Live Events - Audience Engagement

[teamstorm]

All, as someone who stands out in front of the shows I'd like to provide a little constructive feedback.

The events that we all attend are funded by our audience, it is through their enjoyment that we are able to take part in the fabulous hobby that we have via the tireless effort and risk that our Event Organisers take.

Not that people should need to be asked, but when asked if you would go with your robots up to the edge of the arena to meet the audience, it is always a shame to see roboteers walking straight back to the pits. It is even worse when someone carries their robot to the front of the arena, dumps it and walks off without engaging with the audience at all. It comes across as you're not really interested in them, or the fact they have paid to come to see you. The person walking away doesn't have to deal with a child going why did he just leave his robot, why won't he sign an autograph, will he come back'.

Before anyone responds to this with a predictable response of 'but I have to recharge/fix/whatever/get another robot ready' - yes, of course there are always times that we can't take the time to meet with the audience, but conversely there are plenty of times when we can. I'm a roboteer too, I know what's involved !

So this is an ask for you to make a real positive effort to try to go and engage with the audience, this weekend we had the audience chanting the names of teams they wanted, we had Big Nipper surrounded by audience to the point we had to step in and hold them back. It's through giving the audience the ability to engage with us in a live experience that will bring them back time and time again.

A pits full of roboteers milling around and chatting whilst a row of audience members stare forlornly at them hoping one of them might be bothered to come see them doesn't make for a happy sight. Perhaps designate one member of your team to make sure they go to the front after a fight ? Some of you are great at this, and I you all know who you are, and the audience love it.

So at the UK champs - could we please try to take the time to meet, talk to and interact with the people who make what we do possible. We were all fans once, remember the excitement of that, something which we are now lucky enough to be able to give back.

[terry]

yep i agree ed. very easy to forget and rush to the pits but i did take toxic quite a few times and signed loads and loads, its easy to forget that without them we dont get to play robots !

[Anttazz]

Jamie and I have been doing a lot of talking to audiences, particularly younger members, at our own events, and if we're attending it won't be with a working HW. I can't speak for him, but i'd certainly be more than happy to spend some time talking with them and that way people still have the chance to work on their robot/charge batteries or do whatever they need to do between fights. I can bring Scar down or something too and put it on static display if you think that'll get people more engaged with the show or for a topic of discussion between shows. That way it can stay visible throughout the show rather than the robots being moved around a lot.

[RogueTwoRobots]

Yeah same for me. I've been guilty in the past of just dumping my robot and going to get another one ready. But I'm more than happy to chat to folk, although the kids might not want our autographs if we haven't been fighting in the arena with a heavyweight

As I mentioned in our Scot-Bots thread, we'll have the kits there with us if we can make it, so they can go on display most of the time. The batteries are 14.4Ah so they could run the LEDs for ages just as a point of interest to pull audience members in.

[teamstorm]

A slight mis-understanding Anttazz , I wasn't suggesting that we needed people to talk to the audience specifically, ie have robots on static display. Whilst that's great - it's more 'museum' than 'interactive show'. Jamie has hit the nail on the head, it's about seeing the robots and teams that just fought.

When people have just watched a robot fight in the arena, they want the opportunity to see it up close, they want to be able to ask the team that just took part questions, to interact with.

Let's see how we get on at the UK champs with people being willing to interact with the audience more. I'm hoping that the high number of views of this thread, and low number of replies means people are reading and agreeing

[swanaldo]

I shall double my efforts at the uk champs. I did sign plenty at swansea and yes i am keen to get my robot back to the bench for a gas up and recharge. Your right tho the crowds do want to see our robots. I do sometimes go the extra mile with vips too and let kids stand on my robot for a picture.... They are very happy and excited after too.

[marco]

Quit simple ... yes , we have got a special hobby ... but if we like to continue it we need audience at live-events ... it works both ways ...

[Anttazz]

I know what you meant Ed. I agree with what you suggested, just also said I could do that as an additional possibility. The Scot-Bot robots we're bringing are Polycarb on top so should be quite interesting for audience members to see how they work if they're close enough.

As Jamie also mentioned, they also have massive batteries so charging won't be an issue for us so happy to do whatever helps with audience enjoyment, even if they aren't as interested in seeing the FW creators as much

[psychostorm]

So happy to do whatever helps with audience enjoyment, even if they aren't as interested in seeing the FW creators as much

If I may respond with some feedback, I feel that the audience aren't engaging with the featherweights due to any real personal investment.

I know, you can't really name every individual featherweight (although that would be a great stalling tactic!). Would it possible to name a random few?

The featherweights you did name in Swansea, though, was the winner. Half a dozen in the pit, two out the arena & one hanging from the ropes (First time that had ever happened BTW) Why were these apparently not worth mentioning?

Just a criticism. Without an engaging build up, the featherweight battles are a bit lackluster from a live audience perspective.

[teamstorm]

I'm not sure why/where the evidence is to back up the statement that the audience don't want to engage with the Featherweights. I'm sure you know my background, investment and interest in Feathers, so to suggest they're not getting due airtime is unlikely.

The Featherweight fights get a far more detailed build up than the Heavyweight fights, there is far more description around the weight class, that they are a great entry-level point, where to go for the build rules, types of components used in building them - and as a result people are encouraged to engage with the featherweight teams even more so than the heavyweight teams as it is the gateway to the sport.

Of course the winner is announced, however during the large mele fights it simply isn't practical to try to cover the activities of every single robot, however to be clear the featherweights absolutely do get an 'engaging build up', and I'm sorry of you felt that your robot going out of the fight had come across as 'apparently not worth mentioning'

You literally have the power to engage them in your hands as you walk away after a fight carrying your robot, and ensure you are the one they 'engage with' in the next fight.

I'm not sure countering with 'it's not us it's them' is productive, it sounds like being part of the problem, not part of the solution.