Author Topic: Demonstrators  (Read 45686 times)

Offline Les Symonds

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Re: Demonstrators
« Reply #30 on: September 21, 2014, 06:40:55 PM »
Andy....Today at Mid Wales Woodturners' club meeting we had a demo from Joey Richardson. I wasn't able to stay for the whole day, but the morning session went extremely well. Joey didn't just work from the usual position up on the stage, but she also set up a workbench right down in front of the audience. She was very forthcoming with help and advice and has even written handout notes which can be accessed off the 'News' section of her website. Furthermore, and specialist equipment and sundries that she mentioned can also be found referred to on the website.
A really good compromise to what's being discussed in this thread.

Les
Education is important, but wood turning is importanter.

andersonec

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Re: Demonstrators
« Reply #31 on: September 21, 2014, 06:45:35 PM »
As a professional turner and demonstrator, I thought id add my bit.

A hand out would be quite possible to make, but it would need to basically be like a magazine article. Step by step instructions with photos. That's a lot of extra work for very little gain on the part of the demonstrator. If I was to do that I would want to do them professionally, which actually is quite expensive. I personally also write for the magazine so, much of what I demo and write about supports each other.

That said, I continually invite people to ask questions (do they ever? - Very rarely) I also allow people to photograph what I'm doing, either for their own use or for the club magazines. I don't even mind clubs videoing me, as long as it doesn't end up on the internet.

Without me actually going to each club members workshop and giving one to one, what more can I do? I hope you don't think I'm being rude, but if you struggle to remember what happens, you should take photos of each stage of the demo? I know you'd be welcome to at any of mine.

Richard

Richard, you were at our club in August and as I said to some one else, we have some very good demonstrators, please include yourself in that category.

As far as a handout is concerned, I wouldn't expect anything as comprehensive as you say, something like that would be an instructional piece for something which has not been seen done in real life, the type of handout I am talking about would be just step by step 'reminder' of the process and it would only be given to those who wanted to attempt what you had shown and not given out to all and sundry.

Andy

andersonec

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Re: Demonstrators
« Reply #32 on: September 21, 2014, 06:50:56 PM »

The RPT are currently trying to encourage its members to charge more apropiate prices by introducing a code of conduct which all members must adhere to. Some of the points focus on pricing.

Great post Graham

Richard

Richard, exactly what I am trying to suggest. "A code of conduct which all members must adhere to decided on by the RPT".

The governing body I previously mentioned. A level playing field where everyone knows the score, no grey areas.

Andy


andersonec

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Re: Demonstrators
« Reply #33 on: September 21, 2014, 06:52:27 PM »
Andy....Today at Mid Wales Woodturners' club meeting we had a demo from Joey Richardson. I wasn't able to stay for the whole day, but the morning session went extremely well. Joey didn't just work from the usual position up on the stage, but she also set up a workbench right down in front of the audience. She was very forthcoming with help and advice and has even written handout notes which can be accessed off the 'News' section of her website. Furthermore, and specialist equipment and sundries that she mentioned can also be found referred to on the website.
A really good compromise to what's being discussed in this thread.

Les

  Les,  Did she read my suggestion ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Andy
« Last Edit: September 21, 2014, 06:54:00 PM by andersonec »

Offline Graham

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Re: Demonstrators
« Reply #34 on: September 21, 2014, 07:10:20 PM »
It comes down to perceived value. You get what you pay for and if a day course  seems cheap you have to wonder what you are going to get.
I also understand the principle of selling the same number of items,or more, when putting the prices up.
As things have worked out I am, for now at least, somewhat better off as a retired old fart than I ever was when I was working and bringing up kids. If I am at a craft fair or whatever and looking at someones wood turnings ( since this is a turning forum) and they are selling them at cheap prices I would walk away, why would I want to fill my home with cheap <deleted expletive>.
Perceived value again.
Regards
Graham
I have learnt the first rule of woodturning.
The internal diameter should never exceed the external width.
Nor the internal depth, the external height.
Does that make me an expert now ?

Offline bodrighywood

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Re: Demonstrators
« Reply #35 on: September 21, 2014, 10:30:10 PM »
Pete

Funny you should say that, but at the next craft meeting, there are plans afoot to have a speaker on the subject of use of electronic media to benefit your business and a focus on trying to support members more in their sales and marketing.

All the best

Richard

Where can I find info regarding this please?

Pete
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Offline julcle

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Re: Demonstrators
« Reply #36 on: September 22, 2014, 12:15:30 PM »
Hi Les, It's a pitty you didn't stay for the afternoon session as this was all about the finishing, and airbrushing showing techniques and materials. She was at CrowValley on Saturday doing the
same Demo Day and I have to say that it was ONE of the best I have seen in my very short
time as a turner. I thought the interaction with us was superb, she was even prepared to use
her break period to let us have a go with her equipment and give us instruction on it's use.
Julian
Location: S. Wales
Crowvalley Woodturners
Julian

Offline David Buskell

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Re: Demonstrators
« Reply #37 on: September 22, 2014, 02:10:22 PM »
Interesting thread with many points raised but the key one for me is videoing of demos. My club automatically videos all demos -this is included in our booking arrangements. We only produce a DVD for our own  and our twin club's library-with no posting on social media allowed.

