Not getting Traffic - Words of Wisdom. Read Only. No more posting. - PlanetChristmas! Forums. Read Only. We've moved to http://talk.planetchristmas.com - The Forums of PlanetChristmas have moved to http://talk.PlanetChristmas.com
On another thread in Dasher's Diner I was lamenting that I'm not seeing any traffic at my show.
I have some observations but they were in a hijacked thread in DD so I'm over here now.
oldcqr wrote: Entropy wrote: My lights have been on for two weeks and I've seen a total of FOUR people watching them. 3 were my former boss and his two kids and they did enjoy the show.
I'd love to go out and see people watching the show but they aren't there.
I'm getting discouraged. At least $1500 bucks and hundreds of hours of work so that 2 people per week can enjoy the show.
I'm sorry to say that you did this for the wrong reason.... You should participate in a hobby because you enjoy it. As long as it brought you happiness, then the number of visitors won't matter.
Look at it from another angle: You had a blast getting it all together, pride in doing a job well, and you spread additional holiday happiness to 4 more people than last year, how much better is that?!
I have to disagree that I did this for the wrong reason. I did it so that folks would come out and enjoy the show. I could have brought Christmas joy to a lot more people for a lot less effort in other ways. I did, however enjoy the technical challenges and the enjoyment of bringing a project through to completion.
I'm still going to stick with it as planned and buy-up Wal-Mart on 12/26 on the assumption that it's going to happen again next year and see how I feel say, June before the LOR sale. I'm assuming that a lot more people have seen the show than I've witnessed so I hope that folks mention it after Christmas. That should be enough motivation to do it again. After all, doing it a second time will be a lot easier.
Follow-up 12/14:
I've been out telling everyone that'll listen about my display. Yesterday, my son's friend's family came by and the radio reception was bad in their show, so bad that they turned-off the radio and just watched the blinkinlights. I have been running my Ramsey at 1/2 power because it sounded good in both of my cars for about a block. For them it cranked it up to full power (250mW, stock antenna) and it greatly improved their reception. I wonder if others have had the same problem and just kept moving.
I also talked to a few people wh had seen my show. The loved it. I asked if they listened to it. They said ????? Listen? They didn't see the 22"x30" backlit sign with the frequency on it. I moved it to make it VERY obvious.
And lastly, after watching a few of those "Crazy Christmas Lights" shows on TV, I'm convinced that it doesn't matter if you have brilliantly sequenced shows, clever light arrangements, careful use of LEDs, colors and patterns, the ONLY things that matter are how many lights you have, how much stuff you have crammed into your front yard and how much your electricity bill is. Period. I'm going to play along and go for 30,000 lights next year, 3x my current show and a thousand blow-molds and inflatibles.
____________________ Officially designated one of "Those People". Cashier at Fremont CA Wal*Mart, 12/1/07.
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." Attributed to Dave Barry
Entropy wrote: And lastly, after watching a few of those "Crazy Christmas Lights" shows on TV, I'm convinced that it doesn't matter if you have brilliantly sequenced shows, clever light arrangements, careful use of LEDs, colors and patterns, the ONLY things that matter are how many lights you have, how much stuff you have crammed into your front yard and how much your electricity bill is. Period. I'm going to play along and go for 30,000 lights next year, 3x my current show and a thousand blow-molds and inflatibles.
If your goal is to make it onto HGTV, then perhaps you are right. For those of us who just want a nice display that people can enjoy, then you've got the wrong attitude.
If you really think that cramming as many lights and displays as possible is the right approach, then go ahead. Personally, I find a lot of displays on the 'net to be hideously overdone...
I've had the same comments. Lights lights lights is why people are coming to my display. By the way I did a good show last year and we had 3 cars sitting in front of the house at all times. This year only 2 or 1 ????? I have a feeling tonight is the night for a major blowout! My wife got a suprise phone call from a friend, she had gotten a handout at her daughters school telling about our display. I did not make the handout one of our visitors did. I think were going to get busy! It takes a while to get the word out but when it does you'll start hearing it for some strange places..
