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ARTICLE
Quizzes have long been a source of extra income for mobile DJs and one potential option for creating fun, interactive quizzes is Redtooth SmartQuiz. (If you attended the Pro Mobile Conference Gala Dinner a few years ago, you may remember that Redtooth provided the equipment for a pop quiz with Nicky Campbell hosting.)
These days, the only requirement for SmartQuiz participants is to download an app onto their smartphones, which then connects to you as the quizmaster on your PC. Currently there are no plans for Mac compatibility, which could be a sticking point for some DJs.
But with the cost of laptops relatively low, and the chance to earn midweek revenue and add an extra fun element to your regular events, it’s easy to justify the additional outlay.
Everyone knows the traditional pen and paper quiz has been on the wane ever since the world got Google on their phone. But the fact that the Redtooth SmartQuiz software makes it impossible for you to cheat is only a very small part of its appeal.
Granted, it does mean that more people are willing to play if they know that no one else can look up an answer, but for me personally, what the SmartQuiz does is turn a regular old quiz night into a two-hour gameshow in a pub! Of my four regular weekly nights, pretty much all are close to sold out every week because SmartQuiz is so much more than just a quiz. It’s fun, interactive, incredibly engaging, and it makes two hours’ worth of answering questions go in the blink of an eye.
So, what do you need to get started?
Most DJs will already have everything they need to get set up. Simply hook the audio from the PC into your sound system or separate speaker, so people can hear the sound effects and jingles. Another nice touch (though not essential) can be to display the video from your PC on a monitor or projector via HDMI, as the SmartQuiz graphics and on-screen content can really add value to the experience of your clients and audiences.
Regarding connectivity to the quiz, you can use the venue Wi-Fi or opt for a PIN code that connects you via the internet. A more reliable connection option would be using a router, which Redtooth can supply. This provides an open Wi-Fi network (no password) with SmartQuiz as the SSID (network name), making it even easier for participants to connect. There is even a way to allow off-site guests to play along too. With all these options at your disposal, you’ll have a very versatile quiz solution that you can take just about anywhere. The software itself is easy to use, whether as a player or a host, so even the biggest technophobes will find themselves at ease within a few minutes. I have a few customers in their eighties who winced in horror when I first handed them a tablet and told them that’s how they had to answer questions. But now they’re the first ones in, sat at their regular table half an hour before I even arrive.
The gameshow vibe that SmartQuiz delivers means the quiz is very popular amongst all age groups. My regulars include teens all the way up to those 80-year-old quiz machines, and everybody in between! The reason? Well, I’d go as far as to say SmartQuiz is a tiny bit addictive.
Probably 70-80% of the hundreds of players I have come week in week out. Since I started, the venue’s revenue on a Thursday has increased by over 400%, because the quiz means not only two hours of entertainment but a captive audience too. Anyone who enters is staying to the end to find out if they’ve won. When you put a singer on or host a karaoke night, people will just leave if they don’t like it. But not with the SmartQuiz. You’ve got the quizzers and their drinking money for the whole night.
From the host side of things, it’s incredibly easy to navigate. The SmartHost app is brilliant yet simple, allowing you to control the entire quiz from your phone, so you can wander around the venue and interact with your customers. It doesn’t take more than a 30-minute tutorial and a little bit of practice before you’ve got it down pat.
Whether you decide to use the excellent supplied quiz pack, or do what I do and use the SmartQuiz studio to tailor your questions to your crowd, it’s easy to create and host a special quiz night. With the quiz creator, you can add bespoke audio, video and photo content – something that could come in handy at weddings, where you can tailor the quiz to the bride and groom and engage the guests by testing them on how well they know the happy couple. The customisation doesn't end there, either. SmartQuiz enables you to brand everything that the participants see while playing, giving you a subtle way to promote yourself at events.
My favourite feature is the music round. As a DJ, I love creating music rounds that not only provide challenging questions but are full of the kind tunes that get everyone singing along. (I’ve been known to have people dancing on tables at 9.30pm on a Tuesday night!) The music round is a great part of any quiz, but SmartQuiz takes it to the next level.
Aside from the different question rounds, the picture round, and the music round, you also have access to a variety of mini games that you can launch and play at any time during the quiz. These include ‘Play Your Cards Right’, the cup and ball game, and virtual horse racing. You can edit the configuration so that these games are part of the quiz itself – so points are awarded to the winners – or use them as standalone features in and out of breaks. What I’ve also found helpful is the support and detailed guidance available on the Redtooth SmartQuiz website. For example, you’ll find a quick start guide on using the software, a walk-through video showing all the features, and even a full 60+ page manual.
There are a few choices when it comes to pricing, so it’s best to head to the Redtooth website to find out more. The ‘Presenter Edition’ package includes the SmartQuiz desktop software and accompanying apps, as well as the ‘Daily Quiz’, ‘Weekly Bonus Games’ and ‘Mini Games’ features. You can also download a demo version from the website, allowing you to install and play a sample quiz game to see how it works before you make your purchase.
All in all, having tried the competition, I can say honestly that SmartQuiz is the absolute most fun you can have in a pub without the risk of arrest! Its ease of use, interactivity and ability to stop people cheating all make this a superb option for DJs looking to get started with quiz hosting or take their existing quiz to the next level.
Many DJs have the talent to engage with an audience, speak coherently on a microphone, and create a fun experience – but often fail to recognise these traits. Redtooth’s SmartQuiz allows you to put these skills into action and grow your midweek revenue on top of your main events.
