Trivia
nights are as popular as ever and always attract regular audiences. Some
shows in the Illawarra have been running for around 10 years and can
often be used to build up a quiet night. Trivia tends to be a little
like crossword puzzles, in that people who do them on a regular basis
get to know the style of question and can become quite good at it.
Because of this, the show can attract ‘professional’ trivia players who
go from venue to venue and win wherever they go. Whilst this is good
for the venue, it can be off-putting for the locals with less
expertise. To give everyone a chance, I always include an element of
luck in my shows. Consequently, a team who is coming last can often do a
come-back and win a prize.
Although trivia can attract competitive
people, I don’t believe that the prizes have to be high to draw people.
The Appin Hotel gives a dinner voucher, some drink vouchers and a bottle
of wine away every week. Because there are no large amounts of money
involved, the ‘playing for sheep stations’ people aren’t attracted and
the show stays interesting for the regular cliental. I believe this is
one of the reasons why my shows have been running for so long. Also, to
encourage people to come back, if a team attends four out of the six
weeks, they are eligible for a $150 cash prize. This cost is covered by
the venue and I often supplement the prizes with small give-aways,
Please feel free to discuss other prize options you might like to
include.
The Corrimal RSL took a different
approach and offers a prize pool of $500. This show ran for about three
years years and has recently finished.
If you decide to run with this show, to
further supplement prizes, you could contact your rep from one of the
breweries who will often come on board with prizes. Tooheys in the past
supported the Kembla Heights Bowling Club show I ran for around a year
with t-shirts, caps and key rings.
For the total cost I will host the show,
provide a sound system if necessary, keep you supplied with
venue-specific flyers, posters and all support paper-work for the
players. I believe that it is advisable to commit to at least six weeks
for the word to spread and the show to be established in everyone’s
social calendar.
Click
here for part of a quiz that I
presented this year at the Appin Hotel. We have a fairly well-informed
cliental who are attracted to this pub and once I know the audience, I
pitch the questions accordingly, judging their experience with trivia
nights, age and general knowledge. Your show will be tailored to suit
your players’ age, interest and expertise. I constantly revise and add
interest to my shows and this show could be marketed to your desired
cliental.
Finally, the emphasis of the shows is on
fun. The audience leaves in a good mood and always come back for more.
The night can be as extensive or simple as you require and I am open to
any suggestions that you may have in order to build more business for
your club and service for your members.
Click
here for my thoughts on why trivia
is so appealing to so many people.
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