There was no frost, the clouds were dry, the wind silent and the sun was glorious so us first timers on the Market Stall were happy traders. We arrived at half 8, somehow missing the clogged Abingdon traffic and met the ever helpful Jimmy James, who showed us to our pitch.
Up went the pop up gazebo, and out came the sunshine. Customers were milling around, and we were kindly donated a steaming cup of tea by the local church. Positioning was perfect, right outside Jessops, and we knew people would be flocking to buy our Digital Photography DVD after being into there. Dave Murdoch popped in with some flyers, but they were embarrassed as they knew our product was vastly superior to anything they offer and quickly declined.
First strike was Vince`s. A customer instantly attracted to our Photo DVD, handed over a welcomed ten pound note, and relief was evident. The atmosphere of the Abingdon Market was great, very friendly Market Traders everywhere, especially our neighbour Danny on the Fishing Tackle stand, many thanks for all the advice.
Lunch was an outstanding baguette from the baguette shop in the Market Square, and soon after, another sale, this time Mini Soccer. We rejoiced, it meant we had made a profit!! Fantastic achievement from the 3 Just Do It Guys...
All and all, an enjoyable day. We packed up and left at 3, quietly pleased with our results, and looking forward to next Monday.
Marlbrough was penciled in for our next assault on a Wednesday. With another Amazon sale, and phone enquiry from an Abingdon flyer it made for a nice sunny day out in the fresh air.
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Grassroots Football goes to Wembley!!
As Dave Roberts and myself emerged from Wembley Park tube station into the shadow of the Wembley arch, the sun shone down on what turned out to be a great day for Just Do It guides Ltd.
We met with Ian Blanchard (Senior National Game Referee Manager) on 14th September at 2pm in a box overlooking the hallowed turf.
We chatted briefly about current footballing matters and then turned our attention to the Grassroots DVD and our plans for future productions. Mr Blanchard re-iterated how good he thought the DVD was and gave Just Do It Guides Ltd permission to use any of his quotes in any future sales campaigns related to it. He said he would also pass it onto the FA Learning department with a view to getting it fully endorsed.
The talk turned to our plans for a refereeing DVD to help potential referee's get an insight into what to expect if they wish to go through all of the relevant modules to becomming a qualified referee. From this we have now gained support from Mr Blanchard who told us he would even be willing to present the DVD and get us into academy games so that we can film candidates going through their paces.
We are also invited to a function that Ian Blanchard is hosting at the Oxfordshire FA where he is willing to introduce us to the members as a company that the FA are actively promoting and helping.
We left the meeting with more than we went into it with and also the promise of a further meeting with FA Learning once they have reviewed the DVD.
An historic day in the history of Just Do It Guides and one that will hopefully bring the company into the forefront of Educational DVD industry.
We met with Ian Blanchard (Senior National Game Referee Manager) on 14th September at 2pm in a box overlooking the hallowed turf.
We chatted briefly about current footballing matters and then turned our attention to the Grassroots DVD and our plans for future productions. Mr Blanchard re-iterated how good he thought the DVD was and gave Just Do It Guides Ltd permission to use any of his quotes in any future sales campaigns related to it. He said he would also pass it onto the FA Learning department with a view to getting it fully endorsed.
The talk turned to our plans for a refereeing DVD to help potential referee's get an insight into what to expect if they wish to go through all of the relevant modules to becomming a qualified referee. From this we have now gained support from Mr Blanchard who told us he would even be willing to present the DVD and get us into academy games so that we can film candidates going through their paces.
We are also invited to a function that Ian Blanchard is hosting at the Oxfordshire FA where he is willing to introduce us to the members as a company that the FA are actively promoting and helping.
We left the meeting with more than we went into it with and also the promise of a further meeting with FA Learning once they have reviewed the DVD.
An historic day in the history of Just Do It Guides and one that will hopefully bring the company into the forefront of Educational DVD industry.
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
Grassroots - The official release party
The DVD was officially released on Saturday 29th August 2009 (although it has been on sale since 10th!). The release was held at Didcot Town F.C at their home game against Stourbridge which Just Do It Guides were the match sponsors for.
The hospitallity showed to us by Didcot Town was second to none, the people invited to the launch were the children and the parents that were involved in the making of the DVD. After they had sat through the 65 mins of the DVD I for one was very nervous on what the reaction may be. I needn't have worried, everyone that saw it thought it was fantastic and all went on to have a very enjoyable day with Didcot Town.
The following day I decided to deliver 600 of the 7500 flyers we had printed to the local area, took me 3 hours!! we all know that unless the footwork is done you will get no reward!! Still waiting for the first order from my flyer distribution but it will come, that I am sure of!
Lots still ongoing and I will keep you all updated with how we get on.
The hospitallity showed to us by Didcot Town was second to none, the people invited to the launch were the children and the parents that were involved in the making of the DVD. After they had sat through the 65 mins of the DVD I for one was very nervous on what the reaction may be. I needn't have worried, everyone that saw it thought it was fantastic and all went on to have a very enjoyable day with Didcot Town.
The following day I decided to deliver 600 of the 7500 flyers we had printed to the local area, took me 3 hours!! we all know that unless the footwork is done you will get no reward!! Still waiting for the first order from my flyer distribution but it will come, that I am sure of!
Lots still ongoing and I will keep you all updated with how we get on.
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Grassroots - The next step!
