So, I gave it another shot.
I thought I'd post here and see what people thought.
I recently attended MarsCon, in Williamsburg VA. Its a small local Con, only a couple hundred people. But its a nice Con, I figured a good place to try out a new handout, make a stronger showing for my local chapter.
On the plus side I think I had a decent setup.
Had a nice covering for my half of the table, chainmail, weapons, a shield, a bag full of IG coins, some flyers, copies of the local IG newspaper, a banner, and a REALLY spiff little CD that contains a TON of info, including a PDF of all the rules, addendums, erratta, ect. ect. ect that usually drive players crazy trying to find. And of Couse, Moi~
Saturday we had 2 guys and woman come down to help out with the table.
Now I know there were a couple of points that in my presentation that need work.
1. I am fairly sure that on Saturday our 2hr time slot was just too early. I am thinking now that the Con is much like a NERO event in that it runs till the wee hours and we missed out on a lot fo folks just because they were just getting up and heading to breakfast when we were packing up.
2. We still don't have a "real" banner. Just whatever I happen to work up via CAD at work before the event. Usually just a Logo a/ chapter info and NERO international on white paper. Sure its 3' wide, but its stil fairly plain.
3. No Boobs. I know its terribly sexist, and forgive me for the sexism, but in a con where 90% of the attendee's are male, I really wish I'd had a cutie w/ some cleavage being shown off to attract a few more guys. If people were interested in Manboobs I'd show em off myself.
4. No Demo. There are several reasons why one was not run, the main one being that there was already a group running a Demo of thier game at the Con. A group called O.R.C.S. an offshoot of Amtgard. (More a full contact boffer than NERO). And I just couldn't get people to commit to coming to an event 3 months away.
5. No Makeup. None of the people who came down came down in Racial makeup.
As it worked out, I ended up having to work Friday night at the Promo table by myself, not in costume, with just props and a simple banner. (I also had to split a table w/ a guy/group promoting a Viking/Longship organization. So Friday goes pretty well, I end up talking to a good number of people, handed out about 15 of the CD's we'd made up as a handout for people who were interested in it. Surprisingly, despite the fact that these CD's were free, I was only able to give out about 15 of them. I got maybe 6 or 8 people signed up for a Email newsletter notifying people of upcoming events, and game info. I was there for about 3hrs, from 8pm to 11pm or so.
Saturday, was the same setup, me in costume, but we only had a 2hr time shot from 10am-12(noon). 3 other players came down from Richmond to help out. Everyone was in costume, and we had some more/better props that whats in my personal collection. In two hours, I only managed to give away 5 CD's about the same in flyers, and signed no-one up for the email list.
Frankly I'm a little flummoxed on the difference in response between the two sessions. I really thought that even despite the early hour, having more people/props there would help pull people in.
Now at this point its too early to tell if any of the people who seemed most interested in the game will be coming out or not. I plan on sending out an Announcement Email this weekend to the folks who signed up telling them about the next event's date, see if I can include some IG info thats going on and such. I also plan on putting in an "Opt-Out" section on the email, so that I will know if the folks who are getting the email want to Stop getting the email.
Now, the thing is, I Still want to try again at the upcoming RavenCon in Richmond VA. I've already emailed them trying to find out about the availablity of a Promotional Table or setting up a booth or something, I have yet to hear back from them though. And I have the same problem as I had with MarsCon. Its January, RavenCon is in April, there's a good chance that the space for Demo's is already full as may be space for Promo tables and such.
Anyone have any thoughts?
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January 23 2007, 22:36:45 UTC 5 years ago
Stay there all day, from 10 am - close
Having your table setup all day every day of the con is the best thing you could possibly do. It beats every other suggestion put together.Make-up could help or hinder. I can't tell you how many cons I've seen with badly done make-up and boring costumes at the tables. Bad make-up can be a worse turn-off than the lack of interest with no make-up. If you're gonna do it, make sure it's excellent by many, many opinions.
Pretty ladies are a win with the guys - but if your table attracts too many guys who look like the comic book store owner from "The Simpsons," you may not attract more female players. Having ladies showing the goods, and "normal" looking women who can actually communicate other than visually is the best idea.
Traceroo
January 23 2007, 23:21:39 UTC 5 years ago
Re: Stay there all day, from 10 am - close
Having your table setup all day every day of the con is the best thing you could possibly do. It beats every other suggestion put together.I totally agree with you on this. I would have loved to do an all day table on Saturday, but MarsCon has limited space, so they had one table that was split between various groups. we got the Early slot :(
Make-up could help or hinder. I can't tell you how many cons I've seen with badly done make-up and boring costumes at the tables. Bad make-up can be a worse turn-off than the lack of interest with no make-up. If you're gonna do it, make sure it's excellent by many, many opinions.
