Paid for Airsoft?

[Inari]

You really should never combine work with play...it never ends well.

 

But should you wish to continue, you've got jobs such as:

- Site Operator

- Marshal

- Gun Tech

- Sales Assistant

- Retailer

- Reviewer/YouTuber/etc

 

Unless you are particularly entrepreneurial, stay away from retailing and site operating - there's next to no money in the sector unless you can offer something that others can't, not to mention the tremendous cash outlay required in startup. Sales Assistant is the same in any store irrespective of category/type - you sell airsoft guns and accessories, and need to know as much as possible while still making sales. There is no difference in working in a music store or an airsoft store...it is work, and no matter how you think you might feel - after a certain amount of time all work becomes work.

 

Reviewing gear is thankless work, and revenue is unpredictable...plus you need to purchase gear to review, or manage to secure donations. If people donate to you, or sponsor you, then you are likely to feel obligated in providing positive comments and you are right back to square one; conflict of interest.

 

Keep work and play separate and enjoy life.

[FireKnife]

Reviewing gear is thankless work, and revenue is unpredictable...plus you need to purchase gear to review, or manage to secure donations. If people donate to you, or sponsor you, then you are likely to feel obligated in providing positive comments and you are right back to square one; conflict of interest.

 

Keep work and play separate and enjoy life.

 

If you would like an example of the above, buy a copy of Airsoft International, made here in the UK and read the ###### reviews they run. It is hard to do an impartial review unless your donations are raised by third parties, like asking airsofters themselves to put up the cash for the gun so you can review it on their behalf but that is unlikely to happen.

 

In fact the only way you could keep out of conflict of interest but review for cash is a system like this:

 

Players pay a small amount each (say $2 in your case), when you have enough you go and buy the gun they want reviewed and give it a thorough review. When this is done you hold a raffle for each person that put cash into the purchase of the gun, the winner gets the gun sent to them. In most cases if you were getting a review of a gun you wanted to buy and a reasonable chance that you could actually win said gun for the small outlay you put in people would go for it, but then you would need to make sure it is fair and honest and that the raffle never gets rigged.

 

And yes in some cases work and life don't mix, even people in jobs like porn that many people think 'oh that is easy, I could get paid to do that' it really isn't. Every job has hidden things that you need to look at and get on with.

 

'FireKnife'

[Azubi]

Basically, you have more chance of making some cash at WalMart on a 6 hour a week shift. And you won't be compromising the fun you have playing airsoft.

[FireKnife]

You could try opening up a place and training people how to airsoft like they do for RS shooters.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

:P :P :P

 

'FireKnife'

[Azubi]

Funnily enough I think a place has opened up like that recently. You can even pay to pay by the half hour.

[FireKnife]

There is a place up near Starburst that does training at a place called Halo Mill.

 

The only other pay for an hour place is the one that the *suitcase* hole that is JustBBGuns runs.

 

However as an idea I would say it would be hard to profit unless you ran it along with a site and also it was in an area teaming with players. I for one would like to do an alternative site where it is all scenario play and gas guns are widely encouraged but that would require enough specialist players to play (not elitist, but those that like something different, both new and old).

 

'FireKnife'

[Azubi]

Yeah Halo Mill is the one I am thinking of. I looked into it as it would be a CBQ place less than 2 hours away but, and I am not sure if it is still the case, you can play twice and then you have to become a member to play there again.

[FireKnife]

Not sure, give Starburst a shout as he has been a couple of times so far, he could give you a better answer than me.

 

'FireKnife'

[cdi]

I mean my team is sponsored by a Radio Shop (for free peltors) and also my own company CDI customs (for launchers). It does not ruin the sport and overall has been good for business at the Radio shop since people keep getting sent there by my team mates. Also since I started handing out free launchers to various teams my launcher sales have never been better and are even being utilized at national events!

 

I would say sponsorship is good for everyone. If you think you will make any money out of it you are wrong. Back in the day when I was into paintball my team was also heavily sponsored. Say we did good at a regional event we would make 20-30$ after the cost of everything needed for that day. Discounted entry, paint, parts ect don't really mean alot.

 

So basically you will never make the money that you desire though you can get some free goodies in the long run and help spur the local related economy. So it is a win win all around.

[FTZ-WildeCard]

Funny enough, AI did an article on sponsorship and how to approach it.. it's in the free e-magazine issue (August maybe?)

 

Worth a read if anything in this thread is to be taken seriously.

