Clarks Knowledge Box.

[Slipperman]

Clarks Knowledge Box

Dylan I think you should go - if only to remind the organisers that there is another type of sailor out there. In my view they should be offering you more than a free parking slot, but maybe you can educate them a bit. If you draw a good crowd, and i think you will, let them know that you will expect some reasonable remuneration next time.

 

[Giblets]

Dylan, it would be useful to know who you are replacing as you could probably work this into your pitch.

 

[Croak]

I hate that embarrassing bit at the end of a talk where someone tries to sell there latest CD etc. Take a few, mention them but don't hawk them.

I would do the talk because you seem to like talking about what you do.

Is there more money in after dinner speaking than magazine articles?

 

[Alpha22]

Dylan, do you know which day you might be talking? I was thinking of giving the show a miss this year but your appearance could sway me! Precisely for the reasons given by Banger above.

+1

 

[dylanwinter]

utterly agree

I hate that embarrassing bit at the end of a talk where someone tries to sell there latest CD etc. Take a few, mention them but don't hawk them.

I would do the talk because you seem to like talking about what you do.

Is there more money in after dinner speaking than magazine articles?

yet agai n the voice of reason

I do like talking - and I like making films - and sailing

but....

time is money...

would I rather be yakking at sailors - or out sailing

no contest

making films helps to cover the cost of the sailing

as for the dvd situation

I would find it hugely embarassing to hawk the dvds illegally

just imagine if I got them taken off me during the bag search on the way in

or if the blokes in blazers with walky talkies collared me as I came off the platform

I am 57 and previously of good character

although I do have thje most fearful habits

so not going to flog dvds illegally at the boat show

talking for the pure pleasure of it sounds great

and clearly there are lots of people prepared to do it

but it butters no parsnips - does not keep the wolf from the door

doesn't help to pay the bills

in fact I did some calculations

last year it cost me around £3.00 a head in travel, expenses and lost work for each person I talked to

- precious few sailing clubs, dinner clubs or cruising clubs are prepared to pay for speakers

so decided I will not be doing any more free ones next winter

to schlep across to suffolk to talk to 20 blokes who have not and will not subscribe to the website in return for a bottle of scotch is a lovely way to spend an evening - but a quickens my speed towards penury

If the boat show talk was well publcised beforehand then it might be possible to get a few ktl sailors along

but just to turn up and yak for 20 minutes to passers by at 4.30 on a thursday afternoon

especially disspointing if they were expecting a much better speaker

I think I would be better off with my cds in a tray around my neck and standing outside the tube station along with the blokes selling silly putty and large balloons

D

 

[All_at_Sea]

Dylan ask for a fee as mentioned above. The show has enough money to cover expenses etc and if you don't ask you won't get.....

I'm sure shows like this rely on people doing stuff for free but explain you are freelance and you have to at least cover costs, they won't mind.

 

[Searush]

OK, so you don't want to get caught with a suitcase of DVD's, why not take a load of business cards with your web address on them as well as your contact details. Then interested punters could become subscribers. You could always drop a few cards off at relevant stands where you may get work or support from in future.

Personally I'd give a DVD to Drascombe & a couple of others & offer to make a marketing video for them. Boy, could you sell to their market!

 

[Fantasie 19]

Then there's the experience as well?? How much sailing would you be doing at 1630 on a Thursday afternoon anyway...??

 

[Heckler]

yet agai n the voice of reason

I do like talking - and I like making films - and sailing

but....

time is money...

would I rather be yakking at sailors - or out sailing

no contest

making films helps to cover the cost of the sailing

as for the dvd situation

I would find it hugely embarassing to hawk the dvds illegally

just imagine if I got them taken off me during the bag search on the way in

or if the blokes in blazers with walky talkies collared me as I came off the platform

I am 57 and previously of good character

although I do have thje most fearful habits

so not going to flog dvds illegally at the boat show

talking for the pure pleasure of it sounds great

and clearly there are lots of people prepared to do it

but it butters no parsnips - does not keep the wolf from the door

doesn't help to pay the bills

in fact I did some calculations

last year it cost me around £3.00 a head in travel, expenses and lost work for each person I talked to

- precious few sailing clubs, dinner clubs or cruising clubs are prepared to pay for speakers

so decided I will not be doing any more free ones next winter

to schlep across to suffolk to talk to 20 blokes who have not and will not subscribe to the website in return for a bottle of scotch is a lovely way to spend an evening - but a quickens my speed towards penury

If the boat show talk was well publcised beforehand then it might be possible to get a few ktl sailors along

but just to turn up and yak for 20 minutes to passers by at 4.30 on a thursday afternoon

especially disspointing if they were expecting a much better speaker

I think I would be better off with my cds in a tray around my neck and standing outside the tube station along with the blokes selling silly putty and large balloons

D

OK so they want you to talk for free? It will cost you to get there? What is in it for you? More "fame"? Are you after income? If you go and talk what will the outcome be? Someone will "spot" you? Offer you more "talking" OR is it an opportunity to "sell" yourself to (as Steve said) to Drascombe or someone similar.
Would the KTL project benefit from the "appearance" OR are you looking for a "new" way forward?
Lots of questions but you need to answer them to yourself to then draw up a plan going forward from the show. If you cant see any benefits then dont do it!
Stu

 

[Cookee]

The reason I'm doing it that I have sponsors and it will be a great way of paying them back - even after a train from Devon and back less some deck shoes the PR value can't be underestimated in my case when I take in what my sponsors have done for me.

