Need help Idea on promoting a pool tournament ...

The King

The King

Here's Jimbo....
Silver Member
Ok ... Here is the deal I have been drafted by a woman very close to me to help promote a pool tournament for Charity ... The Charity is Feed the Hungry and we are looking to hold a local tournament kind of between the local towns ... She is kind of making this a big thing where she has a band that has offered to play for free (I told her I don't know how a band would go over with pool players but it is her gig and she thinks it will help at the door ... She hopes to mix it up kind of into a party type thing with the Pool Tournment being the main event ... She has a local club with ample room willing to donate the building and tables for free all they will get out of it is Alcohol sales. Anyone can get in but it is only expected to be players from the four local towns ...Of Fitzgerald , Irwin , Douglas and Tifton , Georgia ... As this is only going to be a small thing done to help the hungry at the holidays and to give the players a little something for thier time and effort ... Everyone is invited but I doubt the event is going to be worth it for those that have to travel very far looking to make money ...

I would appreciate any helpfull Ideas that could make this a further success ... What percentage to put in the players pot and what percentage to give to the charity (She wants to make it worth while to attract players and people hoping to charge a cover for anyone not playing and watching the pool or the band and the cover will go to charity ) ...

* Suggestions on what else we can do to raise money for the Hungry that could go hand in hand with this event ...

* Suggestions on how to run this smoothly ...

This Lady is a good woman who works for the Irwin Police department I have known her pretty well for several years and she always does things like this ... Relay for life being one of her favorite charities to fight cancer.

She plans on holding the event on November 22 nd at a place to be disclosed in Tifton right off of Interstate 75.... The place I believe she said is called New Boys...

It should be a good time for all and hopefully we can raise enough money to make the players happy and some Hungry people here at the HOLIDAYS ... These are tough times and I'm sure there will be many people that can use some help this Holiday season...

If you have any suggestion to offer at all it would be very much appreciated...
 
Suggestions

1) Define the tournament well on the flyers. Make good flyers on a computer. Have someone do this that works with computers a lot.
2) Get the flyers out to all 4 towns, and any other relevant towns. Ask other Pool rooms, and bars, to post the flyer. Flyers should be up 3 weeks in advance of the tournament.
3) Have a phone number and/or email address where people can get questions answered about it or sign up for it.
 
Special Thanks to Eason Cues whom has donated a Purple Heart Hoppe Style cue to this event for Charity ... That is not what this post was about but this is very much appreciated....

Again I'm looking for suggestions on how to add to this tournament or how to run the tourny to benefit the Hungry ... Through the Feed the Hungry Program.... And ideas on how to raise more money for feed the hungry or run this thing will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you Eason Cues ...
 
Get some donations and do a raffle

the charities business donors and some local Billiard suppliers would get free write off advertisement to donate goods, all the ticket sales go to the Charity and you give something away every hour, 30 or 15 min depending on how many freebies you can collect. easy to get a local dealer to give up a chalker or a cheap stick. Free dinners, time or food at a pool hall attracts business. You get the idea. and it brings some excitement during the event:thumbup: LOL you got a cue while I was typing this.
 
Snapshot9 said:
1) Define the tournament well on the flyers. Make good flyers on a computer. Have someone do this that works with computers a lot.
2) Get the flyers out to all 4 towns, and any other relevant towns. Ask other Pool rooms, and bars, to post the flyer. Flyers should be up 3 weeks in advance of the tournament.
3) Have a phone number and/or email address where people can get questions answered about it or sign up for it.
Click to expand...

Thank you Snapshot 9 for your ideas we have most of these covered and have someone to post flyers in all four towns ... She is going to do the flyers She is a pretty smart lady having gone to Mercer to study law and being on the Presidents list she is also pretty computer smart and should do a great job on the fliers ... We plan to post them by Wednesday...

I will get in touch with here to make sure she adds all contact info ...

Again thank you for your advise.
 
LOL...Thank you Zud ... I am working on those aspects also ... The Holidays are a special time for families but not all families or children are as fortunate as some of us are... This is a small way we can help those that will not even be able to afford food let alone Christmas it is a good idea from a good woman who is only interested in helping out the less fortunate...

