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BW1 said:
Well said, Jim. Interesting how this little Web site is garnering a lot of attention from the ski industry lately. I'm really starting to believe we all have some influence and can indeed shape the Northeast skiing landscape a bit.JimG. said:
i suspect the influence of a web site on the industry is less influential than may be believed outside the fact that we give a platform for opinion, and opinion can sway choices. when a ski area does something good (for example, sugarbush this past weekend), these forums give them (deservedly) good press. same when they do something not so good. aside from that, we certainly help the marketing department out as well in regards to getting free data and information that they normally have to research. i know greg openly welcomes the industry insiders and i have no problem with insiders posting to forums. but there is a thin line between posting useful info and using a forum for free PR and marketing due to good will. always a thin line which is why many insiders don't post. the best insiders are those that get involved with other threads, not just those that pimp their own mountain. i appreciate the inside info though, not saying i don't...Greg said:
Greg said:
I don't understand your point. If opinions sway choices, we are influential.riverc0il said:
Nothing wrong with that. I appluad those markeitng departments that are savvy enough to find some value in the opinions and ideas posted in forums like AZ. This "free data" is available to them regardless of whether we encourage their participation or not. Keep in mind that forums like AZ are only representative of one segment of their guest demographic, i.e. a more passionate, hard core guest profile. Often times, this group is more savvy themselves, in that we look for deals, are more partial to advanced terrain, features, perhaps do not value off-slope amenities as much, etc. Providing feedback can results in changes to those very things that are important to us.riverc0il said:
You're tough to please.riverc0il said:
Can't have it both ways. Folks that provide inside info will inherently be promoting their own mountains. I don't think BW1's post crossed this line in any way if that's what you're alluding to. The bottom line of his (her?) post was to notify us of a closing schedule change. What's the big deal if he mentioned a free BBQ as well...?Well said, Bob. We're all big boys and girls and we can make our own informed decisions based on the info posted. I never understood why some folks get so totally insulted by a little harmless shilling, especially if it's on topic. As this forum has grown we've adjusted our promotions policies a bit, but I've always took the approach that info posted that is on topic, or useful, is welcome, even if it is a bit salesy. This is a tough balancing act, as we certainly don't want spam to clutter the forums, but taking a really agressive stance against any promo posts will only further discourage industry reps from participating here.Bob R said:
i meant swaying opinions of customers, not swaying opinions of ski areas.
all the more reason that ski area insiders won't put a lot of influential value on forums. though, there are many folks on AZ that only get out a handful of times a year. i suspect the most prolific posters ski a lot, but a great number of users aren't really that hard core. certainly better than average in terms of number of days though.
not sure if i am that tough to please. i don't want it both ways, but i think it is fair to expect insiders to post more than self promotion even in a PSA announcement format. i did not mean to call out BW1's post specifically, but it struck a cord. win has also posted exlusively bush promos and announcements recently and then we have our whaleback rep that only posts whaleback info, etc. not trying to jump on any one specifically, but i am noticing a trend of official reps from resorts coming on board and just posting blurbs about their areas. it is not so much being insulted by a "little harmless shilling," but eventually every ski area in new england will be on here posting every promo they have to offer. i appreciate hearing the "official unofficial word" but it is annoying enough seeing the PR spin on the resort's web site, let alone the same thing here. again, not pointing fingers or singnaling any one out, but once you start down that slope, that is the direction things could potentially head in.
Terry said:
Bob R said:
skibum1321 said:
