|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you find value in what The MUG Center delivers, please consider making a donation so we can continue to deliver it.
Thank you!
|
|
|
|
|
The MUG Center Survey: What Are The Most Important Parts of a Vendor's User Group Program?
More and more software publishers and vendors are discovering the benefits of creating user group programs to establish long-term relationships with the core enthusiasts and influencers in the Macintosh industry. Those programs take many forms, depending on the product and level of commitment.
|
What are the most important parts of a vendor's user group program?
|
|
|
Essential
|
|
Important
|
|
Nice
|
|
Not necessary
|
|
Worthless
|
|
Review Softwware
|
|
29%
|
38
|
|
45%
|
63
|
|
27%
|
38
|
|
0%
|
0
|
|
0%
|
0
|
|
Raffle Prizes
|
|
16%
|
21
|
|
19%
|
27
|
|
65%
|
91
|
|
0%
|
0
|
|
0%
|
0
|
|
Meeting speaker availability
|
|
14%
|
18
|
|
22%
|
31
|
|
37%
|
51
|
|
29%
|
38
|
|
0%
|
0
|
|
Demo scripts
|
|
8%
|
11
|
|
51%
|
71
|
|
34%
|
48
|
|
7%
|
10
|
|
0%
|
0
|
|
UG-only discounts
|
|
9%
|
12
|
|
34%
|
48
|
|
57%
|
79
|
|
0%
|
0
|
|
0%
|
0
|
|
Newsletter content
|
|
7%
|
9
|
|
45%
|
62
|
|
42%
|
59
|
|
7%
|
9
|
|
0%
|
0
|
|
Vendor newsletter
|
|
2%
|
3
|
|
21%
|
29
|
|
50%
|
69
|
|
21%
|
29
|
|
7%
|
10
|
|
Total Responses:
|
139
|
Comments:
- Consistency is important. Getting something from a vendor and then not hearing from them for a year doesn't give our group that lovin' feelin'.
- More vendor programs should be international. Overseas MUG's have access to a minute number of offers and those that are made result in postage charges that make it cheaper just to buy off local distributors eg MUG's can buy an O'Reilly book on Amazon and have it posted to Australia for less than what the shipping company O'Reilly uses charges even if they've donated the book for free. We have been forced to actively seek out deals from local distributors. More US based vendors where possible should make better use of international localized distributors to pass on their offers. Apple Australia has NO MUG Relations Employees to assist MUG's or help act as go betweens between vendors (I have offered) so each group runs their own deals in a non unified manner. I'm trying to centralize offers for MUG's within Australia on the australian.macusersgroup.org site but it's not easy. 90% of Australian Vendor offers are aimed at a particular MUG rather than towards all Australian MUG's. The MUGCenter Vendor Programs are great and set up very well and that's why I have tried to follow their example here in Australia albeit on a much smaller scale.
- The most important thing that a vendor can do is provide a way for groups to have a presentation. If it is not possible for the vendor to do it, then they should have a package that includes a copy of the software, a script and demo files. It wouldn't hurt if it also included something for a door prize and flyers to hand out. More and more groups are getting away from doing newsletters, so I am not sure that content would help much, but then, that is probably the cheapest way to hit the groups even if only 1/2 of them can use it.
- If the meeting speaker attends, bringing a raffle prize is a nice touch. However, providing a meeting speaker is the most essential element to our group.
- "Meeting in a Box", which may be what is meant by "Demo scripts" is the most helpful way for a vendor to allow User Groups to showcase their products. Our group would also find a willingness by the vendor to do an iChat AV based session very produtive. I would give this a rating of Important.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
