Idea For Table Companies And The BCA

Johnnyt

Johnnyt

Burn all jump cues
Silver Member
I don’t know why billiard table companies don’t run ads in the monthly AARP Newspaper. Companies like Diamond, Gandy, Olhausen come to mind. AARP has about 25,000,000 members + their families that get to look at it each month. A lot of spending money is out there with the over 50 group and seniors as a whole. I know that we need young blood to come into the game, but that’s not coming along so good. IMO the over 50 crowd, seniors, and retirement communities are being untapped and could be the new/old blood:smile: to give pool a little boost in the ass.

I don’t know how much ads cost in AARP as I haven’t done mail order for my gold and silver jewelry in about 20 years. I believe FatBoy did a bit of mail order back a few years ago, so he or others on here might know the price of their ads. I really think table companies are missing the boat not going after the older group. Senior’s are always looking for new hobbies just before and during their retirement. Also, new players would need cues, cases, and other billiard supplies. Come on BCA and table companies…go get em. Johnnyt
 
Youre right

Johnnyt said:
I don’t know why billiard table companies don’t run ads in the monthly AARP Newspaper. Companies like Diamond, Gandy, Olhausen come to mind. AARP has about 25,000,000 members + their families that get to look at it each month. A lot of spending money is out there with the over 50 group and seniors as a whole. I know that we need young blood to come into the game, but that’s not coming along so good. IMO the over 50 crowd, seniors, and retirement communities are being untapped and could be the new/old blood:smile: to give pool a little boost in the ass.

I don’t know how much ads cost in AARP as I haven’t done mail order for my gold and silver jewelry in about 20 years. I believe FatBoy did a bit of mail order back a few years ago, so he or others on here might know the price of their ads. I really think table companies are missing the boat not going after the older group. Senior’s are always looking for new hobbies just before and during their retirement. Also, new players would need cues, cases, and other billiard supplies. Come on BCA and table companies…go get em. Johnnyt
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Johnny,
Youre exactly right. I think they are the perfect demographic for right now because they buy tables and guess who plays? Kids go to grandpas to play pool.

I would hope that our governing body has some inclination into promoting the sport but I kind of doubt that's going to happen but we can still hope. I just know that something needs to be done to get tables sold. When tables are sold people are exposed to the game.
 
336Robin said:
Johnny,
Youre exactly right. I think they are the perfect demographic for right now because they buy tables and guess who plays? Kids go to grandpas to play pool.

I would hope that our governing body has some inclination into promoting the sport but I kind of doubt that's going to happen but we can still hope. I just know that something needs to be done to get tables sold. When tables are sold people are exposed to the game.
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"Kids go to grandpas to play pool." I didn't think about that...good thinking. Johnnyt
 
Not all us old folks belong to AARP....I tore up my card & mailed it to 'em decades ago.
 
Johnnyt said:
But 25 million do. :smile:. Johnnyt
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The problem is that's about 1000 times more than the circulation of any pool magazine, and that means it's going to be a lot more expensive. It might be effective, but it's a big step up.

As for the BCA doing the ad, I don't see how that could work. How do you get the customer to a place where he can buy the product? The ad couldn't mention any specific brand without starting a civil war.
 
Bob Jewett said:
The problem is that's about 1000 times more than the circulation of any pool magazine, and that means it's going to be a lot more expensive. It might be effective, but it's a big step up....
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The AARP advertizing rates are on-line. They are willing to send only to the age group you want -- evidently at 22 million copies, there is room for customization.

A full-page ad for ages 60+ nationally in color is $230,000 per month, two month minimum. 1/6 page is $55,000/month. I don't think the entire industry has an ad budget big enough to get a full page for a year.

By contrast, the whole back cover of Billiards Digest is $2000/month if you get it long-term.
 
Bob Jewett said:
The AARP advertizing rates are on-line. They are willing to send only to the age group you want -- evidently at 22 million copies, there is room for customization.

