[Archers] Interest to capitalize on

[Jessica Mulligan]

Yeah, my coworker was complaining that there weren't enough new heavy fighters joining in his area and I pointed out the same things you said below.  Realistically, more people are suited for archery than heavy fighting or even rapier, and it's easy to get them started (and addicted :P )
 
I'm not sure how to improve demos, because you're usually limited by the environment, unless you're giving a demo at an SCA event.  You would want a display of skill that impresses without making the audience think, "man, I could never do that."  It's got to be something that makes them think they can do it, and want to try it.  Although, I think secretly everyone wants to try archery, some just get nervous and are afraid it will be too hard.
 
I've thought about the lack of advertisement for the SCA a bit.  Whenever we're out and about in garb, or practicing rapier/archery somewhere public, we get quite a few curious people who ask what we're doing, some who end up joining us in the future.  I keep thinking fliers, or pamphlets with local practices/gatherings, would be useful, I just haven't taken the time to inquire if there is an official way to go about advertising.  When I was in college I spent time putting up fliers for plays, we put them up on bulletin boards on campus, at the libraries, coffee shops, hobby stores, any place that would let us.  An eye-catching flier advertising archery would be sure to draw more people.
 
Sanada Katsumi
 

________________________________
 From: John Atkins <cogworks at triad.rr.com>
To: archers at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org 
Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 3:00 PM
Subject: Re: [Archers] Interest to capitalize on
  

 Message 
Total 
agreement.  In my area, Sacred Stone, more people have either joined or 
tried the SCA because of target archery than any other activity.  But, as 
you say, what is most talked about is the heavy fighting.  Now in comparing 
the two to fight heavy one must buy armor, expensive, and "learn the basics", 
then get authorized, then they can play on a regular basis.  For archery a 
person can walk out to the range and say "that looks like fun, can I try?" and 
they get handed a bow and some arrows and they are trying it out.  No 
bruises, or worse, from "authorization" and no major cash outlay BEFORE they get 
to try it to see if it's really what they think it is.  And, as my nurse 
wife says, no physical damage that will come back to haunt you in your older 
age!  Plus, for archery size does NOT matter.  In heavy fighting going 
against a 300 pound guy BEFORE he puts on his armor is intimidating.  In 
target archery a 60 pound young lady can outshoot a 250 pound muscle 
man. 
  
So the 
question then becomes, what can we do to better advertise target archery?  
One thing for which I am a major proponent is IF, big if most of the time, 
archery is included in a demo, it must be something that involves the crowd 
while displaying skill.  I love archery but watching others shoot is right 
up there with grass growing and paint drying.  Involve the audience and 
give them a reason to be interested. 
  
cog 
 
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Jessica Mulligan  [mailto:slaoen at yahoo.com] 
>Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 11:51  AM
>To: John Atkins;  archers at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
>Subject: Re: [Archers] Interest to  capitalize on
>
> 
>Of course it is.  :)  How many of us read/watched Robin  Hood books/movies as children?  When I took my daughter, Robin (can you  guess what stories I liked as a kid?), to see Brave she was so excited because  "she shoots a bow, like me!"  Growing up, I was either shooting while  pretending to be Robin Hood, or swordfighting while pretending to be  Madmartigan.  If I had known about the SCA back then I would have talked  to my parents about joining. 
>  
>I think the biggest problem is advertisement.  There is  interest to be capitalized on, but we need to reach young people, and their  parents.  I didn't know the SCA did target archery until I reluctantly  agreed to attend an event at which my coworker was doing heavy fighting.   Up until then, the only thing I had ever heard about the SCA was that they did  heavy fighting, and I only heard about that by word of mouth from heavy  fighters. 
>  
>We get a lot of newcomers who are interested in archery out at  Wolfhou.  I'm not sure how many of them have been inspired by recent  movies though.  The most common thing I hear is, "I've always wanted to  try archery, but never had the chance." 
>  
>Sanada Katsumi 
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