As we've done in other forums we'd like to get your feedback on what we can add that would make the Alliance program even more valuable to members. I can't say we'll be able to accommodate all requests but we'll do our best to see what can be supported.

One of the things I would like to see is that the Alliance program be similar in concept to what the BMWCCA offers its members. One of the items would be some type of vendor discount program. Obviously this would be up to vendor participation but I would like to provide a free service to vendors allowing them to support discounts to members if there cost structure would enable that.

Mark

 

I'll start.

First, I'd like to say that the Alliance program is an awesome upgrade for frequent users of this forum.

What would push me over the fence? For me, I'm the type of person that looks at the value of tangible things. For instance, I love the features of the Magazine and the Grill Badge.

What makes my local club membership so good is that I'm seeing the funds used for the benefit of it's members: we get special discounts, we are treated to fun motoring events around town, plus I get a cool name badge, member card and sticker.

Since NAM is more of a national organization, events will be a little more difficult to pull off for the benefit of all. However, a cool decal, patch a member card or some other cheap trinkets (similar to the cool Grill Badge) that make it more of a "package" would push me over the fence.

The last MINI United is a great example of what I'm talking about. Folks signed up for the event and got a cool packet of 'stuff' to use or save as souvenirs. The stuff wasn't expensive, just cool additions for those going to the event.

Like I said in other threads. I'm most likely going to sign up based on it's current features.

The goal of this post isn't to request more stuff, but rather to offer up a wider variety of features so that potential members can see value in just the features that they find useful.

Even if you have enough features that match the value of your price tag, you've got to realize that not every feature has value to everybody's needs. However, more variety will widen that net and will pick up folks who may not see the current offerings as enough. But I think you realize that since that is probably the reason you started this thread.

Good luck and I hope there is great success with this - not only for your benefit, but for the growth of the MINI community.

Cheers.

 

What if, along with the grille badge, we also included something like a couple of NAM decals?

I don't want to turn my basement into a shipping depot for lots of different items largely because of the cost of shipping and packaging (also because my wife and daughters tell me I'm already taking up too much room in our house ). Given this I'd like to focus on things that can be delivered online in some way. For example the garage, vendor discount program, etc. Are there some software features that would really be helpful? Perhaps something like a maintenance log, blog, or something else?

Mark

 

That's cool. I also understand about shipping costs and taking up too much room.

I also like the idea of a maintenance log - but a good one. The MINIUSA Owner's lounge was supposed to (or does) offer this. If so, it's not intuitive enough to want to keep up with it. A blog feature would be nice, but I think other forums offer that for free.

An online address book of members would be cool, but I'm sure most members don't want their private info made public (even if it were available to members only).

Exclusivity it a great feature. What makes your badge such a cool thing for me is that it's only available for members. Maybe an exclusive forum section on NAM for members only would be cool. We have that in our local group and I have to say the content is far from exclusive. But as an outsider, I was more than intrigued and wanted access.

 

Based on what you've seen there is there something that would make it useful? In other words what could I do to improve on it and make it more useful?

I think privacy would be an issue here unfortunately. In the WBCCI (Airstream travel trailer owner club) they have, as a benefit, a directory of people offering courtesy parking. This means that if you were traveling around the country and need a place to stay in your trailer you could stay in a space provided by another member (usually the space is at the host's property). This provides a good way of building rapport with other members. This doesn't really work for MINI owners but perhaps this might spark an idea that would.

Forums are easy. Is there something in particular people would be interested in?

Mark

 

I'll think about it more today. Right now, I'm supposed to be working and my work avoidance pass has run out. LOL.

 

I like the idea of a private forum, maybe a NAM email account? I know there's a lot of free email providers out there but some people would like a username@northamericanmotoring.com email address.

Really the make or break factor for whether I renew (I'm willing to try anything once) is what vendor benefits will be like. If I can save $40 a year in parts renewing my membership is a no brainer. What about offering Alliance members info (those that volunteer it) to manufacturers for Beta testing and reviews of new products? This would allow us to get free stuff without further burdening you with having to distribute it.

 

This might sound lazy, but get a second domain like.. nam.com and have a redirect from nam.com straight to the regular northamericanmotoring.com home page

but after doing a domain lookup, I see that its taken... dang.. If you could buy it from him have: username@nam.com

 

Inside info is always a plus. A weekly or biweekly or even monthly podcast or video blog with an interview about up and coming products, or even interviews with MINI representatives. Pass along questions from NAM alliance members to the folks at MINI. Show some how to's for folks who want to get into providing an extra oomph to their MINI but don't know where to start. Also perhaps you could get some good exclusive video from events to offer up to NAM Alliance Members in case they missed it or want to reminisce.

I think there's a lot of experience and information that NAM can provide Alliance members without degrading the regular NAM experience, it's just a matter of tapping into it.

 

I think more tangible things, like putting the mag into print, and stickers, will make the price more easily swallowed by more people. Right now, it's pretty much paying $40 for some extra forum features, which has limited appeal imho.

