The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Yesterday, the board of the California Antique Phonograph Society participated in a coast-to-coast conference call. I'm personally excited by some of the changes and new features we're planning for the club (more on that in the near future). But one vexing question came up, which none of the board could answer with certainty. Although our membership retention is above 90%, we face challenges attracting new members. We floated several possibilities for this, but we'd like to know for sure.

Now, I happen to know that among the members of this excellent online forum, there are a number who are not members of the California Antique Phonograph Society (an international organization). I'm appealing to those of you who fall into this category to do me a favor. Please either post here publicly, or PM to me the answer to this question:

What can we do to entice you to try out a membership to CAPS (includes a subscription to The Sound Box)? If you're not interested in joining, could you share your reasons?

We're planning some major changes for the club, and we'd like to give our current and prospective members what they want. I'd appreciate your honest feedback.

Thanks!

George P.

centerfold

Retrograde wrote:centerfold

Of George?

No thanks!

I guess I should have expected something like this...!

George P.

Starting and maintaining membership has gotten much more convenient now that one can pay dues online. I enjoy the magazine and color photos especially.


Bob

How about back issues of The Soundbox for the current year that someone joins, assuming you don't do that already.

I think you already know my thoughts on this George, from previous discussions, but it's good to see one constructive comment that's relevant to the question asked so far.
I hope they continue.

Retrograde wrote:centerfold

But yeah, a DC chapter would likely help. There's one in NY, and one in Florida, so why not one between the two? Besides, DC's a large and important city, so I'd've thought there'd be one by now.

Thanks guys, for your feedback so far. Here are a couple of points of information:

Rod, we do provide all the Sound Box issues for the calendar year to new members. For someone joining now, they would immediately receive the March, June, and September 2011 issues, plus the December 2011 issue once it's available.

Blimpy, you may be confusing CAPS with a different organization. We don't have chapters - just members all over the world. The only meetings that occur are in the Los Angeles area, so relatively few members can attend them (I'm on the East Coast myself). Of course, nothing would prevent members from a particular locale getting together on their own schedule. The club isn't so much about formal socializing as education.

Thanks again for the input - - please keep it coming! (I'm posing for that centerfold tomorrow...)

George P.

George,

As you know, I look forward to each and every issue of the Soundbox. I read, then re-read them many times. The current format is great but here are a few suggestions that might be considered:

1. To attract more int'l collectors, focus more on foreign machines.
2. More articles on uber-rare machines and accessories that most of us will only see in books or articles
3. Add interactiveness...ex. in an article that features a hot air machine could include imbedded QR codes that link to videos. That way you could watch videos and see it working as you are reading the article.
4. Add a feature article on a collector or collection. I think we all like the personal connection.
5. Articles on new offerings: ie. Vulcan records
6. Allow for short editorials or very short news articles from the general readership.
7. More how-to articles ala Shawns fantastic coin-op series. Even basic articles like rebuilding reproducers.