If we have a demonstrator selling their own videos, we make no charge for allowing them to do this!!! Selling DVD's is now becoming an outdated form of marketing anyway.

The problem we have  is that demonstrator costs are increasing and so are mileage costs-effectively some professional demonstrators price themselves out of the market.Most clubs only have a limited budget these days which means we tend to book the same names. This is a shame as clubs find it hard to progress and to entertain/educate their members. If we don't do this then member numbers decrease and so does our budget for demos. We have a handful of names we can book and know that we will get a good demo and a good attendance, so try to rotate these over a period of a couple of years.

New technology allows us to have demos from anywhere in the world beamed to our club from say, Australia, South Africa or USA, all at a fraction of the cost and no mileage!  Perhaps those demonstrators on the circuit should bear this in mind when considering raising their prices?
David
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Offline John D Smith

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Re: Demonstrators
« Reply #38 on: September 22, 2014, 03:05:52 PM »
Hi David,
             Interesting having demos from beamed from USA,Australia & Canada these cannot be "Live" can they? It would be interesting to know how this is achieved?

                                                                     Regards John
John Smith

Offline David Buskell

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Re: Demonstrators
« Reply #39 on: September 22, 2014, 03:28:44 PM »
Hi John,

Yes of course they are, as the demo is done over Skype. How good it is  depends on the camera operators at the demonstrators end and of course the wifi/internet link here.

We had a look at the demo done over the net and thought it was a good idea but in the UK, we're not sure we have anyone with the technology set-up to do this. Do feel free to prove me wrong anyone! Cheam is always happy to be a pioneer and we do have wifi in our venue.

Our treasurer loves the idea - no mileage costs.

David


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PhilipS

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Re: Demonstrators
« Reply #40 on: September 22, 2014, 03:38:54 PM »
A while back I offered Skype on my website as a means of connecting with other turners but there were no takers. Seems a shame that no-one was interested to engage in a joint learning process. I am sometimes short on technical matters and could do with some help sometimes in problem solving. Some might benefit in return for help in creative matters. We all have strengths and weaknesses and could learn from one another. I can understand why others might not like to engage with me (given my internet reputation) but there are great opportunities in learning via the net for those with interests that may not necessarily be served in a club setting or a demonstration. Maybe a Skype Club could be an answer.

Philip

Offline Les Symonds

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Re: Demonstrators
« Reply #41 on: September 22, 2014, 03:40:53 PM »
Hi Les, It's a pitty you didn't stay for the afternoon session as this was all about the finishing, and airbrushing showing techniques and materials. She was at CrowValley on Saturday doing the same Demo Day and I have to say that it was ONE of the best I have seen in my very short time as a turner. I thought the interaction with us was superb, she was even prepared to use her break period to let us have a go with her equipment and give us instruction on it's use.
Julian
Julian...it certainly sounds as though I missed something special! I had a report from some of our club members to let me know what I missed and from what I saw in the morning, I agree wholeheartedly, Joey is an excellent presenter who takes trouble to interact positively with her audience....nothing was too much trouble (she even smiled at the rather aged gentleman in the very front row who took a phone call on his mobile, in loud-speaker mode, and chatted away as though he were on top of mountain with nobody to annoy).
Les
Education is important, but wood turning is importanter.

Offline The Bowler Hatted Turner

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Re: Demonstrators
« Reply #42 on: September 22, 2014, 05:13:20 PM »
New technology allows us to have demos from anywhere in the world beamed to our club from say, Australia, South Africa or USA, all at a fraction of the cost and no mileage!  Perhaps those demonstrators on the circuit should bear this in mind when considering raising their prices?
David
sounds like blackmail to me, I will not be demonstrating at your club.

Offline David Buskell

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Re: Demonstrators
« Reply #43 on: September 22, 2014, 05:58:14 PM »
Philip -as always, you're ahead of the game. Skype is a good way of bringing a wider range of demonstrations to the club, subject to getting the technological bits right. I'm not sure we are quite ready to proceed yet but it's good to know there's someone out there who is able and willing to participate in new ideas.


BHT - really! it was a comment to ensure that our professional colleagues are aware of the advances in technology and the benefits/challenges they bring to all of us,especially in the area of demonstrations and pricing. Woodturning and clubs do not stand still.

David
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Offline GBF

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Re: Demonstrators
« Reply #44 on: September 23, 2014, 08:44:11 PM »
Hi David,
             Interesting having demos from beamed from USA,Australia & Canada these cannot be "Live" can they? It would be interesting to know how this is achieved?

                                                                     Regards John

They must have their meetings in the middle of the night.
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