RPG Advertising Guide

1) Know about your RPG - Now that you have your RPG make sure you realise what your RPG is and what it is about. Is it based on a fandom? Or is it an original idea? What do you have to offer - good, active posting? Original storylines? etc.

If your RPG is a part of a fandom make sure that it hasn't already been done before. There is nothing more annoying than having your RPG idea copied. It also puts you at a disadvantage - there are not a lot of people who will join two rpgs that are exactly the same and you may find it harder to find members.

2) Do you need a website? - Not necessarily, although when it comes to advertising a website can be handy. Some people will like to see information laid out easily for them to see instead of having to wade through lots of yahoo group messages - one way around this is to have a link to the posts with information about the game in your yahoo groups description or clearly highlighted on a message board.

You could use a website as a portal. This means that you have a website which you can submit to webrings, website directories or use to exchange links with other websites. Some website directories will want a website that has a lot of content, but most of the RPG ones out there won't care if you have a description of the game, links/webrings etc. and then a link leading people to the yahoo group or message board. The description is important because it gets people interested in your game.

Your website does not have to be fancy and professional, but try to keep it simple and easy to read or navigate. The whole point of your website is to get people interested and to show information about your RPG - annoying music, flashing animations, bright fonts and crazy backgrounds may make it hard for people to do this.

If you're worried about making a website I suggest using geocities. It has a pagebuilder which is easy to use and means you don't need to know html. You literally click and drag parts of your website to wherever you want them and then click save.

3) Description of your RPG - This is what catches peoples eyes. Whether you have it on your website, your yahoo group, message board, webrings or it is an advert you use in advertising groups - it is important. Once again think about what you have to offer. In webrings you only get a small paragraph to describe your whole RPG and here are some of the things you may want to include in any description:

Genre - what is it? Is it based on something?
Basic plot - you don't need to name every single sub-plot going on, just give the basic plot and/or setting of your RPG.
Where? - where is your RPG played?
Rating - if it's an adult RPG make sure you mention it somewhere.

Remember that you are selling your RPG. If you want, treat the audience as idiots. They have no idea what your RPG is about and so make sure you make your RPG description informative and exciting - you're trying to make people want to join your RPG, so be persuasive.

4) Join things - Some RPGs can live off of word of mouth alone, others need a bit of advertising before they are known by people. Don't be afraid to join things. Most will have rules but if you read them you will find that they're sensible rules that are just there to keep things running smoothly. Webrings, site directories, anything that will help promote your RPG. If you have no idea where to start then head to the links section of this site when you're done.

5) Don't be afraid to ask! - Exchanging links/becoming affiliates with websites will help you get your RPG noticed. You don't need to have a fancy banner - a text link does just as much. Websites with a links section will usually be happy to exchange links with you - just email people and ask. The worst they can do is say no and if you're nice they are not likely to be rude back.

6) Spamming - Viewed as good and bad, if done properly it can be an affective way of advertising your RPG - just read on to make sure you do it the right way!

Remember to be polite. Some message boards will have a strict 'no advertising' policy. Respect this. It's not done to be mean, it's done to keep the RPG running smoothly. Boards that do have an advertising section may have rules pinned at the top - read them - make sure that it's ok.

Do not spam/advertise your RPG in places where you are not allowed to advertise. Be polite and use the advertising section only.

If anyone has anything to add or if you have any questions then Contact me.