General RPG DiscussionDiscussion of all RPGs and non-system-specific topics. DM/GM/player issues, settings, etc. Rules discussion belongs in one the forums below.
You don't want to "limit" who you market to, but you also don't want to be so generalized (generic?) as to miss out on people. If you're running RPGs, especially just one game (D&D 4e), then you probably want to market the best way you can to that audience specifically. I mean, if that's what they are looking for, they are going to search for things like:
Dungeon Master
Dungeonmaster
DM
Narrator
Storyteller
Game Master
Gamemaster
Gamesmaster
In fact, if you can do any kind of SEO analysis, I'd dump those exact terms into Google and see what comes up with more hits, and what the top hits of each one is.
I.e., if you're going to be DMing Dungeons & Dragons, you want to name yourself after whatever comes up on Google first when looking for the game Dungeons & Dragons. Therefore, I suspect Dungeon Master and DM would be the best bets.
If you look at this from an SEO standpoint (search engine optimization, for the unlearned), that could help you and your marketing (ESPECIALLY of your website) a whole lot.
And if you're only doing a specific region/city/area, you should probably incorporate something like that into the name as well (or at least as a subheading).
http://dungeon-crawl.blogspot.com
Tools & tips you can apply immediately to your D&D game! Encounters inspired by the movies, suggestions to speed up your game and reduce bookkeeping, and more!
Captain Commando, you sound bipolar/manic. Not that a bit of mania doesn't help in an entrepreneurial endeavor, but--to put it nicely--you're clearly thinking entirely too optimistically. Take a step back and review your plan.
Having now read all of this hoopla from the start, CC appears to be a bit too optimistic, but is not outside the realm of realism that many people claim him to be.
He's gone back to the drawing board on his ideas at least 2-3 times. He's detailed scenarios (more than one) and sought feedback on them. He's done some market research (but missed some variables...and admitted it).
Honestly, I think he's onto something, but the issue is really that it's such a niche, and one that carries stigma with it to boot. It's not like a Trekky trying to create a new, more local Star Trek convention. It's more like a guy who loves only the tribble episode of original Star Trek, and who wants to market a roleplaying game entirely based around tribbles. It's like a really small niche inside of a small niche that's inside of a kinda medium-sized niche that a lot of people who aren't in that target audience look down upon because they think it's "immature."
Think of it this way: CC is really just trying to be like a Con games DM. He's trying to get some groups together who wouldn't otherwise be together (like convention goers), he's trying to market why his game is the best one to sign up for (like any Con DM who's name isn't already found in the writing credits of already published D&D books) and he's trying to make a buck or two off of it (just like Convention groups already do). It's also like setting up an online roleplaying service like Fantasy Grounds or whatever one of the pay ones is. Except you don't need a computer, you just show up to the library or wherever the heck he holds this thing.
Will it work? I think he's too optimistic about some of his data, but there's definitely an audience there. It's just smaller than he might think, or it's going to require some really focused, hard marketing/advertising to get to them.
Will it sustain him with extra cash? That's the most doubtful part. I think he'll find gamers, but enough to cover anything more than his base costs? I highly doubt it.
At the same time, I saw how some local stores held LARPs and they made a KILLING off of those. They banked hundreds of dollars on that stuff every month, and the operating costs were pretty small.
http://dungeon-crawl.blogspot.com
Tools & tips you can apply immediately to your D&D game! Encounters inspired by the movies, suggestions to speed up your game and reduce bookkeeping, and more!
Have you ever thought about selling your adventures through PDFs online?
I don't need your DMing services, but I'm always on the lookout for interesting new adventures.
It's also great for you because you do the work once yet get paid for it again and again. It could be a great way to supplement your income.
Good luck and take care.
ADDED:
Oh, and you might want to check into running online games for profit using something like MapTools and Skype at unusual times.
There are a lot of gamers that can't find a game in person because they have weird schedules that might be willing to pay if you could find them a group.
