I tend to agree with Dirt. We need to have more gigs, no need to have fancy smancy kind of gigs, just have more constant gigs. Like even once every 3months, will definately get more people involved and notice about Soft. This is just part of a big picture in promotion.
I for one is in full support, with my equipments ready in hand to provide for such a job at super subsidized rates. As I believe I only need to come out with the stuffs, the guys at Soft will definately come forward to volunteer their manpower.
On this maybe James can discuss more with Mr Heartrock on the feasibility. I believe RR2005 has give us some experiences of what to do later on. Venue wise, being fresh would be great. Meaning try to hold it in different public place. The scale should be smaller in terms of sound output when in residential area, all performing bands should be understanding and tone down when necessary.
My personal observation is that in Soft, it's mainly familiar faces. Others who come may be in great interest for a short span of time, after which they just simply vanish. Normally people with their own agenda and goal fits this class. I think people who actually stay and log in every other day and give input to the site, maybe there is only a few new ones every month only.
Other than that, the other way to greater publicity calls for greater participation from members. Like going to Hotspots to distribute flyers for Gigs & events from soft. Many other events can be planned like clinics, showcase, demonstration...etc.
But all these calls for funds to be available to carry out. So in the end we must consider on ways to create funds. Selling ads space is one thing, but that is very limited as web space on a desktop is just that. Maybe if some organisation can be approached to adopt the community for like 3months per term, that's another way. Other than that, maybe Mr Heartrock new project on the Heartrock center, can include Soft within it wings, I believe this integration could be helpful too.
Industry observation is always the same, there are many individual efforts out there. All struggling for the same pie out there. If some of these are willing to consolidate their efforts and work together instead of by themself, I think will definately help. What i am saying is that, james, you can only do so much by yourself, if you have more people you can do more thing.
Alas, this is not my hobby, but it's part of my job, so I have to treat it professionally. I can't be an active volunteer, just have time to hang around the forum providing input so far.