Well, I'll agree with you to this extent: So many of the animation videos I see here show a basically dark yard, with a few elements blinking around: a window here, a tree there, a reindeer over there, all to the beat of the music. Although "technically cool", it isn't always that visually appealing to me. I like to see a lot of lights on at all times, and my favorite displays (static or otherwise) give me that. Now, I don't mean to say that you need to slather all sides of anything vertical on your lot with minis -- to me that looks bad too. There's a happy medium in there somewhere between "too dark" and "too gaudy".
There's so much emphesis on the "show" concept here that sometimes the fact that people just like to look at lights, rather than see santa light up (only) when his name is mentioned in the song. Look at the displays like Marty Slack, Ron Lister, Robert Cox, RichardH, and many others to see the sort of thing that I like to see in a display, and in turn, that I think attracts traffic.
At least that's my opinion. But I doubt you're designing your display to please me...
-Tim
Last edited on Friday December 14th, 2007 09:01 pm by tfischer
tfischer wrote: Well, I'll agree with you to this extent: So many of the animation videos I see here show a basically dark yard, with a few elements blinking around: a window here, a tree there, a reindeer over there, all to the beat of the music. Although "technically cool", it isn't always that visually appealing to me. I like to see a lot of lights on at all times, and my favorite displays (static or otherwise) give me that. Now, I don't mean to say that you need to slather all sides of anything vertical on your lot with minis -- to me that looks bad too. There's a happy medium in there somewhere between "too dark" and "too gaudy".
There's so much emphesis on the "show" concept here that sometimes the fact that people just like to look at lights, rather than see santa light up (only) when his name is mentioned in the song. Look at the displays like Marty Slack, Ron Lister, Robert Cox, RichardH, and many others to see the sort of thing that I like to see in a display, and in turn, that I think attracts traffic.
At least that's my opinion. But I doubt you're designing your display to please me...
-Tim
I'll listen to anyone who has done this before with some success. By success I mean that people come to look at their display and enjoy it.
The comments about the Crazy Lights was somewhat sarcastic but based in truth that when people come to see Christmas lights, they want to see lights.
I've also noticed that my show, after starting it up was dark at times. The majority of my work since startup has been to add lights to channels that are prominent in the show but didn't have enough lights at that time, to add more channels to my seqences to increase the number of lights on at any one time and to incease the duration of the time that lights are on. The C-9s don't do much when they are blinked on for 1/10 second. What looks good on a little visualizer doesn't always translate well to the real world. Generally, I need more light.
Last edited on Friday December 14th, 2007 11:24 pm by Entropy
____________________ Officially designated one of "Those People". Cashier at Fremont CA Wal*Mart, 12/1/07.
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." Attributed to Dave Barry
The following post assumes "a/the" display is animated.
I think I am boarder-lining what Tim said, but I have to disagree a little. My idea of the perfect animated show is simple, clean and well synchronized. I believe that no matter how many lights you have, if the synchronizing is well, then you have a good show.
BUT, their are two things that over ride every opinion.
1. You do your style, if you want to cram a zillion lights and get a million dollar electrical bill, do a simple well synchronized show. Its YOUR choice.
2. This goes with the first, do what you like. Your opinion comes first, guest traffic comes second.
Daniel wrote: BUT, their are two things that over ride every opinion.
1. You do your style, if you want to cram a zillion lights and get a million dollar electrical bill, do a simple well synchronized show. Its YOUR choice.
2. This goes with the first, do what you like. Your opinion comes first, guest traffic comes second.
Agreed. But if the public doesn't agree with "your style" then you can't complain about traffic either .
Note that I've never seen Entropy's display so it's quite possible that he has a wonderful (in my opinion) display that just needs to have the word get out a bit more.
I love the hobby.... but let's face it. When you have a display over 10k lights..... it starts to begin to be "work".
My display is about 30k lights.... and the last part of it was grueling. My back was hurting so much I had to have a doctor write a prescription for Celebrex. I was bitten by more bugs than I can count. My body looked like a red version of a Nestle Crunch bar from all the bites. That's even while wearing my shirt tucked into my long pants, and my socks pulled over my pants... and then covered in "Off Deepwoods" spray.