All of the fine editing has now been done and the finished product has now been sent to VDC Group for replication. We now have a nervous wait for it's completion, during which time we will be planning the next step...... You can have the best product in the world but if no one knows about it then it won't sell.
We are now in the middle of figuring out the best marketing plan for ALL 3 products, all of which we think are fantastic. All four of us have a number of idea's that may produce results but as always, until we try them them we will never know. Will put some of those plans into action over the next few weeks and will let you all know how we get on.
We are now in the middle of figuring out the best marketing plan for ALL 3 products, all of which we think are fantastic. All four of us have a number of idea's that may produce results but as always, until we try them them we will never know. Will put some of those plans into action over the next few weeks and will let you all know how we get on.
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Everyday Digital Photography - Released.
5 months in the making, with 4 trips out filming, many tough sessions in the Woodcote studio creating the Adobe Photoshop Elements lessons and with a lovely sunny session at Witenham Clumps, our 2nd DVD entitled simply Everyday Digital Photography was released nationwide on Tuesday 16th June 2009.
It`s a great product, designed again for the novice upwards, it takes the viewer on a journey from selecting a compact digital camera and extras, onto taking great photos using simply techniques. From there, the main body of the DVD is using your computer as a photo gallery and creative workhorse. Watch how to transfer photos, create a well structured media library with tagging, cropping, adjusting brightness/exposure/luminance, red eye reduction plus more. We then move onto restoring old damaged photos and managing your memory cards and media library.
What good is a cracking photo if you can`t show it off ? That`s what we thought, so there`s extensive lessons on how to create an online Photo Gallery and share to your mates, how to print out photos and gifts, and how about create an online slide show video for uploading to YouTube. This is all on the 1st DVD, there`s so much more I couldn`t possibly keep your attention that long!!
Bonus time, there`s a 2nd DVD. Adobe Photoshop Elements and Google`s Picasa. A great place to get started with both programs, and we show you functionality from basic up to intermediate stages in easy to follow lessons.
All this on easy to navigate menu systems. We loved our 1st DVD Everyday Home Computing, we are even more pleased with this and already we`ve had really good feedback.
It can be seen in action just here http://www.justdoitguides.co.uk/digital_photography_dvd.php
It`s a great product, designed again for the novice upwards, it takes the viewer on a journey from selecting a compact digital camera and extras, onto taking great photos using simply techniques. From there, the main body of the DVD is using your computer as a photo gallery and creative workhorse. Watch how to transfer photos, create a well structured media library with tagging, cropping, adjusting brightness/exposure/luminance, red eye reduction plus more. We then move onto restoring old damaged photos and managing your memory cards and media library.
What good is a cracking photo if you can`t show it off ? That`s what we thought, so there`s extensive lessons on how to create an online Photo Gallery and share to your mates, how to print out photos and gifts, and how about create an online slide show video for uploading to YouTube. This is all on the 1st DVD, there`s so much more I couldn`t possibly keep your attention that long!!
Bonus time, there`s a 2nd DVD. Adobe Photoshop Elements and Google`s Picasa. A great place to get started with both programs, and we show you functionality from basic up to intermediate stages in easy to follow lessons.
All this on easy to navigate menu systems. We loved our 1st DVD Everyday Home Computing, we are even more pleased with this and already we`ve had really good feedback.
It can be seen in action just here http://www.justdoitguides.co.uk/digital_photography_dvd.php
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
The Grass Roots Football Experience
Back in October 2008, I had a meeting in a pub with Dave Roberts. Earlier in the week Dave had contacted me with an idea, to produce a Grass Roots Football DVD like no other. I am an F.A qualified coach and help run a Mini Football team and he wanted me, with my experience to help write scripts, arrange mock games, set up football drills, fun sessions and so much more that if I listed it all now I would be here a week!
Any way, 9 months later (July 2009) we are now in a position where the finishing touches are being made and we will hopefully be sending off the master copy for replication in the next 4 weeks :0)
This has been a fantastic journey, it has been hard work but has been a very enjoyable experience. It has been such a learning curve for me, but working along side Dave Roberts & Dave Murdoch who now have the know how and expertise in DVD production has made all the difference.
Any way, 9 months later (July 2009) we are now in a position where the finishing touches are being made and we will hopefully be sending off the master copy for replication in the next 4 weeks :0)
This has been a fantastic journey, it has been hard work but has been a very enjoyable experience. It has been such a learning curve for me, but working along side Dave Roberts & Dave Murdoch who now have the know how and expertise in DVD production has made all the difference.
Friday, 20 February 2009
Everyday Home Computing - Now availble in the Library
We`ve had some great help from Oxfordshire County Council Library service, for permission to use their website for a lesson on the DVD, and now they have decided to add it to their catalogue, and stock it on the shelf of 6 libraries.
We sent off an evaluation copy to Oxford Central Library, after they kindly agreed to take it. They have not only decided to place that copy in the Central Library pool, but also, they have taken 4 further copies for libraries around Oxfordshire.
Many thanks to them, is fantastic to have taken it from conception, to having it featured on BBC Radio Oxford, and stocked in Oxfordshire libraries.
We sent off an evaluation copy to Oxford Central Library, after they kindly agreed to take it. They have not only decided to place that copy in the Central Library pool, but also, they have taken 4 further copies for libraries around Oxfordshire.
Many thanks to them, is fantastic to have taken it from conception, to having it featured on BBC Radio Oxford, and stocked in Oxfordshire libraries.
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