Is this an effective "LFG" want ad?

[Deset Gled]

Iis this better?

It's much better; this version is very usable. However, I think Radiating Gnome's version is a slight improvement over this version. In writing (and at the beach) I am a big fan of the bikini rule: Make it long enough to cover all the important parts, but small enough to be interesting.

Your first, long version is perfect for an email to send to perspective players after they contact you and want to learn more about your style.

This advice comes straight from "D&D Personal Ads", by Tony Moseley, from Dragon 282

I'm actually not a huge fan of this breakdown. IMO, lines 3, 5, 7, and 8 are basically advertisement text that is void of information. I would much rather see a sentence or two about the style of the game (like rkarnes note about a sandboxy style), and maybe a few specifics (like the rules source guidelines). Line 4 is worthless to me because I have found gaming experience is an extremely poor indicator of quality or social skills, and line 10 is completely unnecessary with the advent of voicemail and email (since the article is from 2001, this line was on the falling edge of necessary at the time of publication).

 

[Ulrick]

I'm actually not a huge fan of this breakdown. IMO, lines 3, 5, 7, and 8 are basically advertisement text that is void of information. I would much rather see a sentence or two about the style of the game (like rkarnes note about a sandboxy style), and maybe a few specifics (like the rules source guidelines). Line 4 is worthless to me because I have found gaming experience is an extremely poor indicator of quality or social skills, and line 10 is completely unnecessary with the advent of voicemail and email (since the article is from 2001, this line was on the falling edge of necessary at the time of publication).

It is an advertisement, hands down. The information in those lines is supposed to stand out.

The text is supposed to grab the attention of potential players. You can tell them more details later via email or over the phone. You just provide the bare bones, enough to get them hooked.

I just used examples from the information the OP gave, so those lines you criticized aren't void of information. The only exception is "WILL GM FOR FOOD." I've used that in the past because its funny, attention grabbing, and it reflects my policty that while I'll provide the game as a GM, I probably won't provide snacks and food. Its enough that I've spent time prepping the game. I've told prospective players this either via email or over the phone.

As for experience, prospective players do want to know if the GM is just starting his first campaign or is a 20 year veteran. It isn't supposed to measure social skills. That's what the phone call is for. You provide the hours available to minimize phone tag.

 

[timASW]

gotta agree that the original is too much info. I dont like the index card version either.

My last add on meetup.com went like this.


TRUE 20, path of beer and madness.

Sundays at 4pm. Henderson area, easy to get to from anywhere in town.

True 20 is a simplified, stripped down D20 system with a more free form magic system. I have the books on a dropbox that I can share with anyone interested in giving it a try but wanting to read up on it a bit. Its really a very simple system however.

I like to keep RP and combat about 50/50, more big challenging fights then lots of little easy ones.

Message me through here if interested in more info.


We wound up filling up so fast we needed a 2nd player to take over GMing a 2nd game a week. Which blew me away with a more niche system like true20.