Getting up and down a 30+ foot ladder isn't easy. Especially when you're 325 lbs like me.
So at the end of it all, sure I enjoyed the challenge, and I LOVE the results.... but I know I would gain even more satisfaction from it all if a lot of people were able to enjoy it. Sure there are a few neighbors.... but I gain pleasure from knowing that I brightened somebody's day.
The few moments that have been the best were when a car drove by with a bunch of kids and they all stopped and got out of the car... and the kids were just dazzled. The smile on their faces is why I do this.
I feel almost like, if I'm the only one enjoying it... then it's almost selfish. I want to spread the wealth.
That's why I personally agree with the OP... small amounts of traffic is a shame. I just emailed the papers and local media. I hope that I can start getting more traffic. I want to see others enjoy the display. It's not about being recognized... it's not about being somewhat famous... it's not about attention..... it's about creating something with the idea that it will bring joy to all who see it.... and then wanting to maximize the number of people who see it.
Knowing that more and more people see it and smile makes me more and more happy. It's as simple as that.
I must say I agree with Tim and much of what he says. This is my first year and I am learning. I only have 14,000 lights. Not much compared to alot of the folks who have been doing this for years. I thought the more lights the better was the way to go. Boy, was I WRONG! In watching my display and listening to comments from viewers and family I have learned the following.
1. I have a show with a theme called "Believe in Christmas Magic" that is easy to follow(especially for the children)
My show is very different. Its not just lights that flash to music. This gets boring after 5 minutes. I use animatronic reindeer and an animatronic wizard (lifesize) like you see in a Disney ride. They talk to the audience and introduce the show. They sing songs together during the intermission. I have created an illusion that "Professor Holiday and his robots" are in my garage and run the lightshow. Busy flipping light switches to the music. The adults are even amazed. ( I had one woman ask me to see the robots in the garage that run the show last week).
2. The songs with sequences "MUST KEEP THE HUMAN EYE BUSY" Humans, especially children have a short attention span. That is why WIW is so popular. When sequenced properly during the fast parts of the song it keeps the eyes busy and its a real crowd pleaser. Personally, I dont care for the song but, it gets a applause in my front yard everytime it runs.
3. I introduce a special effect that is exclusive to each song. Like bubbles machines used in only one song. Strobes for the big ending. Lots of color changes during another song etc. The key is to keep each song different to get maximum attention from the audience.
Its truly not about the number of lights and being able to see your home from space like in the film "Deck the Halls". That was Danny Devito's dream in the film. My purpose was to create a show that was easy to understand, has great music, and Keeps the human eye and mind busy so you dont loose the audience.
This is my first year and the local newspaper did front page last Sunday calling me a "Mad Scientist". If you would like to read the article you can go here. http://www.bradenton.com/local/story/261230.html
This is just my humble opion. I am still learing. I knew I did a great job when 3 little girls came up to me when I went to get my mail and they said "Mister, thank you for doing this. This is the most beautiful show we ever saw." I went into the house and put the mail on the table. I felt a tear come to my eye, I knew I had success in this wonderful hobby that has brought joy to at least 3 children.
I had 15,000 lights last year, maybe the same this year
Last year 150 blow molds, this year 2x that many
Last year 7 inflatables, this year 3x that
I've said it before, I decorate to please myself, my family, friends & neighbors
If anyone else sees it, fine...if not no big deal
I'd rather not be on the news, TV, radio or a web site
I've been decorating over 25 years, since I had my 1st Apt
I'll keep decorating...visitors or not
My yard is pretty full & lit up
But the most noticeable is the 20' green LED glowing tree w/angel at the top
REALLY BRIGHT, & only 1400 lights
We tend to not get a lot of traffic either, usually it's neighbors coming home. I've only got maybe 4500 lights and have been thinking, man, this isn't anything compared to other displays I've seen. Then we went to a Christmas party across the street from us and got to see our display from a whole new view. Wow! What I thought was a simple, synchronzed light show looks good with or without the music and was an impressive display of Christmas spirit. And although I got some wonderful feedback from several neighbors there about the lights, what they enjoyed most was the Toy Soldiers (seen in my avatar). I also found out that the little boy across the street sits in his window every evening before bed and watches the lights for a little while. So, sometimes it's not always about the traffic, but those enjoying that you don't even realize are there.
