Chapter president to send you a copy.
Wow...I've yet to receive a newsletter from MI thru the chapter I belong to (2 hours away ). Nothing on their website links to it either. I get it that some chapter's sites are bad or down. FB makes it to easy to not use it. I have personal reasons for not using FB due to being banned multiple times because someone with a differing opinion didn't like mine. No discussion , no reasoning, just BAM! So, I stay away.
I'm neither technology challenged nor against it. I use it everyday, and I'm asked daily how to use what we have a work (mostly MS products ). All I'm saying to to not lose focus on us older folks while trying to recruit younger ones. Retention needs to be a major focus as well.
A monthly newsletter is emailed out to every chapter for distribution to members. If you are not seeing the newsletter, ask your Chapter president to send you a copy. It's up to the Chapter to distribute the newsletter, as it's a National to Chapter communication. Contact your Chapter president, please.
Retention and recruitment are major focuses through the magazine, calendar, and other activities. At the Chapter level, meetings, outings, banquets, awards, kids activities, tournaments, stocking functions etc are all retention AND recruitment-focused. At the end of the day it's up to all of us individually and through the organization.
Do you have any suggestions for the National? Happy to take all into consideration. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Abu7000 - 10/22/2022 4:10 PM
I bailed on Chapter 39 of Muskie Inc after several years of no paper copy of the monthly news letter mailing, no digital monthly news letter, no response to repeated emails asking about the missing news letter. It has been a while but I doubt I would ever reestablish a Chapter 39 membership. A number of my muskie fishing partners have had the same experience with 39. I wonder, how many other chapters are losing members for similar reasons? I don't expect much from a chapter other than some timely communication that establishes a sense membership.
I see the FRV Chapter communications regularly, so that information is going out there. I can only speak to the last year and a half, however. That being said, it's also incumbent upon the Chapter AND members to make sure lines of communication are open on their respective ends. Since most of the positions at MI are volunteer, many times a change in who volunteered currently for that position could be the issue or any number of other things. If needs be, contacting your RR will get things rolling for you.
What is obvious is that the Chapter does really good work on the conservation and youth end of things.
Some chapters may not distribute the National>Chapter piece, preferring to discuss the content relative to each Chapter, if any, at meetings. The intent was to keep the line of communication open between the National BOD and the Chapters. |
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Posts: 230
| ToddM - 10/22/2022 4:44 PM
Abu7000 - 10/22/2022 4:10 PM
I bailed on Chapter 39 of Muskie Inc after several years of no paper copy of the monthly news letter mailing, no digital monthly news letter, no response to repeated emails asking about the missing news letter. It has been a while but I doubt I would ever reestablish a Chapter 39 membership. A number of my muskie fishing partners have had the same experience with 39. I wonder, how many other chapters are losing members for similar reasons? I don't expect much from a chapter other than some timely communication that establishs a sense membership.
Who did you communicate with regarding not getting a digital copy? I get mine every month. It's also been posted on our FB page and our website. Did you change your email? The only person I know of that doesn't get the copy changed email and did nothing to rectify it.
Check the web the FRV page has been suspended. I don't see it anywhere...oh well |
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Posts: 32914
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | They have a new website just launched and are looking for a webmaster. It will be updated and finished up later this week.
foxrivermuskies.com |
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Location: oswego, il | Abu7000 - 10/23/2022 3:44 PM
ToddM - 10/22/2022 4:44 PM
Abu7000 - 10/22/2022 4:10 PM
I bailed on Chapter 39 of Muskie Inc after several years of no paper copy of the monthly news letter mailing, no digital monthly news letter, no response to repeated emails asking about the missing news letter. It has been a while but I doubt I would ever reestablish a Chapter 39 membership. A number of my muskie fishing partners have had the same experience with 39. I wonder, how many other chapters are losing members for similar reasons? I don't expect much from a chapter other than some timely communication that establishs a sense membership.
Who did you communicate with regarding not getting a digital copy? I get mine every month. It's also been posted on our FB page and our website. Did you change your email? The only person I know of that doesn't get the copy changed email and did nothing to rectify it.
Check the web the FRV page has been suspended. I don't see it anywhere...oh well
We did just go to a new website so that's a work in progress, we hope to get the newsletters uploaded soon. Just to be clear, not picking on you but want to drill down and find out where the issue lies and keep that from happening again. I did share your post with the board so we can discuss any issues as well. We certainly don't like losing members of there is a problem on our end. If you have FB we also post the newsletter there.
https://foxrivermuskies.com/ |
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Location: Brighton CO. | One of our crew who now deceased belonged to our Colorado Chapter to help my dad with our numbers but he lived in Lisle I don't know what chapter meetings he went to in the Chicago area but was not the closest to his house because the members were friendlier at a farther chapter in Chicago area. |
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| None of this hooey has ever compromised the integrity of Just Ranger Muskie Club of Noth America (JRMCNA). |
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Location: oswego, il | Ranger - 11/1/2022 10:49 PM
None of this hooey has ever compromised the integrity of Just Ranger Muskie Club of Noth America (JRMCNA).
I've heard of some scandals. |
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Posts: 116
| Thousand Island is still 48 degrees. |
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Location: oswego, il | Headlock - 11/12/2022 12:46 AM
Thousand Island is still 48 degrees.
So what do you think the timeframe will be to successfully cast the first stone of winternet? |
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