How to promote a group?

[bcrglobal]

Hey all!

I'm looking at different ways of promoting (And increasing membership in) the Hash House Harriers.

For those of you who don't know--we're a social group "Drinkers with a Running Problem" who meet each week for an hours run/walk/crawl followed by socializing, beer drinking, etc. It's a blast to run around the wilds of Cha Am and Hua Hin trying to find and follow trails that have been laid out to get you back to the beers

Our costs are reasonable--150 Baht for the day if you're a drinker, and 100 Baht if you're not.....this includes water, snacks, drinks, etc. (And maybe the occasional party if the leaders haven't run away to Fiji with all the petty cash)

We want more members! How would you recommend promoting us?

(Before anybody suggests it, we've enquired about a sponsorship package here)

Are there magazines or newspapers or websites you regularly use for info about things to do in Hua Hin? Any Bulletin boards, places for posting fliers, etc. ANY language--we're not an English speakers only group! And we definitely welcome more Thai members too......

SO thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

[buksida]

These work: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=15017

Drop em a line (if you haven't already), this forum has more readers than all of the magazines combined!

[bcrglobal]

Thanks Buksida! Already dropped the site a line, and it will definitely be among my proposals.

So far things I'm thinking about:

Advertorial
Facebook page
Revamping the websites

But I'm only one of a committee......so more suggestions welcome

[kalbow]

Hey brcglobal, I've been an occassional H2H3'er for the last couple of years - will be there soon as a more permanant participant - it's good fun!

Will ponder on promoting the group. I would definitely think about re-working the website!

kalbow

[Big Boy]

bcrglobal

Im saying this with my personal head on, not as a moderator. It should also be noted that as a moderator, I have absolutely nothing to gain from what I am about to say.

In my personal opinion (after reading every thread on this forum at least once), the Advertorial offers fantastic value for money if used correctly. Unfortunately, many sponsors pay for an Advertorial, use it a few times and then let it disappear into the archives.

To make it work, you have to work at it as well. Use your 9 (or is Baht per day to promote every thing that you are doing. Give regular updates regarding meetings and events. That way it will stay current. Currency means that it is displayed not only on Hua Hin Forum, but in every affilliated publication - see list at the bottom (that's advertising in at least 24 publications for the price of one).

Keep the thread locked to prevent other members inadvertantly taking it down a road that you don't want to go down. Group discussion can take place in an adjacent thread.

You can still advertise in other freebie publications, but don't forget, as buksida has already advised, "this forum has more readers than all of the magazines combined!"

Just my 2 Baht's worth.

[BUSHWHACKER]

What is the 'advertorial'? Is the forum post the advertorial?
Along the same lines of the hash groups we also have a hiking and a hash biking group. Is the 'advertorial' the way to go to promote this. In the good old days when the great OBSERVER was in print and available almot everywhere we got some great exposure for the Hash House Harriers from Colin. Sure would like to see that zine on the shelf everywhere again.

[Lev]

The 'advertorial' would be a dedicated thread for Hash events and announcements, you can include the hiking and biking trips. You can update it whenever you want and post maps and photos etc. We have replied to the email offering more details but as yet have not received a response.

It would get far more readers than any Hua Hin magazine and cost a fraction.

[hhfarang]

I believe the "Harriers" are a non-profit group whose purpose is to promote social outings in the community, not a business. Maybe the forum could consider a free advertorial thread for non profit organizations and charities, or maybe just a sticky thread so they will always be visible near the top of the section.

Just a suggestion.

[Lev]

It shall be considered however 9 baht per day virtually is free...

[Homer]

HHH is not a business. Why not after each event have a different participant write a event report, post it and photos of the grand fun as a new thread in the Events & Activities sub forum? If someone who just did a run/walk can't make it sound fun then no amount of promotion is going to help.

I've done hashes before, but not in Hua Hin. Been thinking I should, just to get a HHHHH shirt.

[bcrglobal]

Thanks Homer,

Good point--we may have to look at the benefits of an Advertorial vs. just posting for free....interesting And you're definitely welcome at the Hashes....we actually have 2 here....the H2H3 and the CAH3, we alternate every Saturday.

