Join Our Team To Promote Kids Stamping

PROJECT TEAM NOW FORMING TO PROMOTE STAMP COLLECTING TO PRE-TEENS



CALLING ALL TECHIES!

Much of the smartest discussion in other SC threads has focused on the reality that our beloved hobby (or business) lacks a vibrant following among kids.

This isn't news. In 2007, APS member survey showed 70% of all members were then 60 years or older. Worst was the fact that only 2% of APS members were under 40 years of age.

Some of us are asking "What is being done?" to address this dramatic aging among the stamp collecting folks? Many who are very savvy regarding digital platforms, data bases, online experiences, and communications apps have proposed that the industry/hobby needs to reach -- and attract -- kids where they spend much of their time -- on their smart phones, tablets, and laptops.

a team is forming to address this challenge. We need broader support and talented people to help define and develop our concept.

I urge anyone interested in helping shape a SC project designed to engage kids and interest them in stamping to check out the below thread, and consider helping out with what appears to be a concept that many Forum members -- as well as APS -- are finding to be an exciting proposition. Check it out!

https://goscf.com/t/46924

Dan,
Volunteering for what? So far, there is no firm plan in place and only a sketchy outline of what the end product will be. For example, what platforms (both server and client) are to be used? How could a developer commit to helping when this is not defined? Are we being asked to volunteering to work on a mobile devices app or a computer desktop web site? These are two completely different animals. If it is a smart device app, is it meant to run on Windows, Linux, Andriod, iOS, Sailfish, Nokia? And then if it is, for example, Andiod OS, is it AOKP, Cyanogen, Fire OS, or the Nokia X? Developers are rarely experiences in all of these and their development tools are also platform specific.

The definition of the end product, a documented project plan, resources requirements definitions, and making sure a budget is in place before starting are all responsibilities of the project manager. It appears we are trying to rally folks and gather resources before any of this is in place. Cheerleading is fine but no one knows who we are playing, the game plan, or even what type of game we are volunteering to play in.

A big issue with developers in this situation, and something that most of them will only do once, is sign on to a project that isn't well defined and documented. Why? Feature creep. No one wants to sign up for a project and then have the specification evolve as the project moves forward. This ensures the project will be over budget, blows any schedule out of the water, and greatly deceases the chance at releasing a successful product. Everybody loses.

If you want to push forward without any of this in place, then define the effort as nothing more than a simple web site comprised of a few pages. This is 'doable' with the current approach if that is all that is wanted. But if the desire is to produce something notable and has a chance of being more than just one of ten thousand web sites, then there is a boat load of more preliminary work to be done. If the goal is to just erect a tent to camp in, none of what I outlined is needed. But if the goal is to build a house, you wouldn't want to try it without a set of plans, financing, a lot, and an exact idea of what the house will look like when done.

If you have experience with product development project management, than you know that jumping into a development cycle by and lining up resources under a poorly defined spec you will result in a product which was defined by the resource limitations. The end product will be what the developers and their tools are capable of, not what is really needed. It is like stating a theory only after you have completely the experiment. 70% of all projects fail for the reasons I am outlining. If you are not that experienced with product development I would recommend that you search Google for 'why development projects fail' and become familiar with the ton of documentation there is on this subject.

The above is only my opinion. It is based upon 25 years of experience of bringing technology products (hardware and software) like this to market (although I have never participated in a product targeted at kids). I am a self taught coder, got my foot in the door as a contractor, became an engineer without an engineering degree, became VP or Engineering, and then became a full partner in two technology companies. I was actively involved in bringing at least 40 technology products from concept to production. Not only that, I walked to school in the winter without shoes plus I have never been wrong! (LOL, just kidding of course).

I understand that what I have outlined represents the development of an innovative product and requires substantial investments. If this is not desired, and the task at hand is to only publish another online presence, then getting it done is only a few hours of work. But a project which breaks some new ground targeted towards young philatelists on their devices then this is something that represents many, many man months of work. If you want to get the support of an organization like APS (or any other whales); they will demand highly defined product spec, documented project plan, realistic budget estimates, and a well constructed schedule before even considering it. Experienced volunteering 'techies' will require the same.

I really, really want see this succeed but the cart appears to be ahead of the horse.
Don

It's a noble venture but I think any efforts are targeting the wrong end of the market.

Life has moved on and stamp collecting is no longer a children's hobby as it was in the past. Yes, you'd pull in a few but the overall impact will be minimal. Plus the peer pressure to focus on more 21st century pursuits puts stamp collecting on shaky ground.

However, there are a VAST quantity of baby boomers, coming up to retirement with time and money on their hands who could easily be the 'next generation' you are looking for. Is this not the group to focus on?