Please conitnue to post your idea's and sugestion any help is appreciated and everyone is invited we just want to do the best we can to put this on and make it a success for all involved.....
 
The King said:
Ok ... Here is the deal I have been drafted by a woman very close to me to help promote a pool tournament for Charity ... The Charity is Feed the Hungry and we are looking to hold a local tournament kind of between the local towns ... She is kind of making this a big thing where she has a band that has offered to play for free (I told her I don't know how a band would go over with pool players but it is her gig and she thinks it will help at the door ... She hopes to mix it up kind of into a party type thing with the Pool Tournment being the main event ... She has a local club with ample room willing to donate the building and tables for free all they will get out of it is Alcohol sales. Anyone can get in but it is only expected to be players from the four local towns ...Of Fitzgerald , Irwin , Douglas and Tifton , Georgia ... As this is only going to be a small thing done to help the hungry at the holidays and to give the players a little something for thier time and effort ... Everyone is invited but I doubt the event is going to be worth it for those that have to travel very far looking to make money ...

I would appreciate any helpfull Ideas that could make this a further success ... What percentage to put in the players pot and what percentage to give to the charity (She wants to make it worth while to attract players and people hoping to charge a cover for anyone not playing and watching the pool or the band and the cover will go to charity ) ...

* Suggestions on what else we can do to raise money for the Hungry that could go hand in hand with this event ...

* Suggestions on how to run this smoothly ...

This Lady is a good woman who works for the Irwin Police department I have known her pretty well for several years and she always does things like this ... Relay for life being one of her favorite charities to fight cancer.

She plans on holding the event on November 22 nd at a place to be disclosed in Tifton right off of Interstate 75.... The place I believe she said is called New Boys...

It should be a good time for all and hopefully we can raise enough money to make the players happy and some Hungry people here at the HOLIDAYS ... These are tough times and I'm sure there will be many people that can use some help this Holiday season...

If you have any suggestion to offer at all it would be very much appreciated...
Click to expand...

My wife does a lot of volunteering. One of the organizations she volunteers for is Friends of the Poor. They recently had an event to obtain donations. T Shirts were given to all of the participants in the "Walkathon" and they were provided by a local sponsor.

You might consdier talking to one of the local companies in your area about them providing 144 printed T shirts. The sponsor's name could go on the back of the shirt and the Feed the hungry logo could be on the front. I would print th T shirt in ONE color on each side (same color ink)to save money. I would also call the radio station and ask them to provide some free air time. You might do the same thing with the TV stations.

Your local INTERNET newspapers could also provide some free advertisment if they are approached correctly.

The game has to 8 BALL. Post the rules or a link to the rules.

You should contact all of the pool leagues in your area: PUT A FLYER IN EACH ENVELOPE, with the permission granted from the local League operator a couple of weeks in advance. Highlight the FUN, FREEBIES & GOOD CAUSE.

Hope you have a good one.

JoeyA
 
The King said:
Special Thanks to Eason Cues whom has donated a Purple Heart Hoppe Style cue to this event for Charity ... That is not what this post was about but this is very much appreciated....

Again I'm looking for suggestions on how to add to this tournament or how to run the tourny to benefit the Hungry ... Through the Feed the Hungry Program.... And ideas on how to raise more money for feed the hungry or run this thing will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you Eason Cues ...
Click to expand...

Form a phone bank of volunteers and call local businesses (Get a Cornerstone Business (bank, hospital, health care, utility company) to head up the program and use the volunteers to call all the local businesses to request that they sponsor one of their employees for this event. Get a credit card number for the sponsorship pledge and nail the deal down. The business can send their employeed to play in the tournament and don't be surprised if more than one person from a company shows up.
JoeyA
 
give as much as possible to the charity

I have played in several charity events. There was no prize "money" for the players. Our "prizes" were items like dinner for 2, pair of concert tickets, cue case etc and these were donated by local business people.

That way all of our entry fees went to the charity. Entry fees were typically anywhere from $10 to $25.

If you have any local pool leagues be sure to enlist there help in encouraging their players to come out and support it.

