A few weeks back, I mentioned that I had had some large size color postcards printed and mailed to rod builders in order to further advertise the National Rod Builders Show. So far, about 26,000 cards have been mailed. It's been a very expensive marketing effort, but the results have been shocking - in a positive way!

Only about half of those mailed went to RodMaker subscribers. The remainder went to builders from a different mailing list. The feedback and response has been nearly overwhelming. As of this morning, just over 700 rod builders that received the cards have taken the time to either call, write a letter or send an email to me asking for more information about the event. I have no idea how many people got the card, read it and didn't bother to personally contact me - I'm sure most don't go to that extent. They're either interested or they're not, but only a handful would bother to take that next step and make a personal contact. And yet, over 700 people to date have done just that. We're talking about a full 5% response. That's simply unheard of and only takes into account those who have personally contacted me.

These are builders that had absolutely no idea that the event was even taking place. They've never heard of RodMaker Magazine nor this website. Some of the phone conversations have been enlightening - some of these guys have been building rods for decades and were shocked to learn that a national event for rod builders takes place. Many plan to attend the show, others just wanted more information. Either way, the response was far greater than I expected or hoped for.

It's hard to say what impact it will have on our attendance this year. We had a huge crowd last year. But I'm betting we'll beat last year's attendance record handily. And we'll also meet many hundreds of new buliders who were previously working in anonymity. The craft is larger than most of us realize - I'm more sure of this now than ever before.

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These facts are quite alarming. Evidently this obsessive compulsive dissorder is larger that anyone anticipated. I hope the American Medical Association and the pharmaceutical companies do not get wind of this fact. They will soon come out with a "Rodbuilders Rydlin" and treat all afflicted. I am hoping the pills are not rolled in China!

Gon Fishn



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/17/2005 04:43PM by Bill Stevens.

That's great Tom,
I'm sure you are already aware that mailers generaly, only get about 1% positive return if that. The success is yours
but everyone will benfit from it. I only hope that I will be able to attend but at this point it does not look good for me. #@$%#@!

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

Because it was a very tight and targeted market (all people who definitely build rods) I had hoped that about 2% might respond in some manner. 5% is just off the chart. I still don't expect all 700 of those who did personally contact me to attend the show - I don't think that's realistic, but a good many of them will attend and coupled with those who were there last year and those who will attend from other advertising means this year we should have a tremendous turnout. Plus, the bulk of the advertising and marketing hasn't even kicked in yet. Two nice television spots will run in the next few weeks. Plus, another huge mailing.

Having more builders attend is better on all fronts. It means that more manufacturers can justify attending and displaying, which means we all get to see and try a much greater amount of product. Our seminar rooms are large enough to handle a decent surge and because of the way the show is set up and operated, everybody can still get individual attention if they desire it. I have no idea how much larger the show can get, but I think we're still a few years away from any high water mark. Before it's over, I expect to see just about every manufacturer of rod building blanks and components in attendance. We're inching that way every year at this point. And, if the attendance keeps increasing, we can justify the purchase of our own audio-visual equipment for up close demonstrations. This thing is only going to get better with age.

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I`m a firm believer that those who give unselfishly to benefit others will be rewarded with sucess in what ever they do.Tom ,you are a case in point.Keep it up and who knows where this will go(notice I didnt say end),because you seem like the type to never stop.Thank You!!

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

The more people you get to attend an event, the better the chance that anybody that needs help can get it. That's just more people available to answer your questions and the better chance you have of finding somebody who HAS the answer you need!!! I have got to make this show this year!

Wow!! Might require a larger room for the reception. Probably will result in more door prizes each year. Stan

I haven't really advertised the reception very much. Nor did I last year - I was afraid the room wouldn't hold the crowd. Same situation this year.

But, most builders don't stay overnight so hopefully it won't be a problem. And, if it is, oh well... better to have too many people and push out into the hall than to have too few. If it's a problem, we'll get a bigger room next year. But I think we can comfortably hold up to about 300 people if we have to.

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Tom , you mentioned a TV spot for the show advertisement , where will it be seen ? Will it be on a local station , or ESPN / OLN type of format ? I could only immagine the costs of something on a national format channel , but it would get to millions that tune in to the big channels on the Sunday mornings durring the colder months . John

Got Fish ?

The only company/vendor that will lose money at this show is RodMaker Magazine. The Magazine foots the bill for most everything done in terms of avertising and marketing for the event. The reception alone cost the Magazine about $2,000 last year - hosting and catering through what amounts to a "closed shop" is not exactly inexpensive.

On the flipside, I won't sell 50 subscriptions in Charlotte. But without RodMaker Magazine, there would be no national event on this scale for the rod building craft. It's something I always wanted to see done, and now it's done. I see this as the magazine serving the purpose for which I created it.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/2005 09:47AM by Tom Kirkman.

The "closed shop" on typical Convention Center Catering contracts forced the Cajuns into the street for a Fais Do Do, dancing in the street, and crayfish boil for belly filling! I will bet if we tried that in Charlotte they would put all of us in jail. If you want to think about heading in that direction for future shows Andy Dear should be able to provide the garbage cans at discount.

Gumbo - Jambalaya - Hot Boudin - Cracklins - Hog Head Cheese - Jerky - what a booth that would make!

Gon Fishn

I find it ironic that something like Rodmaker magazine continues to give and give and give while a supposed "organization" continues to take and take and take. Wise heads understand the difference between the two.

Yes Shawn,
And those traditionalists remind me of the witch trials in Salom but thats another subject entirely.

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

I have no idea what you're talking about.

I was referring to the organization you mentioned without naming names of course.

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..