|
|
Post by The Chubbster™ on Nov 16, 2013 11:52:39 GMT
As some of you will have no doubt already seen, with luck we shall now be voting at the AGM to create the role of Publicity Officer. I thought it would be a good idea to start this thread and invite everyone's input of what they think the role should entail, how we can best go about promoting our game, and better define some of the challenges that we think need attacking to safeguard the future of our game.
I'll start e ball rolling with a few ideas I've had down the years, and I welcome everyone's opinions both positive and negative.
1. Twitter
It's my belief that having an AEBBA Twitter feed would give us some long term benefits. The so called younger generation these days are more likely to respond and get information from such social media sources rather than having to look something up on a website. Twitter in particular is good a "pushing" information to people, and whether we like it or not technology such as this will soon be (if not already) imbedded in the majority of people's lives. It's an advancement that I believe we simply can not afford to ignore.. Every company and organisation under the sun is currently scrambling to either increase or get a social media presence. We need to be part of that revolution.
2. Newsletter
My love for technology is well known, but I still think the old fashion ways have just as much merit. I see there is a newsletter that Nigel puts together sometime. I would like to see this expanded to include more information about the national game, and invite local news and information from leagues around the country. We could also publish it with references to where people can play the game (Tommo's map being one such excellent resource) as well as other useful information. It could be emailed directly to an ever expanding email list, and more importantly could be pushed to people on twitter.
3. Video
Think of this scenario.... 2 people walk into a pub and see a Bar Billiards table for the first time in their lives. One of them says "shall we have a go" and the other says "yeah, let's google it and see how it's played". In that scenario what would we prefer they see when googling the term "how to play bar billiards". Given that everyone has mobile Internet these days and attention spans are short in today's modern age, rather than getting a static web page with tons of text explaining the rules of the game, I would prefer they see a 5 minute video which explains to them how the game is played, it's basic rules, a few tips of the most common shots...... And them be able to actually be shown that, rather than just read a bunch of rules. I've offered to get this done in the past, now I believe is the time. This I one example of how video can be used, and a publicity officer would certainly be interested in promoting something like this, if not leading on it themselves.
These are just three ideas I've had for a long time, but ones that would certainly compliment each other and help raise the profile of the game both with existing players, but far more importantly new players. I have other ideas, but rather than make this thread about my ideas and dissecting them, I would be more interested to let others post there thoughts and suggestions about what the role could entail, and how we better safeguarding the future of our game. What are the particular challenges that face us, and how could we try and overcome them this this potential new officer role in mind?
I look forward to hearing everyone's ideas and thoughts.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2013 12:26:08 GMT
We could also publish it with references to where people can play the game (Tommo's map being one such excellent resource) as well as other useful information. It could be emailed directly to an ever expanding email list, and more importantly could be pushed to people on twitter. Just a word on so-called 'tommo's map'.....I do not wish to take all the credit on this as it's every bit as much 'Barbelman's map' (we have had equal input !) Besides, Sav holds the main Google account, and it was from an idea originally conceived by Q (Bernie Lawrance). So more correctly, let's refer to it as the "AEBBA Map of venues" - accessible via the link on the AEBBA website.  |
|
|
|
Post by Q on Nov 16, 2013 13:28:07 GMT
Following on from Glenns initial posting a while back I created the Facebook group British Bar Billiards I have invited all the bb players (that I know) who have a Facebook account, I have also 'advertised' the group in other 'cuesport' groups, I would like to spread the word further by promoting it in any 'What to do in ....' type groups or pages but up to now I haven't found anything that promotes local sports/societies/groups, if anyone has any ideas or knows of any such Facebook presence where we could push our sport further into the public eye please let me know and I'll test the field. We have already had members (of the group) join from other disciplines, the map, this forum and AEBBA is 'pinned' to the top of the group, what IS needed is for people other than me to make postings, keeping the group active and 'in the face' of the viewing public |
|
|
|
Post by The Chubbster™ on Nov 20, 2013 16:38:38 GMT
Some more possible ideas that could be brought into the role.
The creator of a rather excellent App (called Brakelope) I believed joined this forum a while ago after seeing me use his tournament app at the Sussex Singles last year. What impressed me greatly about it was how easy it was to use, and how it could instantly publish those results online for people to follow on the web. All right from a phone.
I’m sure he could be encouraged to create some features that would better incorporate a Bar Billiards tournament. I mention this because instant results being published would lead to a page on the internet getting many hits throughout the duration, which is something sponsors would be interested in.
Remember, Sponsors give money to increase their brand awareness. This is why we struggle with sponsorship in our game. Something like this could go some way to aiding in that particular quest. This is just an idea of course, but a combination of small things like this are what I believe is needed to enhance the game. Apart from a couple of technology ideas I have, I don’t believe there is any Silver Bullet out there to solve all the games problems.
Another possible Idea. I herd a while ago that Barbleman had sent out some posters advertising this very forum. I would certainly be interested to see where they were sent. I might be worth do this again, but targeting all areas identified on the map to have a table, but no league. This could bring quite a few players who have a knock around in their local into the fold so to say, and at least make them aware that we are out there.
All this said and done, I still think YouTube and a series of demonstration videos is the answer. That’s what the younger generation will respond too in this modern age. I’ve been thinking for a long time about doing some kind of documentary (purely to enhance my video creating CV) maybe this would be a good subject to have a bash at.
I’ll continue to brainstorm, I would encourage others to do the same.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Chubbster™ on Nov 20, 2013 16:51:52 GMT
An Exhibition Night….. bear with me here.
As I’ve mentioned before, Steve Mariner was blown away by the level of interest that the table got at the Rugby match and the enquiries as to where they could buy one. I’ve always believed that once people are shown the game, they enjoy it and want to play more. I saw a table in a local drinking hole when I was at college that I saw every week for 3 years and never dreamed of giving it a go. It wasn’t until years later when I saw and someone showed me what to do that I began playing.