A lot of these people appear to be professionals, so they would probably be willing to trade their money for the experience.
I think people would be willing to pay more if they received valuable features like playing on atrractive maps and pre-written macros.
Last edited by Dathalas; 17th April 2009 at 09:32 PM..
Reason: added additional thought
This thread is not a acrobat, nor does it wear a sombrero. It may be hiding under a pile of apples. Roll 2d6 and consult the following chart:
1-2: CC trademarks "Gamemastertute" and becomes the next Bill Gates.
2-5: CC publishes "Tales of a Corporate DM: The Inside Story" and becomes the next Stephen King.
6-9: The thread spontaneously implodes under it's own inertia.
11-12: Roll again, ignoring any apples, acrobats, or DM's for hire.
Have you ever thought about selling your adventures through PDFs online?
ADDED:
Oh, and you might want to check into running online games for profit using something like MapTools and Skype at unusual times.
If the adventures are a hit, then I'll definitely consider selling them.
The online thing sounds interesting. That might be something to look into later on.
UPDATE
I'm thinking about going with the name "Storyteller Solutions" for the business. I'm leaning towards "game coordinator" for my personal title on business cards.
The services will include:
1. Self-contained prewritten adventures (original, published, and custom order). An additional preparation/design fee will be required for custom orders depending on the scope of the request ($10 to $100+). Both hourly rates and set fees will be offered depending on the adventure used.
2. Special wargames with lots of miniatures and specially prepared "battlefields" (original pre-designed and custom order).
3. DM consultation and tutorials.
4. LFR modules (As soon as my RPGA membership comes through and I take the Herald test).
5. Design work for character backgrounds and homebrew settings. Some DMs might be too busy to flesh out their games as much as they would like to. Fee will vary depending on the scope of work requested. (minimum $20)
Selling adventure modules written for the business may provide an additional source of income.
Hourly rate will likely be $15-20 per hour. Set fees for running adventures will range from $60 to $120 (based on complexity of the adventure and amount of preparation required). Special gaming locations may be offered. Otherwise a list of standard locations in the city will be given.
Marketing will be done through multiple meetup.com groups including business networking groups. The services will be sold both as a social gaming experience and as a company team-building exercise. Fun, educational adventures may be offered as a family activity service.
Dungeons and Dragons 4th edition will be the system of service offered since it is the most "up to date" version, has the recognizable brand name, takes less time to prepare for, and it is beginner friendly. Most potential customers are likely to be beginners and time is limited so 4th edition is the logical choice. Adventures for other systems may be offered some time after the launch of the service.
This thread is not a acrobat, nor does it wear a sombrero. It may be hiding under a pile of apples. Roll 2d6 and consult the following chart:
1-2: CC trademarks "Gamemastertute" and becomes the next Bill Gates.
2-5: CC publishes "Tales of a Corporate DM: The Inside Story" and becomes the next Stephen King.
6-9: The thread spontaneously implodes under it's own inertia.
11-12: Roll again, ignoring any apples, acrobats, or DM's for hire.
Who has suprise - Captain_Commando, us, the apples, or the Gazebo?
__________________ "You should never be in the company of anyone with whom you would not want to die"
Captain Commando,
As someone who had his own business (I was a self-employed contractor to corporations doing management and quality stuff), one of the lessons I learned is that in order to get contracts I needed to have good references and be known as a professionally competent person. in other words to know people and be known by people.
My suggestion to you is to write some short stories and have them published on your home page. Perhaps you can have them linked to here or at WotC.
Once you have gained some notoriety, you can sell your services based on running adventures that are based on your stories, or any other topic.
One other comment... dump the childish "Captain Commando" moniker and select something that most people wouldn't be ashamed of being known as in public.
__________________ "Democracy must be something more than two gnolls and an elf voting on what to have for dinner."
Last edited by Hereticus; 18th April 2009 at 06:52 PM..
