Little Red's Big Ideas

Good Luck! March Events

Green will be everywhere in the next few weeks.  But remember, as you search for Sharocks, that March is also a month to celebrate everything from Athletic Training to Women's History.  Learn more at Chase's Calendar of Events

March

• American Red Cross Month
• Athletic Training Month, Natl
• Caffeine Awareness Month, Natl
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month, Natl
• Clean Up Your IRS Act Month, Natl
• Collision Awareness Month, Natl
• Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Natl
• Craft Month, Natl
• Ethics Awareness Month, Natl
• Eye Donor Month, Natl
• Frozen Food Month, Natl
• Honor Society Awareness Month
• Humorists Are Artists Month
• Ideas Month, Intl
• Irish-American Heritage Month
• Kidney Month, Natl
• Learn Russian Month
• Listening Awareness Month, Intl
• Mirth Month, Intl
• Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month, Natl
• Music in our Schools Month
• Nutrition Month, Natl
• On-Hold Month, Natl
• Optimism Month
• Play-the-Recorder Month
• Poison Prevention Awareness Month
• Red Cross Month
• Save Your Vision Month
• Small Press Month
• Social Work Month, Natl
• Spiritual Wellness Month
• Steroid Abuse and Prevention Month
• Umbrella Month, Natl
• Vulvar Health Awareness Month
• Women's History Month, Natl
• Workplace Eye Health and Safety Month
• Youth Art Month

Direct Marketing Leads Marketing Expenditures

Marketing expenditures are in a state of flux as illustrated by this chart which shows direct marketing leading the pack of media options.  Whether you are a park district, department, camp or other organization -- you are, no doubt, using direct marketinglike never before.  In the "olden days" of marketing before Twitter, texting, apps and wikis -- direct marketing was often synonymous with direct mail.  Today, however, direct marketing refers to an every expanding explosion of media options and applications.

I came across an interesting offer for a FREE "whitepaper"(sure, you have to fill-in some quick contact info) that does a good job exploring where direct marketing is headed in 2010 and beyond.  It explains how new technologies and changing  consumer preferences are impacting options and opportunities to reach your customers.   Download the paper to learn how you can leverage new trends to access the customers you want, gain more visibility, grow market share and boost ROI.  Some of the methods explored are:

• Mobile Marketing
• Social Media Integration
• Personalized and Tailored Marketing
• Marketing Automation
• Integrated and Targeted Direct Mail

Download your complimentary copy of this valuable whitepaper,
"5 Direct Marketing Trends to Watch," now.

Snow-long, Farewell ACA 2010 - Expanded Handouts

Well the lovely Denver weather has turned into a snowstorm leaving me a bit stranded in the airport.  But don't cry for me ACA attendees.  I'm heading back to paradise (AKA Carlsbad California) where the weather will be a bit more welcoming.

I promised my final session audience that I would post complete handouts as soon as possible.  While I'm still working to compile their truly motivating offers, here is the document that will give you those 60 ways to motivate your campers and camp prospects with "offers they won't be able to refuse."

Download Make Me an Offer with Definitions

If you DO download the handouts please post a quick comment so I know you were here!

Marketing Basics - ACA 2010 Presentation Slides

I woke up this morning to a beautiful Denver skyline and am thrilled to, once again, be part of the American Camp Association's National Conference.  This being ACA's 100th Anniversary, should make this event particular festive.  I understand their registrations are UP from last year, which tells me that camp professionals are ready for new ideas and committed to promoting the benefits of camp for the next 100 plus years.  Todays session, Back to the Basics, focuses on the most fundamental marketing ideas.  It should prove to be a nice review for intermediate marketers and a fresh, simple approach for beginners. 

Here are the slides for the ACA session for those who didn't get to attend -- or for your review.   If you download the slides leave me a quick comment and let me know what you think.

Download Back to Basics

Teens and Twitter - Uncool!

According to a new report released Wednesday by the Pew Internet Project, only 8 percent of online teens have embraced Twitter, a notable low for a generation so passionate about technology. Think of the millions of text messages that teens send. Think of their endless hours on Facebook.

Twitter has not caught on in nearly the same way -- and experts suggest the difference is that most teens want to socialize with their friends and peers, not broadcast to the larger world.

