Would You Pay More For Larger Prizes?

[AFO]

For example...

Would you prefer to pay $25 for a possible prize of $250?

Would you prefer to pay $100 for a possible prize of $1000?

Thanks

The Team

AFO

[sunnydays]

Tricky question - I would pay more for bigger prizes, but I would prefer to have a cheaper rego fee. Don't think I would want to pay much more than $100 for rego of a two day event!

[AFO]

Tricky question - I would pay more for bigger prizes, but I would prefer to have a cheaper rego fee. Don't think I would want to pay much more than $100 for rego of a two day event!

Ha!

The classic Push & Pull Marketing paradigm.

Bigger prizes pull you in.

High entry fee’s push you away.

Bare in mind we cant have one without the other and I guess this is one of the purposes of these surveys moving forward.

[jeff f]

in these times it can be hard for people to justify $100 for a comp even if there are big prizes

if you have big prizes you will attract more of the "pros" wich will knock out most of the average fishos chance at getting a prize

my two bobs worth

[Keen-as-fisho]

For me I would pay the extra simply to help the forum, the only thing that would deter me paying extra is the location of the event ie. state of origin at Jacobs well definitely no, not only cause its a hole but its 43 bucks a night camping extra on top but the BRC or MBC no worries.

[sunnydays]

Brisabne Fishing Online Wrote:

Ha!

The classic Push & Pull Marketing paradigm.

Bigger prizes pull you in.

High entry fee’s push you away.

Bare in mind we cant have one without the other and I guess this is one of the purposes of these surveys moving forward.

Ok, how about we meet in the middle! $62.50 ???

[Manni79]

Here's my 2 cents - a long answer to a simple question lol

Being a member for a over a year now and pretty much have entered all the events throughout the year, what I have found is that the majority of events are more driven by a social aspect.

AFO although a fishing forum, has developed a community which I have made many friends and so have many other members, the events tend to motivate a regular crew to catch up for a fish, socialise and get up to mischeif lol and with each event you find a small number of new recruits

The prizes on offer of late have been great, Summer Classic for instance had first prize offering of circa $500 in prizes - paying $25-$40 is a very fair price. What you also need to consider is that we (members of AFO) will travel long distances to participate, for example,

Noosa:

Large fuel expenses to get up and back with the boat.

Camping or hotel accomodation

Food, Alcohol etc

It all starts to add up - asking whether we would pay a higher entry fee for larger prizes, to me moves away from community driven events and more focused on pure comp style fishing!!

Answer: I would pay more for a larger kitty but would like to see a one day event i.e. Bream comp from 5am to 1pm etc..

Based on the current format of events, personally i don't think having bigger prizes will necessarily warrant a higher entry fee. A lot of members, not all will say that winning is just a bonus, yet catching up with a great bunch of people, taking the family away on a small trip etc. was the main driver.

It's probably more a case of how do you get more entry's perhaps if you tend to promote events more externally i.e via tackle shops or local businesses where the event is held, perhaps you charge a higher entry fee for non members?? yet make it attractive to existing members?

What about bonus structure? If you entered say in the BRC 2011, you get 20% off in 2012 if you enter again? this may help drive a higher volume of entry's yet also gernerate additional revenue to AFO but still at a good value option for members

Probably not the best section to post, but i think there's more too it than just a fee & prize involved.....

[Gary_C]

I think Manni has stated it pretty well.

Another thing to consider is the number of people who enter the events without any real expectation and only slim chances of winning a prize. It's kind of like that Mater homes charity - you don't really expect to win a million dollar home, but you can at least convince yourself that the $30 is going to a good cause.

[shortie]

nope im not there for the prizes. If i was i might actually fish.

[faulked]

keep it cheep and cheerfull to much money involved will bring the wrong attitude to the events id like a monthly 10 comp just for fun maybe a monthly trophy thats transferable at the next comp

[Surfingant]

I'm of the opinion that if the entry fee is increased then it needs to become more of a comp only situation and not a social/comp as we know it now. Higher entry fees equal more competition and a less friendly atmosphere plus the rules would really need to be tightened so that it is more in line with outside run comps, i.e lure/fly only, one day format and set comp hours. I feel this will detract from the great atmosphere that is generally found at AFO comps and as a result entry numbers will suffer.

[Angus]

Monthly comps are tough guys.

I barely have time to organise monthly online comps and 4 big ones.

We have tried to extensivley recoiled the social networking capabilities and interactivity of this website so members can organise these sorts of events themselves.

Nothing stopping members organsing a AFO equivilant of mini bucks for example. We would pull at least the same numbers.

