OK, the local KnoxGamers.org is having a small con this Saturday. It is our first and we are learning as we go on this.

Now everyone who is interested in running a game can sign up to run one. However, for two of the GMs who have said that they want to run a game and are really enthusiastic about it - they both have decided after only a week that there is no interest in their games because nobody has commented on the thread about their game.

I'm wondering if this is common. I mean, you won't know if anyone is really interested in your game until the actual con if nobody shows up at the table to play, right? Is interest on the internet equal to interest in Real Life for gaming events?

Would totally depend if the people going to the particular con frequent that particular site. Unless they match up pretty closely, not sure one can read to much from the site's interest.

It is common both to have no buzz and yet sit down at a full table, and to have everyone talking and no one sit down to play. No correlation. You won't know till game time.

There's no way of knowing how much attendance you're going to get at any given convention game until you show up in the room and get ready to play, unless you are playing any version of D&D.

If you are playing any version of D&D, the game will be full.

This is called "Maw's Law"

I was surprised that nobody is willing to run a 4e game.  I mean, it's so popular right?  

I was really hoping that someone was going to run some boardgames or some minis like battletech or flames of war.  Oh well... I'll still be there for the Traveller.

The guy who had volunteered to run a minis game is one of the ones who flaked out on us.

Quote from: jeff37923;280448they both have decided after only a week that there is no interest in their games because nobody has commented on the thread about their game.

Talk to them.  Using a phone, not email.  Explain that online threads have nothing to do with actual attendees.   Then talk with them about how you need them to promote their events on their favorite forums and other places.

The most successful GMs at cons are pro-active.  And the most successful cons are those who promote and reward their best GMs.

Quote from: jeff37923;280448Is interest on the internet equal to interest in Real Life for gaming events?

Nope.

Most big conventions have pre-reg for events.   I can not begin to tell you the number of times that people who pre-reg for games never show up for those games.   It's all about the walk-in attendees.

Of course, a new convention has other problems.

What advertising have you done?   The website is terrible, the hours are weird and none of that can be helping.  

Do you have flyers posted in every FLGS for 50 miles?   Are there stores hosting free Game Days in your area?   If so, what are you offering for $10 that they can't get for free?  Have you advertised with every Meetup gaming group in a 50 mile radius?  

And where's your local RPGA?   No point in running a tabletop gaming convention without them.   Whatever D&D that RPGA is playing is the bread and butter of game cons regardless of the online idiocy trying to make believe otherwise.  

One of the big problems for new conventions is that if you start too small, then people figure they shouldn't come until its larger.   If you start larger, you risk your capital on the hotel rentals.

Quote from: Spinachcat;280933Talk to them.  Using a phone, not email.  Explain that online threads have nothing to do with actual attendees.   Then talk with them about how you need them to promote their events on their favorite forums and other places.

 A little late now (since the con is Saturday), but I'll remember this for next time.

Quote from: Spinachcat;280933The most successful GMs at cons are pro-active.  And the most successful cons are those who promote and reward their best GMs.

This advice is already being taken to heart.

Quote from: Spinachcat;280933What advertising have you done?   The website is terrible, the hours are weird and none of that can be helping.  

Mainly word of mouth and internet for the advertising.

Yes, the website is terrible. That has been my personal crusade to improve the website because it is the most significant piece of negative advertising we have. I have had little luck so far because while I'm a Moderator there, it isn't my website.

Why are the hours of the minicon weird?

Quote from: Spinachcat;280933Do you have flyers posted in every FLGS for 50 miles?   Are there stores hosting free Game Days in your area?   If so, what are you offering for $10 that they can't get for free?  Have you advertised with every Meetup gaming group in a 50 mile radius?  

No. No game store within 100 miles supports Free Game Day. I am the only one offering free stuff (from Mongoose Traveller which I am running and at my own expense). Meetup advertising has been limited.

Quote from: Spinachcat;280933And where's your local RPGA?   No point in running a tabletop gaming convention without them.   Whatever D&D that RPGA is playing is the bread and butter of game cons regardless of the online idiocy trying to make believe otherwise.

I've tried to get them involved and there has been no answer. I don't know if the RPGA is still active in the area.  

Quote from: Spinachcat;280933One of the big problems for new conventions is that if you start too small, then people figure they shouldn't come until its larger.   If you start larger, you risk your capital on the hotel rentals.

We're small time. Our goal is to be self-supporting and that is about it. If we get 50 people there, we'll be happy.

