ericcaptdrake

When you are talking advertising you have to understand a lot more than ideas. Obviously "Funds" are the biggest hurdle. Of course no one knows (and I don't feel like telling anyone) How much $ PERSONAL money that I have laid out for certain events for years. Getting paid to do some events has never ever happened for me, even when I was a vendor and made $7700.00 the first year!! It's really easy for people to give ideas and think that what works is their ideas, or mentioning what has done does not work ect...especially when it's not their money.

I will state this as a professional statement and fact as to what works for an event like a Faire.

Industry standards for an event like a Halloween Haunted House or a Ren Faire have always varied from state to state but In my professional opinion this is what works. Keep in mind that we have not been able to do it at the most recent event.

First and foremost WOM (Word of mouth) has to be done in the surrounding area, and that was not done this year, nor was it my responsibility to do so. None of the local towns knew about the Faire this year. Next in my opinion Radio HAS TO BE DONE!!!!! I would go as far to say that anywhere from 60%-80% of an advertising budget need to go to radio and it needs to blanket "meaning" the amount of money needed to do it right is a minimum of $5000.00 in this area. To be sure twice that!! Next Print, which I've heard said that that was not done this year, but I will tell you all it was done. We were in local publications and some nationals including the News Leader in Springfield, and various others as well.

Then if you have the ability TV. National channels like ABC, CBS ect..are the best but not cost effective for such a small event, so Cable is the only option. Cable does not hit those local to this last event because a lot of them don't have it, but we did pull several people from Springfield and other areas from the commercials we ran this year. The program that my firm did for White Hart this year would cost someone over $10,000.00 at a retail price to do. I did it for free, and only could do what I was allowed. Makes a person feel a little bit of emotion to see others not appreciate that but instead give their opinions without having all the facts, but oh well I did not do it to be praised, I did it to help.

We also did some Springfield WOM advertising and put flyers up every where. We also did interviews at local TV stations as well.

So with all that said I would like to say to those that might not know it. I have given sacrifices to help this little Faire and I did only what I was allowed to do and what I was capable of doing. If there was an area that the advertising ball was dropped it was in the local WOM and not doing Radio in my opinion. My firm has connection in TV and Print mainly not radio. Sure I can shoot a radio commercial pretty easy as well as buy the airtime for it however the agency discount is nothing like TV. I did what I did and that was all I could do. I have come along way in learning my triggers and not allowing myself to get frustrated with others, so I will say I'm not mad at anyone right know. However I would say people sometimes state their opinions and don't really have all the facts and sometimes don't even know what they are talking about to begin with.

The biggest problem with the latest event is LOCATION!!! Unfortunately this event will never be huge because of that, something I have said since day one. If your going to be involved with it then you just have to realize this and go into it knowing that it has issues that may effect it's success. If you can't do it because of that then I would not think anyone would think badly of you for your choice. The sacrifices that have been made by many are sacrifices that we were willing to take or we would not have taken them, Lets remember that.

Personally I had a great time and will do it again if able.

If this event is going to work then at the least people are going to have to really concentrate on local WOM and I think that people coordinating a massive local push would be the way to go.

My pieces of eight.
~Eric

It has finally leaked out a bit so I thought that I would make it Public here on
this forum as I know many of you will be very interested. Di and I have
discussed it and we have made our minds up. Historic Arts Presentations are in
the planning stages to open another Faire. It will be a Pirate/Fae Court Fantasy
Faire and will be in Springfield proper. I am currently putting everything
together and looking for a site ect... I will be holding auditions for both
courts as well as stage shows. There is no set date as of yet as it is still in
the planning stages, however if your interested in participating or auditioning
you may contact me by e-mail eric.capt.black@gmail.com (or in person or by phone
if I see you). Once I have something set I will announce it and open a website
and another Yahoo group as well.

Nothing better than a rainy day cleansing ritual. I Love my wife. When its too hard for me to hear the calling of the Goddess to cleanse or when the WILL is not there it is hard. Thank the Goddess for my wife. Thankful for goodness of intent.

Pull down upon us Her grace
Grace of fortune
Grace of voice
Grace of Wisdom
Grace of truth
Grace of the land
Grace of sea
Grace of guidance
Grace of Victory
Grace of the eternal sky's
Grace of the light of the moon
Grace of glittering stars
Grace of the warmth of the sun
Great mother of all life, Mother of all beings, Mother of all time, Mother of eternity
Bless us with good means, Bless us with good intent.
Bless us with good estate
Guard our speed
Strengthen our love
Awaken our understanding
Comfort us in sorrow
Guide us this day in our own way
Surround us this night
Pour down upon us Grace

As above so below
So Mode it be......

OK so WWC is not going under even though the economy is weak we will survive!!

I have decided to run a special for MAY and JUNE only!!!

Our 3-Step program is a National Full Service Marketing Program, which consists of a television commercial that's either 30 sec. or 60 sec. in length. It also includes airtime in a market of over 1 million people. The commercial airs 50 to 60 times, and the market is chosen according to demographics that best suit your product or service.

