Q: What makes TRG different as a provider of these services?
A: TRG was founded almost thirteen years ago as a consulting firm focused on audience development within the arts and cultural sector. It is hard wired into our culture and employees that we approach to the job as that of teachers and coaches first. The high tech tools we have developed were done so with the goal of streamlining and improving audience development initiatives within the industry. We constantly use our experiences with over 400 clients across this ever changing market sector to influence product development and consulting best practices which we deliver back to our clients.
Q: How do I know my data is protected from my peer organizations?
A: The permission model that is programmed in to the eMerge system ensures that other organizations in the collaborative only see the data you want them to see, and they only access the records you want them to have when you say so. Furthermore, the “seed list” tool allows you to keep tabs on what your patrons are getting through the mail. These features are not impossible to circumvent, but they make it virtually impossible for an organization to be unethical in the use of another’s data without the list owner knowing about it. This is certainly a safer method of exchange than traditional models.
Q: Things are always pretty busy at my organization. What if I don’t have time or patience to learn the eMerge system used to manage all the data?
A: While eMerge was designed to be user friendly “do-it-yourself” system, we at TRG expect that some of our clients won’t have the time or patience to learn a new tool. TRG does offer “Full Service” options that range from basic list pulling to more applied consulting services around list selection and management. Prices for these services start at $150 per project.
Q: My data is a mess and I have trouble working with it. Does that preclude me from participating?
A: No. TRG’s database service team works with hundreds of arts organizations every year. Each organization works on a different system and level of data cleanliness. The team is trained to diagnose each client situation and help effect the most efficient and accurate extraction of data. The goal is to get the cleanest data with the least impact on the client organization.
Q: What additional costs can I expect?
A: For basic use of the program, there are no additional costs to access the system, do research, and run list counts, and download records. There are program enhancements including database updating, full service list selection by TRG, and demographic data enhancements are available for a fee.
Q: What cost savings can I expect from this program?
A: All organizations should save money on list hygiene (cleaning the names and addresses). If your organization is doing a moderate level of appropriate list hygiene annually, you will save $500 or more.
