The future of pool

[SJDinPHX]

TV greatly influences the younger generation, that's why they don't allow cigarette commercials anymore.....at one time "Joe Camel" was one of the most popular children's characters, almost as well known as Micky Mouse. <--That is NOT the reason cig ads were banned !

TV is not only the future of billiards, it's been the past, present and future of every major sport. Pool is not the exception, it's the "sample example" of a game/sport that's been "out of sight, out of mind" because of it's absence from ESPN and other major networks.<--That is also NOT the reason pool has languished in obscurity !

I was going to start a new thread, but this subject has been beat to death, so just let me respond with my two cents here !.. I am sure you will come up with another 'analogy', that doesn't really address the problem anyway.



All the "well intentioned" CJ's in the world, cannot, and will not change the inexorable fact, that the youth of today has NO interest in pursuing anything, that requires an extreme effort to excel at, such as pool !..The explosion of the computer/digital age, simply offers too many distractions these days..That's why our playgrounds are practically empty...Once immensely popular with our youngsters, 'Pop Warner' and 'Little League', are just barely hanging on.. Only the parents are keeping it alive.. The kids would much prefer to be locked in their rooms, texting, and playing video games ! (no skill required, other than fast thumbs )

That is not just my observation, it is a fact !.. With the possible exception of the downtrodden (black and white) in the ghetto's of our country, none of todays youth sees excelling at ANY sport, as a means to fame and prosperity.. And only a very few naturally gifted atheletes, will go on to become successful in the three or four sports that dominate the world of television, as it exists today.

Those few will succeed, by gaining a scholarship into college, (basically a FREE 'minor league' for professional sports) until a wealthy franchise, offers them enough money to quit school, and turn pro !..Most of them, (even if they graduate) will not be able to tell you the name of our first president, even if they majored in American history !..Education is secondary, to a big money, sports oriented college !..After a career in their chosen sport, the better one's, will then go on to become 'sportscasters', STILL not knowing who George Washington was...Sadly, this is a VERY slight exaggeration ! (have you listened to the current crop of ex-jock sportscaster's ? )

Given my lifelong love affair with pool, I hate to sound like the voice of doom. But, please tell me where our game has the remotest chance of competing for the attention of 'Joe Six Pack' much less, the average man on the street ?.. Pool halls are going under at ever increasing rates, and even the most avid league players never heard of SVB, or Efren Reyes..(Mosconi is becoming ancient history now !)

I admire those who are able to keep a positive attitude, but I am simply too much of a realist, to believe that pool will EVER be more than an enjoyable pastime.. We have NO organization, NO minor league, and NO 'reality type' TV show, is going to change that..Those who envision an 'upsurge' in the game, remotely approaching Poker, Bowling, or even Snooker (all of which seem to be fading too)...are simply in for a HUGE letdown !

SJD

 

[336Robin]

My Beliefs

I was going to start a new thread, but this subject has been beat to death, so just let me respond with my two cents here !.. I am sure you will come up with another 'analogy', that doesn't really address the problem anyway.



All the "well intentioned" CJ's in the world, cannot, and will not change the inexorable fact, that the youth of today has NO interest in pursuing anything, that requires an extreme effort to excel at, such as pool !..The explosion of the computer/digital age, simply offers too many distractions these days..That's why our playgrounds are practically empty...Once immensely popular with our youngsters, 'Pop Warner' and 'Little League', are just barely hanging on.. Only the parents are keeping it alive.. The kids would much prefer to be locked in their rooms, texting, and playing video games ! (no skill required, other than fast thumbs )

That is not just my observation, it is a fact !.. With the possible exception of the downtrodden (black and white) in the ghetto's of our country, none of todays youth sees excelling at ANY sport, as a means to fame and prosperity.. And only a very few naturally gifted atheletes, will go on to become successful in the three or four sports that dominate the world of television, as it exists today.