A full-page ad for ages 60+ nationally in color is $230,000 per month, two month minimum. 1/6 page is $55,000/month. I don't think the entire industry has an ad budget big enough to get a full page for a year.

By contrast, the whole back cover of Billiards Digest is $2000/month if you get it long-term.
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Holy $hit. $55,000/month for a 1/6. I'd say AARP is doing alright moneywise. Thanks Bob.
Well that shoots idea #44 down. Back to the idea board. I got to get out more my wife says. She said, "You get sticker shock because Levi's aren't $4 anymore. Johnnyt
 
Johnnyt,

Since you came up with this idea, why not visit the retirement and senior citizen communities around your area and try to sell the concept. Get commitments in hand and go to Diamond, Brunswick or Ohausen and negotiate a commission for selling tables and equipment.

FWIW, Ray Kroc was a regional milk shake mixer salesman who was curious why the McDonald brothers were buying so many mixer. He figured out how to take the streamlined menu that the McDonalds brother developed and take it to the next level. McDonalds brothers still own the rights to the name in San Bernadino, while Ray Kroc became CEO of McDonalds worldwide. This is your opportunity to take pool to the next level, and fix what you think is wrong.
 
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ctyhntr said:
Johnnyt,

Since you came up with this idea, why not visit the retirement and senior citizen communities around your area and try to sell the concept. Get commitments in hand and go to Diamond, Brunswick or Ohausen and negotiate a commission for selling tables and equipment.

FWIW, Ray Kroc was a regional milk shake mixer salesman who was curious why the McDonald brothers were buying so many mixer. He figured out how to take the streamlined menu that the McDonalds brother developed and take it to the next level. McDonalds brothers still own the rights to the name in San Bernadino, while Ray Kroc became CEO of McDonalds worldwide. This is your opportunity to take pool to the next level, and fix what you think is wrong.
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Thanks, but when I retired I retired. I don't need the money thank God. Johnnyt
 
Bob Jewett said:
The problem is that's about 1000 times more than the circulation of any pool magazine, and that means it's going to be a lot more expensive. It might be effective, but it's a big step up.

As for the BCA doing the ad, I don't see how that could work. How do you get the customer to a place where he can buy the product? The ad couldn't mention any specific brand without starting a civil war.
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Bob,
That's a genuine concern and those two things would not have to be tied together which is why I mentioned it might be a good thing for Table manufacturers to consider.

As far as an advertisement geared toward senior distributed to them via the AARP magazine I think that could be made to be a neutral advertisement and not take product promotion to the table.

You make a very valid point. I will give you that.

I would love to see more grassroots efforts and there is nothing more grassroots than selling pool tables. I don't think we are going to wake up tomorrow and find the country full off billiard clubs at this point. Were that to happen I think it will happen very slowly.

I have to hope that in this digital, information age that we can find ways to touch the general public in very inexpensive ways. 25 million x .05=?

This generation might respond well to a traditional advertisement question is could anyone afford it? It might be money well spent.
 
Perhaps another?

Bob Jewett said:
The AARP advertizing rates are on-line. They are willing to send only to the age group you want -- evidently at 22 million copies, there is room for customization.

A full-page ad for ages 60+ nationally in color is $230,000 per month, two month minimum. 1/6 page is $55,000/month. I don't think the entire industry has an ad budget big enough to get a full page for a year.

By contrast, the whole back cover of Billiards Digest is $2000/month if you get it long-term.
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Well given the budget perhaps another organization or mag to reach the same audience even a more influential or high brow crowd within that demographic. There have to be magazines already being published that reach this demographic....perhaps the table companies could work a deal to sell in LL Bean or Cabelas. Pool is a manly sport and hunting magazine or that crowd could prove a good fit for the sport. When you consider how many eyeballs look at hunting mags....not entirely a bad idea and LL Bean finds a crowd who just like great clothes and that's another huge demographic that stretches over a lot wider audience and perhaps lower cost if they carry the product they do the advertising for you.
 
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