What do you do to promote the Metal Detecting hobby?

[lookindown]

I would like to address this in a most-congenial way, LD. There are two different promotions in play here. The OP is outwardly promoting this hobby via the decals he has on his truck. His decals are directed to everyone, both people who detect and those who don't.

Displaying your finds inside of this forum is a lot different. Its a subject for discussion within our community, and intended to promote fellowship - not to advertise the great hobby of treasure hunting. Inside of these pages, we're self-sustaining and somewhat incestuous. Display these finds in the local paper, or blab about a huge find to the news media and get on TV and then its all going to crumble down.

I'm proud to be a detectorist. I love my hobby. I like to talk about my hobby - but only with you folks in here.

Yeah, but what you don't realize is the only reason I got into this hobby four years ago is because I saw all the gold finds people were making at the beach. I found T NET one day and kept coming back and seeing all the great finds posted and said "that does it, Im getting a detector". Seeing a bumper sticker on a truck wouldn't have gotten me into the hobby. So, if you post your finds you are promoting the hobby whether you like it or not...I don't sweat the competition, like I said, I will show my gold finds to another detectorist at the beach, even though I know they are probably hiding theirs...its a great hobby and I have fun out there.

 

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[lookindown]

Good one Jason! I see 8 people liked your quote.

I wonder if those 8 people bothered to notice your you-tube channel with 5,690 subscribers and the 100+ metal detecting videos that YOU created?

Or your Website? Facebook page?

Gee, none of that promotes the hobby now does it?

Say it aint so...

 

[mikeraydj]

Say it aint so...

I think there is a difference between promoting the hobby and self promotion.

 

[Higgy]

I'm doing a self-promotion of the notion of drinking a barley potion! Who's with me?

 

[mikeraydj]

Woo Hoo!

 

[Escape]

Actually working on a project that will promote our hobby in a positive way on a local and national level. I still have a lot of work in its acomplishment. Will reveal all when I am ready to impliment. I know, it sounds intriguing. Couldn't resist mentioning it because of this thread. Aiming for spring. Done ask in the mean time.

 

[lookindown]

Actually working on a project that will promote our hobby in a positive way on a local and national level. I still have a lot of work in its acomplishment. Will reveal all when I am ready to impliment. I know, it sounds intriguing. Couldn't resist mentioning it because of this thread. Aiming for spring. Done ask in the mean time.

Sooo,...whats it going to be?

 

[lookindown]

I'm doing a self-promotion of the notion of drinking a barley potion! Who's with me?

I would be with you but your drinking the wrong potion...here we go again.

 

[mikeraydj]

MMMMMM Beer!



My size and brand.

 

[Jason in Enid]

I'm doing a self-promotion of the notion of drinking a barley potion! Who's with me?

I'll join in spirit! This is what I'm enjoying at this moment!

 

[Jason in Enid]

I would have never started if it weren't for one of your videos. I ran across it when I was looking up !!!! It's game on now.View attachment 1102432

I used to have that same model waaaaay back 30+ years ago.

 

[sponge]

If they made a detector that found cold beers we would all be in trouble.

sent from a sending device.

 

[ARC]

My "most notable find" was a full beer... heh

 

[Higgy]

I'll join in spirit! This is what I'm enjoying at this moment!

Holy Cow! I aint had me a Shiner since... 1979.

 

[Jason in Enid]

Holy Cow! I aint had me a Shiner since... 1979.

Oh, I love Shiner Bock, it's my favorite beer.

 

[civil_war22]

I don't promote it. Too many people as it is in this small state doing it as it is. Start promoting detecting and u start promoting trouble for yourself and your secrets. There is those hard core detectorist out there only in it for the money who would love to be friends with you and find out all your honey holes whether you tell them or not I've seen greenie watch me detect in a big field and then an hour after I leave they are out there doing the same as me. Unless you go out in the middle of the woods and hide from everyone you are promoting it by people seeing you detecting

 

[NWMP]

I get stopped now and then through the season and have folk ask me about the hobby, I take the time for them. I also try to steer people considering the hobby to visit these sites before buying a machine. I saw a guy here in Cabela's that was going to buy something. I gave him some alternate options and the titles of various sites such as this. I don't spoon feed what (I) think they should get. I try to have them do their own research and decide on their own what machine makes sense for them.

