"Getting the Money to...."
For the Ross-like people (like his old buddy Captain Pizzo , McPizzo Shizzo,the fake Army captain. They both have regular full time jobs. They may or may not have come into some money for all this advertising. But, I note the full page color ads last as long as a "test" typical contract for a amagazine. (usual minumum 3 months) Then disappear. Which means they failed to produce in those three months.
I have seen a lot in my 14 or so years in this "international systems business" and what I predict is... these new guys make the same mistakes...
Typical mistake-Bad name - the Self Defense Compnay is a bad name. The demographic-the most active, 18 to 30 years old you want, think that "self defense" is an old ladies class. It just doesn't draw in the customer you want and need.
Typical mistake-Long term "in-and-out" money. They make $90,00 a year! But after about the third year they discover they spent $100,000 a year to make that $90,000 a year, but with the steady in-and-out of money, on a monthly basis it is hard to see until significant time passes. Usually tax prep for the third year. One suddenly asks...gee why am I behind $30,000?
Typical Mistake - Dues. Association dues is a very tricky thing, If you are dealing with people like Tae Kowon Do people, who expect and are used to a little abuse, they pay dues. Many modern people will not. I could rattle off a long list of "new" systems that have tried this and failed or have settled for WAY, way less (Los Angeles Krave Maga, Sayoc...etc) You have to be REAL carfeul about collecting monthly or annual dues. (of course there is needed local school attendence fees - I'm not talking about that here at all.
Speaking of ad money? Where are they now?
Tom Patire (master of Hand Squeezy system) had a rich friend in NYC who paid for all his ads. No more and notice...no more Tom
Mike Karanek of FIGHT/Hagganah had a rich friend pay for all his ads (which were EVERYWHERE a few years back). No more and when was the last time you saw an ad? ANY ad from him?
(Of course Jim Wagner would shining shoes if it weren't for free ads from Black Belt.)
Paul Vunak?
Vu still has a very dedicated small group of followers. I will always have a soft spot for VU and VU is a true 1980s pioneer, even though he is always in some kind of trouble. I truly wish VU would succeed in his positive plans. Vu is a genuine bad ass and he and his system (well before RAT) set me on a path away from the classics, as a pioneer, he remains on the horizon spotlight. With almost no ads at all.
Economics takes a long time to work out. But water seeks its own level when you take away the unnatural advantages of free advertsising, the names you've heard of in the past, disappear. Somewtimes slowly, but...poof.
Hock
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Topic: Damion Ross, Self Defense Company $5,000 dues (Read 2036 times)