Those few will succeed, by gaining a scholarship into college, (basically a FREE 'minor league' for professional sports) until a wealthy franchise, offers them enough money to quit school, and turn pro !..Most of them, (even if they graduate) will not be able to tell you the name of our first president, even if they majored in American history !..Education is secondary, to a big money, sports oriented college !..After a career in their chosen sport, the better one's, will then go on to become 'sportscasters', STILL not knowing who George Washington was...Sadly, this is a VERY slight exaggeration ! (have you listened to the current crop of ex-jock sportscaster's ? )

Given my lifelong love affair with pool, I hate to sound like the voice of doom. But, please tell me where our game has the remotest chance of competing for the attention of 'Joe Six Pack' much less, the average man on the street ?.. Pool halls are going under at ever increasing rates, and even the most avid league players never heard of SVB, or Efren Reyes..(Mosconi is becoming ancient history now !)

I admire those who are able to keep a positive attitude, but I am simply too much of a realist, to believe that pool will EVER be more than an enjoyable pastime.. We have NO organization, NO minor league, and NO 'reality type' TV show, is going to change that..Those who envision an 'upsurge' in the game, remotely approaching Poker, Bowling, or even Snooker (all of which seem to be fading too)...are simply in for a HUGE letdown !

SJD

I have to agree with what you said. No organization, minor league or grassroots efforts going on a large scale. I can agree that some television exposure would help but I've not heard the first peep about who is going to do it, except for the time if ripe for it. Sure ok I will go along with that much maybe the time is ripe but in the absence of grassroots it effect will likely be muted unless there is pool on 24/7/365 and there is something about it that makes it exciting, emotional.

In my mind the ambassadors in pool are you and me and the Room Owner. A great deal of them just want to open the door for alcohol sales and aren't personally greeting new business and there isn't a think one can do about it.

With all of the different things wanting peoples time personal marketing to groups of people to get them in and hooked is all I see that is really worth much on the ground at the pool room because if people discovered that there was business there then you would hope the effort would be ongoing.

I really don't see that happening either unless someone gets hungry.

I can be upbeat for the idea of more television I just hope the tv fairy blesses us but I do see your point.

The fact is we cant make room owners market to new business and no one is wanting to incentivize a program that would that I currently know of.

No one owns pool but many own a piece.

We have to do what we feel compelled to do ourselves first and foremost. We can put material out that might help people recruit but we cant make them do it. We have failed grassroots problem....there isn't any until you go find it but its there. It takes effort from people whom we don't control. They seem to be content to wait on the next Color of Money or the Hustler.

 

[CJ Wiley]

even FaceBook and Twitter have a rising older demographic*** - yes, you heard me

All the "well intentioned" CJ's in the world, cannot, and will not change the inexorable fact, that the youth of today has NO interest in pursuing anything, that requires an extreme effort to excel at, such as pool !.

I can't speak for "all the CJ's in the world," however, I can speak for one of them.

There's absolutely no reason to "change the youth" to make pool popular again.

It's true that basketball, football, soccer, baseball and other "team sports" build their participants from the younger age demographic up..... they are very successful in this business model and their marketing verifies it.

Pool is not a "children's game," the fact is it's played mostly where alcohol is served and that's a problem......I, for one would not advise children to play pool, on the contrary I'd recommend they play tennis, golf, baseball, football, basketball, and save bars and pool rooms for their "later years".

In marketing it's always best to go "with the grain (or current)" and not try to change what's naturally happening in the cities, states, and country in general. This obviously means we should target an older crowd and make pool an "adult game" (it already is) .......the best way to get kids interested in something is prohibit them from doing it....this works, trying to change their interests doesn't.

Most of the spare entertainment money is controlled by the 30+ age demographic in the United States......that's pocket billiard's market, and it may even be better to target the 50+ crowd at first depending on any given advertising budget.

Throwing up our hands because "kids won't enjoy pool" is silly.

The fact is even FaceBook and Twitter have a rising older demographic*** - yes, you heard me right, FaceBook and Twitter (see below).

***
1. THE FASTEST GROWING DEMOGRAPHIC ON TWITTER IS THE 55–64 YEAR AGE BRACKET.
This demographic has grown 79% since 2012.
The 45–54 year age bracket is the fastest growing demographic on both Facebook and Google+.
For Facebook, this group has jumped 46%.
For Google+, 56%.
Those are impressive numbers against the prevailing idea that social media is "just for teenagers." It certainly points to the importance of having a solid social media strategy if these age brackets fit into your target demographic.

