You guys may have noticed that we really haven't had anybody new sign up lately. I have not been able to focus much attention on improving search engine optimization, or even spreading the word locally about the forum. I think as the season approaches, it will be a great way to make the Milwaukee sailing community a little closer. I've met so many different sailors at the various yacht clubs who talk about needing crew, or looking for someone to help with this or that, but I never see or hear from them again.

Obviously this is not a well-funded site. A friend of mine has been gracious enough to host this site for me for nothing and I really can't afford to pay the search engine mafia (Google) to boost my ranking. If any of you have any ideas on how to reach out to other local sailors in an inexpensive (aka free) manner, please post them!

Chris,

It's a great site! Give it time, It'll catch on. In the meantime it might help to contact all the local area clubs and ask for a link on their websits or a plug in their newslettrs.

Chris, a thought I had a few weeks ago: a nice plank of wood, painted, on it the website.com address in a bright color. Two circular wire links holding it attached on the MCSC fence. Not neccessarily CLOSE to the entrance gate, but...

Anyway, I tend to doubt that MCSC would have a problem with it, were you/we to ask? It'd certainly be seen/viewed by everyone, eventually, and this site does have a dedicated section for MCSC as well.....

Second thought I had, and I briefly mentioned it when we met: anyone here know how to do 'computer art'? If so, a bumper size 'flyer' could be made. On the cheap, not from a printer. Plain paper. Anyway, I like the site so well that I would place it on the INSIDE of my rear window (keeping it from the rain. And it could be (probably) posyted here at this site, so those of us interested in doing so could simply download, print, post?

I don't know, just a thought or 2.
~Gary

genecramer wrote:
Chris,

It's a great site! Give it time, It'll catch on. In the meantime it might help to contact all the local area clubs and ask for a link on their websits or a plug in their newslettrs.

Thanks Gene! You're probably right that it will just take time.. I've been emailing with Peter at the sailing center and he has graciously offered to put a page in the student packet for MCSC classes. I think this will help enormously. Also, I think it would benefit the sailing center and any other businesses involved in the sailing community reach out to the local community of sailors. At least, that's the vision

Gary,

I remember liking your idea about the simple printable flyer thing. I'm going to put my wife to work on it as she is at home just waiting for the baby. Good idea.

I think I'm going to hold off on asking for MCSC for any more favors until the flyers get done and in the student packet. I really appreciate Peter's help in getting this site recognized and I don't want to push my luck

I may hit Bob up again from SSYC for a link off of their site.

Thanks Gary! I'll get a first draft of the flyer up on the site this week.

I don't know if Joe Fillingham is keeping his site active, but I'll hit him up fo a link, as well.

Guy

Joe tells me MCSCRacing.com will have our link soon.

Guy

And keep in mind, it's certainly not sailing season yet. My guess, things'll pick up as the weather warms.