Re: apple store link up
Re: apple store link up
- Subject: Re: apple store link up
- From: michael briney <email@hidden>
- Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2004 16:50:10 -0500
On Sep 23, 2004, at 3:25 PM, Waldrip, Chris wrote:
I'm not positive, but I believe that corporate policy forbids
solicitations - which means that we can't publicy post our flyers or
cards in the store. The staff is happy to take our stuff, but it has
to stay under the counter until some one asks about a local MUG. This
also applies to Apple Specialists too, so it's not directed at MUGs
directly.
I never like to argue a person's experience on their own turf.
But, as i mentioned its all up to the Store and the Store manager.
We have some (small) flyers on the counter behind the register at the
front that tell about our MUG in the local MALL store that are given
out to anyone looking (beyond Apple and not wanting a consultant or
service center) for more local information and camaraderie - and - at
all of the CompUSAs in the area too.
The store will increase the potential Mac user base, but the in-store
events/classes can cut into your SIGs. We're finding it hard to draw
new members to our SIGs, when they can go back to the Apple Store,
which they're familiar with and where they bought their machine, and
attend their events rather than find our SIGs. We're trying to not
overlap with the Apple Store as much (Portable Computing, Programming,
etc), and try and explain that the Apple Store is just going to repeat
stuff over the short haul while our SIGs will keep moving forward
where possible.
We've (at Apple Corps) not noticed a loss of SIG participation with
having two Apple Stores in the area. In fact, I'd have to say in SOME
SIGS our participation levels have grown 400% over the course of the
last year. And (I think) the reason is, that we don't (most of the
time) hash over the same material time after time after time that the
Apple Store does.
Oh, there ARE specialized SIGS at the Apple Store (FCP Pros, etc) but
each is tailored at selling some store product and limited on the
amount of information given out (beyond the conventional sales "song
and dance" that one expects a retail location to pepper you with).
And, there are distinctive target differences with some of the Apple
Store SIGS than what we offer at Apple Corps and PlanoMUG.
The FCP Pro SIG at the Apple Store is aimed at a higher-end
professional crowd.
Our FCP SIG is for beginners through Professionals, and we cover a lot
of "what are you going to actually have happen" versus "Wow, look at
all it will do - buy, buy, buy!"
The GarageBand SIGs (I've heard about) that are getting started around
the country DO aim themselves at a more beginner crowd - which is good
- but GB is a new product...and I'm taking a "wait and see" attitude on
those SIGs to see how they progress...
As I've mentioned before, we have SIGs for the "old crowd" and the new
crowd...we have..
- the Apple ][ SIG;
an FCP SIG that attracts a wide variety of Television Pros, and every
level between down to beginner; (this one continues to grow);
a Digital Photography SIG, which participants go OUT into the city are
and shoot live [discussing things like lighting, weather etc] (this one
continues to grow);
a Graphics SIG (covers everything and one from icon creation through
web art, print, 3D, some animation, and up to the edges of the Digital
Photography SIG; color calibration, scanning, image optimization, PDF
etc...) <---has tripled in the last 4 months
a Genealogy SIG (small but dedicated bunch)
a Mac Help SIG (covers OS X and Pre-OS X) which is always full of
people and occasionally their machines, looking for help...
and a Mac OS X SIG - that is the second fastest growing SIG we have -
covering OS X, news, info, new applications, experiences etc...
I suppose it doesn't hurt that the Help Desk SIG, and the OS X SIG is
moderated by [and assisted] by two Apple Consultant Network members
and that the FCP SIG has access to musical instruments, G5s and some
brilliant and driven people and the Digital Photography SIG is
moderated by a working Photographer [digital and film]
---
All of this aside - I can't tell a person what's not true for them and
their personal experience...
-michael
---------------------------------------------------------
Michael Briney | <http://www.michaelbriney.com/>
214 477-2832 | 972 491-9059 | 24-7-365 Nationwide Support
ACN [Regional Champion SC USA] | ADC, DAMED | EGAD! | PlanoMUG
Store <http://www.cafepress.com/briney>
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