 

[SJDinPHX]

....I can't speak for "all the CJ's in the world," however, I can speak for one of them. <--Yes, you have no trouble 'speaking', its mounting a sensible debate that you have the most trouble with !

....the best way to get kids interested in something is prohibit them from doing it....this works, trying to change their interests doesn't. <--We are not talking about 3rd graders here, are we ?

....Throwing up our hands because "kids won't enjoy pool" is silly ! <--I don't believe I said anything REMOTELY like that..However, without youth taking an interest in pool, this could be the LAST generation of world
class players ! (at least in this country) !

The fact is even FaceBook and Twitter have a rising older demographic - yes, you heard me right, FaceBook and Twitter. <--CJ, you are so busy trying to prove you are right, you totally ignored the two paragraphs where I addressed this issue...I shall embolden it for you, so you can better absorb it ! :banghead:

Given my lifelong love affair with pool, I hate to sound like the voice of doom. But, please tell me where our game has the remotest chance of competing for the attention of 'Joe Six Pack' much less, the average man on the street ?.. Pool halls are going under at ever increasing rates, and even the most avid league players never heard of SVB, or Efren Reyes..(Mosconi is becoming ancient history now !)

I admire those who are able to keep a positive attitude, but I am simply too much of a realist, to believe that pool will EVER be more than an enjoyable pastime.. We have NO organization, and NO minor league !... And NO 'reality type' TV show, is ever going to change that ! ..Those who envision an 'upsurge' in the game, remotely approaching Poker, Bowling, or even Snooker (all of which seem to be fading too)...are simply in for a HUGE letdown !

I assumed you would comprehend, that 'Joe Six Pack' and the 'man on the street', and 'ex-jock sportscasters', would clue you in, that I had moved on from kids "formative years", to the demographic you were expounding on !..
..Although, I think even YOU will admit, 'youth involvement', and participation, will always be a VERY important consideration !..If making two points at once, is going TOO FAST FOR YOU, I will slow it down !!! :sorry:

SJD---PS; Robin seemed to get it OK !

SJD

 

[(((Satori)))]

I am certainly a believer that the kids are a great target audience. The kids are the ones who latch onto a specific passion and make it their life, wether it be video games, x-games, or other sports, they pursue it with a vengeance. It all comes down to what is marketed to them. I have no kids so I haven't gave much thought to what I would really want my kids to be doing but I have seen kids grow up in pool halls and turn out fine. It's not like they are out there doing drugs and practicing a back flip from a 50' drop.

 

[SJDinPHX]

I am certainly a believer that the kids are a great target audience. The kids are the ones who latch onto a specific passion and make it their life, wether it be video games, x-games, or other sports, they pursue it with a vengeance. It all comes down to what is marketed to them. I have no kids so I haven't gave much thought to what I would really want my kids to be doing but I have seen kids grow up in pool halls and turn out fine. It's not like they are out there doing drugs and practicing a back flip from a 50' drop.

Mr Satori, I have a leg up on you there !...I have raised four boys, and a girl, all grown married adults now...
..(12 grandchildren, some in college)..Thank God NONE of them leaned towards pool, drugs, or even gambling...Anything is better, Golf, Tennis, even Lawn Bowling !

Trust me, one pool degenerate in the family (me) was more than enough !..(and, I played pretty good too)

 

[(((Satori)))]

Mr Satori, I have a leg up on you there !...I have raised four boys, and a girl, all grown married adults now...
..(12 grandchildren, some in college)..Thank God NONE of them leaned towards pool, or even gambling...Anything is better, Golf, Tennis, even Lawn Bowling !

Trust me, one pool degenerate in the family (me) was more than enough !

You might be right, who knows? I think we all travel different paths and learn our own lessons. I am at a point in my life where a change is coming soon and I feel good making the transition with the knowledge I have accumilated.

 

[336Robin]

Interesting Quote

You might be right, who knows? But what about the idea that we all travel different paths and learn our own lessons? I am at a point in my life where a change is coming soon and I feel good making the transition with the knowledge I have accumilated.

