Only Chess
02 Jan 09
08 Jan 09
9. Investigate moving location to a local hotel as our current meeting point is very cold and uncomfortable.9. Investigate moving location to a local hotel as our current meeting point is very cold and uncomfortable.
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I think this is really important as when I took my kids to Richmond Juniors (a fantastic club connected with the chesskids website I think), anyway they decided it smelled of sick and refused to go back. What a shame it will be if your promotional efforts are wasted when a potential new recruit comes through the door and doesnn't have a positive first day experience.
The image of chess is important too especially for kids 12+ as they will be quick to dismiss it as being for boffins. You could try setting up a group on facebook or better still bebo (if you can do groups on bebo idk). So photos of kids with some street cred on social networking sites and in the posters will be a big help.
10 Jan 09
Originally posted by RagnorakHow about a big poster of Clint Eastwood pointing his .44 magnum at everyone, and saying "Go ahead, skip the chess club punk, make my day!" 😀
Hey,
I've been asked to design a flyer/poster to promote our Junior Chess Club.
Has anybody got any experience on this, and what works to attract young players to a chess club?
I was thinking of putting a simple tactical puzzle, (solution provided along with explanation of tactics used, etc) to get kids interested and looking at the flyer/poster al ...[text shortened]... gional champ? Let the kids think we're 50/50, when we're actually more like 30:1. 😉
D
19 Jan 09
Originally posted by RagnorakRag, I don't know how far you've got with your plan, but let me share my (little) experience. Last year it was advertised that the female US champ would be over here in my local mall. Well, I was interested and made the effort to find out where and when and went along. When I got there, there were some games going on and apart from a scoreboard (which really said nothing) and a few boards about past champions, there was really nothing there to draw me in as an interested observer. I didn't know what was going on, who was playing on what board and there was no one to ask etc. I left and I think it would have been the same or worse for kids.
We're looking at a few things...
1. A flagship open day, heavily advertised, at our local shopping centre. The plan is to just have some tables set up so that passers-by can get a game, and then have a quick tournament towards the end of the day. Also, a "beat the champ" table, with anybody beating the champ getting 10 free visits to the club (token priz ...[text shortened]... so we're trying to think of simple initiatives.
Any thoughts appreciated?
D
So, for me the essence of the marketing effort has two legs: 1) Getting them in and 2) Keeping them in. Simple, I know, but every suggested effort has to fulfill this function and the simple question asked, how "will this get them in?" or how "will this keep them in?" Anything other is just a nice idea that just doesn't serve a suitable purpose.
1. I do believe in the open day at the mall, but above all, it's got to be open and inviting - especially for those lacking in confidence and people skills. A fun, exciting playing format that is clearly explained for the newbies, lots of information boards, lots of handouts (for those who lack confidence in public, but are more able to interact in smaller groups and would ather come along to meetings), and a really exciting MC who is able to carry the show. Some equally exciting, interested floor walkers who are able to answer questions and invite onlookers in.
2. I really think the venue is very important. A hotel is a much better venue, especially if you can create a coffee shop type of environment with couches in addition to the normal tables. Newcomers must be made to feel welcome and drawn in. You must be very aware of them and make the effort to look after them in the beginning. DO have decent signage boards pointing the way to where the chess is played and make them with newbies in mind.
As for your other ideas, they're all good, but as you say you only have limited time available. How best to maximise your time/effort?
- Advertising posters in schools, which goes along with your concept of talking to the schools.
- Calendar of events, also very important, but please stick to the dates or if they change, use a mailing list.
- Web site is good, but there are so many around, why not add to this and have half-hour presentations on an opening, tactics, endgame strategy by a senior member/coach? Let the members vote on what they most want to hear. This way you give them what they want.
20 Jan 09
Originally posted by RagnorakI have loads of tips. We now have 800+ kids in our local area (127 Schools (Primary and Secondary).
Hey,
I've been asked to design a flyer/poster to promote our Junior Chess Club.
Has anybody got any experience on this, and what works to attract young players to a chess club?
I was thinking of putting a simple tactical puzzle, (solution provided along with explanation of tactics used, etc) to get kids interested and looking at the flyer/poster al ...[text shortened]... gional champ? Let the kids think we're 50/50, when we're actually more like 30:1. 😉
D
As for the poster no no's, the first is the poster. Don't do it. I don't know which part of the world you live in (I didn't check to be honest) but if you can get hold of me I'd love to go through how I think we achieved our success.
www.renaissanceacademy.org.uk
20 Jan 09
Originally posted by renegade hotspurRag's busy, but in the interim I'd be interested to hear why not. I certainly wouldn't make it my No 1 focus, but I feel there would be value in reminding potential players who we are, who to contact and where to go. This is once the legwork has been done in the schools.
As for the poster no no's, the first is the poster. Don't do it.