RAP debuts free podcast walking tour of Riverside

[cline]

That money can be used elsewhere.  It is more "green" to do it digitally anyways.  Perhaps we could get a RAP iPhone app  

[grimss]

I'd also add that I suspect the energy it would take to help make the RAP newsletter break even (selling lots of ads, continuing to pay escalating print and mailing costs) could be better spent reaching out digitally to those who've signed on to RAP's mission (i.e. are members, supporters), and then using the saved $ to add staff, host educational events, promote the 'hood, etc.

[mtraininjax]

The RAP newsletter is a publication put out by a non-profit organization.  The Resident is a published by a corporation, and its profitability is based on ad sales.

Brian - Non-profits never sell ads? When the Resident started it was a few pages in publication. The version I received last night was well over 20 pages, all because people are working to get advertisors. They have a great rag that is well executed. Execution is lacking in RAP, I don't take it serious at all as a publication and going online will not change that fact.

Kay - 21,000 is a number. How many memberships have we seen decrease over the last few years, granted an economy is an issue, but also value is an issue. RAP put out cards for members to use, but no one really promoted them. In fact the promotion of activities is really lacking at RAP, if you want members to get more value, instead of cutting costs, add more value with what you have and market back to the members. How hard is it to touch every household one weekend a quarter with volunteer efforts?

Grimss - We shall see how the online product works, my bet is that unless "new value" is added, it will continue to decrease and die off as all stale websites do.

[grimss]

Hey, mtrain, I actually think the RAP website is light years ahead of where it was two years ago. Also, I believe the strategy is to use the website as a "home base" reference, and then rely on the blog and FB to carry more day-to-day information. BTW, the entire website/Social Media effort is volunteer-driven, which may account for the deficits you perceive. Personally, I assume that means RAP central is dedicating itself to real world issues such as fighting demolitions before JHPC, promoting the neighborhood at regional and national levels (the APA Great Neighborhood in America designation didn't just happen in a vacuum), and ensuring our local historic shopping corridors are vibrant (see http://www.riversideavondale.org/index.php?id=71).

If you think the website is lacking, why not volunteer your own services?

[Ernest Street]

Grim, I think he's poking you for good luck. We hope the site does well and most of your usuall advertisers will keep on won't they?
They will by going Online be Global of course.