Satori,
You are right about the different paths. I find it difficult to advise my son who just finished a Bachelors and will be going off to his Masters. It seems these days you may or may not be going into the field you studied for because of so many specialties. I think back about my own path and it was more like you do what you end up in trying to build on that the best you can. Its more about the path of least resistance anymore it seems because of the availability of jobs.

 

[sfleinen]

I can't speak for "all the CJ's in the world," however, I can speak for one of them.

There's absolutely no reason to "change the youth" to make pool popular again.

It's true that basketball, football, soccer, baseball and other "team sports" build their participants from the younger age demographic up..... they are very successful in this business model and their marketing verifies it.

Pool is not a "children's game," the fact is it's played mostly where alcohol is served and that's a problem......I, for one would not advise children to play pool, on the contrary I'd recommend they play tennis, golf, baseball, football, basketball, and save bars and pool rooms for their "later years".

In marketing it's always best to go "with the grain (or current)" and not try to change what's naturally happening in the cities, states, and country in general. This obviously means we should target an older crowd and make pool an "adult game" (it already is) .......the best way to get kids interested in something is prohibit them from doing it....this works, trying to change their interests doesn't.

Most of the spare entertainment money is controlled by the 30+ age demographic in the United States......that's pocket billiard's market, and it may even be better to target the 50+ crowd at first depending on any given advertising budget.

Throwing up our hands because "kids won't enjoy pool" is silly.

The fact is even FaceBook and Twitter have a rising older demographic*** - yes, you heard me right, FaceBook and Twitter (see below).

***
1. THE FASTEST GROWING DEMOGRAPHIC ON TWITTER IS THE 55–64 YEAR AGE BRACKET.
This demographic has grown 79% since 2012.
The 45–54 year age bracket is the fastest growing demographic on both Facebook and Google+.
For Facebook, this group has jumped 46%.
For Google+, 56%.
Those are impressive numbers against the prevailing idea that social media is "just for teenagers." It certainly points to the importance of having a solid social media strategy if these age brackets fit into your target demographic.

CJ (and SJD):

One of the problems with the approaches that both of you are mentioning above, is that you're chasing a demographic in their sunset years. In other words, you're chasing the "already dead-end end" of a particular generation. You're doing *NOTHING* to address the issue of growing the sport as other parts of the world are doing successfully (e.g. Europe, Asia). You think "making it forbidden" for kids to enter pool rooms is somehow going to inspire interest because it's forbidden? You guys are nuts. That's not how I was inspired or learned. Although, yes, you'll hear of the occasional pro who learned from a very young age and regales us with stories of how he had to sneak past the counter or house man to go near the back of the room and practice/play, that ISN'T what inspires that person in the first place. That person could be 10 years old, or 70 -- it doesn't matter. Just the beauty of the sport attracts that "certain something" in those special people that are attracted to our sport. You know that special something I'm talking about -- the clicking of the balls, solving the angles, watching your success right in front of your eyes when balls disappear off the table due to a good solution to the angle problem, etc.

I wrote about this in a post that explained how I personally came to this sport:

"The "solving angles" fascination I never grew out of"
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=1461890#post1461890

I don't pretend to know I have the answers (unlike some in this thread), but I can tell you this:

1. Pandering to the end-game of a generation (i.e. those in their later years) is a very short-term "solution" -- if you want to even call it that. You're only looking to the tip of your nose -- you can't even see past it. It's like giving plant food to an "annual" plant already at the end of its year of growth, already showing signs of wilt. Yes, you may get lucky and resurrect the plant for one more flowering cycle, but make no mistake, that plant is programmed to die at the end of its one-year life span.

2. You need to address the youth, if you ever want to hope to plant the seeds for long-term germination and growth. Replace the annual plants with perennials by doing what the Europeans and Asians do -- put the cue sports in places where youth are exposed to it all the time. Exposure is the solution, not prohibition. Those folks who have that "special something" for cue sports (and many do not even know they have it) need to know the sport exists, in the spirit of "hey, that looks interesting; let me try that." You won't get those people who have a love for this sport (and don't even know it) by prohibiting exposure or making it "forbidden."

3. You want life-long fascination, not "here's a good activity to spend your inactive senior years." The SVBs of this world come from a young age, not some retiree who says, "Career done? Check. What's next?"