We also do a professional PR that reaches 70,000 contacts including 38,000 newspaper and magazine editors.

Our wholesale placement is the final step and targets catalog companies that would be interested in your product.

But that's not all!!! We also submit your product to the big box retailers like Borders, Target, Barnes and Noble, K-Mart just to mention a few.

Now normally we do this for a flat fee of $30,000.00

Sometime I will lower that cost down to $10,000.00 depending upon the product and company.

The special I'm offer for the next 2 months is $6000.00!!!!

For what your get how can you go wrong.

Anyone wanting our services should contact me directly at 1-888-913-3330 ext 2


For all of those musicians or performers out there that would like to increase exposure this is a great way to do it.

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*For those willing to give me a free plug to all your blogs, friends ect it would be very appreciated.
Appreciated so much that if it turns out to be a sale for us we will pay you $500.00!!! Please tell everyone you know that might be interested. We do have programs that are smaller in cost as well.


References can be provided for those needing them.

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Also on Page 39 half page ad.

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OK so I usually don't post about food but OMG my wife made a delightfully decadent spinach stuffed ravioli with a wonderful garlic alfredo sauce. I'm sitting here getting ready to have a glass of mead with a smile on my face.

On another note last night we had a great time at the after party and "MY" Mead Lady the wonderfully talented Susan "Not the Momma" Liebhart introduced a new mead to us titled "Drake's Bane" and OMG it's wonderful. Basically it's a mulled spiced honey mead that has a fully sweet taste with an awesome spicy after taste. We finished off a bottle last night passing it around from guest to guest and everyone loved it.

The Dogges are progressing nicely and I was very pleased with the blending and harmony last night. There is our new member Joe or Sven but we are also adding a 6th member whom we tried out this last week. I will be announcing who that is soon. It looks as if the Dogges will be quite full and our vocals and instruments will have the sound that Ive been trying to attain since this group started.

We have the Joplin Community Clinic Fund Raiser next weekend that we will be performing for with the red moon tribe. We are looking forward to the event. There are some really wealthy "heavy hitters" that will be attending including a Judge or 2 as well as a number of white collar professionals. We are going to have a really good time playing with the corporate mundanes lol.

I have a friend that's looking to have an outfit either made or purchased. So I need links people!!!!We are looking for reliable artists and for the most part it will need to be the golden age of Piracy 1650 to 1720 or so. However if you peeps know a good corset, bodice, skirt, bloomer, chemise, shirt maker it really wouldn't matter if it was 16th century. Another option would be if any of you had items that you would want to get rid of. The thing is, is that it would probably need to be from when you were a kid because she wears a 2 to a 4 upstairs!!! Any ideas welcome.

Thanks!!

ok so it's not like me to post negative stuff so I wont go into too much detail all I will say is just when I thought things were going to get normal more stress. Deep Breathe.......... I will over come.

Ok so maybe not. I thought they would have us on the web page but they dont yet so here is their e-mail newsletter link. http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/255559/e829f84577/TEST/TEST/

Oh and thanks to Tim for the correct e-mail addy to contact them.

The Sea Dogges have been confirmed for Conestoga 2009 you can go here http://sftulsa.org/ to their website for details.

For the last year I have had a lot of time to reflect on my past as well as who Ive become and who I want to be. Growing up in a Christian setting from nine years old was interesting. There are several things about that belief that I disagree with, but there are also many that I hold as beliefs to this day.

It may seem silly to some but being knighted by Susi was something that has held me in check. I have felt at times that I need to be a good example to others even though this happened in character as it were. As time has past Ive realized that being a good example for others was some of the "old thinking" that I was raised on. The bottom line is I want to be a good man. I want to be kind, sensitive, honorable, loving, strong, protective. I want to be that sort of human being not because of what others think but because It is truly what I want.

As Ive reflected there has been one thing that has come to mind over and over again and that is forgiveness. I have failed myself in that endeavor. I have missed that to forgive is wise and is a trait that I want to have. To forgive is to grow. To forgive is a selfless act that allows knowledge and understanding to spread like a disease.

Forgiveness is not easy. Forgiveness is not always warranted, nor are all deserving of it. However I choose to forgive for myself and others including those not deserving because it is what I choose to be.........and last I forgive myself for forgetting this trait that I wished in myself.