Reason: Additional comment
The short story isv one of the best made in this thread. I don't live in you catchment area but nothing on this thread would entice me to pay for you DM'ing services. That said there is a fanfic I have been reading (Buffy/D&D crossover) and if I lived near the writer I think I would pay to play in the campaign world.
The short story isv one of the best made in this thread. I don't live in you catchment area but nothing on this thread would entice me to pay for you DM'ing services. That said there is a fanfic I have been reading (Buffy/D&D crossover) and if I lived near the writer I think I would pay to play in the campaign world.
You know this is a brainstorming thread for ideas and not an advertising thread, right?
Hereticus is right about placing samples of writing on the business site. I'll definitely do that.
As for references and having a reputation, that's what meetup.com brings to the table.
My moniker makes people happy. I don't think that's anything to be ashamed of. Especially for an entertainer.
Anyway...
I'm fiddling with how I handle client fees. I want things to be fair for the client while protecting me from being taken advantage of. Tell me what you think.
Let's use the following price for example. $72 for a pre-made adventure session estimated to run 4 to 5 hours.
At the end of the first hour (not the beginning), a client must pay at least $15 of the fee. At the end of each half hour afterwards, an increasing fraction of the payment becomes mandatory in increments.
The client doesn't have to pay full price if the session is cut short or becomes unsatisfactory. The initial presentation is guaranteed to be satisfactory or no fee is demanded during the first hour.
I won't lose too much if the client ends the session prematurely.
The client doesn't have to worry about the session being rushed or prolonged. I can focus on making the experience fun and immersive instead of worrying about the time.
Ugh. It's painful enough paying someone once. Paying someone five times over a session is crass and annoying. Even if I had convinced myself to pay you at the beginning I'd have changed my mind after two hours, no matter how good you are.
__________________ - Piratecat, EN World Admin
Currently editing the 4e War of the Burning Sky adventure path. Support EN Publishing, get excellent modules!
Ugh. It's painful enough paying someone once. Paying someone five times over a session is crass and annoying. Even if I had convinced myself to pay you at the beginning I'd have changed my mind after two hours, no matter how good you are.
Hahaha.
But just in case people take that reply seriously, the increments are added up whenever the session ends. Payment is not demanded every hour.
It's a set amount so the client knows exactly how much must be paid for the full session and increments so that clients can't short-change me after 5 hours of work + prep time.
I'm fiddling with how I handle client fees. I want things to be fair for the client while protecting me from being taken advantage of. Tell me what you think.
Let's use the following price for example. $72 for a pre-made adventure session estimated to run 4 to 5 hours.
At the end of the first hour (not the beginning), a client must pay at least $15 of the fee. At the end of each half hour afterwards, an increasing fraction of the payment becomes mandatory in increments.
The client doesn't have to pay full price if the session is cut short or becomes unsatisfactory. The initial presentation is guaranteed to be satisfactory or no fee is demanded during the first hour.
What happens if the adventure is cut short because of your schedule or an emergency that you need to handle?
Will the clients be fully reimbursed because you ended the game prematurely?
__________________ Game on, gang! Ptolus #16 (with customized, personalized sig from Monte. Awesomesauce.), Rappan Athuk Reloaded #37 (Another Awesomesauce, the Necromancer way.)
Try to not let failure to use technical language properly get in the way of getting to the real point under discussion. - Umbran
Characters & Games
Books currently in play: Dungeon & Dragon Magazine (*Scales of War AP*), WOTC 4e Core and Supplemental books
Current Campaign: Scales of War - Lost Mines of Karak -- Kodirgo, Minotaur Barbarian 6; Vondal, Dwarf Cleric 6; Karithul, Gnome Bard 6; Marshaun, Elf Druid 6
Errr, I know you really want to do this, but I would reccomend you try and get a day job first.
__________________ "From the beginning, no one has ever stood in Heaven. Not you, nor me, nor God Himself. But soon, that unbearable vacancy on the throne in the sky will be filled. From now on... I will stand in Heaven!"-Sousuke Aizen-Bleach
Linear Mode
And yet another word from our sponsors
