Refer a Friend Program

[Lisa Schmit In The Zone Agility]

I am really trying to figure out a way to get more people to come to my trials in IL and thought of this: 

What do you think?  Is this wording understandable?

Yeah I have to keep track (which I suck at )  but with only 15 or so people attending trials, it really isn't that hard.


Refer-A-Friend Program ! Bring Friends and get money off your Entry !!

We really want to get the word out how much fun ITZ of IL NADAC trials are !!   So we are instituting a Refer –A-Friend Program. For every “new” person that you refer to ITZ of IL trial that enters 4 or more runs, take $20 off your  next ITZ of IL entry.    We are defining “new” exhibitor as one that has never entered or has not entered an ITZ of IL trial since 2010.   So any new folks coming or any ‘old’ exhibitors that want to come back to NADAC are eligible.  I will have a line on the entry form to ‘newbie’s’ to state who referred them.

[CheriMo]

It's not a bad idea. But why are people not attending in the first place? The "refer a friend" addresses a "media" issue. It's something that will work if the word about the trial isn't reaching the potential attendee community. Is that the issue?

Cheri Sutton

[Erin Wajda]

I think this is a good idea and worth a shot.  I have been thinking about trying the same thing.

[Sharon Nelson]

It's not a bad idea. But why are people not attending in the first place? The "refer a friend" addresses a "media" issue. It's something that will work if the word about the trial isn't reaching the potential attendee community. Is that the issue?

Cheri Sutton

Lisa's midwest trials are in an area where it is somewhat commonplace for instructors to not promote or highly discourage sutdent to participate in a venue that the instructor doesn't participate in or a venue where the instructor has not been successful in.

Lisa has done a great job of bringing NADAC into new areas and showing people that NADAC is FUN and she has done a great job!  She hasn't been as successful in the area where her midwest trials are, but she continues to push and introduce NADAC to those who haven't had a chance to trial in this venue.

In areas where we have instructors that teach NADAC skills, then the venue flourishes!  Students learn how to create speed and distance and have a blast.  If instructors do not have the teaching skills to motivate the slower dogs or teach students how to train and handle the required distance skills, then our venue has a much tougher time growing, as competitors find the skills hard to learn without some help from instructors.

NADAC is tough without some basic distance skills and motivational skills.  If instructors refuse to teach or don't know how to teach those skills, then students fail and will choose a different venue to participate in.

If local participants show nothing but negativity towards a venue, then the venue will diminish.

With Lisa there and her robust attitude NADAC is growing slowly, but she does have a big task in front of her....... as there as many who choose to be negative regarding the skills needed for NADAC.

Sharon

[arlene]

You do have to realize that the negative attitude can flow both ways. When I was introduced to NADAC back in 2005 a few of the NADAC people said negative things about AKC. Personally I will trial my dog wherever we can be successful. My first corgi was a steady eddie and hard to motivate but we were successful in both AKC and NADAC. My second corgi came by distance and speed on her own and she is more successful in NADAC than AKC but we still do both. My youngest hasn't started yet but she will compete in both if she can.  I also have to commend Lisa as I attend all of her Fairground trials here in Jersey and I always enjoy myself and get to chat with MANY super people. The atmosphere is fun and relaxed which is not the case with the AKC trials I attend.  I have encouraged my students to attend the trials of their choice. I realize that there are differences but more things are the same than different. The ability to do a dogwalk does not differ from one venue to another. The same with learning the equipment. I enjoy the differences in how to negotiate the path with my dog. And if a handling skill works with my dog I use it no matter which venue I am attending. The attendance at the AKC trials in our area are down somewhat so it may come out to be economics rather than a negative attitude towards one venue.  Arlene

[Lisa Schmit In The Zone Agility]

awwww Thanks Sharon  

[CheriMo]

Lisa's midwest trials are in an area where it is somewhat commonplace for instructors to not promote or highly discourage sutdent to participate in a venue that the instructor doesn't participate in or a venue where the instructor has not been successful in.

Lisa has done a great job of bringing NADAC into new areas and showing people that NADAC is FUN and she has done a great job!  She hasn't been as successful in the area where her midwest trials are, but she continues to push and introduce NADAC to those who haven't had a chance to trial in this venue.
[/quote]

However, it's still an assumption that is the problem. Without doing research, you're still guessing at the cause of low attendance. It could be the reason for low attendance, but it also might just be a small factor in a larger issue. Without research there is no way to know for certain.

Cheri

[Pam Coblyn]

Go for it Lisa. It's an innovative idea and reasonable. What have you got to lose?

Are there any IL training clubs or instructors that could spread your message? My local training club promotes NADAC (not officially cause it's an AKC club! LOL) as a good venue for Novice beginners and green dogs because the atmosphere is much more low key—and you can train in the ring. A plus is the screamingly fun Tunnelers courses that both dogs and handlers love for the pure fun. We've gained a lot of agility addicts by introducing them to NADAC.

