D&D 5E Luring new people into D&D

[robus]

Well, my game has never come to a screeching halt because of clowns.

Touché!

 

[GHammy26]

Haha, thank you all for your brilliant comments and suggestions. I have taken them all in and will ruminate for a bit to see what I come up with. I'll probably post again saying "is this good enough?" at some point soon.

Just to be clear that I already have some D&D groups so its not a 'I'm lonely and need more D&D friends', I just love D&D as a game and want to give other people the chance to experience it. as for numbers it should be fine as myself and two of my friends are experienced DM's (granted we have wildly different styles) so we could manage 18-20 people. As for MtG I have 16 (or 25 including my mate's) EDH decks that can be played with and we have taught most of our friends easily enough but I get what you're saying about over-facing brand new people to the concept of being a bit of a geek. I have about 10 board games (which isn't that many really) and they vary in player numbers so starting with that could be an issue...

Would you suggest going to another group's 'open day' to see how they organise things? Does the host just set everyone playing different games and wander about until a question is asked or does the host play too?

If i'm going to be doing these things at a pub I don't think I'll be allowed pizza or kittens... Clowns would be fine apart from my Coulrophobia being a big problem... Would pictures of kittens help? I'll ask about the pizza obviously.

Thanks so much,
G

 

[Li Shenron]

Here in lies the problem, my brain has thrown a massive blank on how to make a poster that will attract new people into the game... I was thinking about saying something along the lines of

"Enjoy RPG games such as Skyrim? Enjoy fantasy novels and films like Lord of the Rings? Experience fantasy in a different form called Dungeons & Dragons. A new tabletop RPG club is starting and is looking for new members to join in! Please email *******@gmail.com for more information"

I am not an expert in marketing & advertizing, but if I were you I would try to make the poster(s) a lot more colorful than that. Brainstorm together for something more "boom!" even if it sounds goofy... if you make your poster too dry it may probably only attract the usual folks who already know about these games, not exactly "new people".

For example, you could think of a poster that quotes or mocks at famous movies and tv shows as if they were real. Like using a still from Stranger-Things that says "The Mind Flayer has reached <insert your town name here>, and we need YOU to save the town!". Or mock-up a picture with Gandalf, Luke Skywalker, Eleven, Indiana Jones and Arya Stark, and then maybe a young normal kid in the middle, with a caption that says "Team up with the best adventurers... and save the universe!". If you know anyone working in marketing, pay her a beer and have a chat for (in)validating this idea and get some useful hints.

[Of course nowadays it seems the world is full of lawyers on the prowl to rape your wallet if you dare use someone else's IPR even casually, so maybe double-check if in your country this idea can get you into trouble.]

 

[robus]

Haha, thank you all for your brilliant comments and suggestions. I have taken them all in and will ruminate for a bit to see what I come up with. I'll probably post again saying "is this good enough?" at some point soon.

Just to be clear that I already have some D&D groups so its not a 'I'm lonely and need more D&D friends', I just love D&D as a game and want to give other people the chance to experience it. as for numbers it should be fine as myself and two of my friends are experienced DM's (granted we have wildly different styles) so we could manage 18-20 people. As for MtG I have 16 (or 25 including my mate's) EDH decks that can be played with and we have taught most of our friends easily enough but I get what you're saying about over-facing brand new people to the concept of being a bit of a geek. I have about 10 board games (which isn't that many really) and they vary in player numbers so starting with that could be an issue...

Would you suggest going to another group's 'open day' to see how they organise things? Does the host just set everyone playing different games and wander about until a question is asked or does the host play too?

If i'm going to be doing these things at a pub I don't think I'll be allowed pizza or kittens... Clowns would be fine apart from my Coulrophobia being a big problem... Would pictures of kittens help? I'll ask about the pizza obviously.

Thanks so much,
G

A key thing is that you don’t play. At least not until you’re sure no one else is going to show up. You need to act as host and facilitator, making sure that newcomers can get seated at a table, if not to join in immediately then when the next opportunity arises. Basically you don’t want people to show and find a group of people already having fun, so they immediately feel awkward and excluded

 

[BookBarbarian]

I lure people with a van that says "Free Vorpal sword inside!"

 

[Jester David]

I'd start with mentioning D&D. Front and center:
Down with Dungeons & Dragons?
Starting Tabletop Roleplaying Game Club"

"Enjoy RPG games such as Skyrim? Enjoy fantasy novels and films like Lord of the Rings? Experience fantasy in a different form called Dungeons & Dragons. A new tabletop RPG club is starting and is looking for new members to join in! Please email *******@gmail.com for more information"

I'd throw in a line like "like livestream games like Critical Role or Maze Arcana?" in there as well. Online games are super big and a large part of the renewed popularity of D&D.

 

[Slit518]

"Come, enjoy the game millions of others around the world have enjoyed for the past several decades.

People such as Vin Diesel, Dwayne the Rock Johnson, Mike Myers, etc...

Welcoming new players and veterans alike!

Bring the fun, we'll bring the adventure."

And then put what ever other info you want on there.