In terms of bang for buck, conversion factor, call it what you will, the greatest success will come from the largest audience open to be influenced.

Unfortunately, that is no longer children...but there are other demographic groups that could more than compensate...

I would think to begin this task one would have to ask, how did you start stamp colleting? If you started as a kid then what or who attracted you to the hobby? You can create all the web sites and apps you wish, but if you do not have the means/reasons for a kid to click or search out a philatelic app or site then it would be a fruitless venture.

How many of you have children or grandchildren that you see on a regular basis? I'm guessing the average distance between relatives has grown and will continue to grow over generations. That's weaken the bonds of family which was one means of cultural transmission including the passing down of the hobby from one generation to the next.

Also remember the days when the hobby was seen in the realm of the general public? Physical stores as well as many publications such as newspapers as well as ads on matchbooks, Boy's Life, National Geographic, comic books, etc. Advertising works, but aside from a very rare ad in a blue moon in the Sunday coupon clippers philately is largely absent in the public. I don't see brick & mortar stores gaining any ground recently and pretty rare to non-existent in most places. However, ads can be created for stamp dealers, cheap stamp offers, stamp shows and publications in the public realm. Newspapers are probably not the way to go these days as they are barely hanging on, but one needs to create ads for web sites or other venues in which the youth does frequent. Facebook is a start. If the USPS had pro-collecting ads on the Disney Channel that would be awesome, but I'm sure Mattel and other corporations can pony up more money. However it is advertised, it needs to be VISIBLE. It's pointless otherwise. At a grassroots level one can also have presentations at schools, boy & girl scout groups, libraries, how about a community fair? Anywhere the general public might venture especially with kids in tow.

Good luck with that . Kids have 0 interest in stamps and history

DON,

Sorry, as much as I appreciate your thoughtful points, I think you're missing my intent. Having a "team" considering these questions and debating this challenge isn't "putting the cart before the horse". This conversation is simply a starting point. It's way too early to be determining that a cell phone app or a particular technology platform is the "solution" to the problem I posed.

Consider this concept -- should we promote to kids in a more creative way? -- to be in the marketing research stage. This entire exercise is simply to float an idea in it's most conceptual stage in order to gauge the following:

a) the level of interest within the SCF which is a dedicated universe of stampers.
b) to allow open discourse on a topic -- aggressively introducing stamps to kids -- which appears to not be in discussion within SCF (at least I haven't seen much on this subject).
c) to define what APS and others may be doing to promote hobby
d) and finally, to determine if the idea of introducing stamping to kids in a different way (via a community with shared interests and fun) hold water.

I have invited Forum members to join a project "team" because people need a specific defined goal in order to determine if they want to be "counted in". Plus, I'd rather not tackle this issue solo.

Obviously some folks think reaching kids would be a waste of time. I don't know the answer yet. But I see it as a worthwhile challenge to look at this hobby with new eyes and a clean slate. That is my own best strength. I have been asking dumb questions for four decades in order to develop what Don has asked for -- a marketing plan and strategy. But you can't create a marketing strategy in a vacuum based solely on assumptions. First some one has to ask lots of dumb questions...and it would be nice to approach something this big with a "team" of folks willing to spread out the effort.

At some point we may agree 100% with nick777 -- maybe we should make the hobby "younger" by promoting it to old farts like me who are "only" 66 years old. Yes, in retirement I have both more leisure time and disposable income for my hobby.




But right now, to Battlestamp's point, let's better understand whether the youth market and stamps can be linked in the digital age as the Ivory Soap campaign did 80 years ago.

I welcome any, and all input. But having a core team willing to put a bit of time into the project of determining potential directions is appealing to me. And as mentioned in another thread, I am willing to take on project manager role

Dan,
You are correct, I misunderstood your intent. The thread states in large letters that you are starting a project team; and I took it to mean just that. A project team forms after the product is defined, until then it is just brainstorming. You also appointed yourself as the project manager, it appeared to me that the project had begun. All of this is standard development nomenclature.

If your objective is to continue brainstorming, then a 'project team' is not needed. Of course all input is welcome and using this forum is certainly a good way to allow others to float ideas. But I thought the other thread had done just this; so when this new thread was started it appeared to be a call for project volunteers. I apologize for misunderstanding but all indications seemed to point to you calling for the project to be started. But moving on….

Typically and in most companies a request for a new product comes from one or two sources, your customers or your own sales/marketing group. They are the folks who usually define what they would want to have in the new product.

If you are still in the brainstorming stage with the goal of developing the product requirements, then you need to pull together the document. Many ideas have been previously outlined in other posts. You mentioned that you have marketing experience so I assume that you written a product requirement document or specification before; it usually takes me about a week to write one. Dream big, ask for a lot. Here is a TOC from a spec I wrote a while back, it should illustrate how the doc should look.


