Executive Director’s Commentary
By Don Eversmann, F240000
June 2005
Family Motor Coaching magazine has been an integral part of FMCA since the association began in 1963. Early on, the founders realized the association needed a magazine to share information about the increasingly popular lifestyle. So, in early 1964, the first FMC magazine was put together by a group of volunteers, a process that included collating pages around a pool table at one of their homes. From that time, it has grown from being a quarterly to the monthly publication we all look forward to receiving.
However, as times have changed, so has FMCA’s method of communicating with its members. In 1997 the association’s Web site “” www.fmca.com “” was launched to further meet the needs of the membership, and to provide volumes of information and resources to FMCA members and others interested in the motorhoming lifestyle. As more and more individuals who use the computer and the Internet on a regular basis join FMCA, we have tried to be there for them by meeting their expectations regarding how they desire to view and receive information.
This month I would like to highlight an important part of Family Motor Coaching magazine that has been duplicated on our Web site, and actually has been enhanced in its online format. Classified ads are available online at www.fmca.com in the same format as they are found in the magazine. However, with the Classifieds’ incorporation into the Web site, an additional source for advertising has been developed that many people familiar with computers will find more dynamic and useful as they market their goods and services to the FMCA membership.
Todd Moning, FMCA.com Web editor, has written a very informative article that will help familiarize you with the “Online Classifieds” advertising section of FMCA.com. I have asked him to share it with you as a part of this month’s commentary.
Online Classifieds
By Todd Moning
Web Editor, FMCA.com
Family Motor Coaching magazine’s popular classified advertising section, formerly known as “Motor Coach Mart,” was renamed in November 2003 to simply “Classifieds.” This change was timed to coincide with the introduction of the “Online Classifieds” advertising section on FMCA.com.
FMCA members now have two options for having their ad appear online at FMCA.com/Classifieds. The first probably is the simplest for magazine Classifieds advertisers, but the second offers more options and flexibility.
Option 1: Online Bonus Ad
People who place a classified ad in FMC magazine may choose to have their magazine ad appear online at FMCA.com/Classifieds concurrently, at no additional charge. This “Online Bonus Ad” option is listed on the magazine’s Classifieds advertising form; see page 250 of this issue. Since advertisers must select this option in order for their bonus ad to appear on FMCA.com, not all magazine classifieds will appear online.
Advertising in FMC offers terrific exposure, for the magazine is mailed to more than 127,000 member families who are confirmed motorhome owners, in addition to several thousand subscribers and commercial members. By opting for the Online Bonus Ad as well, you’re broadening the ad’s reach beyond the magazine readership and exposing the ad to the growing number of motorhome enthusiasts who go online for RV-related purposes.
A few important notes regarding Classifieds:
- Magazine ads must first be submitted in writing via mail, fax, or e-mail. You cannot submit a magazine ad via the Web site. You can, however, go online to place an ad that is to appear only on the Web site at FMCA.com. (See Option 2 below.)
- Also, ads that are included on FMCA.com as an Online Bonus Ad that originated from the magazine cannot be modified online. Any and all changes to FMC magazine’s Classifieds ads must be made in writing or by telephone to the magazine’s Classifieds staff. Consequently, changes to an Online Bonus Ad would not be reflected until the next month’s printing of the magazine, and then only if the ad is scheduled to run in the magazine again.
- Photographic images are not accepted in FMC magazine’s Classifieds section.
Option 2: Online Only Ad
This is where the second option for having your ad appear on FMCA.com comes into play. Advertisers have the ability to go directly to FMCA.com/Classifieds and submit the ad online. Ads that originate at FMCA.com appear online only, and not in FMC magazine.
The Online Only Ads offer added flexibility. Online ads can be enhanced with several photos, changes can be made on the fly, and there are no deadlines to meet. FMCA.com classified ads run in increments of 30-day cycles. It’s easy to modify your Online Classifieds ad once it’s been placed. Just sign in, make changes, and submit it. Your ad will be updated right away. Forget something? You may edit your online ad at any time before the ad expires.
FMCA.com/Classifieds offers two types of online ads: Standard and Premium. Standard ads include detailed ad information. Premium ads provide detailed ad information along with photo(s). The price to place an online ad starts as low as $19.95 for 30 days. Your 30 days begins from the date you place your ad “” you do not have to wait for a new calendar month to begin before your ad starts running. It starts the day you place it.
All online-only ads must be submitted via FMCA.com/Classifieds and paid for by entering your credit card information on FMCA’s secure site. No faxes, phone calls, or postal mail is accepted for online-only ads.
Although anyone visiting FMCA.com can search and browse ads, to place an ad you must sign up to become an online classifieds ad user. Then, each time you visit FMCA.com/Classifieds to place a new ad or to modify an existing ad, you need only sign in to gain access to your classified ad(s).
Potential Buyers
FMCA.com/Classifieds visitors can “Search ads” to find ads specific to their interest. They can search by category (manufacturer) and/or specify options such as price, mileage, length, and fuel type to narrow their search. FMCA.com/Classifieds also lists ads alphabetically by categories. To “Browse ads,” click or scroll through the category listings, selecting those for which you wish to reveal detailed ad information.
In addition to searching and browsing, FMCA.com/Classifieds contains a link to N.A.D.A. Guides www.nadaguides.com), which offers new and used vehicle pricing and information. It’s fast, easy, and free. A link to FMCA.com’s Business Directory also is provided. The Business Directory makes it easy to locate FMCA commercial member motorhome dealers and manufacturers, as well as campgrounds and companies that offer RV-related products and services.
Maybe you’re looking for a diesel pusher with low mileage and many upgrades. Maybe you’re considering downsizing to a smaller, more maneuverable coach. Whether you’re buying or selling, consider using FMCA.com/Classifieds, the online marketplace.