This topic contains 4 replies, has 3 voices, and was last updated by 
HamFam 6 years, 8 months ago.
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I came across this info which is on the pathtag page for the Alaska Geocaching Association. I think it would be a great idea for the WGA to follow a similar format in the future on the web page of their geocoins, pathtags, and other types of trackables. In fact we could edit the existing coin’s pages. They state:
1. The theme (if any)
2. Website link to buy them (if applicable)
3. Website link to their forums
4. Website link to their website
5. Website link to their Facebook page
I came across this info which is on the pathtag page for the Alaska Geocaching Association. I think it would be a great idea for the WGA to follow a similar format in the future on the web page of their geocoins, pathtags, and other types of trackables. In fact we could edit the existing coin’s pages. They state: 1. The theme (if any) 2. Website link to buy them (if applicable) 3. Website link to their forums 4. Website link to their website 5. Website link to their Facebook page
Let me get with the President of the Alaska Association and get more information. Interesting.
I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.
-Henry David Thoreau
They state: 1. The theme (if any) 2. Website link to buy them (if applicable) 3. Website link to their forums 4. Website link to their website 5. Website link to their Facebook page
So the pathtag has all of this info on the tag itself? Or just on the pathtag page? I don’t think I have ever actually gone to a pathtags page, except the first couple when I was trying to log it at geocaching.com.
The views expressed here are that of myself only and do not necessarily represent that of the WGA board.
Good question.
I can think of four potential places where pathtag info is shown, or could be shown.
One is the tag itself (which of course only has a serial number and maybe a logo). That has very limited information.
The second is at the organization’s website. At the WGA page, for example, there could be a trackables tab which could possibly state something like “The Wisconsin Geocaching Association is promoting this pathtag (or geocoin) as a fund raiser for our organization. The WGA is a volunteer-based organization that exists for the purposes of etc. etc.” Followed by a link to purchase or contact information.
The third place it could be mentioned is on the pathtag page itself. Granted not many “casual” pathtag collectors look at that page, but there’s a whole world of “serious” pathtag people out there, from here to Australia, who do look at those pages and buy or trade pathtags practically every week. Just ask Rawevil, Sweetlife, or Zeeman Clan, who have quite a few pathtag designs under their own username and have traded with others from out of state dozens or hundreds of times.
The fourth place it could be mentioned is on the WGA Facebook site, similar to the screen capture above (although that screen capture is from the pathtag page). Just a simple post advertising a new pathtag (or geocoin), showing the image and mentioning it helps fund the WGA, accompanied by a link or contact, would lead to additional interest.
Lately there seems to be a growing interest, or perhaps a “renaissance” of pathtags. Why not promote it fully when the WGA creates a new one. Just in the past year there have been new tags created by WGA members HamFam (perhaps you’ve heard of them 😉 ), Lacknothing, Rawevil, Zeemanclan, Scooter2010, Brillo17, Uncle Fun, King54130, MavWitt, Videochic, k9zp, Famof5W, Superior Loon, Team~DNF, Scribble Scribe, The Goldie Diggers, the WGA BOD, CaseysPeeps, Labgal13, Icy Paws, jmj-wi, JM Gully, and Scott Damnit.
I myself like to collect pathtags more than geocoins, because pathtags are much more affordable. I pretty much only collect tags from other Wisconsin-based geocachers, as well as the tags from our sister geocaching associations, including the geocaching associations from Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Minnesota, Michigan, Florida, Georgia, So California, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, Oregon, Oklahoma, and about a dozen more states.
At the WGA page, for example, there could be a trackables tab which could possibly state something like “The Wisconsin Geocaching Association is promoting this pathtag (or geocoin) as a fund raiser for our organization. The WGA is a volunteer-based organization that exists for the purposes of etc. etc.” Followed by a link to purchase or contact information.
Another great idea, present the tags and coins as a fundraiser, this would actually help cheapskates like me to open my wallet, I don’t typically collect coins or tags (although my wife does). But if it was phrased as a fundraiser, that tends to pull a little harder on the “bear trap” type lock that keeps my wallet closed. 🙂
The third place it could be mentioned is on the pathtag page itself. Granted not many “casual” pathtag collectors look at that page, but there’s a whole world of “serious” pathtag people out there, from here to Australia, who do look at those pages and buy or trade pathtags practically every week. Just ask Rawevil, Sweetlife, or Zeeman Clan, who have quite a few pathtag designs under their own username and have traded with others from out of state dozens or hundreds of times.
Another great idea.
The fourth place it could be mentioned is on the WGA Facebook site, similar to the screen capture above (although that screen capture is from the pathtag page). Just a simple post advertising a new pathtag (or geocoin), showing the image and mentioning it helps fund the WGA, accompanied by a link or contact, would lead to additional interest.
It is my understanding that this already happens. If it isn’t certainly we should check into it. I don’t use FB much, maybe because I’m “over the hill”. We have some other great board members that do a great deal with FB so I’ll let them speak for this.
Lately there seems to be a growing interest, or perhaps a “renaissance” of pathtags. Why not promote it fully when the WGA creates a new one. Just in the past year there have been new tags created by WGA members HamFam (perhaps you’ve heard of them ), Lacknothing, Rawevil, Zeemanclan, Scooter2010, Brillo17, Uncle Fun, King54130, MavWitt, Videochic, k9zp, Famof5W, Superior Loon, Team~DNF, Scribble Scribe, The Goldie Diggers, the WGA BOD, CaseysPeeps, Labgal13, Icy Paws, jmj-wi, JM Gully, and Scott Damnit.
Ham Fam, yes I’ve heard good things about them :), but getting to your point, I thought the WGA did a good job promoting things, but certainly there is room for improvement. Thanks for the great ideas. Keep them coming. Some time ago, one of your great board members (not me) mentioned that the Membership is a great untapped resource. And I think this is a great opportunity to showcase that point. I think it’s great when people vocalize their opinions and ideas. Together we can do great things.
The views expressed here are that of myself only and do not necessarily represent that of the WGA board.
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