The Magnificent 7, AZB HELP needed please.

bfdlad said:
Thanks for your support
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While I don't think the economic (or pool) environment is right for the exact event you are planning. Don't give up on the idea. The point of my post wasn't so much that I support you, more that you might be able to approach this differently and have a great outcome for you and the M7.

Certainly with the star power that these guys have and your promotional abilities, there is an idea in there that can work out great for everyone and great for pool. You are on to something. Might just need some tweaking.

Seth Godin on his blog (google it, I don't have a link right now) talks about the fact that there are 3 billion people on the planet that live on less than $10/day. That seems like nothing, but those people represent a market that spends $30 Billion A DAY, EVERY DAY. And they don't care about cell phones, or regular phones. Or gas. Or cars. Primarily they care about food. But they MIGHT care about pool. At least the ones in Asia and the Philipines do.

Actually, if you aren't familiar with Seth Godin, I would recommend that you go to his blog, right now, and read it. Then pick one of his books that you think might help you and read that too. It might lead you to the idea that you need to make this work.

~rc
 
bfdlad said:
Bruce, there is a way to go about giving opinions. You can give them with a little class even if they are not positive. You seem to give your opinions in a very confrontational way that seems to want to dig at whoever. I have stayed away from bashing you on previous threads when most others were. I did this cos I didn't have anything good to say or I could not find the classy way to say it. However you seem to have no problem piling on me when I am obviously having a tough time trying to get something great together. So from now on I will just jump in on on like everyone else does. Maybe you enjoy the attention???? Maybe the only attention you can get is negative and so you go with that since its better than no attention at all?? MMM I think I just figured you out COO COO.
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Mark this was my post below, it was a few facts, and some history. Can you rebut the truth about our BAD RECESSION, and how it is effecting pool. Trust me I wish the RECESSION WAS over the the DOW was 15,000+!.

Go the the Room Owners Discussion part of the Forum, and read how many are struggling! It is very tought for many!

I don't know if you saw the article in the AZ Republic last week about 15,000 applicants, for Minimum Wage Jobs at the Golden Arches in AZ.

Also I did not call you names, attach you, just posted my opinion that you requested.






"Mark let me remind you we, the U.S.A. is in the worst RECESSION in the last 20 years.

In my particular case, if I live 10 minute walk from the venue paying $1.000.00, or $2,500.00 for this once in a life time opportunity would be a BIG NO.

This is why in my particular case. $1,000.00 is more than my Monthly Pension, so I would choose food, paying utilities, car insurance, gas, etc. over this opportunity for a experience.,

Those not living with in local driving distance of Denver, where they could go back, and forth to the venue, and home would face cost of travel, and lodging.

Think you idea, may have been great during a time in the past when people had money to burn, or lost of extra expendable income.

IMHO now is not the time to do as you want, think about the RECESSION!

JMHO":smile:
 
I don't think the recession is why it's not flying. Even in a good economy, I don't think this would fill. The recession does make everything a lot harder, for sure.

You need a larger population center to draw from and an selected audience. You need a better economic model to work with. You need promotional partners and sponsors with their advertising budgets. You don't need 7 stars for 20 people, more like one star for each 20 people.

I make a living working with events - their success or failure is 90% certain in the idea stage. Of course, I have been wrong and have turned down a few winners, but I haven't booked a loser in 20 years.

Chris
 
The thought occurred to me that with a single event in a given location, especially with a big price tag, the potential audience is somewhat limited. To draw outside the Denver area now creates the additional cost of travel AND time. It essentially takes up someone's weekend.

What I think would be cool would be if this was put together as sort of a tour, with 8-10 stops across the country. Each stop would create interest in the next one. People wouldn't have to travel to attend. The added benefit is that with more than a single event to draw revenues from the ticket prices wouldn't have to be nearly so high. An added benefit to spectators is they could just take a 1/2 or whole day to attend part of the event. If there was a stop in SoCal for example, I'd easily pay $25-$50 to spend a Saturday afternoon to see these guys play, especially if it was in a format where they were competing. You could have two sessions each day, one daytime and one evening, with separate entries for each or an all day pass.

Obviously this would require more logistics and the guys would have to be available for each stop. Though it could be, it wouldn't necessarily have to be done in one continuous road trip. It could be one or two a month over a period of time.

I know this is an entirely different model than the one you had in mind, it's just a thought.

However it shakes out, I sure hope this comes together! :smile:
 
Mark,
I was excited to hear about the Mag7 event. I still am. I have personally seen all of these players play in their prime.

Travel, hotel and $2500 would total $3000 for the long weekend.

I don't know too many pool players that would be able to come up with this amount of cash during any type of economic situation.

Cheap pool playing nits will never be able to do anything but complain about the costs of anything they cannot afford.

That doesn't mean there aren't pool players that can afford and will be glad to pay that amount and maybe more. It just means just means that this venue (AZBilliards forums) is NOT a hot bed of players that can afford the costs.

Keep it up, there are 20 people that would love to hand you $2500 for this experience. Just don't expect to get many of those people from AZBilliards.
 