 

[gerry99]

Go for it Dylan

 

[macad]

Dylan,

your entries in this thread do not have the twang of a man that in the past has, among other things, had the gonads to ride horses across countries while talking to all types of red neck with a tape machine for Radio 4 – so the nudging of forumites with flattery as if you are a gentle yokel with no idea feels a little unnecessary, although very sweet on their part.

If LIBS need the spot filled they should at least pay expenses – they are already saving the fee from the cancelled 'celeb' (unless the celeb was pushing product in which case their media budget would have covered it –*perhaps they found a higher value placement for their monkey!).

1630 on a Thursday is not really going to be throbbing with bodies (except skivers) – although Thursday may be the late night for the show so not without interest, but late viewers tend to whizz round the stands and may not have 20 minutes at the start of their visit to sit and listen to you.

The usefulness of this talk slot is far greater to those looking for, or maintaining sponsors, partly as a practice opportunity or story spreader for an old salt. In your case it seems less useful.

I would need to decide if this is something I would like to do for personal enjoyment and the moments of flattery the 10 flesh pressers would bring at the end when they say 'it was lovely' – this may be a nice personal lift at the start of 2012. There is, of course always a chance that a media mogul will be in the audience – but unlikely! I suspect that your own contact book would yield better results.

It will be, as you know, more than an afternoon in London and £50 cost to you to put the schtik on. If you have the 'free' time then it could be a good excuse to prep something to sell in to other events. But, the reality is that what you do, and what makes it interesting, is not a commercial gear seller or glamour lifestyle bolt-on which is what the Boat Show is all about these days. The emphasis has shifted –*a look at the list of show 'openers' in recent years will illustrate where the suits think the future lies!

So, personally, if they will not cover expenses and let you flog DVDs it would be 'NO'. However, if they will give you the Thursday and a weekend slot around lunchtime, then I would think it more useful and would do it for free.

McClueless

 

[Heckler]

Dylan,

your entries in this thread do not have the twang of a man that in the past has, among other things, had the gonads to ride horses across countries while talking to all types of red neck with a tape machine for Radio 4 – so the nudging of forumites with flattery as if you are a gentle yokel with no idea feels a little unnecessary, although very sweet on their part.

If LIBS need the spot filled they should at least pay expenses – they are already saving the fee from the cancelled 'celeb' (unless the celeb was pushing product in which case their media budget would have covered it –*perhaps they found a higher value placement for their monkey!).

1630 on a Thursday is not really going to be throbbing with bodies (except skivers) – although Thursday may be the late night for the show so not without interest, but late viewers tend to whizz round the stands and may not have 20 minutes at the start of their visit to sit and listen to you.

The usefulness of this talk slot is far greater to those looking for, or maintaining sponsors, partly as a practice opportunity or story spreader for an old salt. In your case it seems less useful.

I would need to decide if this is something I would like to do for personal enjoyment and the moments of flattery the 10 flesh pressers would bring at the end when they say 'it was lovely' – this may be a nice personal lift at the start of 2012. There is, of course always a chance that a media mogul will be in the audience – but unlikely! I suspect that your own contact book would yield better results.

It will be, as you know, more than an afternoon in London and £50 cost to you to put the schtik on. If you have the 'free' time then it could be a good excuse to prep something to sell in to other events. But, the reality is that what you do, and what makes it interesting, is not a commercial gear seller or glamour lifestyle bolt-on which is what the Boat Show is all about these days. The emphasis has shifted –*a look at the list of show 'openers' in recent years will illustrate where the suits think the future lies!

So, personally, if they will not cover expenses and let you flog DVDs it would be 'NO'. However, if they will give you the Thursday and a weekend slot around lunchtime, then I would think it more useful and would do it for free.

McClueless

More eloquently put than me but in essence, similar.
To Dylan, What you do well is "drone" on with an unattractive accent in an attractive way, your skill shows in picking mundane shots and interleaving them to turn them in to an attactive scene, you have an ear for the music that compliments your filming. How could you sell that in your dead time slot?
Still questions I am afraid that only you can answer!
Stu

 

[Fantasie 19]

What you do well is "drone" on with an unattractive accent in an attractive way, your skill shows in picking mundane shots and interleaving them to turn them in to an attactive scene, you have an ear for the music that compliments your filming.Stu

...is that a backhanded compliment???

 

[Heckler]

...is that a backhanded compliment???

Yes!
He refers to his accent somewhere on his blog!
Stu