What additional info do you need to begin writing one? If you compile and document what has already been posted, it will stimulate others to provide more input and drive new questions that probably need to be answered. This in turn will probably drive some new discovery. This is a good way to flush out a document like this.

As project manager, you put yourself in the driver's seat so it is up to you to do put this document together. You certain should get some help from the rest of us but we need you to start the ball rolling; unless someone else is going to step up and start the document for you. Is that what you are asking for?

Lastly, I asked this question the other day and got no feedback. Who will own the end product? Few people will want to pour many hours into something just to have someone else benefit. As I mentioned, if it is a web site than whomever owns the domain name basically can walk away with the whole thing at any time. (Please understand I would never cast dispersions towards you, this is meant only in a general way.) This question should be answered before anyone decides to invest large amounts of time.
Don

I think this is a very worthwhile cause and don't agree with some of the things written above. Nick makes a good point about the Baby Boomers who are now all 51 and older. These folks comprise a worthwhile target group for engagement in collecting. That said, I don't agree there is no potential with kids. The same people who are in the 40-64 age group often have children and/or grandchildren they can mentor in philately while they themselves immerse in the hobby anew.

The messaging likely would need to include engaging ways to have adults participate in philately with their children so both are advancing in the hobby. Overall, I do agree that the "average" kid today is unlikely to be easily engaged in philately. However, there are intellectual, ambitious, and driven kids who want to learn and emulate adults by pursuing fields like medicine, law, finance, accounting, and so forth. These kids not only have the potential intellectual interest in philately, they also will have the means later in life to pursue the hobby. Do we seek the kids who constantly text, SnapChat, Tweet, smoke dope, get themselves and others pregnant, and lack vocational drive and ambition? No. We have to be targeted in our approach and there ARE specific personas of kids that need to be identified for potential interest in stamps.

As far as "brainstorming," I tend to view this process very differently from Don. To me brainstorming is a series of tasks that exist on a continuum in product, IP, and idea development. The portion that Don refers to is the set of tasks designed to create ideas and divergent thinking. At some point, the team decides to converge the process by down-selecting the ideas under consideration to a few agree-upon "best" ideas for further development. Then, brainstorming continues on, focused only on the best ideas chosen in the previous step.

In my last role in product development, we actually called this process a "Charrette," which includes both divergent and convergent phases of idea development. In any case, I would greatly enjoy being a part of this project team as it is a cause I believe in deeply.

I will do my best in English to express what I think, I'm 55 when I was young TV programming was boring, no computers, so I start to collect stamps, I also get interest in fish keeping and chemistry. I have a son of 13 and a daughter of 9, they always on their computers, I do have a 20 x 30 feet HO layout and they have no interest in it, when theirs friend come they like to make run trains for 20 to 30 minutes max. I'm also the Prefect of a high power rocketry club, same here friends of my son come once but after they don't come anymore, my son every time told me he lost time doing so, time he will better have spent on his computer. We have a local stamps club, I'm the youngest one. My daughter show interest in Oil and Acrylic painting, we paint often together, so if I have hope for the continuance of my stamps collection it's may be with her.



Computers reach my arm in 1980, I was 20, if I will have get one at 12 , did I will have start stamps collecting, probably not.



And let's be honest, how many young peoples on this forum are more interested on the values of their stamps than what is on the stamps, who is this person? what is this place on the stamps ? Scott price have priority over History and geography. I'm pretty sure if I ask my kids who is this woman on our $ 20 bill, they will have no idea, I will try tomorrow for fun.

Don, sorry my intent to invite a "project team" is confusing. Chat boards and emails are not always an ideal way to clearly understand one and other. Obviously you're a highly capable project manager. But in this case we are only in the "concept" stage.

Some of us have defined an agreed "problem" or "challenge" -- kids are indifferent to stamping. So to clarify my intent, before we write a detailed project scope document, we need to brainstorm and compare concepts that might become a worthwhile solution. I see the need first to develop a concept that a SCF team can agree on. I think this can best be done through a "Concept Development Team" in order to brainstorm this issue to create a concept.

My invitation to SCF members has been twofold:

First thread:
Could creative marketing concept click with KIDS?

I floated an idea and we've generated 40 replies which have included everything from suggesting building a kids website, to the need for a devices app, and a call for a marketing sponsor interested in the kid market. There are also doubts that anything will motivate kids interest in stamps.

Second thread:



I started this thread to determine how much support/interest a specific "project" would draw. As of today: 8 replies. Does this mean hardly anyone within the SCF is willing to give some time to a worthwhile solution?