It certainly doesn't help that they picked the weekend of D&D XP to run their con.  I know that lost us at least a few people.

And yes, the forum program the site uses is kinda sucky.

Quote from: jeff37923;280952I've tried to get them involved and there has been no answer. I don't know if the RPGA is still active in the area.

I don't know if they are still active either as they pretty much all went into seclusion after 4e came out.  If they are, they'll be at the D&D XP show.

update - they are still active and can be found here-

http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/KnoxRPGA/

Quote from: jeff37923;280952A little late now (since the con is Saturday), but I'll remember this for next time.

You still have 3 days.   Lots of people make weekend decisions at the last minute.  

Quote from: jeff37923;280952Mainly word of mouth and internet for the advertising.

Gamers are odd.   Just as gaming is a hobby, "going to conventions" is a hobby so finding those people whose sub-hobby is "gaming with strangers" is key to getting attendees.

I do not know if you can pimp local cons via the GenCon forums, but if so, that may be viable because if people are travelling from TN to Indy, then they may be willing to drive XYZ miles for your event.

It is much easier to get somebody to attend their 10th con than their 1st.

Quote from: jeff37923;280952That has been my personal crusade to improve the website

Setup a free website like on Tripod and just link the "official" one.   Even a cheesy site with cheesy game art is better than nothing.  Grade school HTML that gives the pertinent info with enthusiasm beats top notch professionalism that never gets posted.
 

Quote from: jeff37923;280952Why are the hours of the minicon weird?

Session 1: Starts at 4:30 pm, Ends at 8:30 pm
Session 2: Starts at 9:00 pm, Ends at ??:??

College gamers are good for late night gaming.   But unfortunately, most of the post-college set poop out by 10pm.   Geezers are wanks!

Why does it not start in the morning? Or at least early afternoon?

Consider people who are commuting.   Those people who are not night owls will see the event as $10 for 4 hours.   Many geezer gamers aren't night drivers...or they have to get home by 10 pm to relieve the babysitter.  

At local cons, I see the big flow of attendees at 10am-6pm and the evening games are mostly attended by the college kids and those adults who are staying at the venue overnight.

Quote from: jeff37923;280952No game store within 100 miles supports Free Game Day.

Any game store in 50 miles that has in-store gaming?  Stuff like Friday Night Magic or Warhammer Leagues?   Any of them have gaming space?  If so, they can be troublesome competition...or they may work with you.  
 
BTW, contact Aldo at Impressions.  He's the dude who started Free Games Day and he can help your FLGS get hooked up.  

Quote from: jeff37923;280952Meetup advertising has been limited.

Meetup.com is a surprisingly powerful tool because you are talking to people who actually enjoy getting off their couch and talking to people face to face.

Quote from: jeff37923;280952I don't know if the RPGA is still active in the area.

http://www.warhorn.net/lfrnashville/
(yeah, I know Nash isn't close, but they may be able to help)

http://www.warhorn.net/MidSouthCon27FORGE/

Who are these dudes?   27 Cons???  They must have email list of attendees and maybe they will blast out info about your con?

BTW, post on Boardgamegeek.  They have a surprisingly active con going population.   Are you hosting some Arkham Horror?  

Quote from: jeff37923;280952We're small time. Our goal is to be self-supporting and that is about it. If we get 50 people there, we'll be happy.

If you get 50 paying attendees, you should be spunk your junk on the ceiling freaking thrilled beyond belief for a first con event.   If you get 40, be very happy!

The problem with cons is that you are forever judged how you start.   Its crappy bullshit, but sadly true.   If you first event kicks ass, then your second one is that much easier and now you have momentum.

But if your first event only gets 15-20 people, then its tough to pull off another one.   That's why your whole team has gotta bust their balls to get 40 people there no matter what.

Quote from: Spinachcat;280966You still have 3 days.   Lots of people make weekend decisions at the last minute.

But if your first event only gets 15-20 people, then its tough to pull off another one.   That's why your whole team has gotta bust their balls to get 40 people there no matter what.

This weekend is DDXP, so a lot of people are going to that, but a lot of people are staying in town because of the weather. Seeing as how you and Hensley are involved I'm not really surprised there's no 4E fans there.

Promoting gaming (and thus attendance) involves being inclusive, talking about how awesome and fun gaming is rather than how shameful and sucky people are if they play the wrong game...    and no, you can't pull off both.

Quote from: Abyssal Maw;280969This weekend is DDXP, so a lot of people are going to that, but a lot of people are staying in town because of the weather.