Best of luck!

[Chris Nelson]

I love the idea.

Next trial that I put on we will do it.    Along with instructor incentives.

[ResQ_Dogs]

Lisa, I love the idea of a referral program, but I have a suggestion. Why not split the discount between the person doing the referring and the newbie? Speaking only for myself, I steer clear of referral programs where I gain financially and my friend does not. Probably most people wouldn't care, but it seems like it could be awkward, especially if the referrer doesn't mention the discount and the newbie finds out later. You could still set up whatever minimum run requirements you need to make sure it works for you financially. From a marketing perspective, there are lots of fun possibilities, like "Welcome to NADAC! Your First Run's on Us!"

[Sheila & the Shelties]

However, it's still an assumption that is the problem. Without doing research, you're still guessing at the cause of low attendance. It could be the reason for low attendance, but it also might just be a small factor in a larger issue. Without research there is no way to know for certain.

Cheri

Cheri, I am curious... A this point, I've seen that there is only anecdotal evidence that trial attendance has dropped in areas, and only anecdotal evidence as to why it has dropped.  You are right; people can only guess at the reasons, but I am curious as to why you keep repeating that "without research there is no way to know for certain."    Are you questioning that attendance is dropping?  Are you questioning that person's assumptions?  Are you suggesting that research be done?  Or that no inferences can be drawn from a person's personal experience?  Or that a research project be done on the issue?

No offense intended; just curious as to the repetition.

[Lisa Schmit In The Zone Agility]

Diana
Thanks for the input.... I am not sure how to put that in words... I do like the Welcome to NADAC first run is free thing...  as long as you enter so many runs...

hmmm gotta thing about that.

thanks everyone !

[Maureen deHaan]

I messed up how to Quote Sharon here :

" In areas where we have instructors that teach NADAC skills, then the venue flourishes!  Students learn how to create speed and distance and have a blast.  If instructors do not have the teaching skills to motivate the slower dogs or teach students how to train and handle the required distance skills, then our venue has a much tougher time growing, as competitors find the skills hard to learn without some help from instructors.

NADAC is tough without some basic distance skills and motivational skills.  If instructors refuse to teach or don't know how to teach those skills, then students fail and will choose a different venue to participate in"


In the Northeast there are a few of us who teach "NADAC style" including myself -  and the trials in the Northeast are still low entry - my students pretty much only do NADAC - I do not discourage them from doing other venues just b/c I don't- but my training classes are small & I only teach one night a week - I am small potatoes compared to the numerous "other venue" instructors around here - people choose the "big names" over the "girl who does NADAC" more often than not.

- In my area (NY state 1.5 hours north of NYC) people can play agility every weekend of the year just about in all venues combined. So they do not travel more than 1-2 hours for trials - most people do not readily cross the NYC barrier to come "upstate" to trials more north than mine and since there is a NADAC club in Northern NJ - people pretty much stay in that bubble and go to trials in that area - which is great for that club and I am so glad they are thriving b/c they play good politics and also support the upstate NY trials- but it is hurting us - people  don't come upstate anymore to my trials or to the trials in the "Albany NY area" as much as they used to.

I think what people "out west" don't realize is that in the Northeast - things are so populated that people don't have to travel 4+ hours for a trial anymore - they just play whatever venue is close to home and if there are multiple venues being offered on the same weekend - NADAC is most often the last choice - I have heard that said more times than I can count - "sorry  can't come to your trial - there is a XXXXX trial that weekend" or  " why do schedule your trials on XXXXX  & XXX weekends?" (like I am doing it on purpose - LOL)

I like the idea of newbies get one run free... maybe I will try that at my fall trial...or something like - NADAC Newbies get a Gift Cert. for $ off their next NADAC entry at the same club's trial -  hmmm.. something to think about -

[Audri, Cee Cee, Lily, Toto, and Calypso]

Hey Lisa! 

Can you back date this?     I have sent LOTS of people to your trials here in IL.  I have a few more in the wings when they are ready to begin competing.

[NancyK]

Lisa's midwest trials are in an area where it is somewhat commonplace for instructors to not promote or highly discourage sutdent to participate in a venue that the instructor doesn't participate in or a venue where the instructor has not been successful in.

Sharon
[/quote]

I am from Illinois and will definitely agree with you that instructors don't promote NADAC.  All I do is NADAC and love it and try to promote it as much as possible, however, in this area there is an overabundance of AKC, USDAA and CPE trials along with NADAC within a reasonable travel distance so I believe that is a big reason why also.  How about someone with NADAC  equipment doing some fun matches so that people can try out the courses?