In summary, you want to tweak the minds of those who have young brain cells and who could steer the direction of our sport. You want to convince them that this is a better thing to do than twiddling your thumbs on a game controller or cell phone. The ones that can offer that "special something" WILL get the hook. They just need to know that the sport exists.

-Sean

 

[336Robin]

Nice Post

CJ (and SJD):

One of the problems with the approaches that both of you are mentioning above, is that you're chasing a demographic in their sunset years. In other words, you're chasing the "already dead-end end" of a particular generation. You're doing *NOTHING* to address the issue of growing the sport as other parts of the world are doing successfully (e.g. Europe, Asia). You think "making it forbidden" for kids to enter pool rooms is somehow going to inspire interest because it's forbidden? You guys are nuts. That's not how I was inspired or learned. Although, yes, you'll hear of the occasional pro who learned from a very young age and regales us with stories of how he had to sneak past the counter or house man to go near the back of the room and practice/play, that ISN'T what inspires that person in the first place. That person could be 10 years old, or 70 -- it doesn't matter. Just the beauty of the sport attracts that "certain something" in those special people that are attracted to our sport. You know that special something I'm talking about -- the clicking of the balls, solving the angles, watching your success right in front of your eyes when balls disappear off the table due to a good solution to the angle problem, etc.

I wrote about this in a post that explained how I personally came to this sport:

"The "solving angles" fascination I never grew out of"
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=1461890#post1461890

I don't pretend to know I have the answers (unlike some in this thread), but I can tell you this:

1. Pandering to the end-game of a generation (i.e. those in their later years) is a very short-term "solution" -- if you want to even call it that. You're only looking to the tip of your nose -- you can't even see past it. It's like giving plant food to an "annual" plant already at the end of its year of growth, already showing signs of wilt. Yes, you may get lucky and resurrect the plant for one more flowering cycle, but make no mistake, that plant is programmed to die at the end of its one-year life span.

2. You need to address the youth, if you ever want to hope to plant the seeds for long-term germination and growth. Replace the annual plants with perennials by doing what the Europeans and Asians do -- put the cue sports in places where youth are exposed to it all the time. Exposure is the solution, not prohibition. Those folks who have that "special something" for cue sports (and many do not even know they have it) need to know the sport exists, in the spirit of "hey, that looks interesting; let me try that." You won't get those people who have a love for this sport (and don't even know it) by prohibiting exposure or making it "forbidden."

3. You want life-long fascination, not "here's a good activity to spend your inactive senior years." The SVBs of this world come from a young age, not some retiree who says, "Career done? Check. What's next?"

In summary, you want to tweak the minds of those who have young brain cells and who could steer the direction of our sport. You want to convince them that this is a better thing to do than twiddling your thumbs on a game controller or cell phone. The ones that can offer that "special something" WILL get the hook. They just need to know that the sport exists.

-Sean

Sean,

I see a lot of wisdom in your post. Wisdom is kind of hard to argue against. Nice post, very.

 

[Dunnn51]

Targeting Youth is Key

CJ (and SJD):

Condensed Quote....

2. You need to address the youth, if you ever want to hope to plant the seeds for long-term germination and growth. Replace the annual plants with perennials by doing what the Europeans and Asians do -- put the cue sports in places where youth are exposed to it all the time. Exposure is the solution, not prohibition. Those folks who have that "special something" for cue sports (and many do not even know they have it) need to know the sport exists, in the spirit of "hey, that looks interesting; let me try that." You won't get those people who have a love for this sport (and don't even know it) by prohibiting exposure or making it "forbidden."

3. You want life-long fascination, not "here's a good activity to spend your inactive senior years." The SVBs of this world come from a young age, not some retiree who says, "Career done? Check. What's next?"

In summary, you want to tweak the minds of those who have young brain cells and who could steer the direction of our sport. You want to convince them that this is a better thing to do than twiddling your thumbs on a game controller or cell phone. The ones that can offer that "special something" WILL get the hook. They just need to know that the sport exists.