Seeing how well the virtual garage plays out will be important, since I see that as the best current feature. Although still something that anyone with technical experience could do on their own webspace for much cheaper..

How was the price decided upon, anyway?

 

Another way to entice folks into joining is to do the "Demo" thing and offer up a free trial membership for 3 months. Like the magazine, give everybody a chance to see what it's like. If folks like it, they'll sign up and get the badge and the rest of the magazine subscription. If not, they go back to their regular NAM status.

I know this may be a nightmare organizing this if EVERYBODY demo the service, but maybe limit the demo to folks with more than 500 posts.

 

Swag is always good, but I understand you not wanting to turn your house into a mail order distribution center.

I like really that idea. (Just what I need, another email account. But I still really like that idea. )

I'm not sure about the Beta testing since I'm mechanically challenged, but I would still consider it-especially if it was something for a Cooper or something not too technical.

Some type of discount for members would be really nice, but many of our vendors give us some type of discount already. I'm not sure what they would think about more discounts. One can hope though. I could make the $40 membership pay for itself pretty quick with discounts.

What about having a "Vendor of the Month" with special discounts at one vendor for that month-similar to the NAM Calender? If you go with some type of Alliance Forum, could this be incorporated into it instead of having a discount code that could end up floating around the forums?

Instead of an actual Alliance Forum, what about very limited group of threads concerning member discounts and things like that? (Which I realize may be what everyone else is talking about.) An Alliance Forum could split the 'family' here on NAM, which could hurt its overall appeal to the MINI community.

I've used the maintenance log in the Owners Lounge, and it was okay, but I didn't ike it enough to keep it up to date and haven't been back for quite some time. I'll take a look and see if I can come up with some ideas for you. I am wondering if the Virtual Garage won't already cover this feature, though.

 

Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm tracking this thread and will reply with more thoughts once I get some more dragon stuff out of the way. I appreciate the feedback and I think we'll be able to add some things that should make the Alliance program attractive.

Keep the feedback coming!

Mark

 

I don't think a trial membership would work very well. Better, I think, would be to:
1) offer full transparency of what alliance membership entails (ie: static pages or large screenies of each members-only section, like the user back-end of the virtual garage, like Mark just posted in the other thread.)

This would also include the topics in each new issue of the mag, and what vendors might be offering deals to members. If there's one deal or one topic in the mag of special interest to a particular user, that might justify the cost alone.

2) Offer a 30-day money back guarantee or something to that effect. This would eliminate a lot of the people who would demo the service but never think about paying for it. Because picking up a phone or e-mailing to cancel within 30 days is a PITA.

---

Adding another whole level of complexity: what about tiered memberships? Have a cheaper option without the badges or print mag, maybe limit the virtual garage to one bay? Etc.

 

how bout a calendar for members?

 

Like the physical calendar we produce each year or an electronic one here on the site? Given we have just over 100 members so far there isn't a means for us to create a physical one that would be cost effective. I was however considering offering a member discount on our annual calendar.

Mark

 

yes i was speaking of the physical calendar in a discount form for next year.

also one other idea (i'm full of them ) would be, and maybe there is one in the last issue- and i guess you would have to talk to vendors but, possibly a discount code(s) for alliance members in the e-zine.

ps- if you ever need a hand drop me a line. i am a professional photo retoucher and i write copy for a living.

 

While I'm not sure of the discount amount yet I will be providing one for Alliance members.


We've been working on a system for the site that will bring vendor discounts to Alliance members. It will still be up to vendors as to how they participate but we will have something in place to support this sometime in May.

If you have any article ideas or would like to write an article contact Nathan at editor@northamericanmotoring.com. We do pay for articles for the magazine

Mark

 

What about a way to organize and create folders to store Pm's in...

I have a few I like to keep around but would like some way to organize them...

**Idea?????

 

That capability already exists for all NAM users, not just Alliance members. In the PM area, click Edit Folders. There you can create new folders and organize all of your PMs.
Rick

 

Rick - thanks for mentioning this. This is something that is available to everyone on the site.

Mark

 

OH.... dOU! Guess I am gonna have to check that out... My bad...

 

i'm all about saving a $ or 2 . anyhow, i notice that MINIMANIA offers a 10% or 15% every day discount to mini clubs.

i wonder if we could be considered a "club"? i think it would be nice to have this discount extended to alliance members as well. we do after all pay "dues" no?

i like MINIMANIA and i do order quite a bit of stuff from them but, only when i get a coupon code as they are a little overpriced.

seeing as how they are a vendor on here could i contact them to inquire about a possible discount? or would the moderators prefer to do so- if this would even be considered?

 

One of the things we're working on right now is a real vendor discount program for Alliance members. We are probably about a month out on deploying software to NAM but the intent is to get vendors, like Mini Mania, and all the others involved in the program. Stay tuned...this is definitely on our radar.

Mark

 

sounds good to me. they are a nice company and very pleasant and helpful.