bastet
Active Member
There always seems to be the fear by ballroom teachers that they will lose students to the dark side (AT) so they must try to promote ballroom tango so people don't get tempted to AT...
The Crash of Tango Worlds
- Thread starter Nina22
- Start date
There always seems to be the fear by ballroom teachers that they will lose students to the dark side (AT) so they must try to promote ballroom tango so people don't get tempted to AT...
quixotedlm
Active Member
Someone else called it - that the BR instructor is competing instead of cooperating.
Let's separate fantasy from reality: In the fantasy world, businesses always cooperate to find win-win solutions. In the real world, your competitor puts posters next to your studio.
Frankly, this looks likea zero sum game to me - IME there will be little overlap of dancers between AT and BR Tango, and the business will have to go this way or that - there isn't much of a middle ground. Your competitor seems to get this.
My advice - stop looking at community-oriented solutions as your primary response. Do what you need to do to create a civil and friendly atmosphere in the scene (worst case - you'll come off as the nice person), but for things like county calling you about posters, tell them the truth and redirect them to the right person (but do give the other guy fair warning that you're sending the county folks that way). Then figure out how to out-compete. Start leveraging social media and marketing tools first for e.g., - set up Meetup.com events and take ownership of all plausible Tango related names/phrases, get yourself on Facebook, use Google adwords and ensure that you are on top of the search results for Tango or dancing in general (pay a professional if need be to get these things right), play into Groupon if you feel like it (but evaluate it's flip sides carefully - groupon has a nasty reputation for bringing one-time clients, and few repeat-clients)... there is a lot you can do to up the game, and upping the game is the only way you can really create lasting peace. Establish yoruself as the top-dog, then extend an offer of peace - on your terms. Right now, you seem to be on the defensive.
Let's separate fantasy from reality: In the fantasy world, businesses always cooperate to find win-win solutions. In the real world, your competitor puts posters next to your studio.
Frankly, this looks likea zero sum game to me - IME there will be little overlap of dancers between AT and BR Tango, and the business will have to go this way or that - there isn't much of a middle ground. Your competitor seems to get this.
My advice - stop looking at community-oriented solutions as your primary response. Do what you need to do to create a civil and friendly atmosphere in the scene (worst case - you'll come off as the nice person), but for things like county calling you about posters, tell them the truth and redirect them to the right person (but do give the other guy fair warning that you're sending the county folks that way). Then figure out how to out-compete. Start leveraging social media and marketing tools first for e.g., - set up Meetup.com events and take ownership of all plausible Tango related names/phrases, get yourself on Facebook, use Google adwords and ensure that you are on top of the search results for Tango or dancing in general (pay a professional if need be to get these things right), play into Groupon if you feel like it (but evaluate it's flip sides carefully - groupon has a nasty reputation for bringing one-time clients, and few repeat-clients)... there is a lot you can do to up the game, and upping the game is the only way you can really create lasting peace. Establish yoruself as the top-dog, then extend an offer of peace - on your terms. Right now, you seem to be on the defensive.
quixotedlm
Active Member
You could start by actually speaking with the teacher...
Have a plan in place for what you intend to do to move forward before talking. If the conversation goes south, you need to feel like there is a way forward and not be demoralized. Even better, have a plan in place that you intend to set in motion regardless of the outcome of yoru conversation. Even if the talk is civil and nice, you now know for sure that your competitor is willing to play abrasively, and any civility you might get out of him can't be more than a temporary mask.
bordertangoman
Well-Known Member
to which I would add take a friend who can mediate; so you dont lose your cool, and your friend remains impartial during talking...
LadyLeader
Forum Master
This is a good one!
Dave Bailey
Active Member
Errmm... maybe speak to the ballroom teacher?
nucat78
Active Member
Seems like this is simply free market competition. I'd never assume a competitor was going to "play fair" just because I'm a nice guy and the community doesn't like tension.
Successful companies brand and differentiate and offer a desirable product(s) first. That's how they become the 900-pound gorilla in the market.
And that does not mean you have to act without integrity or fortitude. This is basic business development.
Successful companies brand and differentiate and offer a desirable product(s) first. That's how they become the 900-pound gorilla in the market.
And that does not mean you have to act without integrity or fortitude. This is basic business development.
Dave Bailey
Active Member
This dicussion is the first time I've heard anyone consider that BR tango and AT compete anyway. The crossover (in terms of dancers) is quite small. Novices not really committed to either may drift between them, and more dedicated dancers with an interest in both will go where they like, regardless of a competitive hard sell.
On a positive, if anyone targets you as a competitor, you should be flattered: they obviously think you are doing something right, or they wouldn't bother.
On a positive, if anyone targets you as a competitor, you should be flattered: they obviously think you are doing something right, or they wouldn't bother.
LadyLeader
Forum Master
Nina22, don't you think UK dancer has a point here?
By the way if the authority made a mistake with the posters, maybe some passing by also get interested about AN tango event thinking it is yours?
bordertangoman
Well-Known Member
If you read the OP then its clear it was a commercially aggressive act, but normally i would agree with you. A while back there was a ballroom couple claiming to teach AT, along with salsa rhumba in the same evening. they AT class was half an hour of totally unleadable steps taught in a sequence. It was rubbish. But the wanted punters and money - it was their livelihood and at the time no-one around knew any better. ie the punters didnt know they were being sold a pup.
Dave Bailey
Active Member
It does seem a bit strange. Mind you, isn't American Tango a bit more like Argentine Tango?
I always think of BR tango as a sub-section of ballroom dancing. Are there social dancers who focus mainly on BR tango?
Not as far as I know. Quite the opposite: I'd say that it was the least popular BR style (excepting only Viennese Waltz, which isn't much danced socially).
Er ... is it? I know it has an 8-count basic!