-Sean

Well said. :thumbup:

I keep coming back to the Collegiate/University level of this as a means to generate future players. Why not at this level ?? After all, pool is in many ways like a "physical game of chess." It would be great to get Chemists, Engineers,Business, Marketing majors to embrace pool. My thought was to build several regional "Lindenwood Universities." Build a regional program for each part of the country. One in the PNW,California, SW,(AZ ,NM,NV,UT.) Plains, Midwest, Texarkana, SE Mid-atlantic, and NE. The University could be supported by a regional Instructor, that would guide the team, much like the US Mosconi team for this year. As the collegiate league grows, so will local interest. (If I were 20yrs old again, i'd be salivating to beat some college kids onna 41/2 X 9) . I think something like this would build an ample foundation on which pool could grow, (once again).

like I said: more .03

 

[CJ Wiley]

be happy for this day (and older people) is filled with sunshine

CJ (and SJD):

One of the problems with the approaches that both of you are mentioning above, is that you're chasing a demographic in their sunset years.

Maybe you haven't noticed that "sunsets" are beautiful and they happen ever day...so smile and be happy for this day (and older people) is filled with sunshine - if you have eyes that can see, and ears that can hear.

PS: the older demographic is not going anywhere - they will be here until the completion of this World Age.....they deserve to enjoy the game that teaches Life. 'The Game is the Teacher'

 

[sfleinen]

Maybe you haven't noticed that "sunsets" are beautiful and they happen ever day...so smile and be happy for this day (and older people) is filled with sunshine - if you have eyes that can see, and ears that can hear.

PS: the older demographic is not going anywhere - they will be here until the completion of this World Age.....they deserve to enjoy the game that teaches Life. 'The Game is the Teacher'

CJ:

Instead of retreating to bumper-sticker and fortune-cookie logic when you're cornered, you perhaps might want to put your pride aside, and think about what is said. Knee-jerk replies with cracker-jack prizes don't cut it in debates.

Yes, I pride who I am in my later years precisely because of the life experience I've garnered. It has molded and shaped me into who I am today. But at the same time, my vision past my nose is quite good, and I tend to look at the larger problem. I don't know, maybe it's my military background or something, but I tend to boil problems down into their root causes, and address that.

Otherwise, this continuous marketing you're giving is just like the "it's not about the nail" message in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4EDhdAHrOg

Think about it.
-Sean

 

[lfigueroa]

CJ:

Instead of retreating to bumper-sticker and fortune-cookie logic when you're cornered, you perhaps might want to put your pride aside, and think about what is said. Knee-jerk replies with cracker-jack prizes don't cut it in debates.

Yes, I pride who I am in my later years precisely because of the life experience I've garnered. It has molded and shaped me into who I am today. But at the same time, my vision past my nose is quite good, and I tend to look at the larger problem. I don't know, maybe it's my military background or something, but I tend to boil problems down into their root causes, and address that.

Otherwise, this continuous marketing you're giving is just like the "it's not about the nail" message in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4EDhdAHrOg
Think about it.
-Sean

All the cutesy images CJ loads his posts with always makes me feel like I'm communicating with a 15 year old girl and Chris Hansen and a camera crew is going to come walking into my kitchen some day.

Lou Figueroa

 

[336Robin]

lol

All the cutesy images CJ loads his posts with always makes me feel like I'm communicating with a 15 year old girl and Chris Hansen and a camera crew is going to come walking into my kitchen some day.

Lou Figueroa

I kind of liked the comment you said about "HoneyBoo" I think was several frames back...lol

 

[sfleinen]

Sean,

I see a lot of wisdom in your post. Wisdom is kind of hard to argue against. Nice post, very.

Thanks, Robin! I like to think I call 'em as I see 'em, cutting through the marketing fluff to get to the root of the matter. Although, man, it seems I need a six-foot machete to cut through some of the whale-blubber marketing seen in some of these threads...

-Sean

 

[Ruark]

Guys, let's keep this civil. We can disagree without resorting to name calling and ridicule.

I posted a message on another thread that relates to this. It doesn't cover all the bases, but I think much of it is relevant:

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showpost.php?p=4776403&postcount=16

 

[336Robin]

Guys, let's keep this civil. We can disagree without resorting to name calling and ridicule.

I posted a message on another thread that relates to this. It doesn't cover all the bases, but I think much of it is relevant:

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showpost.php?p=4776403&postcount=16

How dare you inject reality into the fluff balloon marketing plan!! 99 fluff balloons! Someone is going to come along and blow up those balloons and I would bet they are going to float!!

