Scouting Report Released... Awaiting Member Data...
The new ActionDiesel Scouting Report application has been released and is currently in 'beta' mode (still testing, tweaking) on the ActionDiesel website. The Scouting Report is a Search and Reporting mechanism designed to get manufacturers, distributors, vendors and media together with Diesel Truck competitors.
Those searching for whatever reason (i.e. to sponsor a competitor in their area, for advertising or marketing purposes, for news or magazine articles, etc.) can specify the type of competition, the geographic area in which they are searching, the number of competitions (must be at least 1), the manufacturer and type of performance products the competitor uses and the venues in which the competitor will be competing in the near future. In order to judge interest levels/professionalism, etc., they can also specify that resultant competitors have web pages with photos, videos, blogs, etc.
The resulting listing is sorted and ranked by a number of criteria (i.e. the number of previous competitions, matching performance products, recency of web page photos/videos and/or blogs, etc. The searcher can then click on the listed competitors to either go to their web site, or to view a Printable Scouting Report built from the member's submitted data. They can then use these Scouting Reports for comparisons, and as cues at race venues of competitors they may wish to watch or meet.
Media personnel can use these as 'backgrounders' for potential news or magazine articles.
In order for a member's Scouting Report to be complete, they must have added the required information to various fields in their ActionDiesel.com web site set-up. The requirements for this are listed in a linked page from the Scouting Report Search Page itself, and from within each ActionDiesel.com member's Control Panel (Under the update content application.)
Another module associated with the new Scouting Report will also be added to the system soon. This module will automatically (based on member's preferences) create (and potentially send) Press Releases for hometown media (radio, TV, newspapers) for events in which the member will be participating.
The Scouting Report will remain in "beta test" mode until sufficient ActionDiesel.com members have added the required data to their websites, and several manufacturers/media outlets that are waiting for this application have tested it to insure it operates as fully as intended.
To see a sample of a 'real' Scouting Report from one member (data incomplete) click HERE. Competitor members can now also view what their own Printable Scouting Report looks like from within their Control Panel (in the Updates section).
I mentioned this on my KMBO ActionDiesel Internet Radio broadcast, but thought I'd also put it in the blog so that hopefully, everyone will know: Yes, I'm Eric, but I'm not the Eric at the NADM (National Association of Diesel Motorsports. That's a different Eric. I'm actually not even a member of the NADM, just a system's guy interested in creating "THE" place for Diesel Racers/Pullers on the internet, and promoting the sport.
Which brings up the second thing... "its YOUR turn".
What you've now got it a $100,000 piece of software on the internet where Diesel Hot RodActivists (participants, fans, etc.) can put all of your truck/competition information, post your "blogs" (we syndicate them across the internet through RSS for you), post your competitive records, calendars of appearances, etc., participate in the forums, put up photos and videos (and MP3 music), text chat and message through the chat system, send private messages through the message system, post your own PodCast (these too, we syndicate across the internet via RSS for you), and on and on.
Generally it is a place designed especially for Diesel Hot Rodders to "Strut your Stuff" in front of the world.
So how do you go about growing a sport... creating big dollar sponsorships, big dollar prize purses, etc? You promote it to the public... get THEIR interest up to get them to come to events. You can do that with exciting and informative web pages. Feature your trucks and competitions.... Get your fellow competitors, fans, friends and family involved. Have them get their own pages on ActionDiesel to feature their favorite competitors (hopefully YOU!). Invite people to check out your site, and to come back regularly to check on your recent events, news, announcements, etc. Let 'em know that they can find your latest pictures and videos there.
Why do I care? Obviously I hope that someday there is a payback on my investment through advertising to cover the costs and enough that I can travel around the country and meet you all and watch you in action. But more than that, I hope it pays enough that ActionDiesel.com can start sponsoring some of you. And how will I pick those people??? I'll go through the site and see whose own pages entice me the most. (and I've sort of got a penchant for the "underdog" that's giving their all!)
