Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+ What are you doing to increase traffic, and further the hobby?

[sasports]

Over the past couple of years, we have seen a decline in traffic on TCC and in the Hobby in general. However, there are sites out there with thousands of members online daily. I have seen a ton of threads either complaining about the lack of traffic on TCC or with suggestions to fix it(and even posted a few of my own), however not much is being done but talk.


Here is my question to you: WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HELP TCC AND THE HOBBY?

I ask this for one simple reason. If you are doing something and its helping, then share it so that others can as well.

For instance, I have taken on the TCC Facebook updates and even though I don't use it daily, we have seen several names online in the past month that haven't been on in quite so time. I am not saying that they are all back because of Facebook, however, I know of at least three that I chatted with on face and then within days, they were back posting on TCC.

Another example is the Snake Thread. I am trying to revive it. Folks, let me explain something about contests and giveaways. The people hosting are usually getting NOTHING in return. It is for people who can to help out other members. I enjoy giving cards away from time to time. I love seeing people getting PC items that they need. This is one reason I love my Low Budget Box Breaks. They are fast, fun, and affordable. And you have a good chance of getting some PC items that you may not have been able to afford outright.

These are just a couple of small minute things. And yes, they may only be slightly helping the site, but if we all were helping just a little, things would be getting better exponentially!

Disney does motivational sales classes that they teach all over the world. Their number one point is this:

If you can make 100 things 1% better the outcome will be tremendously noticeable. However, if you try to make 1 thing 100% better, you will most likely fail and no one will even notice.


Lets fix the little things. If everyone on TCC tried to make things 1% better, we would be the most amazing site on the internet!

[northicehero99]

Shawn, I think those other sites are getting more traffic mainly because they offer more. Not picking on TCC, but as an example the hockey site CNC offers an annual bash with prizes, someone going to the national shows to break boxes and get those limited items, daily box breaks, and breaks with the newest hockey products the day they release, etc. Not saying they are doing everything right, but they do have manufacturers sponsoring give aways, etc. and if I am looking for hockey that is where I would go.

With regards to contests they are great, but it always seems it was the same core people here doing them. It would be great to have the manufacturer's "donate" prizes for contests that would draw interest. One main thing though, is that we don't want that to be why someone is coming, just for the contests, you need a way to get them to stay once you have their interest. I am not sure what makes one site better than another, maybe it is just comfort with surroundings or maybe it is contests weekly that keep those people coming. I came here when there were only a few of us when Bob first started this site and one of the things I liked was being able to trade and talk to people about sports. I think we don't have those kind of interactive topics getting people involved and wanting to voice their opinion like with the politics section (I hated that area), but it was always buzzing with someone's viewpoint on a minute, hourly or daily basis.

[sasports]

I think getting some sponsorship would be a great idea! If I could get permission from the CZT I could do some checking around. I am pretty good and getting free stuff for mentioning certain sites/business Its worth a try!

Would have to have some rules like "must be active with at least 25 in the past 30 days to be eligible"

[aceecards]

Shawn

Sponsorship for free breaks is not going to happen. We are a little fish now in a big pond.

As Brian alluded to CNC has hockey covered in spades. Even UD used their breakers TV website to do a promo vid! I have personally asked the president of Upper Deck for some freebies, with Bob (roadrunner 264) present and was basically given a no go for now.

Here is the problem as I see it.

Supply of trading card forums have surpassed demand.
The big 3 have become
beckett
SCF
HI

and you still have the likes of
CNC - hockey
the bench
freedom cardboard
thecardconnection
TCC
TCZ which swallowed up another site very recently
and Im sure im forgetting 5 or 6 others

Contest again draw interest for their duration then folks make their rounds again

We do not focus enough about sports news.
We should do our best to solicit responses to sports news like my football rookies topic which generated blah!

Collectors love box breaks, but with the advent of video sites, they spend their time watching there instead of here.


Now in summation it isnt that we shouldnt try, and try again.. its that most of us have beat our heads against a wall suffering multiple concussions doing so.

[sasports]

Shawn

Sponsorship for free breaks is not going to happen. We are a little fish now in a big pond.

