Increasing Donations

[highiron999]

All;

Anyone interested in ways of increasing donations to their club?

Leonard Evans/highiron999

[This message has been edited by highiron999 (edited 01-26-2007).]

[Clover McKinley]

Steaming Bay members:

The above is legitimate.

Clover

[Dampfmann]

Okay, I'll bite. Please give us more information.

[highiron999]

Live Steamers Increasing Donations

All;

At LALS we were getting an average of about $.60 per rider by using a donation box at the entrance gate. Two ladies decided to try giving tickets at our Halloween run using old raffle tickets, one color for adults and another color for children.

They put a sign on the counter of our souvenir stand saying "suggested donation $2.00". After about an hour, someone bumped the plastic sign holder and breaking it forced the retirement of the sign. The ladies reported that the donations went UP!

They would ask "how many people?" How many adults and how many children and give the visitors the appropriate number of tickets. The visitor would ask "how much?" The answer was "it's by donation". The donations reached an average one evening of $1.80, a three fold increase!!

The board decided to try this on our regular Sunday run days and after about 10 months of doing this we are easily over a $1.30 average, more than doubling our donations CONSISTENTLY!!

This does four things:

It provides an accurate count, whereas before children ducked under or were carried over our turnstile.

The ticket has the rules written on the back telling our visitors how to behave for a safe ride and limiting (though not eliminating) our liability.

The ticket is a souvenir that gets punched by the station attendant for a more lifelike railroad riding experience.

The issuing of tickets also provides a chance to tell each group that we are volunteers so they know that ALL of the donations go to the railroad and that we are not a city operated attraction.

The typical language that occurs goes like this:
Visitor: Do I need a ticket?
Attendant: Yes. How many people?
Visitor: Six
Attendant: How many children?
Visitor: Two
Attendant: So that is two children and four adults? (While handing the visitor the tickets) Is that right?
Visitor: Yes. How much?
This is the important part-
"It's by donation.
We're all volunteers.
Whatever you would like to give us (pause) It all goes to help the railroad."

WHATEVER they donate-"Thank you very much"
This will be followed by various comments such as "you're welcome", "thanks for doing this", etc. You can then offer the FINAL thank you by saying "thanks for coming" or "thanks for coming and enjoy the ride".

You get the idea and you will find that what and how you speak to visitors makes a difference. A long explanation of what you are doing comes off as begging and turns people off. A short phrase or two that can be extended, IF the visitor asks for more info, is usually best. AVOID words that lessen what you are doing like "it's ONLY a donation" "it's JUST a donation".

For any visitor who hesitates to donate or shows any resevations about this process, immediately remind them that the ride is free, extend the tickets to them and wish them "enjoy the ride and thanks for coming".

Some people will get used to this system, and knowing the ride is free, will show up, and state "__children and __adults" take the tickets without donating and get in line.

Do not be concerned when others see this and do the same, it all works out. Some of those people prefer to place something in the donation box that should NOT be removed.

When "where to place the donation" is brought up, say "we are taking donations here now." Most folks will give the money to the attendant from now on. Again, if it is an issue for a visitor, encourage them to do as THEY prefer.

There are many fine points about this that can make small differences, yet I will avoid a course in psychology here.

Finally, if there is a height restriction that you follow, do NOT ask "how tall is you child?", or if a weight restriction "how much do you weigh?". Rather TELL them that "children must be __ inches tall to ride our trains". Then you can deal with "can I carry the baby", etc. Same for weight if someone appears near or over you limit. Tell them the requirement and let them decide. The station attendant loading the trains usually has the final say and the donation booth or souvenir stand attendant is off the hook because "you told them".

Leonard Evans/highiron999

[This message has been edited by highiron999 (edited 12-19-2006).]

[This message has been edited by highiron999 (edited 12-19-2006).]

[Alan Stepney]

One guy I know takes his 4" scale traction engine to numerous events, giving rides to the children.

He used to have a fixed charge, but then went over to donations.
"Pay what you feel it is worth".

His income rose markedly.
Apparently the general public rated the fun it gave their children far higher than he would jave charged.

[highiron999]

Alan;

That happens here also. People seem confused, sometimes, about what to donate and I say, "go ahead and ride and later make a donation if you think it's worth anything."
Amazing how many people pop out of the blue and put money on the counter with,"that was great", etc.

WARNING: I have been in the booth EVERY Sunday, with a few exceptions. If you do this well, it will be had to get away!!

Leonard Evans/highiron999

[Superberky1204]

Leonard, Would it pe possible to get a copy of your "ticket"? I am safety committee chairman here at PLS and we are thinking about going in that direction. We do have a plexiglass donation box at the station and it does get money.

We do have signs for safety and our loaders warn the people about riding safety.

If so, email me off line and I will give you my address.

Thanks, Bruce

[highiron999]

Superberky;

I have e-mailed you.
We also have a professional, member made recording, that with a button push, plays in the station waiting area to inform the riders of hazzards and their responsibilty to ride safely. We can play this as often as needed, more freqently with light crowds as there are fewer people to hear any one playing.

Leonard Evans/highiron999

[This message has been edited by highiron999 (edited 12-19-2006).]

[willy]

You could become like Adirondack Live Steamers and declare that no visiting engineers may operate there. Yet if you become a member and pay the dues you can operate.

Heck of a note.

Willy

[scoobster28]

Willy, that is taking everything out of context. We allow only members to ride because OUR INSURANCE only allows members to ride. We have nothing to do with it. And, to become a member, you must pay your dues. We also have nothing to do with that as well, because OUR INSURANCE will not allow us to make "temporary members," even for meets or something like that.

The insurance companies are hurting the live steam hobby, and we are only forced to comply or risk a major lawsuit.

By the way, in case you were wondering, I AM a proud member of the Adirondack Live Steamers.

Benjamin L. Maggi, J.D.
Member of the Adirondack Live Steamers
Long live the Arcade and Attica Railroad!

[willy]

LOL yes I know you are.

Yet you must admit.... It is one heck of a way to guarantee better club income.

Don Buessing called me some time ago. As he explained it.....

"We had a insurance policy with a club member that worked with the company. When he retired there was no one there that would understand what a hobby railroad was. This is the reason that the insurance company requires all engineers must be members of the club."

Willy