If your not happy putting up a display for yourself and family without anyone else seeing it,then maybe this hobby isn't for you.
I don't mean to sound like a jerk,but Christmas spirit isn't about you or shouldn't be anyway. If just a few neighbors see your display and love it then that should be reward enough. No one sees mine except the neighbors and I'm fine with that.
Sure I would like others to come and enjoy it. They don't, but I still feel it was worth the time effort and expense because my family loves it and that is all that should really matter.
Remember Christmas is a celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Your display is a birthday present to him. If he has scene it then it has accomplished it's purpose.
Does it not say in the Bible that God sees all? There you have it he has scene it.
Last edited on Tuesday December 18th, 2007 01:12 pm by Chris in Ct
____________________ Keeping static alive for another year anyway
Im not sure how much traffic ive gotten, its really not much nor do I really want much, I dont plan on being in this location next year, I really don't know my neigbors or what kinds of reactions they've had to the lights, i've had one person ask me how I did it, the neighnor across the street.
I havent advertised any where, my sign for the radio wasn't up til this week, its not highly visible.
but for me, it was the geek in me that said I could do that, my family thinks it's cool, and I will never forget my 2 yearold jumping up and down watching as I first tested the board and her looks every time she sees the lights.
Im hoping in future years to go bigger and perhaps to draw a crowd, i Just wanted to do it.
150 bucks for the board
100 bucks for the software
40 bucks for a few cd's
30 bucks for a precanned sequence
100-200 on extention cords (eek)
40 for the belkin transmitter
and 20-50 bucks on the after christmas light sale..
(and that was spread out over the year)
I dont expect too much yet. But I did it, My folks think its cool, my brother thinks its cool my kids love it, Mission Accomplished.
also... just what catches my attention, as im driving around looking at lights with the kids.
#1 Lots of lights.
#2 something visible from far away A big star on a roof, snowflake 20' pole tree
#3 street where it seems all the houses are lit with something i wish i could see more of those
I think in my own display what I lack is the 20' mega tree to pull people from 4 blocks away My street is not well lit up, there is one house near the main way that has quite a few lights, but you cannot see my house turning onto my street, only word of mouth or neighbors going along the street are going to see it.
When I happen to drive by a house with some action I need to stop and check it out, ive seen at least 3 of the mr. christmas box types of displays (one up my street but he turns it on twice a week???) and one that looks like it must be computer controlled (not sure with what, he doesnt post here as far as I can tell)
Then ive taken educated drives to Pleasnt Grove to see Richards Lights, and Murry to see Marty's Lights, i may have to drive out to Grantsville to see eriks lights. I know about these from the web, of course they have also been mentioned in the papers but I dont read the paper.
Some one before has mentioned putting signs up pointing to your display (kinda like the open house realestate signs) christmas lights this way....
I get one, maybe two cars a night or sometimes none at all. But that is ok with me! I did not do any advertising and have no intention on going that route. I am perfectly content with the occasional car or two that I get.
jpohio wrote: I get one, maybe two cars a night or sometimes none at all. But that is ok with me! I did not do any advertising and have no intention on going that route. I am perfectly content with the occasional car or two that I get.