How about if something like the Twickenham experience was organised in a pub with a Bar Billiards table (preferably with a few more in the area) but no league. If advertised correctly then it might get some interest, which would lead of a few players playing, showing others in other local areas and over time, a league might form. But someone’s got to go and spark the interest first, and a one of exhibition might be the way to do that.
Of course the cost would be a factor I know that. But everyone needs someone to show them somewhere along the line. I’m thinking that there are probably a lot of tables around the country gathering dust, and it’s not because Bar Billiards is not a good game, and I don’t and have will believe that it’s not because people aren’t interested….. But they need showing first.
Just another idea I had. Bit far fetched I know but oh well.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Chubbster™ on Nov 20, 2013 17:00:05 GMT
Another one….. Wikipedia…..
Go to Google and type in Bar Billiards…… go on do it now. I’ll wait……
Right, what’s the first thing that comes up. It’s not this forum, it’s not the AEBBA, and it’s the Wikipedia entry. No league websites, this forum even make the first page. If you’re a new player to the game, your not going to put “Bar Billiards Forum” into Google, you’re just going to put “Bar Billiards”
Wiki has long been a great resource, So much so that it’s many peoples default reference tool these days for so many things. Best of all it’s free and open source, and is edited at point… meaning that someone in the Bar Billiards community can rightfully get access to editing that page fully.
At present it gives a nice overview of the game, and the world champions. But it doesn’t make references to the things we would want new players to see (The Map for example). We can change that and make Wiki a great resource. Not only that, it gives a more professional “image” so to speak.
Another little thing that could be worked on. If people are going to type Bar Billiards into Google, I want them to get to information that will better encourage them to play. Not just a list of the world champions and a basic outlines of the rules.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2013 17:22:01 GMT
Glenn touches upon a very good point there about Wikipedia, and it's not just that medium that could do with some correction or enhancement....... Do a search for Bar Billiards In Sussex and this is one of the results you will get: www.westsussex.info/bar-billiards.shtmlBeing slightly niggled at the absence of some of West Sussex's longest-established Leagues - and at the inclusion of Brighton - which is in East Sussex ! - I dropped a note to the editor pointing out the slight misrepresentation, and I received a really snotty reply more or less telling me to mind my own business, and no, he wouldn't be amending anything. So there's one target. Another one is the James Masters site. www.tradgames.org.uk/locations/Bar-Billiards.htmNow I understand that Sav has a good relationship with the originator, and it was a useful starting point for our investigation with the map, but really the page on where to play in the UK is not doing us any favours as it stands as much of the information given is out of date and the sum total of it is only about 5% representative of the bar billiards world ! |
|
|
|
Post by BB Warrior on Nov 20, 2013 17:33:56 GMT
An Exhibition Night….. bear with me here. As I’ve mentioned before, Steve Mariner was blown away by the level of interest that the table got at the Rugby match and the enquiries as to where they could buy one. I’ve always believed that once people are shown the game, they enjoy it and want to play more. I saw a table in a local drinking hole when I was at college that I saw every week for 3 years and never dreamed of giving it a go. It wasn’t until years later when I saw and someone showed me what to do that I began playing. How about if something like the Twickenham experience was organised in a pub with a Bar Billiards table (preferably with a few more in the area) but no league. If advertised correctly then it might get some interest, which would lead of a few players playing, showing others in other local areas and over time, a league might form. But someone’s got to go and spark the interest first, and a one of exhibition might be the way to do that. Of course the cost would be a factor I know that. But everyone needs someone to show them somewhere along the line. I’m thinking that there are probably a lot of tables around the country gathering dust, and it’s not because Bar Billiards is not a good game, and I don’t and have will believe that it’s not because people aren’t interested….. But they need showing first. Just another idea I had. Bit far fetched I know but oh well. Why would there be a cost if the table is already there....??  |
|
|
|
Post by gandalf the untidy on Nov 20, 2013 18:08:46 GMT
An Exhibition Night….. bear with me here. As I’ve mentioned before, Steve Mariner was blown away by the level of interest that the table got at the Rugby match and the enquiries as to where they could buy one. I’ve always believed that once people are shown the game, they enjoy it and want to play more. I saw a table in a local drinking hole when I was at college that I saw every week for 3 years and never dreamed of giving it a go. It wasn’t until years later when I saw and someone showed me what to do that I began playing. How about if something like the Twickenham experience was organised in a pub with a Bar Billiards table (preferably with a few more in the area) but no league. If advertised correctly then it might get some interest, which would lead of a few players playing, showing others in other local areas and over time, a league might form. But someone’s got to go and spark the interest first, and a one of exhibition might be the way to do that. Of course the cost would be a factor I know that. But everyone needs someone to show them somewhere along the line. I’m thinking that there are probably a lot of tables around the country gathering dust, and it’s not because Bar Billiards is not a good game, and I don’t and have will believe that it’s not because people aren’t interested….. But they need showing first. Just another idea I had. Bit far fetched I know but oh well. Why would there be a cost if the table is already there....?? Need to get it back on TV. We need to target a mentor in the business who could pull some strings for us in the right places A mistery guest playing BB on A question of Sport with a link on BBC Sport A table being played in the back ground at a Televised snooker/darts/pool event etc A how to play Bar Billiards DVD available with Each Rented or bought Table or Downloadable Get the kids interested and target youth clubs regs cs |
|
|
|
Post by The Chubbster™ on Nov 21, 2013 2:11:40 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by BB Warrior on Nov 21, 2013 7:47:30 GMT
Agree with this entirely.  I have removed the poster, as you requested Glenn.  |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2013 20:35:06 GMT
|
|
