mommjomma

It's been a very long time since I've been to a show, but reading this thread it's seems to me that your asking business owners to lose money to promote a sound off that they will lose money at. This to me doesn't seem to make sense to a shop owner. It's sounds like you have the " build it and they will come" mentality but in reality the people don't seem to be coming to make it worth it. I am not a competitor in any sense and never have been, so I'm looking at this strictly as an outsider reading what's being said and looking at it with a different perspective

luke99

this is a hobby we do this because we enjoy it , theres no way for a shop to make money offf a show , thats a sad reality we all know it , all we can do is get as many cars to the event and support the raffle and the shop owner , as i said earlier the only person making money off sound offs is wayne harris , when somone pays him 500 to 1000 just for sanction feees its very hard for that shop to make money , he also owns termlab so to me hes a genius who has make billions of dollors off car audio

dbs

you may not make a profit at the show but any spectators could be potential new customers.....

also isnt a 1x event in db drags a $100 ...
to me it doesnt matter whether there is a trophy i prefer bragging rights

luke99

yes single pt event is 100 bucks , the event can be done for around 500 to 600 dollors but its still hard for a shop to make a proffit from that , and you need atleast 1 double pt show in an area in order for cars to even have a chance to make finals

SQmonster

iTrader: (2)

There is a way to not lose money on a car stereo show. Spend the $100.00 on DBDRAG sanctioning fee, advertise for another $100.00, get your suppliers to buck up for spectator incentives, spend another $400.00 on trophies, dump $200.00 in refreshments & burgers (you'll recoup this money right away, plus). Pay for a judge to be there ($100.00). I would also suggest a PA system and have someone on the microphone that is positive, funny & knowledgeable in car audio.
You could try IASCA instead for $50.00 sanctioning fees. With them, you can have SQ added into the mix, but you'll need to have more trophies.
Decide how much to charge by dividing the amount of competitors you would spectate to show up with money by $700.00 (35), then add a %. Many people will be willing to spend $30.00 to come to a show, maybe more.
I have been sanctioned by IASCA & DB Drag to judge shows.

Will you make millions on an event? No. Will it attract a different kind of client to your shop? Yes. It will also give you more credibility in you community as a company that cares. One that gives back to promote what they are selling, instead of the, "box movers".

I had 2 installers when I decided to have car stereo shows. I was doing ok. Since I've been doing them, I've grown to 6 installers along with a phenomenal reputation for "The shop to go to for car audio" in my area.
If that works for you, start thinking about which Sunday to do this on. The calendar is filling up.

Dukk

^ Keith knows how it's done.

It's very hard to take the money spent on a show and expect the return on show day to cover it.

The money is in the reputation the shop gets, the word of mouth advertising that comes from it and, finally, the new clientele, and higher end clientele, it attracts. Will that kid that just came in for his gear be there because he was at the show, or because his buddy said the Shop was a good place to go? Hard to say, but they're there, and that's the important part.

mommjomma

I'm not going to question sq monsters claims about the success of his sound offs but I find it hard to understand how he went from 2 to 6 installers due to having sound offs. Is there more to it or just having sound offs. If there is nothing more to it, I am more than curious as to why he has had success when, according to Luke, no one else does

luke99

not to sure were your coming from as to why your making it out to be that sound offs are suppose to be a buisness , as i stated the only person who will make money is wayne harris , as keith pointed out were just trying to break even when putting on shows , we attend shows , or put on shows because we love to compete , keiths shop has built a reputatiuon on their work and their products , if youve seen some of the installs that come out of his shop , you would understand why he is successful and why everyone goes to his shop , and why his shows are a success because hes well known in the car audio community , and we all put somthing we love before money

SQmonster

iTrader: (2)

I should elaborate. Putting on car audio shows has escalated my business that was just another small shop to one with purpose, value and incentive. People see that it's not just a paycheck for us, it's a lifestyle , so therefore, want to be part of it.

There are thousands of car stereo shops across the land. What makes them thrive? Why do some just exist? Why do some just fold? There are many reasons from poor management to crappy workmanship to defeatist attitude. I've seen it all. All of the companies that I've ever worked for have gone under. I have seen their downfalls and learned from it.

PEOPLE NEED TO BELIEVE IN SOMETHING.

Some companies will invest in advertising, like newspapers, radio, tv, google, facebook, yellow pages..., but the return rate is often a crap shoot. Competitions have proven to be a sure thing in my case. It targets people with a passion. When it's shared, it becomes a bond. Loyalty is something that happens. We have a branded message with SoundsGood, "Our passion for the best sounding cars is what you are looking for". Other forms of advertising can't offer that. That is why we are growing.

mommjomma

You indicated that Wayne Harris(im sorry i dont know who he is) makes alot of money with sanctioning fees charged to competitors and promoters etc. It sounds like he makes a good living at it. It also sound like a business. Im strictly basing my opinion on the way youve described it. if i am off base and misunderstood, im appologize. Keith, it sounds like you would be a sucess with or without sound offs, you seem to have a passion for what you do and a good business sense. it also sounds like you are the only one doing these shows and that must be nice as well, no competition