Re: Computer show on Saturday

["Robert G. Brown" <bob@xxxxxxx>]

>>We also had rather little tangible response only a couple of weeks ago
>I don't know, I thought we had a lot of good responses from the people
>there.
True enough; is that what we're after? I don't believe so. I don't want to
momentarily arouse someone's curiousity, there's a lot of inertia there, and
it could be years (or maybe never) before any of these people DO anything.

>Are you saying that becuase we haven't heard from any of them yet,
>we didn't do a good job?
No. We can always improve what we present and how we present it, but that's
not the point at all.

Actually you are bringing up a good point, and that is something that has 
plagued marketing types for a long time. Don't get me wrong, we're marketing 
something, even if we're not SELLING anything. We are marketing the IDEA of 
free software, open source, an M$ alternative (for most), and perhaps other 
notions: self-reliance, reliance on networking, KLUG as a resource.

Marketing is trying something on your target audience, and then figuring out 
if it worked. One way to measure how well it worked is response, and the effec-
tiveness of the event is judged by how closely we can link it to some sort of
response.  I was amused that in a two week period in May, we did not appear but 
gave out flyers, and some people came to meetings (and joined this mailing 
list) based on that. We put in a show appearence and NOTHING seems to happen.

We've only done each once, so it's hard to tell if theres a relationship.

>>Now, anyone who wishes to attend may do so. There is no guarantee we have a
>>table, but as it turned out, there was no guarantee last time, either.
>I can show up, but it sounds like it isnt going to be worth it.
This atitude will not move things along at all. This is a self-fulfilling
and negative prophesy. If it's possible to do something, it can be done, and
quickly, too.

>I suppose it's too late to get stuff organized for tomorrow morning.
Why? How long does it take you to put a machine in a car? How long does it 
take me to load stuff into my car?  The whole mailing list can see this, do
any of the folks reading this want to join in?

It IS too late to do this with organization, but then again, it was also too
late to organize something really good for Tomorrow if we started right after
the LAST show.

>Well, lets start planning for the next one.
ALWAYS a good idea.

>I'll find out when the next show is, and let you guys know.
This is always only a few mouse clicks away, and we can get it from the horses
mouth tomorrow. 

>>Next time we have a table (if we don't have one tomorrow), there are a
>>couple of things we'll need...
>What did you have in mind?
Here's a few ideas (in no special order). I'd like ANYONE reading this to 
comment:

 1. We need a real big sign that stands out
                    LINUX -- THE SYSTEM OF FREEDOM AND CHOICE
    in 3 foot tall, bright orange letters, so it can't be missed.
    A fly on the wall on the other side of the hall should be able 
    to read it clearly.
    Too corny? Too Long? Fine! Suggest something better, or simply
    MAKE the sign.

  2. A tablecloth on the table. They apparently don't provide one.

  3. Anyone bringing a machine must have something interesting to show, and
     they need to set it up and show it. The penalty for not doing this is
     so serious I can't even write about it here (hint: it involves elec-
     tricity, alligator clips, salt water, and #12 piano wire!).

   4. We need to compose and/or print a FAQ list and give that away with
      other literature. We all need to read this FAQ in advance so we can
      give consistantly correct answers to all the questions there.
 
   5. We need those silly little literature stands for all our handouts; any-
      thing that allows us to look more professional is a Good Thing.

   6. We need to dress nicer. I'm not talking about suuits and ties, but we 
      need to look like we take all this stuff seriously. If we don't, they
      WON'T.

   7. We need to gather after each event (that day or soon after), and talk 
      about (and write down) what worked well, or what didn't. Then we can
      change our presetnation accordingly for next time.

It's easy to do a half-baked job, just show up with some machines, some flyers,
and so on. Doing it with distinction, so people remember us and are impressed
by what we have to offer, takes a little more energy.

I'm up to help with this, who else would like to pitch in, and how?

                                                           Regards,
                                                            ---> RGB <---