[DWZippy]

As for calling hits, make players wear soft material that a bb can easily puncture.

 

Man, I can't wait to get multiple welts across my body each game, before having to replace my camo.

 

While sponsorship and free gear would be nice, that'd dilute that experience somewhat for me. It's annoying enough to get locked down by a kiddy with a box mag, without having to factor in financial concerns.

 

Like many recreational activities, Airsoft is it's own reward.

[ltolstoy]

Wouldn't work for airsoft, Maybe in the USA but never in the UK

[Simba4793]

yes

[ShinSeiki]

I believe Airsoft is a non competitive sport and it's all better for it.

 

With sponsorships comes the pressure to perform, how long do you think it would take for honesty to go out the window? After that comMon sense would follow (i am talking about those situations where you don't take the shot because the guy is climbing a wall, or is too close, or you can only see his face etc.)

[evansy]

How to make decent money from airsoft

1. Become a successful retailer

2. Become a successful site owner

 

If you want to make a little disposable income from airsoft set up a youtube channel featuring everything from game day videos like scoutthedoggie's to reviews and tech stuff and get it partnered. You'll earn around the amount Im going space mentioned on the last page need to spend £100s on recording and editing equipment, work at it full time while also working an actual real life job and also spend your own money on review items. Eventually retailers may lend you review items but you'll very rarely be able to keep them.

 

The only way sponsorship will work in airsoft is by sponsored events like IPSC or 3 gun with the prizes being donated by retailers/manufacturers who sponsor the events.

[Gliderrider]

Someone once told me of a technique to see where you were hitting for full immersion events, fill ice cube bags with blood/gore etc, and wear them under a white T shirt, Could also be used to make a mask for a resident evil type event.  Sounded pretty cool.  I know its a little ot, but it is a way of showing hits, just saying.

[frogfish]

I've noticed there are a plethora of "Professional" airsoft teams and individuals on Facebook. It makes me lol every time I see someone so concerned they list themselves as such....

[Inq Eisenhorn]

If you want to make money in airsoft, garner a level of self satisfaction and a sense of achievement, why not do the following.

 

1. Go pick up a good engineering education

 

2. Alongside the academic aspect, try to enroll on a good engineering apprenticeship scheme, the automotive ones are some of the best. This is where you gain hands on experience working with machines like lathes, bench presses, etc

 

3. Get involved with real firearms, from the perspective of gun smithing

 

4. Don't forget to play airsoft alongside all of the above.

 

5. Armed with everything you know, start a very small niche operation developing a novel new airsoft system (think Daytonagun, Polar Star, etc)

 

6. Produce weapon system in small batches, high quality, high value

 

7. Expand over time, build a reputation for excellence......continue to do what you love, and keep it real.

 

Forget trying to get things the easy way, there is no easy way. Earn your stripes, and they will always be yours. You rely on handouts and you not only sacrifice your self respect and independence, but you also sacrifice your ability to grow and develop as an individual. If you have this passion to want to 'earn' from the hobby/sport you love, then harness it and think big, you could be the next Tokyo Marui or Systema.

 

What you're suggesting now, only cheapens you and the sport you claim to love. Don't be that guy, not even on the faceless internet forums.

[Skarclaw]

I've been making loads of money out airsoft by scamming people on second hand boards etc

[hawaiianjuggernaut]

You can get paid for airsoft if you got good tech skills, youre a good youtuber, entrepreneur or work at the local field.

 

 As for sponsorships, they are really meh. You dont really want to be known as "the spoiled kid with a evike sponsorship."

 

As soon as you get a sponsorship, you kinda are assumed partial to them. 

[blobface]

I've been making loads of money out airsoft by scamming people on second hand boards etc

 

Hey man I see your signature, I got a Bulle MLE, half price, very good deal, 100% like new, interested? 

[frogfish]

You dont really want to be known as "the spoiled kid with a evike sponsorship."

What are you talking about, Evike hands out sponsorships like McDonalds puts toys in happy meals.

 

 

This is a hobby, if getting a sponsorship or being a professional are that important, you've missed the point.

[Skarclaw]

Hey man I see your signature, I got a Bulle MLE, half price, very good deal, 100% like new, interested? 

 

yes do you take western union?

[DrAlexanderTobacco]

blobface i will paypal gift u mone

[hawaiianjuggernaut]

Not to be a mod-wannabe, but we have PMs for a reason