Does anyone register using hard copy applications anymore? Our sponsors almost require that we do that in order to get more visibility, but after taking the time to mail out 5000+ for a race, only a handful come back. Everyone signs up online or from printing out an app from the website. Any thoughts?
Brad: I’m the race director for a running race in Ann Arbor that draws a field of about 5,000. We get 95% of our entries on-line, if only because that’s what we want and that’s what we encourage (with lower fees). To provide value to sponsors, we do the following (in additional to more traditional things):
- Print and send out 25,000 postcards, with sponsors tattooed thereon, announcing the race and urging interested runners to visit the website (note: postcards are a whole lot less expensive to prepare and mail than are traditional paper entry forms - suggest visiting the Modern Postcard website to review their services);
- Place their logos at appropriate places on the website and provide links from their logos to their own websites;
I’m still a fan of paper entries for a few reasons. Put them on the web and let me print it though. I think the service charges are a excessive at times. I like having the cancelled check for tax purposes. I also get interest on my checking acct. Writing a check keeps it in my acct longer than using my debit card.
When I was doing a 5,000+ rider, cycling event many sponsors really liked having something going out in the mail. I love the postcard idea. A few sponsors wanted only web links but I’m willing to bet since I’ve been out of the event for 4 years that has gone from a few to all.