So the website is whatever you (the Diesel Hot Rodding Activists and enthusiasts) make it to be. It will work or not based on what you make of it. If it doesn't work, at least we tried. The site can be converted to basketweavers or pogo stick riders. But I don't think that will be the case. You've got an exciting sport, a great opportunity, and from what I've seen some really great folks participating... Now let's show that to the world!
So you wanted a page where those that are interested can find out that you are seeking sponsors. I did that (but I'm still working on refining the process). You wanted a way to post your events and results... Ok, I added that (You can get to it through your control panel).
But I consult and do systems work for various manufacturers. Some of these are people (or whose people) will be attending events around the country, and especially the nationals. They tell me they they do not want to spend hours looking through the site for trucks to feature, trucks to sponsor, etc. Here is what they want...
They want to be able to enter their own company name or product line, and get back a list of the competors who use those products or services. They want to see a vehicle description, a list of performance parts/services etc. used, the competitive record of the truck, and photos (and possibly videos) of the truck in action. They also want to know which ones might be at any given event, so that when THEY themselves attend the event they will have some idea of the people (and trucks) to which they want to focus their attention.
Ok, that sounds logical and businesslike. The site already provides a showcase for your trucks and teams. I already have a place for you to put in your competitive record. The only thing missing is a database reference to the parts and services you use that "connects" you with the various manufacturers and vendors.
BUT NEXT WEEK THAT CHANGES. These manufacturers and vendors are already creating their event travel schedules. They want to know who their people and photographers should be especially looking for. So next week, we'll premier the database application that ties it all together. You'll be able to enter your vehicle description, and all of the performance based goodies you use.
Manufacturers and vendors will be able to enter their keywords and get of list of just those people that use their products, the truck description, whether a particular event is on their schedule and whether their site features photos, videos, blogs, etc. They will then be able to click on the thumbnail of the trucks in which they have an interest. From there it will be up to you to impress them with the photos, videos, competitive record and your blog entries about your racing experience, etc. When they find the trucks/teams they want to check out, they'll be able to print a "profile" sheet of that truck or team featuring a photo and various pertinent facts. They'll take this with them to events to help locate you.
I'm already working with the photographer of one of the major manufacturers that will be at the nationals so that his wi-fi camera will upload photos of targeted trucks instantly to the site... if it is your truck, folks around the country/world will be able to see it within seconds of being taken.
Just as an aside... in the VERY near future you'll be able to take photos and or videos with your cell phone cameras that you can transmit to, and will immediately appear on your ActionDiesel website... capture your race/pull and bingo, make it available on your website!
That's not all that is going on... but all that I can talk about at the moment...
What I'm talking about are all of the new features that the NADM and new ActionDiesel websites will be getting over the next few months... and that's above and beyond the almost endless list of features that ActionDiesel has for you already!
We're shooting to have many of the new features available by the time Nationals in Las Vegas rolls around in May... and those of you that can't make it there will be able to experience it on-line almost like you are there for many of the events.
I guess I should encourage you not to wait until the last minute to get your free website on ActionDiesel. You'll want to learn how to use and get comfortable with all of the current features before we spring all the really cool new technology on you!
I KNOW that many of you have a lot to say.. and ActionDiesel is a good place to say it... you can do it in the forums, in a live chatroom, on your own blog OR EVEN IN YOUR OWN PODCAST! Yep, and podcasting isn't all that hard. If you have a sound card in your computer and a microphone, you are already set. You can use the basic sound recorder already in your computer. But for better quality, I suggest you download the free audio program "Audacity" that you can find at podcast.actiondiesel.com
All uploaded PodCasts are syndicated on your own RSS feed to the world, but for those of you that get comfortable with PodCasting, we'll add some of your PodCasts to the KMBO ActionDiesel Internet Radio Network programming...
What are you waiting for... Sign up for your FREE ActionDiesel website TODAY!
