Haha, so my seminar didn't go as planned. I had seven people signed up for it and only one person actually showed up. I suppose that's what I get for not demanding payment in advance. I will definitely require that for the next one. On the plus side, the student who showed up wants to have weekly private lessons. It went well. Four hours of drills and basic applications.

Anybody have any advice on making seminars work better?

Hire Tai Chi BOB to intruct them.

Damn! Why didn't I think of that? next time.... next time.

Because you didn't consult Tai Chi BOB, that's why you didn't think of it.

of course!

Kelly,

You should ask for a deposit in advance.

And never hire Tai Chi BOB.

i was going to say credibility, but that hasn't really ever been a necessity for attendance in the martial arts.

Again I have been rejected by the establishment.

My CHI is far too exspansive for mear mortals to comprehend.

I will now limit my seminars to the De Anza trailer park community recreation meeting room, for those that wish to transend mediocraty and exsperience the deeper psycodelic manifestations of inner CHI cultivation.
And no matter how much any of you pay me, I say today your not invited.
My seminar is for those few that relate and are willing to dedicate their time and effort. I just do not see any of you guys of being of that caliber.
Tai Chi BOB

"You should ask for a deposit in advance."

Yah I think you are right Tim. Well, I am going to wait a month and try again. We'll see what happens.

Me too, and with advanced payment

just like the hookers in my pole dancing class.

Payment in advance does not always mean anything. I required it for the last several seminars for Tim, and I only got a few people, but the day of the actual seminar we get way more!
May be the market. May be how you advertised and promoted the event. Too many factors.
Also I noticed your name is not on your teachers website with permission to teach. Perhaps that did not help.
Jake

it's probably because of;

http://www.fusionbjj.com/

http://www.pedrosauer.com/pedrosauer/staff/staff.html

http://www.slcbjj.com/machadoslc/rigansseminar.html

Fly in Tim

I've had Tim over for seminars many times.
Jake and Jason are correct. For a seminar to be successful financially, you have to make sure that the seminar provides something:

a) unique that isn't offered locally
b) someone of authority/reputation, that others want to see/learn from
c) make it convenient, both economically and from a schedule/logistical perspective.

If you don't have those things listed above, it gets real tough to pull in people.

good training,
Joe

http:\thestudywithin.blogspot.com

I have hosted various seminars over the past 7 years, and have learned a lot from them. Namely people are a trip (to put it nicely;)! They are cheap. They lie, cheat and steal. And in the end you can trust hardly any of them.
That being said, I have fallen short of expectations only twice in the last 7 years, so I think I have a pretty good system.
Without knowing the specfics I cannot be of much help. But like Jean said....bring in Tim!
Jake

"May be the market. May be how you advertised and promoted the event. Too many factors.
Also I noticed your name is not on your teachers website with permission to teach. Perhaps that did not help."

Yah I think you are right. Well the thing is that he only gives out certificates for instruction/dicipleship/mastery on Chinese New Year and that is next Febuary. I dont know if he would be ok putting me up on the website. I suppose I could ask him. He told me that I should create my own website.

"a) unique that isn't offered locally
b) someone of authority/reputation, that others want to see/learn from
c) make it convenient, both economically and from a schedule/logistical perspective."

Well said. I agree. That is the problem with any advertising. It is difficult to start from scratch.

"He told me that I should create my own website. "

if you were asking me to endorse you...

huh? no, I don't know where you are seeing that.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 07:43 pm:

What the heck are you talking about?

He-s saying that your teacher didn't add you to his website, rather suggested you start your own website, and if you asked Jason to endorse you he'd make the same suggestion.

Jason doesn't seem to be terribly cleaver so his insults aren't very deep.


Bob#2

nope.

they're just right there, in your face. No subtext for me. just 'text'.

As long as there's a Bob to do it for me.

Ah I see.

You have my endorsement!

I will even place your flyer up at the center for the increpid during my next class.

I will also oragami the flyer into an dubie holder so it gets passed around to everyone


Tai Chi BOB

haha

haha is what you say when you mock someone.

you are being mocked. that is the nervous 'hahaha'.

no. haha is the written form of a laugh because something funny was written.

I missed spelled DOOBIE
I thought that was funny!
I make that HaHa sound In my mystical Chi Gung practice that involes getting all mocked up on dooobage and avoiding nervous paranoia with BOB Style Tai Chi.
It's a summertime Speed Racer light show Chi Gung like high beems in the freezer isle. We call the practice tails and vivid trails.
Hey that a good idea for your next seminar work in some dancing girls and whiskey.
Everybody gotta have hook, in advertising. There is no better hooker then a dancing girl.
Just the thought of it gets my chi flowing.