I'll be at the GPA Booth, but....

[Michael Hopcroft]

I'd like some advice on suitable activities to run at my booth to promote my game.

I"m scheduled to run two full demos in the veent hall -- one of HeartQuest and one of Fuzz: the Furry Police. I'd like to know what else I can do at GenCon to get some exposure, since I'm pretty much committed to going.

[Ron Edwards]

Hi Michael,

You've hopped a little off-topic, so I've moved your post to to its own thread. It's a very good topic, though, which everyone should consider carefully, and I hope some con veterans will contribute advice.

My view is that con promotion consists of (a) actual play and (b) positive human interaction. Since you already have the demos scheduled, and that's good, the in-booth activities should be devoted to communicating your pleasure and enthusiasm about the game to others. People like to be talked to; that's why they came to the exhibitor hall (if they were really "just shopping," they wouldn't travel so far and spend all that hotel money).

Best,
Ron

[Misguided Games]

Michael,

Above all, I would urge you not to let the proof situation affect how you deal with your customers.  If you have books, great!  If you don't have them, it's still great, because you WILL have them soon, and you can share your excitement and enthusiasm (just as Ron said) and encourage customers to start asking about it.  Telling people you would have had it to sell if it weren't for $%^$&^! UPS will only discourage people from being interested.  Focus on the positive.

[Michael Hopcroft]

Telling people you would have had it to sell if it weren't for $%^$&^! UPS will only discourage people from being interested.

Point well taken. And in case anyone was wondering, ym printer is going to be working VERY hard to see that I get my books in time for the show. They should be off the bindery "the week of JUly 22" and they say that if they ship anytime before JUly 31 (and I don't plan to wait that long), they'll make the convention.

The question is -- will I? If you;'ve been reading the GPA's mailing list over the last couple of days you'll have seen the firestorm of criticism I've suffered. I expect to be expelled from the organization any day if it gets any worse.

[Michael Hopcroft]

Well, it appears that i will get my space, but the half-table for demo space that's left over will probably be hogged by other companies. Monster Island will be at the booth as well, and they plan to run a score of demos at the booth.

Which kind of leaves me out for HeartQuest. Being a game of relationships and plot, HeartQuest is not an easy game to demo outside of character creation and actual adventures, which are not good things to run at a booth. I don't think I'll even be allowed a sign-up sheet. And my greatest fear is that while I'm off running demos, the other people at the booth will not be trying to sell my game. I don't think they want to -- those who don't disagree with the concept will probably just ignore or despise me personally and wish me failure.

[Ron Edwards]

Michael,

There is nothing that we at the Forge can do regarding your relationship with GPA members, whatever it might be. I can only say that you cannot expect others to sell your game for you under any circumstances, only to be happy if they do, and neutral if they don't. Please review this concept: neutral.

Right now, as I understand it, you do have space at the GPA booth, and you are going to be selling your game at GenCon. Demo when and how you can. Promote your game as positively as you can. There is no other advice to be given.

Best,
Ron

[Valamir]

Michael, man, relax amigo.  You aren't about to enter the ER where a mistake will cost some poor child their life...this is a game convention...GAME...as in FUN...

I don't know bupkiss about the GPA.  Their opinion of your game means exactly 0 to me.  If they're an organization that's supposed to help game designers, then use them for what they offer that you like, and ignore the rest that you don't.  

As far as selling copies of the game...repeat this mantra...

"I will have fun at GenCon".
"I will enjoy myself at GenCon"
"I will be happy and excited and enthusiastic at GenCon"

That won't guarentee sales, but the absence of the above will guarentee no sales.

Mike and I are taking 50-100 copies of Universalis.  I'm sure we'll have to run to kinkos a dozen times to print up more because we'll sell 1000 copies...or maybe we'll sell 2 copies...so what.  Either way we're not talking sufficient revenue to change our tax bracket.

So lighten up...you're going to GenCon...with a game you've designed...and people you've never met before are going to see it.  And some of them are going to play it...and some of them are going to buy it...how cool is that!

[Jake Norwood]

I have to hop in with Valamir/Ralph on this one. All the way. I nearly gave my self an honest-to-bob ulcer before TROS was printed out, but the day it came out, I was just happy. I've done a Trade Show and a Convention, and all I can say is the more fun you have the better everything is going to be, including sales. People will see it in your eyes, and will run like hell if it's not there. But, if you're happy, they'll say, "Why?" and you'll say "HeartQuest." And they'll buy your game. Sounds stupid, but ask anyone in proffessional marketing.

It's true.

Jake