A way to possibly promote airsoft

NakedDex

Sparks wrote: »

60 seconds (and 200Mb and there are also format restrictions) is the maximum, not 20 seconds. Just FYI.

Yeah, I covered that in my last post. I wasn't referring to the video length, more the attention time the average person who'd be passing the screen would give.

Sparks

NakedDex wrote: »

Yeah, I covered that in my last post. I wasn't referring to the video length, more the attention time the average person who'd be passing the screen would give.

Well, in that case, know any female airsofters willing to wear overly tight t-shirts while skirmishing and being videoed with a zoom lens?

NakedDex

It can be arranged...
Have your people call my people. We'll do lunch.

bullets

Live version of the Edgar Brothers calander for me please
http://hotshots2010.uk.com/

Thanks in advance
Much appreciated :D

~B

SBDDub

bullets wrote: »

Live version of the Edgar Brothers calander for me please
http://hotshots2010.uk.com/

Thanks in advance
Much appreciated :D

~B

Here you go bullets (you will have to log in to verify you are old enough)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anhgRPrG0qM&feature=player_embedded&has_verified=1

SBDDub

Multicam never looked so good

Stonewolf

MagicIRL wrote: »

Given the possible hostility to a full on gun-wielding, weapon-flaunting video why not concider the following:

A simple information based, almost Slideshow, type approach. A brief description, perhaps a few pictures and inform the public to search youtube for Oddy and Scoutthedoggie to see vidoes. That way we (the community) will easily have enough time and enough space to convey our message.

This is what I was thinking of with my last post. A short slideshow or selection of brief vids. You put a website address (preferably with the word "airsoft" in it) at the bottom where people can find out more about thier local airsoft sites. Each slide or vid gets a few seconds of airtime maybe with a word written on it. I'm thinking something like that image of yer man jumping over the trench at HRTA with "Active" on it. Then at the end of the segment you have a splash page with "Airsoft" and some kind of slogan.

Airsoft Reloded

"Airsoft, taking paintball to the next level". Copyright, tm e.t.c

VonLuck

I think a big problem is trying to convince the people who have played paintball (which a large number of young people have these days) to try airsoft.

I was chatting to a mate of mine yesterday and asked him if he ever heard of airsoft. He said no and as I started to explain it he interrupted and said "Oh so its like paintball. I went to paintball a few times, it was great...." and continued to say how much fun he had at paintball.

I think a problem may be that a lot of people people will see an advert for airsoft, think paintball, then say "nah, won't bother trying airsoft. I've done paintball and that was great, why would I change?" (I know they wouldn't literally say that, but be thinking it )

As was said by Airsoft Reloaded "taking paintball to the next level" (hope I haven't breached copyright :P). But how do you convince people to change over from paintball to airsoft in a 20-60 second ad?

I think casual paintballers are really your target market.

TerrenceAnth

When i first got into airsofting i played paintball many times before so i knew it was going to be round the same thing only with more tac's. So i got my gun talked my brother in law to buy one and we loved it!! 10000 times better than paintball could ever be in our eyes. So then u go back home which is in donegal i show my guns to my 2 best friends and told them what it was like and where i got my gun and stuff and they got into airsoft.

I think that setting up a tent or something and showing people the aeg's and letting them know where they can go to get a starter aeg is the best way to push people into the sport but a video isnt a bad idea ether it would show people what it is but in the long run explainning the sport to people and showing off kit seems to work pretty well as our group has gone from me going to airsofting to about 7 lads going within 3 months!

Steve

Just a thought but the success of paintball is largely down to it being promoted as a corporate day out. Maybe this would work with Airsoft as well.
Promote the whole 'team building' side of it and 'it's like paintball but it's more serious'.
Dunno if it would work but the logical thing is to get entities with cash to spend to buy into it, after that if the individuals who get the free trial like it then they'll continue.

MagicIRL

Im sure it would work Steve, just to avoid the possible influx of "non-hit takers" perhaps only host such an event on certain days and inform other players before hand (if they bother to ring up). I pressume that is all down to the specific site themselves. I don't see how it could honestly fail, especially if Airsoft Corporate Events were to rent out comms sets, grenade(s) etc to the business. Now that would attract them.

Leftyflip

But then the hobby, becomes a lot, lot more commercial, essentially it becomes paintball with BBs. I wouldn't like that, none of us would.

Stonewolf

I don't think tying us to paintball is the way to go. Better to avoid any comparisons with paintball completely and put airsoft forward in its own space.

OddysAirsoft

I don't think tying us to paintball is the way to go. Better to avoid any comparisons with paintball completely and put airsoft forward in its own space.

That's like closing the stable door when the Horse has bolted!

Airsoft came from paintball as an evolution! Also when ever you try to explain something to a person who is uneducated to a subject you will always offer them a comparison that they have knowledge of! And that is paintball!