 

[Higgy]

Let's look at it as a paradox. We don't want too many people in the hobby, yet at the same time, the manufacturers of metal detectors and related gear constantly need sales in order to stay in business and continue to produce advances and revisions and support of their product. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

 

[ARC]

I get stopped now and then through the season and have folk ask me about the hobby, I take the time for them. I also try to steer people considering the hobby to visit these sites before buying a machine. I saw a guy here in Cabela's that was going to buy something. I gave him some alternate options and the titles of various sites such as this. I don't spoon feed what (I) think they should get. I try to have them do their own research and decide on their own what machine makes sense for them.

I am the complete opposite...
When people try to "stop me"... I act like I do not see or hear them.
I keep my head to the ground and walk in a direction that steers away from contact.
When I see people I go the other way.
I never detect around people... UNLESS there is no other choice.
When and if I am stopped they ask the same old crap...
they ask if I "have you (ever) found anything good?" "find anything?" "whats the best thing you ever found?" etc etc etc.
my reply is the same... "not really"... "nothing much" etc etc..
NOW DONT GET ME WRONG...
I am not a jerk about it... I smile and kinda keep moving.
But I am definitely not like the idiot I saw screaming "look what I found" at Wabasso one year.
After he showed everyone... people were like ... hey we should get detectors and come out here and try to find something.
AND that area he was at soon had three other guys that basically took over his area.

The time I have when I detect is valuable to me.
The investments in my efforts are valuable to me.
My spots and techniques are valuable to me and took years ON MY OWN to learn and find etc.
there is nothing wrong with a little idle chat etc..
But I am sure as hell not going to try and get more people involved.
I could care less if they are interested... EVERYONE is interested in finding stuff... treasure etc.
Low key IS the key to the success of this.
I do not need a lot of newbie idiots around screwing up not only my spots... but like everything else that gets ruined by TOO MANY PEOPLE.
Think about yourself in the fact you may signing your demise by introducing what may be the guy who trespasses... who digs illegally etc to this life.
When your right to do this is stripped from you because tons of idiots have now screwed it up...
Then it is your own fault.
LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS !
If you are already in this... then you are IN.
If your not and want to be... then pay your dues. PERIOD. heh

PS> The only people who are really benefiting from "promoting this" are the guys selling metal detectors... So go ask for a "kickback" from them because after awhile that will be the only thing you will find... NOT.
And hang your detector up or sell it to the newbie that will now be your nemesis.

 

[Higgy]

I am the complete opposite...
When people try to "stop me"... I act like I do not see or hear them.
I keep my head to the ground and walk in a direction that steers away from contact.
When I see people I go the other way.
I never detect around people... UNLESS there is no other choice.
When and if I am stopped they ask the same old crap...
they ask if I "have you (ever) found anything good?" "find anything?" "whats the best thing you ever found?" etc etc etc.
my reply is the same... "not really"... "nothing much" etc etc..
NOW DONT GET ME WRONG...
I am not a jerk about it... I smile and kinda keep moving.
But I am definitely not like the idiot I saw screaming "look what I found" at Wabasso one year.
After he showed everyone... people were like ... hey we should get detectors and come out here and try to find something.
AND that area he was at soon had three other guys that basically took over his area.

The time I have when I detect is valuable to me.
The investments in my efforts are valuable to me.
My spots and techniques are valuable to me and took years ON MY OWN to learn and find etc.
there is nothing wrong with a little idle chat etc..
But I am sure as hell not going to try and get more people involved.
I could care less if they are interested... EVERYONE is interested in finding stuff... treasure etc.
Low key IS the key to the success of this.
I do not need a lot of newbie idiots around screwing up not only my spots... but like everything else that gets ruined by TOO MANY PEOPLE.
Think about yourself in the fact you may signing your demise by introducing what may be the guy who trespasses... who digs illegally etc to this life.
When your right to do this is stripped from you because tons of idiots have now screwed it up...
Then it is your own fault.
LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS !
If you are already in this... then you are IN.
If your not and want to be... then pay your dues. PERIOD. heh

PS> The only people who are really benefiting from "promoting this" are the guys selling metal detectors... So go ask for a "kickback" from them because after awhile that will be the only thing you will find... NOT.
And hang your detector up or sell it to the newbie that will now be your nemesis.

I completely endorse everything said here, and I could not have said it better myself. Well said, AARC.

I'll help a newbie if they are worthy. I'll show them what to look for, and how to research, but I won't take them to any of my spots or show them what to do. There are enough detector dealer sponsored clubs and events for that crap. They are the only ones who have a valid interest in keeping people interested.