Hell I would attend more things if I did not need to organise them if I was available.

Angus

[Eug]

i don't enter for prizes, however i'd rather see 5 people get $200 than 1 person get $1000. the more people that walk away happy the more inclined they are to come back (that is if they are competing for prizes).

i'm happy for the social aspect.

[pancakes_and_haggis]

i wouldn't pay a cent to enter a bream comp, perhaps angled at the fact i've never caught one on artificial bait of any kind!

I would however chuck $50 at a bream "social" where id have a decent chance of meeting some of the guys that give me hours of entertainment everyday reading their posts on here! like ellicat! :silly:

[crazywalrus]

I think Manni stated it pretty well. I go for the social but do enjoy winning a prize more for the thrill of winning something. I think it is better to look at how we get more people to come along. It always amazes me the weekends we have a comp on people still go fishing somewhere else. Why not get involved? We need to look at the reason why people do not join in. Maybe a poll for along these lines. Is it that people are shy, do not like comps, think it is a boys club?

From the sponsors point of view I would think that they would prefer 60 at $25 each than 30 at $100. Just my two cents worth.

[Dell]

I go for the social but do enjoy winning a prize more for the thrill of winning something.

I reckon a monthly social would be great. Keep it social but perhaps have a seperate kitty pool for people that wana back themselves and like winning stuff? Kind of like the option up format in the abt comps. people that wana option up chuck in say $30 each at the start and it gets paid back to the top finishers in the pool.

i.e

10 people option up at $30 each = $300

1st - $110

2nd - $80

3rd - $60

4th - $50

More people = bigger payout or perhaps pay further down the placings depending on what everyone agrees to on the day.

[ellicat]

Larger prizes ???

I would much rather a gold bar than say...a trampoline that would be hard to fit in the car (and may require some assembly).

Never fish for competitive reasons. Fishing is a pastime for relaxation and a bit of fun.

My proudest moment was winning first prize in the lucky door prize at SoO last year. That is the longest winning streak I have had with my clothes on.

[Malcolm]

I think the prizes are good now and especially the junior ones I like the weekends away and social side

[51MPL]

I go for the social but do enjoy winning a prize more for the thrill of winning something.

I reckon a monthly social would be great. Keep it social but perhaps have a seperate kitty pool for people that wana back themselves and like winning stuff? Kind of like the option up format in the abt comps. people that wana option up chuck in say $30 each at the start and it gets paid back to the top finishers in the pool.

i.e

10 people option up at $30 each = $300

1st - $110

2nd - $80

3rd - $60

4th - $50

More people = bigger payout or perhaps pay further down the placings depending on what everyone agrees to on the day.

Keen for this. Also wouldn't mind paying extra entry fee for better prizes.

[PlasticFantastic]

Im not keen on the idea of paying more for a bigger prize and would prefer to keep it more of a social thing and also when the prizes are of a larger dollar value you'll find more people will question the results and judges decisions due to the prizes at steak.

Cheers

Mark

[AZZA]

I would be happy with a two dollar cup as it is not the prize it is more the social part that appeals I saw this happen with 4x4 comps at first it was a bit of fun then as the prizes got bigger the comp got very serious with guys showing with purpose built 4bs on trailers just make sure they win the set of tyres on offer.

[aussie123]

I thought these discussions were started for discussing how to raise some extra funds for AFO to survive or help pay the bills.

A number of the suggestions are about getting bigger prizes and nothing left for the forum.

[Do$tylz]

yeah.. I think the general vibe of AFO is a social thing. A bit of money to keep it available as a sanctioned/offical AFO event to cover the effort to get some prizes, cover insurance and help keep AFO afloat.

I think leave the big comps and big prizes out of it for the moment. Maybe a big 1 once a year?? like the BRC... I think that one can be pushed as a big event.

[crazywalrus]

yeah.. I think the general vibe of AFO is a social thing. A bit of money to keep it available as a sanctioned/offical AFO event to cover the effort to get some prizes, cover insurance and help keep AFO afloat.

I think leave the big comps and big prizes out of it for the moment. Maybe a big 1 once a year?? like the BRC... I think that one can be pushed as a big event.

And try and get the BRC advertised to encourage more competitors and members to join. I am happy to canvas tackle shops and other shops to try and increase the numbers. Maybe get B&B to do a run up to the comp as they always cover it after the fact. It would be fun to have a comp and social with 100+ people

[Pyro]

Im not keen on the idea of paying more for a bigger prize and would prefer to keep it more of a social thing and also when the prizes are of a larger dollar value you'll find more people will question the results and judges decisions due to the prizes at steak.

