The Catshack opted to travel some distance in support of a new up and coming field owner with a few of the right ideas. The field owner in question decided to invest some time and effort over the space of three days to promote his business. Sure that is what every field owners ought to be doing to build a viable business, right? In this instance however Mr. Andy Morrison of Splat Paintball in Chatham, Ontario took his promotions straight to the heart of the community where his field is located.Long have I been touting the necessity to promote paintball and the ways and possibilities how to effectively accomplish this goal are endless. Naturally marketing is key and in this day and age, we need to look around ourselves and take notes from others.
Enter Andy Morrison of Splat Paintball. Andy appeared at the recent Outdoor Sports Trade Show in Chatham, Ontario alongside fishing and hunting enthusiasts and set up his booth to promote his field. Whether Andy realized it or not, what he did was just so much more. By setting up his booth and talking to all those people who stopped by to look closer at the paintball markers and other gear…. he was promoting the game of paintball period. It was interesting to step back and listen in to what was told to passersby. Andy discussed everything from safety to the concept of “Billy Ball” for newer players interesting in taking in their “first” experience.
Splat Paintball is one of the only fields to employ “Billy Ball” (a variation of paintball severely limiting rates of fire) in Ontario if not most of Canada, correct me if I am wrong. Personally when it comes to rental players and those players that come out once or twice a year, Billy Ball is an awesome idea. By limiting rates of fire for entry level players I believe it insures these same people as return customers.
On numerous occasions I have discussed the necessity of getting out into community in an effort to disperse the misconceptions of the game and introduce the general public to paintball. In so doing we are better able to overcome some of barriers that exist in people’s minds about what paintball truly is. Find community events, fall fairs, use your local papers, run charity events to support community…the list goes on.
So, if your a field or pro shop owner … take one such example courtesy of Andy Morrison, owner of Splat Paintball. Look into your own community for events where you might set up your own booth and introduce the public not only to your business, but to the game of paintball. Then take steps to make sure the people you invite want to keep coming back.
Good job Andy!
For more information on Splat Paintball please visit http://www.splatpaintball.ca/
For the Catshack interview with Andy of Splat Paintball see below