NakedDex

I tried to explain hurling to an American before, who came to his own conclusion, after I showed him a video, that it was a cross between lacrosse, ice hockey and UFC.
Comparisons can be colourful when trying to explain something - Jeremy Clarkson makes a career out of it - but describing airsoft as "like paintball but..." to someone who has never played it, doesn't mean they're actually similar enough to copy their system of advertising and targeting the sport.

Sure, corporate days would be a big revenue generator for sites (and already happen, to the best of my knowledge), but putting emphasis on that market or that advertising style would change the ethos of the actual game.

The caveat here is that I'm not at all against advertising, but if such a thing were to be undertaken, it would first need to be very seriously researched and consulted upon.
To date, the most effective mass advertisement for airsoft was in the Gazette local paper chain in Dublin. Several pages of well constructed and carefully worded explanation. The worst was MIA's sister shop in Cork with their "omg gunz" approach.

I'd say it's a bit premature for video advertising offline, but print media is still a very viable option.

MagicIRL

I agree with Dex here, I think newspaper (based on past success with the Gazette) is the way foward.

If we (the community) undertake a genuine and lengthy campaign, within the right perameters, airsoft will grow with the desired result.

Inari

Promoting Airsoft as a Hobby/Sport without any commercial interests is incredibly difficult. For one there's the legalities involved, as in order to play you must be on designated land, or your own property. That involves research to find sites and people are incredibly lazy. If the IAA were to advertise, they could advertise the sport/hobby, and plug their affiliated sites and retailers. It may just give incentive to other sites/retailers to adhere to the guidelines.

I would definitely share Lefty's sentiment that Airsoft becoming as commercial as paintball is not for the best. Some levels of commercialism would be good, such as having superior facilities to play on etc. But then there is the flip-side of the coin where, like in most paintball sites (as far as I know), you cannot bring your own equipment.

Being perfectly honest, I would rather see the advertising being done by specific sites, having it proofed by the IAA (nothing official, just as a voice of reason and second opinions), and doing it that way. People know what's being advertised (the sport; which can be played on this site), and it should inherantly have more money behind it (due to it being for commercial interestes; boosting player-numbers on a site).

LawlessBoy

well i started airsofting about 2 months ago, and in that time until now ive recruited six new players into the sport. just from friends in school, sports teams etc...... so there are other ways in getting more people playing without advertising( but it would probably be more efficient)

NakedDex

Speaking of which, I was on the way home from work and had Nova Radio on in the car. I know it was mentioned here before, but it was the first time I'd heard the MIA radio ad. Now, I don't know if it was off the air for a while or I just kept missing it, but as I said, this was my first hearing of it.
I'm not going to lie, to say that I was shocked wouldn't be an understatement. It was a cross between the OMGGUNZ!!1! attitude we all try to avoid portraying, and some sort of Harvey Norman "IF I SHOUT LOUDER, IT'LL MAKE THIS SEEM BETTER" advertising method.

Whoever wishes to create some sort of useful advertisement, commercial or informative, for either an airsoft shop/site or the sport itself, would do well to listen to this advertisement and take heed: This is precisely the opposite of how you want to portray your image, your message or yourselves.

OddysAirsoft

Disagree with you NakedDex......I have heard the ad over and over again and I see nothing wrong with it at all. It may not be to your taste but no one can say it's wrong or does the sport a disservice because it doesn't. I am fed up with people always being negative in this sport - or more correctly - on this forum. I respect anyone who tries to promote this sport in a positive light and very little for people who sit around behind keyboards slagging off the people who are tying whilst they do nothing themselves! That was a general sweep not just directed at NakedDex.



Now I will brace myself for the onslaught of usual haters!

Villafan6

FRUoddy wrote: »

Disagree with you NakedDex......I have heard the ad over and over again and I see nothing wrong with it at all. It may not be to your taste but no one can say it's wrong or does the sport a disservice because it doesn't. I am fed up with people always being negative in this sport - or more correctly - on this forum. I respect anyone who tries to promote this sport in a positive light and very little for people who sit around behind keyboards slagging off the people who are tying whilst they do nothing themselves! That was a general sweep not just directed at NakedDex.



Now I will brace myself for the onslaught of usual haters!

I really agree with you there, I think if we just sit back for to long we'll be walked over by everyone if anything ever goes wrong because of one idiot did something stupid. We just need to inform people of the sport not hide it!

joe stodge

FRUoddy wrote: »

Disagree with you NakedDex......I have heard the ad over and over again and I see nothing wrong with it at all. It may not be to your taste but no one can say it's wrong or does the sport a disservice because it doesn't. I am fed up with people always being negative in this sport - or more correctly - on this forum. I respect anyone who tries to promote this sport in a positive light and very little for people who sit around behind keyboards slagging off the people who are tying whilst they do nothing themselves! That was a general sweep not just directed at NakedDex.



Now I will brace myself for the onslaught of usual haters!