I get basically the exact same thing, and feel the same as you... Like you its not
advertised
(i thought slightly about putting it in the paper, but you have to do it on their
website...and you have to setup an account there to do so...not to mention you
have to give your real name (which will show up on the web) - there's no way to
just anonymously recommend a decorated house)
So because of that there's no way i'd ever post on their site
But there's also another thing...'be careful what you wish for'...i do not want to
risk getting a bunch of traffic blocking up the street. I'm perfectly happy with just
a few cars
Personally a big part of the reason i do this just because i like lights and
electronics (i've done lights for years using various control/flasher 's, but this is
the 1st year i've done (almost) all computer.
tfischer wrote: Well, I'll agree with you to this extent: So many of the animation videos I see here show a basically dark yard, with a few elements blinking around: a window here, a tree there, a reindeer over there, all to the beat of the music. Although "technically cool", it isn't always that visually appealing to me. I like to see a lot of lights on at all times, and my favorite displays (static or otherwise) give me that. Now, I don't mean to say that you need to slather all sides of anything vertical on your lot with minis -- to me that looks bad too. There's a happy medium in there somewhere between "too dark" and "too gaudy".
I have a transient audience like most of us. Let me be conscious not to turn this into a hi-jack I am just relating my similarities of my experiences to yours if I understand them correctly.
I would love to hold out my eye candy to the last 30 seconds of a 3 to 4 minute song but then a very big share of my audience misses it and they thing I only have 5 lights in the yard animating instead of thousands. So I try illustrate my animation in music with as many lights on at a time. I sit out there with the audience and I directly consistently hear people complain anytime the lights are dark. This is a hard act to follow because I load a lot of stuff into limited electrical service (run my entire display on 80 amps total in my yard, neighbor's about 100 amps), so we do heat up breakers and wires and its very difficult to keep things very bright but still allow "off duty" time to cool down breakers, fuses, wires, etc but it can be done.
One thing I am working on is I see people over and over and over wanting family to pose in front of the lights and too often the animation goes totally black just as the camera clicks, so they get a picture of the family in front of nothing but a dark yard. So I am slowly working on keeping things from going dark but this presents problems with choreography and the song, like the song as a silent spot... it begs to be dark for that second...
Chris in Ct wrote: If your not happy putting up a display for yourself and family without anyone else seeing it,then maybe this hobby isn't for you.
I don't mean to sound like a jerk,but Christmas spirit isn't about you or shouldn't be anyway. If just a few neighbors see your display and love it then that should be reward enough. No one sees mine except the neighbors and I'm fine with that.
Sure I would like others to come and enjoy it. They don't, but I still feel it was worth the time effort and expense because my family loves it and that is all that should really matter.
Remember Christmas is a celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Your display is a birthday present to him. If he has scene it then it has accomplished it's purpose.
Does it not say in the Bible that God sees all? There you have it he has scene it.
It's nice that your family enjoys your display. My family isn't in to it as much as I am. My kids helped me set-up the mega-tree and a few other light strings. My wife doesn't say much except to tell me when something isn't working. My sons are 13 and 15 and don't seem to approve of anything anywhere lately. My intentions were to put on a show that others can enjoy. By your criteria, because my family isn't out there enjoying the show, I really should pack it all up and sell off the parts.
I'm not sure what part of this is about me. I had hoped that others would enjoy the show. If I wanted to entertain myself, my den would be covered in lights out of the rain and cold.
Traffic has picked-up a little but not much. Unless there's a local way to advertise like a light contest of directory in the local paper, it seems that this is one of those things that takes years to attract visitors. Next year, more lights and better sequences for me. I've still got a few amps left.
____________________ Officially designated one of "Those People". Cashier at Fremont CA Wal*Mart, 12/1/07.
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." Attributed to Dave Barry
Joseph Ayo wrote:
One thing I am working on is I see people over and over and over wanting family to pose in front of the lights and too often the animation goes totally black just as the camera clicks, so they get a picture of the family in front of nothing but a dark yard. So I am slowly working on keeping things from going dark but this presents problems with choreography and the song, like the song as a silent spot... it begs to be dark for that second...
I started using slow fades at the end of songs. Everything that was lit at the last note fades out. The highlight pieces like the tree star or bethlehem star fades out a little slower so it's the last to go out. This might help to warn your visitors that the show's about to go dark.
But then, in the age of digital cameras, they just need to delete the shot and do it again. No more wasted film.
____________________ Officially designated one of "Those People". Cashier at Fremont CA Wal*Mart, 12/1/07.
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." Attributed to Dave Barry
. 
.
.