Talking Poker T-shirts

Talking Poker · #1 11-28-04, 11:27 AM

Sorry... but no way. This site has cost me PLENTY of money so far (did you know the software for this forum was $160 alone, not to menion web hosting, paying people to post and on and on and on), and it looks to only be costing me more. If I am ever going to break even (TBD), it's going to be a long ways down the road based on the amount of play through my affiliate links so far (which I really do appreciate!).

Yes, weaing a tshirt to a casino - if people do (obviously I would have no way of making them do this) - would expose the name to a number of people and a few of them might even check it out. Of those that see it on a gie trip, I'm thinking no more than one would create an account at the forum here. Realistically, that shirt is going to have to be exposed to... oh.... 2000 or more people before I earn a penny from it (someone sees it, reads it, remembers to check out the site, and then actually signs up to a poker site through my links). I know that number sounds crazy high, but I don't think it's all that far off. It might even be low.

As for 25 shirts for $50.... that would be nice, but I don't see that happening either... not if you want a half decent shirt, anyway.

And regardless of the cost, isn't it always easier for a bunch of people to kick in a small amount of money than for one guy to pay the entire bill? Maybe I'm only saying that because I'm the one guy, but I don't think so. Even the big poker sites don't just give you free promo material - and they have it made in BIG TIME bulk and get it dirt cheap. They also stand to profit a lot more from it, since they make money by people playing there and don't require the big extra step it take for me to make any money...

In summary, no, these shirts will not be free. That's not to say you won't be able to earn one for 1000 posts or something like that, but they won't be falt out free...

Penguinfan · #2 11-28-04, 11:32 AM

If you get me a logo and some kind of basic design you would like I can gt a sample made and post it here with a price for everyone to check out and then we would have a better idea of how much this will cost.
Shouldn't take more than a day or two to get a sample made.

Talking Poker · #3 11-28-04, 12:38 PM

I'm not even sure what kind of shirts we are talking about.... Tshirts would be cheapest, of course, but personally, I'd much rather have a classy looking golf-shirt with a nice embroidered logo on it.

I'll email you a logo anyay and see what you can come up with..

If people are interested in a more fancy design, let's see 'em. The person who comes up with the best design would of course get THEIR shirt for free

Anyone who wants a copy of the official logo to work with, email me and I'll send it to you.

jimmym · #4 11-28-04, 01:33 PM

Scrap the t-shirts and go for baseball caps with a talking poker logo, more suitable and more use.

Jim

Talking Poker · #5 11-28-04, 02:25 PM

This is a good idea too.... Anyone know a good baseball cap making place?

Aequitas58 · #6 11-28-04, 01:47 PM

We disagree about the upswing (from the advertisement) but whatever. I can see where you're coming from.

BrianSwa · #7 11-28-04, 01:56 PM

I say t-shirts and like I said dont mind pitching in some money for them.

ChipFish · #8 11-28-04, 02:03 PM

I have to Agree with TP on this one....
Cost too much for him with little hope of a return.
Think of this as a start-up business....
Cash is key.
I think the numbers TP has guestimated are probably correct if not low.
Every 2-3000 people see the shirt, maybe 10 will join the forum, and from that maybe 1 would sign up through a link.
Of course it all depends on the personality of the shirt-wearer also.

I would spam the hell out of rec-poker for a while simply because that's all it seems to be there for... Spam.

Once we get a regular tourney going at Stars or where-ever (Absolute may be a good idea too), then people will see the private tourney and check out the site.

From there word of mouth and the almighty internet will get the numbers up...

Realisticly, TP needs approx 1500-1800 members to start making a steady profit.

Unfortunately, With Cash being Key, I don't see a way to attract that many members without continuing the pay-to-post and TP subsequently going broke, other than private tourneys.
Stars would be better because of the larger player base that may see them and check the site out.

Back to the point I wanted to make when I started typing:
Yeah I'd buy a shirt, Why not? $20-25 for a nice golf shirt with a little logo on the breast would be fine.... Would I wear it to the Casino? Considering I don't go regularly... maybe once or twice, but not often enough to have much of an impact on this site. Maybe some of the homegames I go to I'd wear it once in a while too, that would most likely generate more interest.

We'll see what happens.

jimmym · #9 11-28-04, 02:27 PM

For TP to make money or break even on the t-shirt or BASEBALL CAP ideas what we need is one of us members to make it through to the tv stage of a big tourny.

I like the idea of wearing a t-shirt or BASEBALL CAP with the TP logo and then are name and member number.

I think you guys who have gained your TP bonus shopuld dedicate the bonus to entering and qualifing for major tournys through satalites and if you make it pay TP back by wearing the TP t-shirt or BASEBALL CAP.