We have been asked to come to PyrateCon 2009. We all want to go but not sure if we can. There were over 270+ bands that sent in bids. They have decided on 4 Bands and we are one of them!! This is so very exciting and is such a great opportunity for us to dance in our perfect demographic. The venue is awesome and the patrons & performers come from all over the world. How could it get any better than to party, perform, and mingle in the french quarter with pirates from all over the world? Hollywood producers, record executives, film makers, authors, actors, renactors,artists, all walks of life come to this event. This is the Biggie for pirates. The sister to DragonCon's Sci Fi event. A French Quarter-wide celebration of Pirate History, attracting hundreds to the workshops and vendors, thousands to the Saturday night parade, and countless tourists coming to line the streets and interact with the finest pirates from around the world. This year’s theme is "Search For Lafitte’s Ghost" with participating Haunted New Orleans Tours, ghostly interactions throughout the weekend, LaFitte’s Treasure Hunt, Voodoo Queen invitation for the dead of New Orleans to party, and our "Dead Can Dance" Grand Ball. Waking the Dead 1pm: Procession and invocation to wake the dead of New Orleans and invite them to party with the living for 3 days. Jean Lafitte sightings 8pm: Dead Pirate Ball (Party) in the Haunted Ballroom (tickets sold separately) Saturday, April 4 Vendor Rooms Workshops Black Powder Sword Fighting Bourbon Street Invasion Parade Jean Lafitte sightings Saturday Night Charity Events throughout the French Quarter to be announced Wench Auction to benefit New Orleans First Responders Sunday, April 5 Vendor Rooms Workshops Sword Fighting Final procession with Invocation to put the dead back to rest. So  even though we are honored we are not sure if we can make it this time.
There also will be the Dead Pirate Ball (party) which will be at the Bourbon Orleans Ballroom, with the largest balcony over Bourbon St. Imagine standing on a balcony full of pirates, tossing beads, drinking rum, the Piratical toast of the French Quarter! All manor of dress from Drowned Pirate to Gallows Wench is acceptable, in other words, you don't have to dress fancy (though fancy is more fun), just put your "deadest" foot forward.



Your Dead Pirate Ball (Party) ticket price will include:

Admission to the Party

Cocktails

H'orderve Buffet (mini-feast)

Live Entertainment

A 50.00 value that will be offered for 40.00 pre-sale only, then at the door will be full price

About the Bourbon Orleans Ballroom



What would be a Party with the Dead without a Real Haunted Ballroom!!! that's right, the Bourbon Orleans Ballroom has a legend of being haunted! It is also quite notorious in New Orleans History.

Built in 1817 by John Davis, the Orleans Ballroom is the oldest, most historic ballroom in New Orleans. When it opened, it became the setting for the most select affairs in New Orleans. Such events held here were masquerade balls, carnival balls and the forever famous Quadroon Balls in which beautiful fair-skinned African American women, or Quadroons, were selected to be the mistresses of wealthy Creole gentleman.
There was a time when a ticket to a Quadroon Ball cost two dollars, so that people of a certain social rank could afford to attend. It was written that the Orleans Ballroom was, without a doubt, the most richly decorated in the United States and these balls made the capitals of Europe envious.
In 1827, the Orleans Ballroom became the state and house legislative meeting place. It is said, but unverified that Andrew Jackson announced his candidacy for President of the United States of America within these staunch walls.

Capt'n. Black's Sea Dogges Probably can't make it this year but we will let you all know!!
Not sure if we can put the money together to do it . We have a big crew.
www.pyratecon.com

  

Still throwing up a little this morning and had the runs as well. Took him back to the vet and little guy got 2 shots.

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Well what a kick ass weekend. Thanks to all of you that supported us this week and weekend. To Barbara & John for the place to sleep. Thanks to Mark W. for his help, your just one of the best friends a guy could ask for PERIOD!!!! Christine for the invite and vouchers. Susi for being my big sister as always. Dani and Matt, for the place to hang out and the great food as always, and for letting the crew invade your home, and the to die for new drink!! To Heather for helping us at Pub sing I'm so very sorry I forgot your CD I will get you one ASAP. To Tony for flying all the way back to see us, just <3 U to death dear. To Mom, for being my Mom. To Wayne for coming to support us (even after you decided not to return to KCRF), I apologize for murdering your toast LMAO. To my Wife I Love you, your my inspiration, and muse. To Cat for the drooling on me boots ;). To Susan for the mead, and friendship. To the Sea Dogges, You did well lads I'm proud of you all. To Tessa and Natalie for the instruction on facing my fears LMAO. To The Bruce for having me back. To Thomas for all around slave labor. To all the beautiful women big small thin, smart, fun, sexy, no matter. To Brie for waving at me on stage it made my day. To all the compliments support hugs and smiles from everyone. Thanks to all who bought a CD. To Robyn S. & Mom, for hugging me even though they were allergic to me ;) LOL I had a fabulous time.

To those that were shitty (but not on my Flist), it's ok I understand that it might be hard to reach past your ego's to wipe, I forgive you.

If I die before I wake
A happy soul Drake would make

Release date is Oct. 4th. We are waiting for confirmation on the CD release party and when we have it I will announce it here as well as our site www.seadogsmusic.com

Our Web site is for the most part done. I would like to ask all my friends to spead the news to your contacts :) please. There are 3 free MP3's to download on our site for everyone to enjoy. www.seadogsmusic.com I really appreciate your support and kindness. I would link the website but I'm not at a computer that will allow me to. So you will need to copy and paste or just type it in. Once again tanks and enjoy ;)