Cheers

Mark

I agree, keeping it more social is definitely the way to go. Keeps more ppl interested in entering in the next one so long as ppl don't take it all too seriously. If u win a prize...bonus, if not...its not the end of the world.

[bootyinblue]

Its the 10 fishos at $100 or 100 fishos at $10 dilemma.

I know if I was a sponsor/prize giver at any event I would want the max number of people there to see the product, take a flyer, have a chat to about etc. A big turn out and exposure opportunity is attractive to future sponsors.

I know there is a insurance component that needs covering, but there should not be a great increase in premiums for competitors. I have secured insurance before for sporting events and the competitor bands ie 1-100 101-500 etc were quite wide for the same money.

Bottom line for me is maximum numbers at minimum cost. I know I have sat out events before purely in the $$$ factor to enter.

[Angus]

Its the 10 fishos at $100 or 100 fishos at $10 dilemma.

I know if I was a sponsor/prize giver at any event I would want the max number of people there to see the product, take a flyer, have a chat to about etc. A big turn out and exposure opportunity is attractive to future sponsors.

I know there is a insurance component that needs covering, but there should not be a great increase in premiums for competitors. I have secured insurance before for sporting events and the competitor bands ie 1-100 101-500 etc were quite wide for the same money.

Bottom line for me is maximum numbers at minimum cost. I know I have sat out events before purely in the $$$ factor to enter.

I am not worried if its $1 or $100 Booty. As long as it makes the event worthwhile.

What we are trying to establish with this poll is would have more prize money (which can only be justified by higher entries) attract more people.

The answer based on present stats is prob not.

Angus

[mick fillet]

i would not pay more for a bigger cash prize,how ever i would pay more for a well organised event. eg image how cool it would be if a busy bloke like myself just payed one fee and it included the early bird rego fee camp site fees if applicable (SOO in mind) and one nights meal at the pub. i dont mind afo making a few bucks from me and i dont have to think about preparing one nights meal credit card bookings and that other crap. i just say yes iam coming and i be there to easy we can all socialy benifit from this type of organisation. what eva path you take afo you do a good job

mick

[Zim man]

I think that the more serious comp scene is covered already by the abt type events and the mini bucks as the step into those type of events.

I see AFO events as more social, meeting like minded people as well as learning a thing or two from more accomplished anglers. I don't attend near as many events as I want to, but I always make time for the winter camp which is a tremendous social event with some mildly competitive fishing thrown in. Keep it fun and people will return to more events, too serious and we may lose new entrants from attending further events

[Angus]

i would not pay more for a bigger cash prize,how ever i would pay more for a well organised event. eg image how cool it would be if a busy bloke like myself just payed one fee and it included the early bird rego fee camp site fees if applicable (SOO in mind) and one nights meal at the pub. i dont mind afo making a few bucks from me and i dont have to think about preparing one nights meal credit card bookings and that other crap. i just say yes iam coming and i be there to easy we can all socialy benifit from this type of organisation. what eva path you take afo you do a good job

mick

Thats pretty much Winter Camp in a nut shell

All meals, accomadation, entry fee to comp paid for. Plus gear, live shrimp and even a boat if you need it!

Some people have commented on the price being to high in the past, but I gauruntee if as the event organiser i didnt use Sports Tuition for this event and did it myself (the food organisation, booking of accomadation for numerous people registering at different times, and then all the general admin stuff that goes with any event) it would be more not less after actual expenses and a huge ammount of time.

Angus

Angus

[bootyinblue]

Its the 10 fishos at $100 or 100 fishos at $10 dilemma.

I know if I was a sponsor/prize giver at any event I would want the max number of people there to see the product, take a flyer, have a chat to about etc. A big turn out and exposure opportunity is attractive to future sponsors.

I know there is a insurance component that needs covering, but there should not be a great increase in premiums for competitors. I have secured insurance before for sporting events and the competitor bands ie 1-100 101-500 etc were quite wide for the same money.

Bottom line for me is maximum numbers at minimum cost. I know I have sat out events before purely in the $$$ factor to enter.

I am not worried if its $1 or $100 Booty. As long as it makes the event worthwhile.

What we are trying to establish with this poll is would have more prize money (which can only be justified by higher entries) attract more people.

The answer based on present stats is prob not.

Angus

I think what I was trying to convey was that perhaps there is not a need to pay more money for a larger prize.

[Angus]

Fair call Booty. But the bottom line is change is needed.

As discussed several events in the last 24 months, due to overheads have cost in some cases 3 times more to run than all revenue generated (and this does not include personal costs admin fork out to essentially work for a weekend and a huge ammount of lead up work as well).