Ya, I can see the point on that. I know my problem at future Cons will be getting someone who can either do thier own makeup well, or having people who can do it as I am talentless at it myself.
Pretty ladies are a win with the guys - but if your table attracts too many guys who look like the comic book store owner from "The Simpsons," you may not attract more female players. Having ladies showing the goods, and "normal" looking women who can actually communicate other than visually is the best idea.
Very true. I am hopeful that a player will be able to come down at RavenCon who can fill both those roles without it being a Leer-fest :)
January 23 2007, 22:46:21 UTC 5 years ago
January 23 2007, 23:18:16 UTC 5 years ago
Offer coupons, have folks get out there, dont wait for them to come to you. Have girls or guys in costume passing out fliers elsewhere to get them to your table, and then dont wait to be approached. You have zero to lose in this situation, and customers to gain.
Props and things interactive on your table help to give them something to hold onto and look at while it gives you about 30 seconds to hook and catch them.
If it isnt working out, dont make the small talk about last nights Heroes episode, thank them and move on.
It is a business to get in the cashflow, not just a hobby.
January 23 2007, 23:27:41 UTC 5 years ago
Now you're making me feel bad. It never even Occured to me to have someone stand somewhere and hand out flyers to passersby. That would have been perfect at MarsCon. Have someone stand at the main door to the Game room and hand flyers out to everyone going in/out. *headdesk*
True on the props, I think I did really well at retaining folks who stopped and were even vaugely interested, at least on Friday night.
January 23 2007, 23:23:23 UTC 5 years ago
January 24 2007, 03:57:20 UTC 5 years ago
High energy level is important. Always look like you're having fun, especially early in the morning when your group is tired and hung over (obviously, I'm getting too old for conventions;-) People are attracted to your excitement and really, who wants to play with boring people. You probably did this, but I always feel it's important to remind folks.
Flyers everywhere. There are tons of places in cons where you can set out your flyers. It is generally acceptable to put them everywhere. Even people who don't know larps exist should know about your game.
Discounts. We have a first event free policy for my game. The idea is folks will try something once if it isn't going to cost them. Once they get to site, I can get them hooked on my game. Free or discount events remove barriers that aren't really there. Make you're flyer a coupon so they'll save it for later.
Demos are the bomb. Especially at small cons, if you ask correctly, they'll let you get away with a lot. Even if there is another demo, see if the organizers will let you hold a tournament (best response ever was to a thrown together boffer tourney at Mace). People love actually getting to do something. At larger more structured cons, you are more limited (stupid weapons policies!) but what's to stop you from putting on a RP extravaganza. It's not all weapons. Have a spell packet war (ask permission first) or do something else that showcases your Larp.
Think outside the box. Especially if booth space is at a premium, there are lots of other ways to get exposure. If there are ANY gaming panels, ask if you can assist as a panel member. People always want to know about logistics of creating and managing games. If you sound like you know what you're talking about, people will want to know more about your game.
Look for other panels that you and your staff would be good panelists for. Make-up and costuming panals are at almost every Con. You probably have someone who is a costuming and makeup expert. Offer to run make-up demos. How about a make a boffer weapon demo. Creative writing and plots? You'd be amazed at how flexible a con becomes for you if you jump up and start begging to help with things like panels. And you have a crowd of people listening to you talk and who will stay after to get more info (and always have flyers on hand to give them!) If they start up a dialog, ask if you can exchange emails with them, they can email you questions and you can send them a notice on game dates.
Above all, make sure people know how excited you are about your game. It may take time for folks to come to your game, but you will get a reputation as a fun and exciting Larp, just because people think you're fun and exciting.
January 24 2007, 15:28:37 UTC 5 years ago
Ya I really wanted to do that, but I wasn't able to get my hands on a Laptop to bring along. I got a very nice Video and Picture Slideshow from NERO DFW and I was really kicking myself that I wasn't able to use it. Good suggestion for the future tho :)
Flyers everywhere.
True, I did only put out flyers at the layout table. I forgot to put a stack in the gaming room. Next time I'll make a point of putting up additional flyers in a few other places where they are allowed.
Think outside the box. Especially if booth space is at a premium, there are lots of other ways to get exposure. If there are ANY gaming panels, ask if you can assist as a panel member. People always want to know about logistics of creating and managing games. If you sound like you know what you're talking about, people will want to know more about your game.
Now thats an interesting idea. I'll have to check into whats available for RavenCon. *twitch* still haven't heard back from them
Look for other panels that you and your staff would be good panelists for.
Hmm, that one will be hard to do as so far There's only Me on the team. With the next one being In richmond and signifigantly closer to more players/staff for VALOR I might have better getting the right people together to do some of these.
Thanks very much for the suggestions!
January 24 2007, 16:28:43 UTC 5 years ago
January 24 2007, 16:40:31 UTC 5 years ago