Find out more at www.redtoothsmartquiz.com
These days, the only requirement for SmartQuiz participants is to download an app onto their smartphones, which then connects to you as the quizmaster on your PC. Currently there are no plans for Mac compatibility, which could be a sticking point for some DJs.
But with the cost of laptops relatively low, and the chance to earn midweek revenue and add an extra fun element to your regular events, it’s easy to justify the additional outlay.
Everyone knows the traditional pen and paper quiz has been on the wane ever since the world got Google on their phone. But the fact that the Redtooth SmartQuiz software makes it impossible for you to cheat is only a very small part of its appeal.
Granted, it does mean that more people are willing to play if they know that no one else can look up an answer, but for me personally, what the SmartQuiz does is turn a regular old quiz night into a two-hour gameshow in a pub! Of my four regular weekly nights, pretty much all are close to sold out every week because SmartQuiz is so much more than just a quiz. It’s fun, interactive, incredibly engaging, and it makes two hours’ worth of answering questions go in the blink of an eye.
So, what do you need to get started?
Most DJs will already have everything they need to get set up. Simply hook the audio from the PC into your sound system or separate speaker, so people can hear the sound effects and jingles. Another nice touch (though not essential) can be to display the video from your PC on a monitor or projector via HDMI, as the SmartQuiz graphics and on-screen content can really add value to the experience of your clients and audiences.
Regarding connectivity to the quiz, you can use the venue Wi-Fi or opt for a PIN code that connects you via the internet. A more reliable connection option would be using a router, which Redtooth can supply. This provides an open Wi-Fi network (no password) with SmartQuiz as the SSID (network name), making it even easier for participants to connect. There is even a way to allow off-site guests to play along too. With all these options at your disposal, you’ll have a very versatile quiz solution that you can take just about anywhere. The software itself is easy to use, whether as a player or a host, so even the biggest technophobes will find themselves at ease within a few minutes. I have a few customers in their eighties who winced in horror when I first handed them a tablet and told them that’s how they had to answer questions. But now they’re the first ones in, sat at their regular table half an hour before I even arrive.
The gameshow vibe that SmartQuiz delivers means the quiz is very popular amongst all age groups. My regulars include teens all the way up to those 80-year-old quiz machines, and everybody in between! The reason? Well, I’d go as far as to say SmartQuiz is a tiny bit addictive.
Probably 70-80% of the hundreds of players I have come week in week out. Since I started, the venue’s revenue on a Thursday has increased by over 400%, because the quiz means not only two hours of entertainment but a captive audience too. Anyone who enters is staying to the end to find out if they’ve won. When you put a singer on or host a karaoke night, people will just leave if they don’t like it. But not with the SmartQuiz. You’ve got the quizzers and their drinking money for the whole night.
From the host side of things, it’s incredibly easy to navigate. The SmartHost app is brilliant yet simple, allowing you to control the entire quiz from your phone, so you can wander around the venue and interact with your customers. It doesn’t take more than a 30-minute tutorial and a little bit of practice before you’ve got it down pat.
Whether you decide to use the excellent supplied quiz pack, or do what I do and use the SmartQuiz studio to tailor your questions to your crowd, it’s easy to create and host a special quiz night. With the quiz creator, you can add bespoke audio, video and photo content – something that could come in handy at weddings, where you can tailor the quiz to the bride and groom and engage the guests by testing them on how well they know the happy couple. The customisation doesn't end there, either. SmartQuiz enables you to brand everything that the participants see while playing, giving you a subtle way to promote yourself at events.
My favourite feature is the music round. As a DJ, I love creating music rounds that not only provide challenging questions but are full of the kind tunes that get everyone singing along. (I’ve been known to have people dancing on tables at 9.30pm on a Tuesday night!) The music round is a great part of any quiz, but SmartQuiz takes it to the next level.
Aside from the different question rounds, the picture round, and the music round, you also have access to a variety of mini games that you can launch and play at any time during the quiz. These include ‘Play Your Cards Right’, the cup and ball game, and virtual horse racing. You can edit the configuration so that these games are part of the quiz itself – so points are awarded to the winners – or use them as standalone features in and out of breaks. What I’ve also found helpful is the support and detailed guidance available on the Redtooth SmartQuiz website. For example, you’ll find a quick start guide on using the software, a walk-through video showing all the features, and even a full 60+ page manual.
There are a few choices when it comes to pricing, so it’s best to head to the Redtooth website to find out more. The ‘Presenter Edition’ package includes the SmartQuiz desktop software and accompanying apps, as well as the ‘Daily Quiz’, ‘Weekly Bonus Games’ and ‘Mini Games’ features. You can also download a demo version from the website, allowing you to install and play a sample quiz game to see how it works before you make your purchase.
All in all, having tried the competition, I can say honestly that SmartQuiz is the absolute most fun you can have in a pub without the risk of arrest! Its ease of use, interactivity and ability to stop people cheating all make this a superb option for DJs looking to get started with quiz hosting or take their existing quiz to the next level.
Many DJs have the talent to engage with an audience, speak coherently on a microphone, and create a fun experience – but often fail to recognise these traits. Redtooth’s SmartQuiz allows you to put these skills into action and grow your midweek revenue on top of your main events.
Find out more at www.redtoothsmartquiz.com
The full review can be found in Pro Mobile Issue 109, Pages 40-44.