Jim.

Aequitas58 · #10 11-28-04, 03:55 PM

So - get the bonus and use it to qualify for a major tournament so that we can advertise TalkingPoker.com?

What?

Aequitas58 · #11 11-28-04, 03:53 PM

Just wondering, why are you and TP predicting such shitty results? The poker industry is KICKING ASS right now. You wear a shirt to the casino with a poker website URL, and people are interested. The people are the casino are precisely the people that sign up poker accounts - and ALOT of those people don't have them.

You guys talk about MAYBE 1 person signing up an account - yea, if you're wearing the shirt to church.

We just have different views that's all. I think it'd be more effective then people think.

Talking Poker · #12 11-28-04, 04:42 PM

You speak from speculation. I speak from experience.

Talking Poker · #13 11-28-04, 02:28 PM

Well, then let me put it another, much simpler way... Why should I go through all the trouble and expense of having TalkingPoker.com tshirts designed, printed, shipped to me, and then shipped to you, when taking 30 seconds to make a single post on RGP aout this forum is much, much, much more effective, and with near instantaneous results?

My point is... there are ways to promote this site besides sending you a tshirt. While I think they would be cool, and there does seem to be interest in them, the reason I would have them made wouldn't be for me to get rich. So no, I won't send you one for free.

Defendant · #14 11-28-04, 03:38 PM

Thats why Im saying cover the cost, and hell, toss in 2-3$ for TPs efforts on the shirts. Seriously, its not like it would be asking for your first-born son, more like 15-20$, I think we can afford that with the money we get for posting AND have some left over...

Defendant

TajaUk · #15 11-28-04, 04:04 PM

Its a good idea, i wear ladbrokes.com stuff at my local casino. I emailed the marketing manager about me wearing their gear and he sent me loads for free.

Talking Poker · #16 11-28-04, 04:45 PM

Hear that Aeq? If you need a new shirt and don't want to pay for it, email Ladbrokes.

Penguinfan · #17 11-28-04, 05:15 PM

LMAO!

Seriously guys TP is sending me a logo to work with and I will have shirts and hats made up and post pics of them for everyone to see real soon with a cost for each. The good news is that the expensive part is usuall the logo creation, the actual labor and materials are not very expensive so I will post an estimate on the price as well and probably can get them made on an as wanted basis meaning if 15 of you want a shirt then my dad can make 15 that way nobody is commited to paying for 100 of them or anything. First part of the week we will know more.

Aequitas58 · #18 11-28-04, 05:17 PM

Funny.

BrianSwa · #19 11-29-04, 09:13 AM

if you all are gonna do hats count me out if you do shirts im in, dont like wearing hats sorry.

PShabi · #20 11-29-04, 09:44 AM

This post is not worth Tp's ten cents. Stop trying to screw the system.

uhhhhhhh, nevermind.

BrianSwa · #21 11-29-04, 12:11 PM

i started the thread and never wanted TP to put in 1 cent, I was planning on the users to foot the bill and most said they would except for 1 or 2 which is fine they dont have to they just wont participate in it bottom line!

drewjax · #22 11-29-04, 01:34 PM

TP, what about giving away shirts for those who sign up via your link? Could help out. I like the golf shirt idea, just a nice basic shirt with a good logo etc. From my experience, when you have hats made up, they are very cheezy. but of course there are nice ones to be had, but be sure what you are getting. those plastic hats are the worst!!

jimmym · #23 11-29-04, 04:00 PM

TP.

I will happily BUY a shirt or Hat off you if you get them made up and I will wear it. The hat would be better as could wear it anywere.
I dont believe ppl want everything for free, I have a pokerstars t-shirt this wasnt free it was paid for using playing points.

I think you should stop paying the $ for posts and instead run a yearly tourny for members, and you put up a trophy, the members should pay a cash fee for entry that way a cash prize is also on offer.

I personally dont use this site to get $ and wouldnt even dream of accepting your $ even if I post a million times. This site is a very good oppertunaty to talk to players from all around the world and swap experiences, over time it should develop into a fantastic forum known by many internet players worldwide.

Jim.

Chutups · #24 12-01-04, 06:02 AM

I'ld be interested in a shirt if you guys ever decide upon it.

eddo31 · #25 12-01-04, 12:50 PM

i would be interested in a shirt as well, and i would have no problem buying one.

and alternative plan could be something along the lines of this: if you have tp put your money from posting into an account that you signed up for through his link, then maybe then you could get one for free. that way tp is at least getting a little bit of a guarantee that he is not getting completely screwed in the whole process. i am sure that his expenses for this site greatly otuweigh his income, so i wouldnt expect that he would just start giving them away, even if it was a good marketing move.