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Tom In Cincy said:
Mark,
I was excited to hear about the Mag7 event. I still am. I have personally seen all of these players play in their prime.

Travel, hotel and $2500 would total $3000 for the long weekend.

I don't know too many pool players that would be able to come up with this amount of cash during any type of economic situation.

Cheap pool playing nits will never be able to do anything but complain about the costs of anything they cannot afford.

That doesn't mean there aren't pool players that can afford and will be glad to pay that amount and maybe more. It just means just means that this venue (AZBilliards forums) is Hot a hot bed of players that can afford the costs.

Keep it up, there are 20 people that would love to hand you $2500 for this experience. Just don't expect to get many of those people from AZBilliards.
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Tap, tap, tap. This hits the nail squarely on the head.

Fantasy baseball camps are busy every year, and that requires travel. Heck, they even have fantasy rock music camps where customers mingle with and work with some fairly big names. The Mag7 seems to be in line with those sorts of events.

I bet you can make this work, if/when you get the word out in the right places. Where those places are is the question, of course.

I wish you luck, and hope this does fly.
 
When I first read about this event I was excited. Then I read the $2500 price tag and honestly was shocked. I just don't think pool players can command this type of money. As one poster said most of us have rubbed elbows and had conversations with a lot of great pool players thru the years. I certainly have. Played a handful also.
$2500 is way too steep. Now as another poster suggested $50 a head and have the 7 play each other for a couple hours. Even a cheap old man like me would be up for that.
 
First of all don't let all the banal criticism get you down. Most people on here don't know what they are talking about.

I am responding based on my own situation in relation to what you are offering.

Honestly (no disrespect intended) 2500 is just too much for me.

When you came to Houston with Johny and Nick I attended and paid the entry fee and had some drinks.

If you were to bring some guys to town and your price range was somewhere around 150 dollars for a shorter type of engagement I would pay it.

If I had 2500 to spend on pool I would be buying a Canon 5d Mark II to make my youtube videos better.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Marcus
 
bfdlad said:
Here are some of the remaining factors that I would like your opinions on.

1) price - Would it be better to have 50 guests at $1,000.00 per person instead of a more private experience with 20 guests at $2,500.00 per person?


I respect the opinions of the AZB community for the most part and would love to know what it would take for the average pool fan to want to take part in this event.

I hate to come on here and explain that one of the best (In my opinion) gatherings isn't working like I wanted it to, but hey I am constantly learning and trying to make things happen while pushing the envelope of what can be done in the pool world. I guess you have to fail in order to learn right?

Please let me know, thanks
Mark,
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2500 per customer plus paying travel expenses is a little tough for most to do. On top of it when they get there they have to also pay for hotel. Sorry but pool is in such a sad state I made a bet with somebody it would be tough to get 10 people to pay this price much less 20. It is a shame because the "Mag 7" is worth way more than this, but it is just a sign of the times. Best of luck to you though, if I was rich I'd be there! :D
 
I would think you would have more success if you could target the price point around $1500 for a three day weekend event ($500/day) rather than $2500. What about have 5 legends rather than 7. I am sure ditching Mike the Mouth would drop the price considerably. Denver seems like a way out of the way location. Also, for events like these, I would want to know that if I was paying that type of money, that I/we would not be interrupted/distracted by any railbirds and other people and also any jag-offs playing on the next table over at a pool hall/sports bar. Pay to play.
 
What you are doing for pool and the pros is commendable. I hope your vision becomes reality in the near future and please don't give up. This would be a great event for TV to cover, and perhaps it could be held in conjunction with an existing event that attracts MANY amateurs. I really think some sort of sponsorship is required versus having the amateur paying for entire bill. Some of the pros have sponsors already, perhaps they can chip in. GOOD LUCK !!
 
mnorwood said:
First of all don't let all the banal criticism get you down. Most people on here don't know what they are talking about.

I am responding based on my own situation in relation to what you are offering.

Honestly (no disrespect intended) 2500 is just too much for me.

When you came to Houston with Johny and Nick I attended and paid the entry fee and had some drinks.

If you were to bring some guys to town and your price range was somewhere around 150 dollars for a shorter type of engagement I would pay it.

If I had 2500 to spend on pool I would be buying a Canon 5d Mark II to make my youtube videos better.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Marcus
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You said basically the same thing that everyone else is saying. However, you said that the other people didn't know what they were talking about and their criticism was banal...lol.

Nice job!
 
When I read the advert for the event I got the idea that the 20 spots were filled.Even though I think its a neat idea I was sort of surprised that the you were able to get 20 peeps to pay 2.5k and plan a trip to Denver.JMO this could go but would take a bit of time to find enough clients that fit the bill.
 
bfdlad said:
Hi all, as most of you know we have "The Magnificent 7" weekend planned for November 12th, 13th and 14th more info here http://www.azbilliards.com/2000storya.php?storynum=7932

I have had alot of interest but at this point I have nobody writing checks. I am a little shocked that something like this has not taken off like I would have expected. Therefore I have to re evealuate the situation and look to see what exactly I am doing wrong here, I do not believe that the line up of players are the problem for obvious reasons. So how can I make this a better event and or more appealing to the pool fans?