Consider this plus the fact that we try to rely on events to fund the very existance of the site (so event entries are required for more than just the event running itself).

Bottom line if we cant turn the event aspect of AFO into a profitable enterprise the events will stop. This might not intially concern many AFO members as they can still use the forum and create their own socials. But with insuffecient revenue just to break even (let alone make the countless hours somehow worthwhile plus deal with a 5 figure existing debt) it wont be long before this URL leads to blank page not because of greed, boredom, lack of interest but just a simple lack of resources.

Angus

[bootyinblue]

Back to basics..... KISS priciple.

[Angus]

Back to basics..... KISS priciple.

Agree.

Its interesting though roughly 33% have indicated a higher prize pool for higher entry would be desirable. Not a majority but not insignficant...

Maybe a once a year AFO High Rollers concept could be considered?

Angus

[Davo_Dinkum]

Back to basics..... KISS priciple.

Agree.

Its interesting though roughly 33% have indicated a higher prize pool for higher entry would be desirable. Not a majority but not insignficant...

Maybe a once a year AFO High Rollers concept could be considered?

Angus

the BRC is your main event yes

have 2 sections for it a high rollers and a amateur social .

just a idea.

[tomca]

I voted higher, just for the BRC which is the flagship event.

The others are more for the meet and catch up as far as I am concerned.

If you go for higher entry fees then the rules and scrutiny will need to be notched up as well as seperating the bait from lure fisho's.

I like many would be happy to put the word out in the lead up to events to get people along.

[jeff f]

i think sponsorship and sponsor visibility leads to bigger prizes rather than higher entry fees

king of the pin for example, sundowners have new sponsors for the event

top prize is a boat motor and trailer

entry only $35

[bootyinblue]

i think sponsorship and sponsor visibility leads to bigger prizes rather than higher entry fees

king of the pin for example, sundowners have new sponsors for the event

top prize is a boat motor and trailer

entry only $35

Maybe Jeff decribes it better than I did with the 100 versus 10 analogy.

[AZZA]

Speaking for myself which may also be the thoughts of others, I don’t fish for competitions or even care who is the number one fisherman hell I could not tell you the name of one pro fisherman, as in the guys that do it for prizes not the guys that do it to feed the kin folk. I fish for the same reasons I guess that I used to surf, being that it is my release and a an enjoyable way to pass the time with mates and family or both. So to me the comp scene is only ever going to be the social side of things as the prizes would only ever be a bonus so paying big entry fees is never going to fly for me. I used to be the president of a quite large 4x4 club and it is easier but still an uphill battle to fund raise , you can have raffles as everybody comes together once a month or more and it is easy to throw in 5 or 10 bucks for tickets or trip fees for club runs plus we had the added advantage of yearly membership fees.

But AFO faces the challenge of everybody being remote and mostly interacting via keyboards and it is not so easy to have people run fund raising things atuculay I think it is not allowed unless you are a registered club, association or charity. I am sort of glad that it is not my problem to solve, BUT the site obviously needs to have an income to meet its outgoings or it will not survive. Looking at this page it has a lot of big blue space down both sides, comparing it to other forums these spaces are usually full of advertising, but I am sure that has not been overlooked but was more wondering what could be done to bring in advertisers.

Just a couple of wild card ideas from the club type way of doing things

1. If people organize social trips via the site all attendees pay a trip fee collected and deposited to AFO bank account.

2. Selling stuff over the site attracts a small % donation to AFO

3. Have a social meeting once a month with sausage sizzle and raffles ( there ways around things)

4. If people pick up deckie spots from the site they give a small donation to the site, it will still be heaps cheaper than charters or owning a boat.

I know all these things will require a certain amount of honesty and ethical behaviour but if people treat AFO like a club (their club) it will mostly work.

The hardest part will be getting the money to AFO as it is easy in a club you have a Treasurer who hounds everybody.

Anyway, that’s just my thoughts

Cheers

AZZA

PS as with any club 10% of the people will do 90% of the work but that just the way of the world

[Angus]

i think sponsorship and sponsor visibility leads to bigger prizes rather than higher entry fees

king of the pin for example, sundowners have new sponsors for the event

top prize is a boat motor and trailer

entry only $35

Maybe Jeff decribes it better than I did with the 100 versus 10 analogy.

Oh I could not agree more.

But after 6 years and hundreds of chats (equalling hundreds of hours) with uninterested potential sponsors who dont get the "online thing", we need to look in other directions.

If there is anyone out there willing to trade a new boat for the good will of a thousand odd members let me know and ill produce a VERY cheap event with a sweet prize

Angus