Why aren't more people taking up scuba diving?

[Eric Sedletzky]

I was responsible for my children's entry and then enjoyment of diving, who will be responsible for the next generation?

When diving first started who was responsible for the group that initially got into it?
How did they know/learn about it?
How did they promote it to the next group during the "golden" years?
Now days the cat is out of the bag, everybody knows about it just like most people in the world know what a computer is.
Why do most non diving people drool and blow bubbles out their nose when a discussion about diving comes up?
That's the question, why do people NOT CARE anymore.

 

[Akimbo]

… That's the question, why do people NOT CARE anymore.

Because there isn’t much unknown or uncommon about it anymore. Grandmothers and fat old farts that shouldn’t leave the couch dive all the time. It isn't much of an adventure anymore.

 

[mjrob]

Or you could stop talking and do something to drive traffic...

Go all in - DiVentures Scuba & Swim Center on Vimeo

 

[scubadada]

Or you could stop talking and do something to drive traffic...

Go all in - DiVentures Scuba & Swim Center on Vimeo

An advertisement for your business, what else?

 

[mjrob]

It's one of our television ads. We do TV but manufacturers and agencies don't. It's hard for me to grasp, except they really don't do ANY marketing to support their vendors.

 

[cerich]

Or you could stop talking and do something to drive traffic...

Go all in - DiVentures Scuba & Swim Center on Vimeo

Very nice commercial.

The manufs would have to ply the national markets..and they can't afford it. I saw something yesterday showing unit and dollar sales of a SINGLE SKU for a large shoe brand broken down by country. Their US sales in just ONE SKU was larger than the top 10 scuba brands US sales.

 

[mjrob]

They could certainly afford to do it as a co-marketing opportunity with their vendors. It would be easy to do a fairly generic piece and just tag it with a store name(s) and run it regionally. Just think, if a manufacturer and a few local stores all pitched in, voila!, you've got a professional piece at an affordable rate. Of course, people would have to get along and work together for the common good. Heck, just think what could happen if the manufacturers, certifying agencies and that so-called marketing association all got together and...oops...sorry. There I go with that pipe dream again.

 

[cerich]

hmmm, "tag it with the store names", not also the manuf? Plus, what vendors do you think the manufs will be able to get to invest in that? Their factories they use for piece work? Their printers?

In the 90's many manufs had co opt funds budgeted for dealers, in fact when I was a rep at Mares we did in the early 2000's. Never had a dealer request it, I did however mention it many times. It's a two way street. Heck, look in your various price lists and dealer agreements, the verbiage may still be there on some, it was quite common at one time.

They could certainly afford to do it as a co-marketing opportunity with their vendors. It would be easy to do a fairly generic piece and just tag it with a store name(s) and run it regionally. Just think, if a manufacturer and a few local stores all pitched in, voila!, you've got a professional piece at an affordable rate. Of course, people would have to get along and work together for the common good. Heck, just think what could happen if the manufacturers, certifying agencies and that so-called marketing association all got together and...oops...sorry. There I go with that pipe dream again.

 

[Octopusprime]

When diving first started who was responsible for the group that initially got into it?
How did they know/learn about it?
How did they promote it to the next group during the "golden" years?
Now days the cat is out of the bag, everybody knows about it just like most people in the world know what a computer is.
Why do most non diving people drool and blow bubbles out their nose when a discussion about diving comes up?
That's the question, why do people NOT CARE anymore.

I think there are a lot of misconceptions about diving that keep the average leasure or adventure sports person away. Skydiving is about $1,100-1500 to get certified and $2000 in gear then it is only $10 a jump, golf is about $600-1000 in gear and a class or two to get started. Also that it is dangerous ... If done correctly diving is very safe. There are groups that take children with physical disabilities and veterans with amputations underwater. We as divers need to be able to Handel these objections. Also there is not much PR or marketing of the sport. Both PADI and SSI do not seam to do much positive promotion. They could be sponsoring during shows like the sea world rescues to propel with marine bio interests travle shows and more. However they expect the destinations to do all of the advertising. That will attract divers to a location but not incise new divers.

---------- Post added January 4th, 2015 at 12:29 PM ----------

Because there isn’t much unknown or uncommon about it anymore. Grandmothers and fat old farts that shouldn’t leave the couch dive all the time. It isn't much of an adventure anymore.

The adventure is seeing something few others see... Does not matter who is diving 75% of the earth is underwater. If you do not see what is underwater on your next vacation you did not see it all.

---------- Post added January 4th, 2015 at 12:31 PM ----------

Or you could stop talking and do something to drive traffic...

Go all in - DiVentures Scuba & Swim Center on Vimeo

awsome... That is exactly what I'm talking about ... I will promote this video on our social media...we all should promote it.

---------- Post added January 4th, 2015 at 12:33 PM ----------

An advertisement for your business, what else?

If it was not for the last 5 sec that plugs his business it is not an ad it is promotion there is a difference. A promotion is an act of education. This video is educating the public about diving then just informing them where to learn...

---------- Post added January 4th, 2015 at 12:35 PM ----------

It's one of our television ads. We do TV but manufacturers and agencies don't. It's hard for me to grasp, except they really don't do ANY marketing to support their vendors.

exactly... What does our agencies do for us really? You look at other industries and the trade group does most of the Advertising if PADI and SSI would run some TV and online commercials it would bearing kore divers into the sport and then they would sell more training materials, cert cards, etc.

 

[Wookie]

Had a friend post on facebook today. She is an avid diver, BTW, but a friend took her golfing. She loved it. Now, she lives in the keys on her own boat and gets air fills for free from me, so she isn't likely to send any money diving anyway, but still. She tried golf. With a friend. She loved it.