Rails to Trails Competitors

Content Analysis
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Website: http://www.railstotrails.org/index.html
List upcoming events with dates, locations, and links for more information
Very colorful website with a lot of pictures
Easy to read copy use bullet points often
Provide further links for trail building, active lifestyles/transportation
Focus on the benefits of Rail-Trails
Very professional website with subdomains
Memberships
Membership
Minimum of $18 donation, but can give different levels and amounts
T-Shirt
New member welcome materials
Destination Rail-Trails a guide to some of the nations finest trails
Subscription to RTCs quarterly magazine Rails to Trails
Discounts on publications, apparel, and other merchandise, including RTCs
popular rail-trail guidebooks
$5 discount on next bike rental at RentalBikeNow.com
Satisfaction of knowing dollars are helping create a nationwide network of
trails
Gift Membership (Recipient receives the following)
Subscription to Rails to Trails magazine
Discounts on RTC merchandise
Destination: Rail-Trails a guide to some of the nations best rail-trails
T-Shirt
Paperless Membership
Never receive mail from RTC
Ensuring more of the contribution goes to RTC by saving paper and reducing
postage costs
Free e-guidebook
Requires monthly contribution charged to credit card
Trail Keeper Club (Monthly Contributions)
Receive benefits of RTC membership
T-Shirt

Trailblazer Society
Accelerate core trail-building efforts with a personal contribution of $1000 or
more
Monthly contribution of $84 or more
All benefits of standard membership
Invitation to participate in annual Trailblazer Society excursions with RTC
President, members of the Board of Directors and staff
Advanced notices of and invitations to special events, bike rides, receptions
and conferences
Complimentary Rail-Trail Calendar
Recognition in RTCs annual report
Updates detailing RTCs work and recent accomplishments
Personal calls and briefings from RTC staff and board members when they
visit your local area
Dealer Membership
Enhance customer service and reach new customers through donor base
and those who use TrailLink.com
o Basic Membership (Dues are $100 per year )
RTC Window sticker (4x6)
25 copies of each issue of Rails to Trails magazine for free
distribution to customers
Information for customers on how to join RTC
RTC T-Shirts for you and up to 5 staff members
o Supporting Membership (Dues are $250 per year)
All benefits of Basic Membership
Placement on the appropriate trail maps on TrailLink.com,
which provides business listing and direct link to business
website
o Online Membership (Share TrailLink.com on your website with an
RTC banner ads)
List bike shop on TrailLink.com with reciprocal link
TrailLink.com
Reaches 200,000 visitors per month
1.5 million monthly page views
Also has an app
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/railstotrails
25,038 Likes
Facebook shows photos of paved trails
Update status at least every day, sometimes more often
Almost every post includes a photo or visual

Post a Pic of the Day from a Rail-Trail with a factoid about that trail or piece of
trail
Post a lot about staying active tips, benefits, etc.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/railstotrails
12.9K Followers
Following 816
Tweet many times a day usually 4-5
Most tweets contain a link or photo
All tweets use a hashtag
Content is different from Facebook
Usually tweet quick little facts or photos about rail-trails, staying fit, and other
trails around the nation
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/railstotrails/
18 Boards
356 Pins
38 Likes
511 Followers
Following 21
Boards include RTC: Pic of the Day, RTC: Trail of the Month, RTC: Features,
Rail-Trail Hall of Fame, RTC: Advocacy, Urban Pathways, Trail Accessories and
Styles, Trail Art, Trail Critters, and more
Very vibrant, high quality photos
Most pins go back to railtotrails.org or traillink.com
Instagram http://instagram.com/railstotrails
414 Followers
Following 52
Not updated very often
Most recent is from Jan. 14
Mostly photos of the trails and people using the trails
Other photos include rails-to-trails stickers, apparel, and logos in different
places
Larger focus on bikes

Tour Chautauqua
Website: http://www.tourchautauqua.com/trails-and-parks.aspx
Individual Rails-to-Trails trails are included in the Trails and Parks section as
separate from Rails-to-Trails
Chautauqua Rails-to-Trails is also included with the website link
Website link is not attributed to individual trails although there are photos of
trail head signs

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Website: http://www.appalachiantrail.org/
Very visual, more laid back and welcoming feel
Interactive map of trails and tips on hiking and planning a hike on a trail
Ability to report an incident or needed maintenance on a trail

Equally focus on conservation and physical activity

Show photos from all four seasons
Active and updated list of events with dates and locations
o Not all events are trail related have cake baking contest event and
families days

Membership
Specify must raise $3.28 for every mile of trail above and beyond the public
funds they receive
Minimum donation of $40, but can give other levels as well
Student, senior, or A.T. affiliated Trail Maintaining Club Member discount
minimum donation of $35
o Trail Maintaining Club Members are members of an affiliated Trail Crew
that maintains and improves the trails
Option to make donation a recurring monthly donation
Benefits of Membership
Oversized Appalachian Trail strip map (only applies to new membership, not
renewals)
Six issues of A.T. Journey Magazine, an award winning publication (electronic
version available)
Discounts at the Ultimate Appalachian Trail Store and other select retailers
Subscription to monthly e-newsletter filled with latest news and updates
Volunteer opportunities, invitations to special events, and more
Pride and satisfaction of knowing you are protecting an irreplaceable
American treasure
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATHike
72,693 Likes
Updated once daily M-F, never updated on weekends
Every post includes some sort of visual photos, videos, maps, memes,
apparel
Tie into holidays and big events
Ask questions and encourage feedback from users
Hosting a video contest about what makes the Appalachian Trail special to
you and the connection you have to the trail
Reply fairly quickly to comments
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AT_Conservancy
7,919 Followers
Following 797
Still very visual with photos of the trail as background and cover photo
Typically tweet once a day sometimes 2-3 times
Every tweet contains a link or hashtag
Dont really tweet photos

Mostly tweet factoids about the trail and updates on events

Created #TrailTrivia where each week they pose a question and the next
week, tweet the answer
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/atconservancy
422 Subscribers
54,806 views
Most recent video is from 5 months ago
Videos range from 30 seconds to 7 minutes
Focus more on preservation and conservation
Only the most recent videos look at why people love the Appalachian Trail
Dont update videos regularly
Have 22 videos in total
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+appalachiantrail/about
548 People Have Them in their Circle 1,457 +1s
All the same photos as Facebook, no videos
Just explains the history and mission
No other activity
Not well maintained