Getting your name "out there"

[cthuluftaghn]

Fellow d20 publishers....

I'm curious. What methods, besides EN World, are y'all using to get your name out there to the money-spending d20 game community?

E-mail and message board spam is out. So, what's "the way to go"?

 

[Crothian]

I've noticed newer companies mostly on the reviews. So, I imagine these people are finding reviewers and getting their products to them.

 

[2WS-Steve]

Banner advertising at ENWorld is probably the best way short of a print ad. Even in print I think only Dragon, Dungeon, and KoDT would be competitive.

For less costly methods Gaming Frontiers regularly includes feature articles from d20 Publishers, this will get your name in front of those customers.

 

[annadobritt]

Submit the news to the main pages of Mortality, Gaming Report, EnWorld and Pen & Paper.

 

[Ghostwind]

I would also suggest ads in the various electronic magazines. Many of them have a strong following and have low rates (sometimes even free).

 

[ced1106]

I'm a demo monkey, so my bias is to suggest actually **playing** the game at local conventions to promote your product. Even if it hasn't been released yet, you can use this opportunity to get feedback, and finding gamers who'd volunteer to promote your product (eg. running games at conventions and game clubs). You can also talk to local dealers (at the con) for opinions about the d20 market.

Looks like reviews, however, are a cost efficient way of making your product known. See the thread on the general forum.

Good luck!


Cedric.
aka. Washu! ^O^

 

[chatdemon]

Get your book in print and get a good distribution deal. If your product is out there, and its good, the word will spread.

The internet, even places like wizards.com and enworld, are a VERY small part of the target audience. Focusing only on internet distribution is a huge mistake.

Relying too much on your 'name' can be a big mistake too, if you release a stinker later on, it's likely to get criticized more than if you havent built such a reputation for yourself.

Look at how critical people are of the 'mistaktes' wotc makes. Compare that to the more lenient way they judge D20 materials from others. Raise your bar to high, and youll never make it over it again. Let your products speak for themselves.

 

[Sir Edgar]

How do you companies get a distribution deal anyhow? Do you print out 50 copies and show them at GAMA and whatnot and hope for a distributor like Alliance to come by and pick your products up? Or do you send distributors PDF's and hope they pick them up before going to print? How many of you just risk it and go for a 1000-2000 print run before even getting a distributor? Also, on average, how many distributors carry your products? Is it all dominated by Alliance? How good are fullfillment houses like Tundra Sales Organization? I know, a lot of questions! Just curious. Thanks.

 

[MEG Hal]

Well I started by doing what my friend Anna stated hitting game sites, also join GAMA and GPA and use their experience, also I was lucky and Monte Cook was willing to do a prestige class for us so that helped marketing us. From there we just kept up with the boards and advertised on ENWorld and we did hook up with a distributor and that went well. Since then we have been bought out by Mystic Eye Games and putting out about 2 products/month and it has been busy but great. As for how to get a distributor send them letters of whom you are and ask if they want to see a pdf version of the item that is ready to go. I would not recommend printing 20+ copies and and going to GAMA and getting a booth. GAMA is great for meeting Alliance etc and retailers but you should be ready to go when you get there or print some copies at Kinko's and do not get a booth but hand them to anyone who will look at it. Good Luck!!!

It is hard doing this because of all of the companies, but it is not impossible. Getting through the channels and getting your product to the customer will be your biggest concern for now.

 

[Heathen Oracle]

Some excellent advice, Hal especially knows his stuff