It's very disappointing. As a Show Broadside is still young, very young. As such we need all the help and support we can get. So when two of the three wargames magazines that you have bought advertising space in fail to deliver the advert for the show it's very disappointing. The main problem is that shows ARE time critical. With a wargames product, for example, if you advertise a month later you can still sell your products. If on the other hand you are running a show and the adverts get missed out you can't run the advert again. The show is over, the traders disappointed with the numbers and the public uninformed. So while we should have adds in Wargames Illustrated and WSS this month, just weeks before the show we only got an apology from those in charge. Disappointing! I know some of you have put show details on your blogs and that is very much appreciated I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Especially now that 2 wargames Magazines have failed to promote the show. In addition to the adverts, or more rather the lack off adverts in magazines we have had to cancel the DBA tournament. Personally I was never convinced by the tournament at the show, but a number of people have pulled out so we have had to cancel that part of the show. We have contacted our first reserve club though and offered then the tables we would have used. Which may work in our favour. Time will tell. We will also get to see just how powerful advertising is and maybe look at which magazines should get our advertising budget next year.
With all that bad show news I thought I should put some British Casualty markers on here as well. These are all Britannia one piece castings. I realise that casualty markers are a controversial subject, more so as they are a current conflict and our own forces which is why I have not "over done" the blood and gore. Obviously the man being treated had to have some indication of injury, but I have left the red paint from the other two.
That's today's post. (I sneaked an extra one in). I hope to post again on Wednesday. Thanks for looking all the best Clint
Very sorry to hear that, if we can help let us know......
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty bad of both mags to let your club down like that, I wouldn't be too happy with them, to say the least!!!!
ReplyDeleteAny mention of the show on the Blogosphere is a boost. If you can mention the show on your blogs and remind people that it's on a week or so before. That would be really good.
ReplyDeleteNo problem.
DeleteAnd they are wondering why the press faces financial problems...internet and lack of competence, that's the answers! Simple as that! I'd be more than happy to come (unfortunately I live in Greece) but I'll post it on my blog. It's the least I can do.
ReplyDeleteWill throw up a post a bit nearer the time. Can't let a Kent-based show go unnoticed :)
ReplyDeleteI won't be coming, but I've put a box up for it, after reading about it on Angry's and Ray's blogs. I'm curious myself though, to see if the lack of advertising, versus publicising it online, makes any real difference.
ReplyDeleteI've been wargaming off and on for 35 years-ish, but haven't regularly bought a magazine for the last ten. I might flick through them in Smiths and if there's an article that grabs my eye, buy it. I don't look at the ads. New releases and all that I get online, far sooner and with bigger and better pictures in the main.
I've never attended a show to watch a tournament either, they are usually the most dull and visually unappealing element of a show for me... it's the traders and demo games that are the reasons I attend.
Good Luck!
Sorry to hear this.. am with Jim on finding out about it through Fran and Ray.. and will also post something up on my blog to help out. Wont be over for it unfortunately, but will be keeping an eye out to see how it pulled through.
ReplyDeleteFirstly a big thanks guys from me and the other Broadside committee members (Al and Mark). We are really grateful.
ReplyDeleteBlogs being international it does not matter where in the world you are people far and wide can read and interact with what you are saying.
On a Positive note maybe, just maybe if enough bloggers spread the word.....
Once again cheers Guys.
Hi Clint,
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry to hear you expected us to deliver something and then we didn't. I can tell you - and Guy will testify to it - that we aren't in the habit of turning ads away. The fact that your Broadside ad was in WSS 59 ought to prove that! The show is also on our Wargaming calendar: http://www.wssmagazine.com/cms/component/zcalendar/?viewid=4
I've checked with our administrator and there isn't an invoice for your ad either, so obviously this will have to be chalked up to a communication problem somewhere between you and us.
Here's a small way to help: do you (or does one of your colleagues) have a copy of the email in which you request a placement for the ad in issue WSS 60? If so, please forward it to me (j.oorthuys *AT* karwansaraypublishers.com) and we'll make sure it gets in our next newsletter. There isn't one scheduled before Broadside, but in that case, we'll switch something around.
Jasper
Hi Jasper, Thank you very much for getting in touch. I have forwarded this message to Alan (Al) who is in contact with Guy. Alan was the person responsible for advertising and have just spoken to him on the phone so he is aware of the situation and he will contact you directly.
DeleteI did indeed note the ad in WSS 59 and believe with all good intention you would not choose to ignore a show. Indeed the exact opposite would seem to be the case.
These things happen, from our point of view the fact that it failed to appear in not only your publication but one other, should have an impact on numbers attending.
It is unfortunate that these things do happen but given a certain volume of work sooner or later mistakes will get made by one party or another.
However going forward, with no disrespect ment to anyone. I would urge bloggers to help publicise the show so that we can let people know of its existance.
Thanks again for getting in touch. Clint
Hi Clint
DeleteI can certainly imagine it's very annoying when your attempts to get (paid for!) promotion for your show fail. Again, I am very sorry that it happened, whatever the reason why. I'll await Al's email.
That said, I think you're quite right to promote the show online! It's certainly the main reason we started our calendar too.
Cheers
Jasper
Ray at Don't Throw a One flagged your news to me. I've happily popped a post on my blog as I enjoyed the show last year and really would like you guy to succeed!
ReplyDeleteDamn my lousy typing - obviously meant "guys"!
DeleteThanks Mate. As you might appreciate as a starting show we need all the help we can get.
DeleteThats bad luck and poor service from the magazine. Hope things go ok. I have added the show details to my own blog as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave. It's really humbling the number of wargames who have started to addvertise the show now.
DeleteThat is pretty bad luck, from what you would've hoped would be a professional magazine. Hope you get a good turnout despite the advertising incompetence.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mecha. If it had been just one magazine it would not have been too bad. Two mags the month of the show, well time will tell.
Delete