Club Advertising

[bobbob]

I don't understand why clubs don't advertise. In Australia you can open the Yellow Pages and find your nearest club http://www.yellowpages.com.au/search/li ... &x=28&y=19

When Bnz and I were in Australia we didn't see one gun shop but as we were on the road a lot we didn't have time to go looking. Once we got to Cairns I picked up a local free paper, went to the advertising section and found a shop a 10 minute drive away. Next day we went to see them and explained that we shot in the UK and were interested in how things were done locally. The shop was run by a husband and wife who were very friendly despite the fact we were strangers. They showed us the small range they had next door. Apparently if we had warned them we were going and took some ID they could have let us have a shoot.

As for clubs not publishing dates. I tried to find out where our local hunt were gathering for their Boxing Day meet, very difficult. I suppose it is to stop the anti's getting a head start on causing trouble. Same with clubs not wanting to broadcast too much about themselves.

[Mike2]

This thread seems to be developing in a very interesting - and I think important way.

At last we're seeing target shooting clubs effectively advertising themselves on the web, which of itself is a good thing.

Better by far is the fact that "ordinary" people who have never had anything to do with shooting can now get information about our sport - locally - and see that it is just a normal sport like any other - albeit with some extra rules and regulations thrown in.

Younger people (and most ARE younger than me!) go to the internet as a first port of call to find out about anything that piques their interest, and it is these younger people we need to attract for the future of our sport - it's simply vital.


I would go further and ensure that your club internet profile is high locally - post on local newspaper sites , and use their blog/bulletin boards/websites to promote the club.

The Phoenix Shooters Association of which I'm a member has profited so much by doing this that we have had to close our embership list.
Our presence is at -

http://psa.bizhosting.com Our main website, not pretty or flashy, but with as much information and news as we can manage - constantly changing content and news will always bring visitors back.

http://www.clubbz.com/club/18675/deesid ... ciation-uk gives a presence amongst all other clubs in the UK - just like all the other normal sports!

http://www.communigate.co.uk/chesh/phoe ... sociation/ is a website run and used by a local newspaper group.

http://www.galaxy.com/rvw11615-789503/P ... ion_UK.htm has a sports directory.

http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/yoursay/bl ... sociation/ is another local newspaper group.

These are just some of the examples of raising the profile of the sport locally, and it also helps if you e-mail the local newspaper's sports reporter - they're always looking for something new.

I think it's great to know that all these clubs here are working so hard in this way to get their clubs - and of course the sport - noticed at local and national level: It gives me great hope for the future.

[Mike357]

Spelling mistakes sorted, NRA link submitted, revision of photos in hand and am looking into what Mike2 has suggested.

Once this and the forum is up and running I am then sorting out club apparel. They want light blue polo shirts,

[Sandgroper]

Same with clubs not wanting to broadcast too much about themselves.

That is what I don't understand - it's a legitimate pastime, yet by staying in the background, I feel we are sowing the seeds of our own demise. If we make it too difficult for potential new shooters to find clubs and to have a go - how is the sport going to survive in the long run?

I admit that some clubs might get some unwanted attention, but if they weather it and show the public that shooting is not what the media makes it out to be - surely that has to be better than staying hidden as if we have something to hide and what we are doing is bad?

Mike2, you beat me to it.

[ovenpaa]

Legitimate pastime or not some clubs appear to actively discourage new membership by placing unnecessary hurdles in the way of would be members. I can think of clubs that will not accept non FAC holders or restrict membership via a propose and second process, not good for someone who wants to take up target shooting at his local club but does not know any members. Such clubs appear to be populated by the more mature shooters and it does make me wonder if the goal is to eventually to die leaving everything to the last one standing who takes the 'ball' to his/her grave.

As an aside we know a woman who 'tested' for a local club, she was a very competent shot with an air rifle and was given a club .22LR without a foresight and told to shoot it, when she pointed out it was incapable of accurate fire in such a state she was told to stop being silly or words to that effect.

I have to say that the clubs I have shot with have always been very pro women shooters but again it does make you wonder..

[Robin128]

Some clubs have this bias against women.

Really silly.

[Mike2]

some clubs appear to actively discourage new membership by placing unnecessary hurdles in the way of would be members

A club in the North-West includes the following on their four page membership form:

• Firearm certificate number, expiry date,
  photocopy of FAC,
  "have you been treated for mental disorder or depression"
  "Have you suffered from epilepsy"
  3 passport size photos
  "The club reserves the right to ask you for permission to contact your GP"
  Probationers must attend once a week
  Names addresses, Ocupations and tel no of two referees who have known the applicant for two years

They also require a "letter of authority" to attend the club.

It may be that this is a reaction to a particular incident, but it does seem to me to be a bit bureaucratic.

[Blackisler]

At my own club [SRPC] we dont discriminate as to our members we welcome women and treat them as equals .
sandgroper dont I know you ?
robert

[Sandgroper]

At my own club [SRPC] we dont discriminate as to our members we welcome women and treat them as equals .
sandgroper dont I know you ?
robert

Robert,
Yes you do. When I saw the the "Blackisler" user name, I wondered if it was anybody from SRPC and when I saw you sign off with Robert, I was pretty sure I knew you.

Do you know when the first shoot is going be - I'm guessing March? I'm going to see Gordon today about a rifle he is rebarrelling for me and I 'll be asking him about the shoots for this year.

[ovenpaa]

At my own club [SRPC] we dont discriminate as to our members we welcome women and treat them as equals .
sandgroper dont I know you ?
robert

Robert,
Yes you do. When I saw the the "Blackisler" user name, I wondered if it was anybody from SRPC and when I saw you sign off with Robert, I was pretty sure I knew you.

It is a small world when it comes to shooting and even smaller when it comes to forums. Robert how did you find the forum?