Here are some of the remaining factors that I would like your opinions on.

1) price - Would it be better to have 50 guests at $1,000.00 per person instead of a more private experience with 20 guests at $2,500.00 per person?

2) Location - Is Denver too far out of the way? (I feel its fairly central in location and a great pool room)

3) Schedule of events - Is there something that I am missing that people would like to see more than the current schedule?

4) Me - Am I smoking crack? thinking that this is something that anyone even wants to take part in?

5) Everyone will get a signed picture with the Pros along with a copy of the DVD documentary of the weekend when it has been edited and released for sale. Do I need to add more value??

I respect the opinions of the AZB community for the most part and would love to know what it would take for the average pool fan to want to take part in this event.

I hate to come on here and explain that one of the best (In my opinion) gatherings isn't working like I wanted it to, but hey I am constantly learning and trying to make things happen while pushing the envelope of what can be done in the pool world. I guess you have to fail in order to learn right?

Please let me know, thanks
Mark,
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So, I'm sitting here asking myself: would you pay $2500 and fly to Denver and rent a car and stay in a hotel for this? And my answer would have to be no. Seen all these guys play (have even played a couple of them).

So then I ask myself, what would get you to travel somewhere for something like this? And my answer would be something like: a shot at a day long one-on-one instructional session with one of these guys. Like maybe if I loved 14.1: a day of instruction from Mike Sigel or Nick Varner. Or if I loved 9ball, a day with The Rifleman. At the end of the day after dinner, maybe there could be a little tournament where you and your pro partner play the other pairings and you can get to hear some jaw-boning between the pros. A commemorative photo or two would be cool. For my money I'd expect a nice meal or two and to be put up at a nice place. I'm not sure what the price point would be, but probably around a dime would do it.

But that's just me :-)

Lou Figueroa
 
Make it the Mag 8 or Mag 9, call Efren and Buste and get them to come too. Then raise the price and watch it gooo!
 
Some members may be too young to remember the 1960 film entitled "The Magnificent Seven," starring Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, and James Coburn, just to name a few. :)

I would just like to state in this thread that Mark's calling Keith is the first time I've seen Keith want to come out of retirement and actually play pool again. For a variety of reasons, to include the IPT folding up like a lawn chair in September 2006, there hasn't been much desire on Keith's part to engage in actually hitting balls on a regular basis. That all changed, though, when Mark called him and presented this novel ideal.

It truly was not about the money for Keith. It was more more so being recognized and having the opportunity to be a part of this grouping. I hadn't seen Keith this excited about pool in a long while. ;)

To be acknowledged in this group of American All Stars in the pool world is a great concept. Thanks, Mark! Whatever happens will happen, but I just want to thank you for all the hard work and effort on your part. Whether this comes to fruition or not, you've accomplished one thing for sure, and that was to put a little bounce in Keith's step and a smile on his face. Thanks again! :)
 

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mikeyfrost said:
Make it the Mag 8 or Mag 9, call Efren and Buste and get them to come too. Then raise the price and watch it gooo!
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HEy Mikey, the problem with the Mag 7 or 8 is it adds alot more expensethat in turn is passed along to the customer and at this point the $2,500 is too much. Everytime I find a answer to any problem it appears to createone or 2 different problems in its place. I am still working on it though.
 
JAM said:
Some members may be too young to remember the 1960 film entitled "The Magnificent Seven," starring Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, and James Coburn, just to name a few. :)

I would just like to state in this thread that Mark's calling Keith is the first time I've seen Keith want to come out of retirement and actually play pool again. For a variety of reasons, to include the IPT folding up like a lawn chair in September 2006, there hasn't been much desire on Keith's part to engage in actually hitting balls on a regular basis. That all changed, though, when Mark called him and presented this novel ideal.

It truly was not about the money for Keith. It was more more so being recognized and having the opportunity to be a part of this grouping. I hadn't seen Keith this excited about pool in a long while. ;)

To be acknowledged in this group of American All Stars in the pool world is a great concept. Thanks, Mark! Whatever happens will happen, but I just want to thank you for all the hard work and effort on your part. Whether this comes to fruition or not, you've accomplished one thing for sure, and that was to put a little bounce in Keith's step and a smile on his face. Thanks again! :)
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Jam, I am going to figure this out one way or another. I am not going to give up on it at all. Its obvious at this point that its more of a problem with the economy right now that with anything else. So I just have to find the answer to that and we will be back in business.

It makes me happy that The Earthquake has a new lease of pool life and I have plenty of ideas that will get him back out there and if nothing else making a little $$ and enjoying the game again.
 
I think the big problems are the pricetag of the event itself & the travel costs with getting there. Maybe if more people got in to bring the price down & create a tour out of it to lower folks travel price. Just ideas.
 
Good idea

A big plan can be made smaller so I say you started off large but can easily go smaller!
How about tying it in to a event with a bunch of spectators there, like expo derby or open ?
fit the market demand :thumbup:there
Good luck
 
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