Just hide and watch me work my magic. I have jedi powers. LOL But seriously, I will try and if I fail, at least I can say I tried

Now in summation it isnt that we shouldnt try, and try again.. its that most of us have beat our heads against a wall suffering multiple concussions doing so.

Good thing I have an extremely hard head When I decide I want something, I don't quit until I get it. Im sure that you (Steve) of all people know that I am relentless

[aceecards]

Just hide and watch me work my magic.    I have jedi powers.  LOL  But seriously, I will try and if I fail, at least I can say I tried
Good thing I have an extremely hard head   When I decide I want something, I don't quit until I get it.  Im sure that you (Steve) of all people know that I am relentless

and Ill send you a bottle of advil ..

Chris carlin is a great contact at UD
Brian gray at leaf
Dr Price at ITG

dont have contacts anywhere else

[sasports]

I know Chris, not familiar with the others. Been pretty lucky in the past talking to DAcardworld (while I was deployed they really hooked me up with some free stuff). I will see what I can do. Even if its a "buy this much, get this free" deal. I already get the freebies from them on the box breaks which I might start putting to the side for Contests

Been doing some research and will be trying to get my business license again to re-open Shawn-Anthonys Sports here in Hinesville! That will help a lot in getting some sponsors

[chopinalex]

what is SCF and HI??

[aceecards]

what is SCF and HI??

sportscardforums
hobbyinsider

[redwing40]

As the economy is finally hitting home with some collectors, most are laying off collecting, only the one's that can still swing it do it.
Probably a huge part of members disappearing. if you dont have the extra cash, collecting is the last place to be.

Secondly, TCC must stay active, All the Box Breaks that goes on here, but no one barely post trade list of anything, not even base set needs. You have to have steady trade/sell Threads! Its a lot of work my TCC members to take the time to put up a list, but if you post them, they will come.

I brought up a few topic's with the team that I hope works out. And as a new Team member of TCC, I'm seeing what hard work it will take along with our personal time to achieve what once was. or we die trying!

I might just come up with a Volunteer team who would like to help out in area's of the Forum, Who wants to do updates on Football news? How about baseball? maple19 does his share with the Hockey, thank you Mike!

And you have to give Shawn a thumbs up with all the effort these past two months back, thanks Shawn! Just one example of what one member can do!

Team Work!!!!

[redwing40]

sportscardforums
hobbyinsider

I never heard of them

[sasports]

SCF is pretty fairly active. I have competed about 10 or so transactions since Resurrection there. Also blowoutcards has a forum that is booming. over 10 pages of new posts every time I log in

[maple19]

blowout cards forum I used when I got cards for sale and they sell fast all the time less then a day

scf I have over 1000 trades there but have not been there in over 2 years you say it change how new owner

cnc is for hockey breaks do some trading there also

Sports card direct great- site for selling and buying cards

What I would like is pack sales on TCC and case breaks Team or Random

another thing to do is hold 99 cents auction starts section 48 hr limit on time all sports these you see all the time on facebook

[sasports]

I can host a Case break if Anyone is interested. I would love that!

[maple19]

good case to try is 2014 A&G as a kit if members collect it

[maple19]

tcc facebook you should advertise the group breaks your trying to fill plus any contest leave the links for them to see

[nuhuskers]

I posted a link to tcc on several of the fb card sites I sell on. missed the rules on one of the slower sites I was on and they banned me. LOL.

[Tarasadie17]

Admirable attitude Shawn, but nothing is going to change until the homepage changes. For pete's sake, the Hobby Headlines are from 2006....

[SinatraKing]

But 2006 was the bomb diggity O for years here

Admirable attitude Shawn, but nothing is going to change until the homepage changes. For pete's sake, the Hobby Headlines are from 2006.... 

[redwing40]

Admirable attitude Shawn, but nothing is going to change until the homepage changes. For pete's sake, the Hobby Headlines are from 2006.... 

We are currently back working on it again, and secondly when I started here, it wasnt the home page I saw first, it was the forums page I clicked first and been here since.

Third, Whats really on the homepage, it still updates the lastest threads made on the homepage. Which I clicked on first.

Third, where have you been? Hope you get back being active again