Ahh, those wonderful bobbles. We love them. We hate them. Here are some ideas about promotions (part 5 of 7):
Promotions: We’ve had plenty of discourse about this already, and my thoughts continue to evolve. But, here’s a couple quick things:
a. First, I want to reinforce the continued use of promos. Although I don’t need more cheap plastic junk from China in my house, it absolutely drives attendance and interest in the team. I already have enough hats, and those baseballs are dangerous. However, almost 100% of the time, when I give my tickets away, I hear, “what ‘night’ is it?” Or, “what’s the promo?” Or, “what’s the giveaway?” The fact that there’s SOMETHING every single night is commendable and cool, even if I don’t need it personally. Other teams with miniscule promo schedules don’t have near the attendance we have. Connect the dots. Hats off (sorry) to the employees who work hard to organize and produce these promotions and drum up the sponsorship.
b. One of my previous thoughts was this: even though I had two season tickets, I usually only get one promo item, because I’ve got a kiddo with me. So, if it’s a kiddo giveaway, then I can’t take one home for the other kid. And if it’s an “adult” giveaway, I can give it to only one kid. My thoughts have changed. The obvious solution was to get more tickets—and I did. Now if both kids want the item, they both have to come. If they want the ‘adult’ item–well, start convincing Mom to come along. Plus, the use of “kids only” or “adults only” or “women only” or whatever, makes the items last longer and angers fewer people. I’m good with it now.
c. A second autograph night. Maybe by making it for season ticket holders, like 36-game-plan or more on a different night would cut the crowds for both autograph nights. Everyone would be happier. Well, except the players, who probably find it a drag. Perhaps have the ticketholder one at the beginning of the season and the public near the end. I’ll qualify by stating that I only enjoy saying ‘hello’ and ‘thanks’ to the players as I don’t collect autographs myself–and I have to sign my own name all day long. However, my kids LOVE it. It’s the absolute highlight of the season for them (despite the fact that I couldn’t talk either one of them into going to the baseball camp). The crowds and the aggression are tough to take. The Monday early thing is nice, though—just can’t always make it that early, and don’t always get the (correct) Morning Call insert on time.
Kramming the Suggestion Box Full (part 6 of 7)
For Season Ticket Holders:
A couple of ideas from previous sections include a technology package, a special autograph night, access to a VIP lounge on certain days, more and closer batting practice access, and alternate ticketing options for buying and selling. Here are a couple more that I gleaned from what other teams do:
a. I suggest a better discount plan for Season Ticket Holders to take advantage of at the Majestic Clubhouse Store. I know that there’s a 15% coupon in the clipper book given at seasons’ start, but a more blanket and universal policy would be appreciated from those of us who already spend tons of money on IronPig-related activities.
b. A meet-the-players party. As I mentioned before, a second autograph day would be nice. This could take the place of that, or as an alternative: Full-season holders get a reception and a short time with the players on the Wednesday night before the season starts in the club level lounge. That would be a nice perk.
c. Concierge service for tickets to away games or other baseball games. OK, let’s say I’m in New Jersey for business or pleasure, and I want to take in a BlueClaws game. It would be great if my ticket rep could arrange for some nice seats for me. It would be even better if I could use my “unused” credits to pay for them. Or, let’s say the IronPigs are away, and I’ve got some free time on my hands, and I’d like to go to Philadelphia for a Phillies game. But, they’re sold out. Often, there are seats that are held back for scouts, or reserved for VIPs. Could IronPigs season ticket holders be considered VIPs? I say yes. 😉
d. A free copy of the media guide? There’s an idea.
Kram’s Korner is a guest post to the Horn & Bell blog offering a perspective “From the Club Level.”
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
– would you allow us to share a guest post with your blog to raise awareness of the work we are doing to help aid single mommies in neeed – would be short and sweet and we are willing to repay the favor on our blog at babypickel.com – With a cherry on top :0)
I agree with everything about the season ticket benefits. The first year they had a ” meet the Team ” night the day or 2 before the season started. I believe it was open to the public for a nominal fee.
They will NEED to do something for ticket holders in the next few years. Contracts that were signed initially are going to be running out after the 2012 season and people will need some incentive to come back. Other teams who have been established for a while offer quite a bit of incentives. ( they don’t have the attendance that we do, so they have to do something to get people in the seats.
Bottom line is, all of us here spend lots of money there every year for tickets, food, parking, merchandise etc. Ticket money is guaranteed for them. Letting me watch BP one night a week or giving me a free jacket after being a loyal ticket holder for 5 years or free parking for a year won’t kill them.
I agree with you that they should open up the gates earlier for batting practice, it would benefit them in the long run as we would be spending money that much earlier in the evening. Plenty of balls come sailing over to the Trough area during BP and the kids love it!
Also I am in favor of free parking passes for all season ticket holders. $3 per game @ 72 games adds up to an additional $216 per season spent on nothing. I never got the need for them to charge a parking fee. I would easily spend that additional money in the Majestic Clubhouse Store or at the bar.
In one of your earlier posts you suggested making the audio of the broadcast available upstairs in the club lounge. That is a good idea and I would like to suggest an expansion upon that; there should be at minimum the radio broadcast audio available on the club level terrace (the smoking deck if you will). The speakers are already in place, and they have played music through them in the past. Several of us carry pocket am/fm radios to listen while we visit the terrace lest we miss the action entirely.
Why not put a flat screen out there? Afterall it is the “John Walson Terrace” (you may know the name….he is the owner of Service Electric Cable TV for cryin’ out loud). Kind of ironic there is no TV or broadcast audio out there.