If you have the room then have a "buffet" that some of the women involved can contribute to (like a "pot luck") and charge $10.

Good Luck
 
might think about some awards

Plaques, trophies, even a nice ribbon or certificate to go along with the small purse. Many participating in this kind of event would like something to remember it by if they do well. Something that looks pretty classy need not be expensive and if you can afford the awards or get them donated I think mentioning them in the flyers will help.

T-Shirts are pretty pricey these days. Great if you can get them but if not you might think about some smaller memento for all too.

Having someone come in and cook some food with a cut going to the event might work for an all around event like you are talking about also.

Sounds like you aren't planning an event for the hardcore money players so think about what you would enjoy for a recreational outing. If there is room you might offer some second chance mini's to keep people there longer. The site sells more alcohol and you collect a small entry fee.

Good Luck,
 
Contact local radio stations and ask if they will air PSA's for the event.

Contact the newspaper editor and try to get a writeup prior to the event.

Don't know who you may have for celebs in your area that could participate but a "name" often helps bring people out.

If beer will be served contact your local Bud or Miller distributor for promo assistance. The Bud girls were always a big hit and helped draw a crowd. The distributor might also spring for some trophies.

Focus on the charity and not so much on what the players "might" get.

When it's all said and done try to arrange a formal presentation of funds to the charity and try and get the newspaper involved. Raising money for charity is positive news and also gives you a platform to thank all that were involved. Any PR coverage you get will also serve well for the next time you put the event on.
 
Give 50 percent to charity from the total prize money and usually the first and second place finishers will tell you to just keep the whole part they won also, at least it has worked out that way a few times where I live. By the way King do you know an old friend of mine from Tifton named Harold Tawzer ?
 
Many good idea's and yes most of the money is going to the charity the emphasis is not so much on prize money for the players but hopefully a small split will help give them something to play for and draw more players in ... We are not targeting the hard core players as some said this is mainly to help out the charity ... She also does the relay for life thing to fight cancer.

At least half the players buy in will go to the Charity ... All the door money for the band will go to charity , Along with any raffle money and hopefully we will have a buffet ... So many idea's I am sure we will use several of them. Keep them coming everything is positive and your help is most apprecaited...We are working to make several of these things happen...

Thank you ...
 
Hi Butch,
I'll bring my repair lathe and do tips and shaft cleaning for free. I get a box of
Apus3 and that is the tips I'll put on for free. Not a bad tip . Jeff Eason
 
I just gotta comment on the fact that we as poolplayers have generally gotten a bad rap as being lowlifes and degenerate gamblers and it is things like this that prove that to be a misconception. God bless and Best Wishes with your event.
Thoughts: Run a Calcutta with a 50/50 payout.(It'll probably turn into a 100% donation)
Contact some cue manufacturers like Viking,Adam,McDermott. Tell them what you're doing and ask them if they'd be willing to donate a cue to be raffled off.
Contact any pro player that anybody in the local room knows and ask them if they'd be willing to help out. You might be pleasantly surprised at how benevolent they might be.
Again Best Wishes and God Bless You for your efforts.
 
Put up a website or a page on the Charity's website. Sad to say, there ae people out there who will not take seriously if its not online. Make sure to acknowledge the sponsors. ie. the club providing the space, links to business donors.

Dealing with donors.
From the charity, get a clear set up directions on how business donations can be written off. Give clear timelines on providing receipts for tax write-offs. Charity can help you with this paperwork.

Someone mentioned giving away a custom made jump/break cue. Consider retaining the more expensive donations as on-site raffles, or silent auctions. Selling raffle tickets and silent auctions are another avenue to raise more money. Silent auctions works great with either goods or services ranging from cue re-tipping to lessons from a local shortstop or pro.

Hawk4863 offer to re-tip cues. Set up a menu of suggested donation for services.

Since this is to feed the hungry, does the charity accept canned food? Years ago, I attended a dinner function for a similiar charity. To further get into the spirit of the cause, everyone was asked to bring a can of food.
 
Yes ... we will be accepting canned food in fact we are offering a big discount at the door for those who bring canned goods ... All the ideas are great ...
 
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