I do believe there is a way to gain customers for a sportsbar type business that has pool tables but more on a personal level where you invite groups in for free and then show them the fun, get their email addresses, let them know about specials and big games coming up and get business.

Its a doable thing to get business as a post macguy posted I think in another thread if I can find it but the wholesale effect of raising the consciousness of the public to wanting to play pool I'm sort of with you. I think there is just way too many distractions, pool is not ranked to what it used to be in terms of endearment. It takes skill otherwise you just stink at it and its not fun unless you can make shots.

We are a long way from a grassroots solid foundation and pool is going to have to have that in order to gain popularity and stay a fixture on the landscape of peoples minds.

I think the best that can be hoped for is that your local room owner is proactive in personal marketing and finds the business he needs to stay open.

I do think that each of us has contributions that we can make to the sport we enjoy doing those and bringing friends into the game count for a lot. We just need to focus on the fun when we do our personal marketing and not beat new peoples brains out right from the very beginning.

 

[Dunnn51]

Cj

CJ,
You CAN spread it a lil' thick sometimes. :groucho: I don't hate you for it B/C I know how much you LOVE THE GAME OF POOL ! I understand that pool is a big part of your life. You probably have talent beyond what I will ever have.

Let me relay a story from my youth,(I'll keep it short)
In my teen yrs, I used to have dinner over at a friends place. In summer, his grandfather would come and stay with them. Being the elder, he held "court" at dinner as he would at his home in Brooklyn,NY.
The topic was always the same," The NY Yankees, and how can a team with so much money not be the best in Baseball". This was in the mid 1970's, and the "Billy Martin" era. The answer was ALWAYS the same: George Steinbrenner. Having to listen to his rantings, I would ask myself the same question, "What does this old, white collared out-spoken gentleman know more about baseball than the people closest to it?" My friends grandfather was no ordinary businessman.All anyone knew about his work was that it was for a large company that did government contract work exclusively.

So, one day, tired of his unproven dinnertable "rantings," I set out to gather facts and prove him wrong,(not at the dinnertable, but in the livingroom where he had his post-speech smoke). Here's the thing: He was absolutely correct in virtually everything he spoke concerning Steinbrenner and the Yankees! He meticulously picked apart the organization, and found fault where it laid, no excuses.

Steinbrenner eventually Fired Billy Martin (for the 4th and final time), and took control of the organization himself. He cleaned house and never took his eye off of the team,(so much so that there was a conspiracy to have him thrown off of the team board of directors)

From that day forward I had utmost respect for my friends Grandfather as he loved the NY Yankees. I also had a new-found respect for George Steinbrenner as he loved the game of baseball.

CJ, I know you love the game of pool. Your passion for the game shows in everything you do here in Az's forum. :thumbup:

People liked Steinbrenner, and people loved to hate him as well. The one thing you could not take away from him was his love for the game.

.03 1/2 (maybe)

 

[CJ Wiley]

This may sound tempting, however, in business we have to face reality

It's tough to communicate with those that think the older demographic is going to somehow disappear. The 40+ group in the United States are stronger now than they've ever been and this will continue to grow over the foreseeable future.

Trying to target the younger demographic, who we know doesn't have any interest in pool is certainly not prudent. This may sound tempting, however, in business we have to face reality, not "wishful thinking". Pool is an adult game, and that will never change.

The 40+ crowd is the greatest market for pool, and every marketing and advertising specialist I know agrees with this. 'The Game is the Teacher'

CJ:

Instead of retreating to bumper-sticker and fortune-cookie logic when you're cornered, you perhaps might want to put your pride aside, and think about what is said. Knee-jerk replies with cracker-jack prizes don't cut it in debates.

Yes, I pride who I am in my later years precisely because of the life experience I've garnered. It has molded and shaped me into who I am today. But at the same time, my vision past my nose is quite good, and I tend to look at the larger problem. I don't know, maybe it's my military background or something, but I tend to boil problems down into their root causes, and address that.

Otherwise, this continuous marketing you're giving is just like the "it's not about the nail" message in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4EDhdAHrOg

Think about it.
-Sean