Bringing new people into the hobby ( not necessarily kids )

[Redvdub1]

I ditto the comments made by the first responder to your query.  We have had juniors come into the club (with their parents) after they see us at a train show with our module layouts.  I would say their average "stay" at the club is 12-18 months and then they go off into other things.  Currently we have 4 juniors in the club.  It does help to have different gauge "layouts".  We find that many members develop an interest in both N and HO gauge after initially being one or the other.  T-Trak has recently been a hot new interest (N-gauge modules) and we are considering setting up a home O-gauge (Lionel) layout.  We sustain a web page which has brought in some new members and we list our club in various web sites.  Our 6-8 train show participations bring in new members on a low, but consistent basis.  Our main asset is a home layout with a standing N-gauge and HO gauge layout. 

I find a lot of model railroaders are lone-wolf types who aren't interested in club associations.  Most of our members are adults past 50 who are rekindling youthful interests in model railroading and the club provides them with a reentry platform...so to speak. 

One new initiative we are pursuing (I am pursuing) is to actively participate in the various Model RR forums and to write articles for publication in on-line magazines, blogs, web-sites, etc.

Good luck.

[Sirwookster]

This is my first post, I had to respond to this because in my hobby experience I can directly relate to this issue. I am 32 years old. my grandfather was an active member in every NMRA event imaginable. He has awards and door prizes that fill an entire room. He passed away last week. I am now inheriting more model railroad products than I could ever dream of. I struggle with the idea of participating or joining any kind of model railroading organization. The problem I face is I desperately need advice and direction as I try to tie all this equipment into a layout. Yes at 32 I do have a little disposable income to throw at this. At the same time, what I remember is being between 6-12 years old and treated as a trespasser at every model railroad open house and event. So I decided this hobby was reserved for bitter old men and moved onto RC airplanes. To answer your question, you can target the 30-40 somethings for their disposable income, but if all they remember is that you modelers were a bunch of jerks to them when they were kids it wont do you any good. That's my struggle right now. I have a three year old (daughter) that is crazy about trains. I also have everything I need to create my dream layout in my basement. At the same time, there is no way in hell I am going to participate in any form of group activities if they subject my daughter to what I had to go through as a child. I hope I can get past what I have experienced, but to me model railroaders are the nastiest people I have ever met. So if you go and target the 30-40 year olds, but if you mistreat them as children it wont do you any good.

[cacole]

That's really a tough nut to crack --

We have open houses three weekends a year at our club, and have a portable HO scale modular layout that can be set up away from the clubhouse.  We've been to the local Boys & Girls Club, community college, high school, and other venues without anyone really appearing to have much interest.

At the clubhouse we have N and HO layouts indoors and a G-scale layout outdoors.

We advertise open houses on local radio stations and in several newspapers throughout the area.  We're just outside a large U.S. Army post and there are many retired military living in the vicinity as well as defense contractors.

Over the years I have been a club member, we have had children as young as 7 join with the proviso that their parents are the actual club members and the ones who are responsible for their conduct.  Currently we have an 8 year old and one teenager in the club.

Members have appeared on live radio broadcasts and in a couple of TV shows to publicize our existence.

Despite all these efforts, few people seem to be really interested in model railroading in this area.  I guess it's too much competition from the Internet, on-line gaming, iPads, iPods, cell phones, and other geeky devices that get people's attention today.  Everyone seems to want instant gratification by walking around staring at a small video screen instead of spending time learning a new or usable skill.

[mass_train_girl]

I'm hoping I can make my first post concise and get some good feedback. Here goes...

I am an active member in a NER division group and a module group that is part of the division. Our division sponsors two train shows a year and are trying to come up with new ways to bring others into the hobby, and into our organization.

The old print media/coupon/flyer thing seems to have reached its maximum impact. More money is being spent than revenue generated and it's time for testing the water using other means of advertising.

Has anyone used social media to advertise their shows/events? How did you do it and what positive ways has it impacted you?

Who do you think the target demographic should be? We are split on this...lots to be said for getting to younger kids and getting them involved but seems like there's a group of 30-40 year olds who have more disposable income/time to invest in the hobby.

Curious as to what others think........

Thanks so much