With no clear agreement on an approach, it seems we can do one of two things:

1) we can form a team based on the folks who have show their interest. Hopefully the team is motivated to help shape the final proposed concept; and then prepare a detailed project plan.

or...if there are too few folks willing to dedicate some effort...

2) I can gather the ideas shared in these two threads that I like and develop my own proposal and pitch it to potential marketing sponsors.

I prefer #1 above. I'm attempting to make this a democratic exercise within SCF because many of you are far more experienced and frankly smarter than me regarding our hobby.

I hope you understand my rationale for a "Project Team". If this grows into a big idea and attracts support from a willing financial/marketing sponsor, we will need a few folks willing to dedicate some time and effort in order to implement a solution.

shermae -- your point clearly illustrates that we are discussing the concept development stage -- and the members in these two threads don't even agree on whether to develop a kid's outreach, or a boomer's promotion. Let's determine our focus first!

It is impossible to develop a Project Specification when the "team" doesn't agree on the target audience to market to. I suggested kids, because I know they have little interest. But it is a fact that boomers would be a more efficient target -- easier to interest, easier to convert, able to immediately infuse revenue into the business.

The way I look at this topic at the 35,000 foot level is:

> The APS membership has continued to nose dive for years; is this proof that the traditional orgs have little clue how to improve prospects??? Or am I missing some effective programs?
> A majority of long-time collectors within our SCF agree that the hobby's appeal is shrinking
> No organized effort to address this has included all the stakeholders -- the sellers, the buyers, and the membership organizations (such as associations and APS)
> Maybe this conservative, staid and traditional hobby/industry needs to be challenged with better more creative ways to address the slippage of overall stamper activity??

That's what we are struggling with here. Concepts...All good!

QUESTION?

Would it help for us to post a SCF Poll to determine the greatest support for development of
promotional ideas to KIDS or to BOOMERS?

I am getting sold on marketing to boomers because any gains with that demographic would = immediate business growth in stamp sales that could stimulate dealers, private sales, and manufacturers, and also boost APS and club memberships and show / auction attendance.

If we were successful in adding 1000 new adult stampers who averaged investing $5000 annually each, the hobby would see a $5 million increase. What say ye?

It's start to be very annoying to open new posts and see 2 or 3 time the same post copy and paste.

Something to consider, and this was certainly the case with my three kids, all of whom I tried to get into stamp collecting. It would seem that the vast popularity of stamp collecting post WW2 was probably because of a confluence of factors; most notably the US moving from scarcity to abundance, and the prospect of stamps as a good investment. Have a listen to this podcast, the author being interviewed discusses changes in what's important in our culture, especially to younger folks. I've seen this certainly in my kids, they are more interested in experience instead of accumulating stuff.
http://radiowest.kuer.org/post/stuffocation

One thing that I think would be helpful is if we just had one thread on this topic instead of several.

I read southpaw's comments and right away the topic of investment creeps back into it which will doom it to failure in my opinion. We want to teach that stamps are fun like playing with anything that doesn't cost a fortune. Emphasis needs to be placed on the lower cost stamps you know the 4 cent used Lincoln etc.

Between two threads on this subject 16 members have shared ideas regarding a Kids Promotional effort. Many are positive; some are negative.

51studebaker gets it!




RE: Kid Stamping Concept

Very few posts commented directly on my concept which I repeat here:

How about the Internet Buddy Stamp Club sponsored by APS and Apple (or other hot techie brand)?

> Target audience: pre-teen Kids receiving an iPAD or iPHONE (or Samsung Android phone)
> Offer from Apple/Samsung: sign up free to join and access online members-only Internet Buddy Stamp Club where they can "meet/friend" other kids from around the nation and the world. Kids can share texting contacts with others who enjoy sharing and swapping scans of their collections, and actual stamp swapping via postal deliveries.
> Stamp collecting webinars, or videos can be hosted and delivered by a team of cool older teens who are buddies from US, UK, India, Nigeria, or South Korea.
> Club trips to major stamp shows can be offered with adult collectors as chaperons.
> Internet Buddy Stamp Club Package deals can be negotiated with dealers and manufacturers and be offered on the website.
> Awards could be offered for real enthusiasts.

Now we have some disagreement that kids should be targeted at all. Some members make the point that BOOMERS would make a far more successful target. I can't argue with that suggestion. Boomers are a lucrative market. But I recognize that if we shift our focus from kids to the boomer adults some members who were drawn to approach kids will not get involved. That's why I proposed a poll.










Personally, my goal is to help boost the acceptance of stamping, so I can get motivated to develop such a concept for either kids or boomers. The key is getting a marketing sponsor to fund the effort. And making it exciting and appealing to prospective collectors.

I have tried to connect with Michael Bloom who is active with APS youth efforts, but he has not yet responded.