Witcher

There is a right way and a wrong way to promote the sport. Informed, well explained pieces in newspapers such as the recent articles in the Gazette are the way to do it, radio is not a good way, theres limited time to explain it appropriately and it will inevitably come down to 'gunz'.

This has all been said before on earlier threads several times.

NakedDex

I was in the car with four people at the time, none of whom know anything about airsoft. All of them, however, were instantly both confused and a little concerned since, as it transpired one of their sons had mentioned it at home. I actually had to explain things somewhat, including that it was a sport and not just an excuse to buy guns, which was a point rather glossed over in the ad in favour of mentioning the words "pistols" and "rifles" as much as possible between the sound effects of gunfire.

On top of that, I had never heard the ad until that day, but I had known of it from the surprisingly large number of people who had complained about it to me or who, at the very least, had mentioned it in bad terms.
Now, I've never been one to form my opinions based on others views, but when I heard it I actually felt the complaints were generally restrained from what they could have been.


Now what I'm fed up with is the general purpose, catch-all "stop being negative" defence of any and all advertising, in the face of blinding rationality and awareness of cultural and socio-political climates.
Now this isn't directed at anyone in particular, but everyone who thinks Ireland is ready for untargeted, mass-media advertising of airsoft, alongside commercials for house cleaning products and low cost mortgages.


I'm all for advertising, but it needs to be done cleverly and carefully, and in a targeted manner that won't cause concern and panic among the populace to the extent of another Joe Duffy uprising. We've been there, and elsewhere already, and just about escaped calls for a total ban. There's no point in painting a target on our chest for them.

OddysAirsoft

Every business has a right to promote and market themselves and very few will do it to the detriment of themselves. You have 30 seconds to get your message across - how can you be that detailed in 30 seconds.

Yes I agree there are some great mediums to promote the sport - the Gazette is brilliant (and it is what got me into airsoft) but there is a difference in educating the public about a sport and selling a product to the public! Obviously lost on some people.

I have done my fair share on trying to promote the sport in a positive light and will continue to do so. And my journey has led me to having a very close relationship with retailers, site owners etc and I am more than aware of the hard work these guys are putting into their businesses to ensure they survive. And I for one commend them not condemn them for it!

Inari

Agreed with NakedDex. I heard the ad in the first time about two days ago...and it just left me irritated. Once again, I'd heard it mentioned on boards plenty, but had never heard it first hand. It was in the same breath as the Harvey Norman bombardment type ads, and it just did not sit well with me.

But hey, that type of advertising exists because it sticks with people. I mean look at us, we're talking about it now, aren't we? Just look at Ryanair for further proof. Commercially speaking, this advertising works. From a gamer and hobbyist perspective, this is negative advertising for us. But I sincerely doubt that MIA mind about our opinions if it packs people into their store. Let's be honest like.

NakedDex

I think it's fair to say I've had a fairly integrated position within the industry for quite a few years now, so don't think for a moment this is an uneducated view, ignorant of the intricacies of the industry and it's challenges.
I have no issue with retailers advertising, nor could anyone condemn them for it. My condemnation is for the advertisement and it's delivery.
I, too, have done my bit advertising the sport, dealing with everyone from devoted fans to vociferous, fearful mothers. I know both the lauds and the lows of opinion, and the narrow line between the two which advertising must tread in order to be both effective and safe.

You may have 30 seconds to get your message across, but a shortage of time does not necessitate nor excuse shock tactics.

Witcher

FRUoddy wrote: »

You have 30 seconds to get your message across - how can you be that detailed in 30 seconds.

You can't...that's the problem. It's the wrong medium to advertise in. It sends out the wrong message.

there is a difference in educating the public about a sport and selling a product to the public! Obviously lost on some people.

Yes there is a difference between educating about a sport and selling a product. The difference is that the 'sport' in question uses that 'product' so if that 'product' were to be misused because the person it was marketed to isn't of great moral standing then the sport is damaged.

The fact is:

Newspaper article(or other appropriate medium) says: 'Hey everyone, here's the sport of airsoft, you'll meet new people, make friends, exercise, have fun and by the way we use guns.'

Radio says: 'Guns, guns, guns..and eh..there's also the sport of airsoft if you want to do that'

Nobody is 'condemning' MIA for advertising, were just saying it is being done the wrong way. We haven't got a gun to Derek Talbot's head telling him to get it off the radio, we're just giving an opinion.

OddysAirsoft

Yes there is a difference between educating about a sport and selling a product. The difference is that the 'sport' in question uses that 'product' so if that 'product' were to be misused because the person it was marketed to isn't of great moral standing then the sport is damaged.

And yet we have tons of airsoft guns being sold in markets every Saturday around the country with little regard of who they sell to and usually guns that run 'HOT"and no one moans! -at least when a new person comes to an Airsoft store most owners take some time out to educate the customer. And if an ad brings newcomers to a shop at least there is a chance of them being educated!


Love it

but a shortage of time does not necessitate nor excuse shock tactics

there's a shock statement if there ever was one :rolleyes: