tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post3919372714895291669..comments2024-03-19T01:26:04.572-07:00Comments on Genea-Musings: Genealogy Society NewslettersRandy Seaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17477703429102065294noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-32091527928718224882010-01-07T12:12:52.005-08:002010-01-07T12:12:52.005-08:00I know this pose is close to a year old, but I hav...I know this pose is close to a year old, but I have to chime in anyway. Our society just started a newsletter as a benefit to members, because we had no benefits at all to begin with.<br /><br />I haven't suggested it yet, but I would like to put a few random issues online once we have a few behind us so that people can see what we're all about and see the information contained in the newsletter. A lot of people think a society newsletter is geared at telling people information about the society, upcomgin events, past events, etc. Ours actually contains a good deal of genealogical material we've scraped out of old books, etc. that would be relevant to anyone researching in our area.<br /><br />Another thing I have seen, which relates somewhat, and I think is completely absurd is a local gen. society that has a magnificent library of materials and refuses to put any information online because "they want people to come use the library."<br /><br />Most people are not going to spend their hard earned money, particularly in today's economy, without knowing they will get something back in return. why would I drive 45 minutes to go to a library that has nothing on its web site telling me specifics around the materials it has available and maybe even willing to put a few materials online for free so I can see the types of things I can expect when I get there.Brianhttp://www.earlymaine.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-90684553645754533012009-05-08T10:52:00.000-07:002009-05-08T10:52:00.000-07:00I agree with Gena, I think it could help grow the ...I agree with Gena, I think it could help grow the society. I would make sure that there is a blurb in each newletter advising if they like what they are reading and want to learn more, or become a part of it to join the society today.Terri O'Connellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13571535485003397959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-5194176336084508152009-05-08T06:38:00.000-07:002009-05-08T06:38:00.000-07:00The Tennessee Genealogical Society just went throu...The Tennessee Genealogical Society just went through the same discussion. We decided to post our Ansearchin' News, which has been published since 1954, on our web site and make it free to the public. We're not posting the most recent editions, as that will be our benefit to members. We give members the option of receiving current issues via hard copy or PDF format. The Ansearchin' News is located at http://www.tngs.org<br />DebbieDebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05362011861463622240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-75911005412275337612009-05-07T20:01:00.000-07:002009-05-07T20:01:00.000-07:00The answer to the newsletter quandary is to be fou...The answer to the newsletter quandary is to be found by considering the overall purpose, goals and marketing of your society. A newsletter is only one component of many aspects of your society. Are you communicating only to members? Or is the newsletter designed to communicate, educate and promote the society's benefits? What is missing is the vision and a marketing plan to execute it. I suggest the Society take a step back and look at the bigger picture of how to build membership by including all components.Steve2https://www.blogger.com/profile/14528423799750904478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-3592664493837897702009-05-07T17:00:00.000-07:002009-05-07T17:00:00.000-07:00I think Lulu has great potential for both a print ...I think <A HREF="http://www.lulu.com" REL="nofollow">Lulu</A> has great potential for both a print and electronic version of your newsletters, journals and other publications with the added plus of being able to offer past issues for sale without the aggravation of managing inventory, shipping and collecting the money. <br /><br />Another option is the <A HREF="http://magcloud.com/" REL="nofollow">MagCloud</A> service which was designed specifically for subscription-type services.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26204193.post-56060369257912682302009-05-07T12:32:00.000-07:002009-05-07T12:32:00.000-07:00Although, I could see the fear that posting a news...Although, I could see the fear that posting a newsletter for all to see would discourage membership-I think it could do the opposite. I like reading other society newsletters. I would be more encouraged to join if I could see a newsletter. I think the newsletter reflects the health of the society and the activites they put on and the value I would receive for my membership dollars.<br /><br />In this age where so much is available for free on the internet, I think a society could only benefit by sharing their newsletter to subscribers. The only time where this may not be a good idea is if the newsletter is more of a journal and lengthy in format.<br /><br />The value of your society is in the education you provide, amongst other things. Making your newsletter available for everyone does not take away those who want to and will join.Gena Philibert-Ortegahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12853485188995075397noreply@blogger.com