Lev--thanks for your reply. You did receive a response.....if it didn't come through you might want to check your spam filter. We are evaluating multiple opportunities and presenting them to the leadership of the two hashes for their consideration. That will probably mean 2-3 more weeks before a formal plan is enacted and funded....the groups are fairly tight with cash, and while 9 baht a day is virtually free, the closer to actually free that we get the better it is for the groups' finances and the easier it will be to get the leaders to part with the moolah....Every baht spent elsewhere is a baht that can't be spent on beer

Homer--Come out--we're having a blast right now. Next Saturday should be a really fun one, as (I think) it's a no-booze sold day due to the Big Buddha days on Friday and Saturday we might be having a BYOB picnic/cookout/bonfire following the run.....On the other hand, if your a runner, rumors indicate you might want to bring a swimsuit for this Saturday's Hash

[BUSHWHACKER]

I now understand the advertorial. Thanks for the info.

[BUSHWHACKER]

Here is a post Hash run report AKA 'hash trash' from the 2 July run.
BINGE-ING IN THE RAIN



Saturday 2nd July saw Hua Hin's citizenry preparing for a General Election on the morrow and trying to ignore the antics of Hua Hin Hash House Harriers as they perpetrated their 204th Hash. The venue for this less than auspicious occasion was a very discreet locale some distance to the left, or is it South of the infamous Chompol Road. Hares for this event were Dragontail hindered and ineptly assisted by Ballbanger, so the Hashers were assured of an interesting Trail. To explain the Trail markings Ballbanger embarked on a colourful harangue involving white paper, yellow paper, blue tapes, and lots of bloody bulldust - God help the colourblind! Before Ballbanger's dulcet tones could become too soporific H2H3 took the easy way out and set off Hashing along a well-marked trail with frequent fiendish checks to delay progress and cause much gnashing of teeth, personal and prosthetic. The countryside was scenic and considerably drier than might have been expected in view of recent deluges.



The Trail was a joint Runners/Walkers effort for some considerable time and distance so the field became extensively elongated as it approached an enormous eructation which reared up in front in the form of a huge hill. Serendipitously, or perhaps in answer to Tom Jones's prayers the Walkers were mercifully compelled to peel off to the right while the Runners had nowhere to go but up. While the Runners cursed, swore and screamed as they mounted the various uphill Trails available, the Walkers proceeded sedately towards sedation in the form of liquid Leo. Lumbering Jack was seduced by Ballbanger into shortcutting and re-laying part of the Trail to add further confusion to the existing mayhem. Scotch Tape refused the offer to participate in this collusion and staggered off muttering" It's a poor Hasher that can't find his own shortcuts"



Back at the beer truck sanity was restored as Walkers appeared placidly from different directions and Runners arrived at various stages of disgruntlement and compared itineraries. Beer, biscuits, and bullshit were liberally spread around the twenty-plus survivors including Anti-Climax making only his second appearance of the year - he really must improve his attendance record if he wants to become a H2H3 centurion without benefit of Zimmer. The new, or only slightly used and abused, G M , Tinkerbell called the Circle and dispensed DownDowns with time limits which were distributed about as fairly as World Cup Final venues. Space Cowboy demonstrated his prowess as an arsonist by igniting an immense bonfire which Jupiter Pluvius immediately attempted to douse by raining on H2H3's parade. As raindrops sought to add to the copious amounts of water already inserted in the Leo by its manufacturers it was thought prudent to desist from Binge-ing in the Rain and adjourn to the Haunted House where various comestibles appeared as if by magic and then, equally mysteriously, disappeared again in a flash. It is a foul calumny to suggest that ChickenLegs refused to enter the building unless the Hash paid him a fee as he felt that his reputation as a Professional House Haunter would be compromised otherwise. No drownings were reported and the raucous proceedings were brought to a close with a stentorian rendition of "For Those In Peril On The Sea."



On On

AndOn

[bcrglobal]

Thanks Don,

Much Appreciated!

[BUSHWHACKER]

BCRGLOBAL

You missed a good hike yesterday. Next one will probably be Koh Talu.