One of the strengths we have is that we’re spread out: we all live across the country from each other. At the same time, it’s a weakness, because we can just round table discuss stuff and really get our resources together. My old truck, well, the engine is great, but its not a good cruiser/long distance driver. I’m planning new seats this year, but still, a 1989 U-Haul Diesel Ford F350, well, it ain’t exactly fuel efficient either. Going show to show would be great, if it were for pay.
The first hurdle is to test market the yoyo back into mainstream. YoYo clubs are the best candidate. If they can organize little demonstrations in public places(like malls and such, which are known for hosting events), they can judge from crowd reaction how well this is received. They can get a “name sponsor” such as any local toy or hobby shop that carries yoyos. At this point, no money has changed hands unless people are out buying yoyos. Imagine a 10-15 minute demonostration once an hour, followed by 45 minutes of sales(should the sponsor run a merch table or booth) and hands on learning? 6-10 times a day. Compile data. There ya go.
Introduction in schools is good too as we can show an alternate activity. Without sales motivation, we can hand out informational sheets with “good starter models” and “places to buy” and leave it at that. However, selling them IN the schools for the purposes of an after-demo hands-on learning for first timers is OK. Also, a Bring your own yoyo and get help would also be acceptable.
Since we’re pretty much in agreement that mainstream TV is out, a YouTube channel or Vimeo channel would be the way to go. Produce a show once a month and track hits, or rather numbers. Since we’re doing this in our spare time, costs are trivial, but again, don’t forget, time=money. We can fly video all over the place as long as it gets to a centralized location for final compilation and upload. Each person edits their own content. Some weeks it might just be a “highlights reel” of a large contest. Editorials, commentary, reviews, tips and tricks… the possibilities are endless. Also, we wouldn’t have to do stuff like negotiate barter vs. buy contracts to get stuff on the air. Plus, using a soft format, we don’t have to comply with typical network guidelines. If it runs long or short, so be it.
We have to really think about the target audience. Ideally, it is existing players. If we tell existing players about it.
We also need to be a bit more vocal about who we are. Plenty of community events are put on the news. Why can’t yoyo club get it’s 5 seconds of notice on a news broadcast or a large web site? I’m not sure how yoyo clubs work, but I am assuming the are free, “all are welcome” and it’s basically one big hang-out where whatever happens in regards to yoyo happens.
I’m in Sacramento, California(well, Elk Grove, just south) and 12 miles from where the State finals for California are held. I’ve been trying since May to raise Chris Allen of YoYoSkills(who organizes this event), but he won’t reply to my email(maybe it’s being bounced) and he sure isn’t trying to call me. I don’t have a phone number for him. Sacramento is kind of strange. Here, we operate off a “if you build it, they will come, but don’t go telling people about it”. So many events have failed here because they thing advertising 24 hours before the event is all that is needed, then they turn around and complain about the poor turnout, despite having this booked for 6+ months. OR, if you do market it, then you’re “mainstream” and nobody wants to go, even if it’s not really mainstream. With States right in the backyard of 4 TV studios(2 channels share space, 6 stations total) and with at least 3 locally produced morning shows, why aren’t they promoting using this avenue? Then again, maybe they are, but I’m not a morning person. Even with Sac Horror Film Fest, we get Mr. Lobo out pimping the event.
I think we have to look to August. That gives us time to plan. My thoughts are as follows:
Take the willing Top 3 from each category and make them the following offer(can’t require it, offer it):
Trips to the appropriate studios for morning shows the next day. I know you can hit Today and Good Morning America. Are there others? Anyhow, hit those since they are in New York. Now, I’m not sure the schedules for taping of Letterman and Fallon, but hit one one night and the other show the next night. Then fly them out to California and hit Leno and Conan. Heck, go nuts, throw a Walt Disney World Parade in their honor Monday after finals, THEN off to the talk-show circuit in New York, then flop them over the California, do those shows, another Disney parade in their honor(trust me, news loves those parades), then maybe a few days at Universal Studios because of the “celebrity trash rag” shows and get them 15 minutes of fame. This would be at little to no cost to them as the shows would cover the tab. This could all be done within a week and then they can go home. This is, of course, provided the winners are able to participate.
But, I’m just an engineer. I make shows happen through my technical skills. I leave the rest to someone else as my strengths are in production, although I’m good at coming up with concepts.