Read more about the study as covered by The Washington Post

Social Media and Young Adults - Study Reveals Changing Behaviors

This month the Pew Internet Project released two surveys of teens and adults which revealed a decline in blogging among teens and young adults.  On the other hand, the survey showeda modest rise among adults 30 and older. Even as blogging declines among those under 30, wireless connectivity continues to rise in this age group, as does social network use. Teens ages 12-17 do not use Twitter in large numbers, though high school-aged girls show the greatest enthusiasm for the application.

Some of the other study findings:

Since 2006, blogging has dropped among teens and young adults while simultaneously rising among older adults. As the tools and technology embedded in social networking sites change, and use of the sites continues to grow, youth may be exchanging ‘macro-blogging’ for microblogging with status updates.

Blogging has declined in popularity among both teens and young adults since 2006. Blog commenting has also dropped among teens.

• 14% of online teens now say they blog, down from 28% of teen internet users in 2006.
• This decline is also reflected in the lower incidence of teen commenting on blogs within social networking websites; 52% of teen social network users report commenting on friends’ blogs, down from the 76% who did so in 2006.
• By comparison, the prevalence of blogging within the overall adult internet population has remained steady in recent years. Pew Internet surveys since 2005 have consistently found that roughly one in ten online adults maintain a personal online journal or blog.

While blogging among adults as a whole has remained steady, the prevalence of blogging within specific age groups has changed dramatically in recent years. Specifically, a sharp decline in blogging by young adults has been tempered by a corresponding increase in blogging among older adults.

• In December 2007, 24% of online 18-29 year olds reported blogging, compared with 7% of those thirty and older.
• By 2009, just 15% of internet users ages 18-29 maintain a blog—a nine percentage point drop in two years. However, 11% of internet users ages thirty and older now maintain a personal blog.

Both teen and adult use of social networking sites has risen significantly, yet there are shifts and some drops in the proportion of teens using several social networking site features.

• 73% of wired American teens now use social networking websites, a significant increase from previous surveys. Just over half of online teens (55%) used social networking sites in November 2006 and 65% did so in February 2008.

Read and download the complete study here.

Obama Budget Supports Parks and Recreation

On Feb. 1, 2010, President Obama released his proposed $3.8 trillion budget for Fiscal Year 2011, providing $434 million for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), with $50 million for state grants. Despite this 25 percent increase in state funds and more than $100 million total increase, NRPA and its partners are extremely concerned for the future of state and municipal park systems, and urges Congress to dedicate full funding of $900 million to the LWCF, with equal funding for stateside programming.

Only once in its history has the fund received its full, authorized amount, and the Administration has pledged to increase the LWCF to $900 million annually by 2014. However, Congress must now act to carry forth this vision.

“We are thrilled to see that the Obama Administration recognizes the importance of parks and recreation and is moving toward a renewed investment in this area. However, in 2009, the National Park Service reported more than $12 billion in unmet needs relative to outdoor recreation resources throughout our nation. In order to effectively build healthy, sustainable communities, a greater investment must be made in the area of parks and recreation,” said Pine.

In the past couple years, serious budget issues have affected states including California, Idaho and Arizona, and localities such as Salt Lake and Milwaukee. The pressure to balance budgets has resulted in layoffs, closures, and considerations for leasing parklands for uses such as industrial and commercial development.

“State and local parks in the U.S. are in danger of being closed or diverted to uses such as leasing for gas drilling or cell phone towers,” said Barbara Tulipane, CEO of NRPA. “What would happen if, in ten years, there would be no open space for communities? No way for children to connect to nature? No way for people to engage in safe outdoor recreation? The negative economic, environmental and health consequences are scary to think about.”

“How dare we not do all we can to protect the important legacy of parks and recreation for future generations. We must protect it at all costs, and we can’t do that if we remain silent,” said Tulipane.

For more information on NRPA’s advocacy initiatives surrounding the Land and Water Conservation Fund State Program, contact Stacey Pine at (202) 887-0290 or spine(at)npra(dot)org.

The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of some 21,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives, and conservation of natural and cultural resources.

Headquartered in Ashburn, Va., NRPA works closely with local, state, and national recreation and park agencies, citizen groups and corporations to carry out its objectives. Priorities include advocating favorable legislation and public policy; continuing education for park and recreation professionals and citizens; providing professional certification, university accreditation, research and technical assistance; and, increasing public awareness of the importance of parks and recreation. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrec-magazine.org.

Olympic Quotes

I love the winter Olympics, probably because of my cold Minnesota roots.  I love cheering for my nation's athletes as they swoosh, glide, twirl and and luge their way to victory.  To help you, your staff and your customers get in the spirit of the games; use these quotes in your marketing materials, presentations and electronic communications.  During the 18 days of these Olympic Games add a quote to your outgoing voice mail message or email signature.  Better yet, remind people that your parks and recreation programs have more than likely spared countless Olympic dreams past, present and future. 

The Olympics are a wonderful metaphor for world cooperation, the kind of international competition that's wholesome and healthy, an interplay between countries that represents the best in all of us.  ~John Williams

The Olympics remain the most compelling search for excellence that exists in sport, and maybe in life itself.  ~Dawn Fraser

The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.  ~Pierre de Coubertin

For athletes, the Olympics are the ultimate test of their worth.  ~Mary Lou Retton

The Olympic games should be a matter between individual athletes and the gods. Noisy flag-waving dishonors gods and men alike.  ~Dave Beard

Chris Brogan's 50 Ideas for Using Twitter Part Four - Overcoming Objections

Public agencies are typically not early adopters of new technologies.  Understandably, layers of decision-makers can slow down your ability to try new things and take risks.  So, if you are still being deterred from entering the social networking universe, New Media Expert, Chirs Brogan. offers common objections and possible answers for you to use to present a strong case for engaging social media.

The Negatives People Will Throw At You

31. Twitter takes up time.
32. Twitter takes you away from other productive work.
33. Without a strategy, it’s just typing.
34. There are other ways to do this.
35. As Frank hears often, Twitter doesn’t replace customer service (Frank is @comcastcares and is a superhero for what he’s started.)
36. Twitter is buggy and not enterprise-ready.
37. Twitter is just for technonerds.
38. Twitter’s only a few million people. (only)
39. Twitter doesn’t replace direct email marketing.
40. Twitter opens the company up to more criticism and griping.

 

Some Positives to Throw Back

41. Twitter helps one organize great, instant meetups (tweetups).
42. Twitter works swell as an opinion poll.
43. Twitter can help direct people’s attention to good things.
44. Twitter at events helps people build an instant “backchannel.”
45. Twitter breaks news faster than other sources, often (especially if the news impacts online denizens).
46. Twitter gives businesses a glimpse at what status messaging can do for an organization. Remember presence in the 1990s?
47. Twitter brings great minds together, and gives you daily opportunities to learn (if you look for it, and/or if you follow the right folks).
48. Twitter gives your critics a forum, but that means you can study them.
49. Twitter helps with business development, if your prospects are online (mine are).
50. Twitter can augment customer service. (but see above)

Please comment below to share how you've overcome objections from social networking naysayers in YOUR organization. 

Super Bowl, Super Quotes

No matter which team you want to win this weekend's big game (and who doesn't love the commercials?) everyone seems to be buzzing about football.  In honor of the Superbowl XLIV I'm sharing some of my favorite football quotes.  Use them to impress your friends on Sunday and to add some yardage to upcoming marketing materials whether promoting a youth or adult football program.

Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental.    
-Doug Plank

One accusation you can't throw at me is that I've always done my best.    
- Alan Shearer

I'd rather play in front of a full house than an empty crowd.    
- Johnny Giles

Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.    
- Vince Lombardi

Baseball is what we were, football is what we have become.    
- Mary McGrory

I learned that if you want to make it bad enough, no matter how bad it is, you can make it.    
- Gale Sayers

When in doubt, punt!    
- John Heisman

The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer.    
- John Madden

Maybe a good rule in life is never become too important to do your own laundry.    
- Barry Sanders

It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.    
- Archie Griffen

Pro football is like nuclear warfare. There are no winners, only survivors.    
- Frank Gifford

Football isn't a contact sport, it's a collision sport. Dancing is a contact sport.    
- Duffy Daugherty

I wouldn't ever set out to hurt anyone deliberately unless it was, you know, important -like a league game or something.    
- Dick Butkus

Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.    
- Joe Theismann

Football is, after all, a wonderful way to get rid of your aggressions without going to jail for it.    
- Heywood Hale Broun

I'd catch a punt naked, in the snow, in Buffalo, for a chance to play in the NFL.    
- Steve Henderson

Football is not a game but a religion, a metaphysical island of fundamental truth in a highly verbalized, disguised society, a throwback of 30,000 generations of anthropological time.    
- ArnoldMandell

American football makes rugby look like a Tupperware party.    
- Sue Lawley

I may be dumb, but I'm not stupid.    
- Terry Bradshaw

College football is a sport that bears the same relation to education that bullfighting does to agriculture.    
- Elbert Hubbard

Let's face it, you have to have a slightly recessive gene that has a little something to do with the brain to go out on the football field and beat your head against other human beings on a daily basis.    
-Tim Green

You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four.    
-Dan Birdwell

Football combines the two worst things about America: it is violence punctuated by committee meetings.    
-George F. Will

Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.    
-Erma Bombeck

If a man watches three football games in a row, he should be declared legally dead.    
-Erma Bombeck

If you're mad at your kid, you can either raise him to be a nose tackle or send him out to play on the freeway. It's about the same.    
-Bob Golic

At the base of it was the urge, if you wanted to play football, to knock someone down, that was what the sport was all about, the will to win closely linked with contact.    
-George Plimpton

Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?    
-Jim Bouton

One of the great disappointments of a football game is that the cheerleaders never seem to get injured.    
-Author Unknown

When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one coach for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had us run through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team.    
-George Raveling

The reason women don't play football is because eleven of them would never wear the same outfit in public.    
-Phyllis Diller

I do not like football, which I think of as a game in which two tractors approach each other from opposite directions and collide. Besides, I have contempt for a game in which players have to wear so much equipment. Men play basketball in their underwear, which seems just right to me.    
-Anna Quindlen, Living Out Loud, 1988

Watching football is like watching pornography. There's plenty of action, and I can't take my eyes off it, but when it's over, I wonder why the hell I spent an afternoon doing it.    
-Luke Salisbury

The Rose Bowl is the only bowl I've ever seen that I didn't have to clean.    
-Erma Bombeck

There are two kinds of people in the world, Notre Dame lovers and Notre Dame haters. And, quite frankly, they're both a pain in the ass.    
-Dan Devine, former Notre Dame football coach

I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault.   
-Jack Tatum

He was the only man I ever saw who ran his own interference.    
-Steve Owen, about Bronko Nagurski

Trying to maintain order during a legalized gang brawl involving 80 toughs with a little whistle, a hanky and a ton of prayer.    
-Anonymous referee, explaining his job

There are several differences between a football game and a revolution. For one thing, a football game usually lasts longer and the participants wear uniforms. Also, there are usually more casualties in a football game. The object of the game is to move a ball past the other team's goal line. This counts as six points. No points are given for lacerations, contusions, or abrasions, but then no points are deducted, either. Kicking is very important in football. In fact, some of the more enthusiastic players even kick the ball, occasionally.    
-Alfred Hitchcock

Men are clinging to football on a level we aren't even aware of. For centuries, we ruled everything, and now, in the last ten minutes, there are all these incursions by women. It's our Alamo.    
-Tony Kornheiser

Speed is not your fastest, but your slowest man. No back can run faster than his interference.    
-Jock Sutherland

When it comes to football, God is prejudiced - toward big, fast kids.    
-Chuck Mills

Football players, like prostitutes, are in the business of ruining their bodies for the pleasure of strangers.    
-Merle Kessler

Speed, strength, and the inability to register pain immediately.    
-Reggie Williams, when asked his greatest strengths as a football player

The tactical difference between Association Football and Rugby with its varieties seems to be that in the former the ball is the missile, in the latter men are the missiles.    
-Alfred E. Crawley, The Book of the Ball, 1913

What about football? Is it a sport or a concussion?    
-Jim Murray, Los Angeles Times

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important.    
-Eugene J. McCarthy

I don't like to lose, and that isn't so much because it is just a football game, but because defeat means the failure to reach your objective. I don't want a football player who doesn't take defeat to heart, who laughs it off with the thought, 'Oh, well, there's another Saturday.' The trouble in American life today, in business as well as in sports, is that too many people are afraid of competition. The result is that in some circles people have come to sneer at success if it costs hard work and training and sacrifice.    
-Knute Kenneth Rockne

In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard.    
-Theodore Roosevelt

Describing an opposing team: Sure, luck means a lot in football. Not having a good quarterback is bad luck.    
- Don Shula