I can understand that affecting attendance.

Quote from: Abyssal Maw;280969Seeing as how you and Hensley are involved I'm not really surprised there's no 4E fans there.  

Promoting gaming (and thus attendance) involves being inclusive, talking about how awesome and fun gaming is rather than how shameful and sucky people are if they play the wrong game...    and no, you can't pull off both.

If someone is such a spineless wonder that they are not running their favorite game because of a persecution complex, then it would probably be best that they do not attend as a GM. Even if they are missing out on a wonderful chance to prove detractors of 4E how wrong they are in their criticism.

Quote from: Spinachcat;280966You still have 3 days.   Lots of people make weekend decisions at the last minute.  

Good point.

Quote from: Spinachcat;280966Gamers are odd.   Just as gaming is a hobby, "going to conventions" is a hobby so finding those people whose sub-hobby is "gaming with strangers" is key to getting attendees.

I do not know if you can pimp local cons via the GenCon forums, but if so, that may be viable because if people are travelling from TN to Indy, then they may be willing to drive XYZ miles for your event.

It is much easier to get somebody to attend their 10th con than their 1st.

OK, I've got some more research to do then.

Quote from: Spinachcat;280966Setup a free website like on Tripod and just link the "official" one.   Even a cheesy site with cheesy game art is better than nothing.  Grade school HTML that gives the pertinent info with enthusiasm beats top notch professionalism that never gets posted.

Being as we type, actually. The squeeky wheel gets greased...
 

Quote from: Spinachcat;280966Session 1: Starts at 4:30 pm, Ends at 8:30 pm
Session 2: Starts at 9:00 pm, Ends at ??:??

College gamers are good for late night gaming.   But unfortunately, most of the post-college set poop out by 10pm.   Geezers are wanks!

Why does it not start in the morning? Or at least early afternoon?

Consider people who are commuting.   Those people who are not night owls will see the event as $10 for 4 hours.   Many geezer gamers aren't night drivers...or they have to get home by 10 pm to relieve the babysitter.  

At local cons, I see the big flow of attendees at 10am-6pm and the evening games are mostly attended by the college kids and those adults who are staying at the venue overnight.

The Head Motherfucker In Charge is recieving this. Times will change for the next one to take your info into account.

Quote from: Spinachcat;280966Any game store in 50 miles that has in-store gaming?  Stuff like Friday Night Magic or Warhammer Leagues?   Any of them have gaming space?  If so, they can be troublesome competition...or they may work with you.  
 
BTW, contact Aldo at Impressions.  He's the dude who started Free Games Day and he can help your FLGS get hooked up.  

Will he help a small con with little attendance like this?  

Quote from: Spinachcat;280966Meetup.com is a surprisingly powerful tool because you are talking to people who actually enjoy getting off their couch and talking to people face to face.

Haven't had much exposure to Meetup, but like I said - it is a learning experience.

Quote from: Spinachcat;280966http://www.warhorn.net/lfrnashville/
(yeah, I know Nash isn't close, but they may be able to help)

http://www.warhorn.net/MidSouthCon27FORGE/

Who are these dudes?   27 Cons???  They must have email list of attendees and maybe they will blast out info about your con?

Cool, will definitely be doing a follow up on this!

Quote from: Spinachcat;280966BTW, post on Boardgamegeek.  They have a surprisingly active con going population.   Are you hosting some Arkham Horror?  

Didn't know Boardgamegeek would be interested in this. Another thing to follow up on!

Our Arkham Horror guy has taken an internship in Georgia. Similar problem with our Munchkin guy, who has a date that day.

Quote from: Spinachcat;280966If you get 50 paying attendees, you should be spunk your junk on the ceiling freaking thrilled beyond belief for a first con event.   If you get 40, be very happy!

The problem with cons is that you are forever judged how you start.   Its crappy bullshit, but sadly true.   If you first event kicks ass, then your second one is that much easier and now you have momentum.

But if your first event only gets 15-20 people, then its tough to pull off another one.   That's why your whole team has gotta bust their balls to get 40 people there no matter what.

Well, we're definitely more enthusiasm than experience on this one.

But all of your suggestions are very helpful and welcome! Thanks!

AM is right, though, Jeff. A convention should be a fun environment, not a proving ground.

Furthermore, Maw's Law ensures a sizeable number of warm bodies will fill the room who can then be shown the true way by the crafty 1E or Traveller GM. But for that to happen they do need to show up in the first place.