Getting the Word out on the Ennies products

[DaveMage]

What else could be done though to help get the word out about these products before the final round of voting is cast?

I'd really rather avoid the cries of "I've never heard of these products" that seem so common.

As long as non-d20 products are going to be part of the ENnies, you're going to hear this a lot on EN World.

Though it pains me to say so, I think your best bet for the non-d20 products is to get the word out on other boards (rpg.net, etc.).

It's not only that people haven't heard about them, it's also that there are people (like me) who are completely uninterested in them (fine products though they might be for their system).

Unless EN World changes from "Morrus' D&D / d20 News & Reviews Site" to "Morrus' RPG News & Reviews Site" it will probably always be so.

 

[Hairy Minotaur]

Maybe even so much as a publisher putting something on their newsboards stating:

We submitted all of these products below for ENNie consideration: with a list of products and maybe a link (here or even to the Gencon site or both)

Then a:

We received 4 nominations!!! Go out and vote! (with a link).


Then:

Gencon is this week come show your support for our product(s) at the award ceremony.


I know that for the 3rd-party products I buy, I routinely visit their respective websites looking for more information about future products/support and I think this may help bring out more support for the lesser heard of products. I think making it cyclic helps out eveyone involved.

 

[JoeGKushner]

Another good idea of Hairy one. On that score though, that would be up to the publishers to mention which books they've sent in for Ennies nominations.

I don't think we've had a master list though of products. That might be something we could work on on the En World side.

 

[Hairy Minotaur]

As long as non-d20 products are going to be part of the ENnies, you're going to hear this a lot on EN World.

Though it pains me to say so, I think your best bet for the non-d20 products is to get the word out on other boards (rpg.net, etc.).

It's not only that people haven't heard about them, it's also that there are people (like me) who are completely uninterested in them (fine products though they might be for their system).

Unless EN World changes from "Morrus' D&D / d20 News & Reviews Site" to "Morrus' RPG News & Reviews Site" it will probably always be so.

I think putting some of the responsibility onto the publishers would help in this regard. If Clunky Systems submits a book and then they don't promote the book or the awards, then they would need to except a low voter turnout for their product.

If on the other hand Justin D. Jacobson submits Dawning Star and puts that fact up on his website with a link to his forums about the product with a "Please feel free to ask any questions" and then comes here to ENNworld and states that he's fielding all questions about his product on his website, or even here. I would think this would help Dawning Star's brand recognition enormously, and in turn the people who just visit his site would hopefully come here to vote and tout the product as well.

I remember last year's nominees, most of the smaller companies said nothing about the awards or only brought it up once on their site. One would think that someone who creates a product would like to hear accolades for the product and would actively promote proof that their product is well thought of in gaming circles (by their nomination/submission to the Gencon/ENNworld ENNie awards).

 

[trancejeremy]

Realistically though, the sites for smaller publishers get very little traffic. I know I've joined most of their forums and usually they'll be maybe 10 posts on the boards.

 

[JoeGKushner]

Realistically though, the sites for smaller publishers get very little traffic. I know I've joined most of their forums and usually they'll be maybe 10 posts on the boards.

Well, you need to join the Necromancer and Malhavoc boards. Both have some great posters and some fun topics there. Monte even has a comic and miniature section. Sean's website is pretty good too but last time I was there it was like pop up and ad city so I haven't been there in a while.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

What else could be done though to help get the word out about these products before the final round of voting is cast?

Gamers are always curious about products, yes. Roleplaying game writers and designers (who are 20% of all GenCon attendees, as near as I can tell!) are always dying for feedback about their products, right?

Well here's a way to do it quick and easy.

Each judge posts a blog or thread here at ENWorld and picks out one tiny snippet of text from whatever book they are working on at the moment. Be it a new mechanic, a really nicely done piece of flavor text, or even a well-done NPC description. Anything. Just put it up without comment other than "I liked this". One per book. No more, no less.

We gamers all go crazy trying to figure out why you liked it, but it may get enough interest in the product to get more people to look at it ahead of time. Plus even a book that doesn't go to nomination now has one positive thing out there. (You wouldn't have to do every product as long as you guys all coordinated.)

Just a thought.

 

[JoeGKushner]

Might have to get approval for that. Quoting something in a review is generally considered "fair use" and I know most publishers are pretty good about not worrying about a paragraph or a something being refrphased for clarity but posting anything larger might be problematic, especially for some publishers who don't want any of their texts online in any form.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

Most good little bits are only a paragraph. Think of it as a teaser. But hey, if someone doesn't want their stuff online, their loss. The idea is to get interest going on something. The publisher could easily indicate when submitting if this is permissable or not.

 

[trancejeremy]

Well, you need to join the Necromancer and Malhavoc boards. Both have some great posters and some fun topics there. Monte even has a comic and miniature section. Sean's website is pretty good too but last time I was there it was like pop up and ad city so I haven't been there in a while.

Smaller publishers. Necromancer/Malhavor are not "smaller" publishers. I was thinking more along the lines of Blue Devil Games, since they were mentioned in the post.

But even on up to say, Goodman Games' forums, there isn't much traffic. Though perhaps a post or two a day there.