VC / GM tips for getting a new store started

[Rob Duncan]

I had my first "field trip" going out to a store to help set up Pathfinder Society, and I though I would share some "lessons learned" that might be helpful to others:

1) Ask for pictures of the inside and the parking lot BEFORE you go.

My first field trip took me out to a game store that had been started in a parent company's store, which in turn had been started in a former single-story residence; the parking lot had three spaces. If I had known the size limitations and such before going, I would have been able to draw it out on graph paper, print out some posters or other materials that would help promote Pathfinder Society, and help them configure the small space.

2) Even if you have an appointment, make sure there's no other event scheduled.

Despite having an appointment, I walked straight into a collectible card game tournament and was surrounded by twelve-year olds asking me about my decks and what I was going to play. My fault: I should have made sure there was no other event that was competing for my attention.

3) Bring extra stuff.

When I arrived, the store's product line consisted of a single, unopened Beginner's Box. The manager had /seen/ Pathfinder and talked to people at Paizo and other VCs, but had not actually /played/ it.

We cracked open that Beginner Box and ran a round, but it was far from ideal. I should have brought enough stuff to GM a proper Pathfinder Society game.

4) Don't judge a book by its cover.

Even with these challenges, the manager was extremely enthusiastic and all of his regular customers had expressed an interest in playing. Having a demo game and leaving the Beginner Box set up as if a game were in progress went a long way in sparking curiosity, and I believe that they'll get a good group out of the visit.

Finally, here are some tips that might be useful:

I've gone through a ton of pregens over the past two weeks. I started putting them in a sheet protector and using wet-erase markers to make notes to keep them fresh for the next run.

The map in the Beginner's Box, when flipped over, has a nice grid that is also very useful with wet-erase markers. Dry erase smudges. A lot.

Graph paper can be cut out and laminated into templates for "area effect" spells.

Putting spells on the pregen onto laminated index-size cards helps new players use spells without having to go through the book EVERY TIME they want to cast something. Noting page numbers on the sheets for every spell is also handy.

Loaner dice will be lost. Ugly, bright colored dice do not walk off as much.

Paracord can be used to make a "dice corral".

Buy a good dice bag. Picking up dice out of a parking lot because your dice bag flipped upside down and wasn't tight = many failed perception checks to find all your dice.

I'd appreciate having /your/ lessons learned added to this thread so I can take advantage of your experiences (rather than making mistakes and learning the hard way!)

[kinevon]

Always make sure you know the store hours.

Also, if they have an event calendar, check it.

**Schmooze the owner/manager. Nothing helps more than being on friendly terms with the person in charge of the venue. Nothing.

Know what the gaming area is like, including if there is room to expand, and what kind of tables are available for use.

That includes power connections and Internet access, since some people can use that to increase their compliance/enjoyment of the event.

Whenever possible, have your maps ready to go.
Whenever possible, have your minis ready to go.

When GMing, make sure you have a handle on your NPCs' abilities, spells, feats, and equipment.

Have some way to track initiatives, including Delays & Readies. Tracking rounds can also help for things with a duration (how long will that Bless last? When will the dragon be able to breath again? Etc.)

I forgot to mention: Find out the store policy on consumables, soda, snacks, other food; whether they say no, offer some themselves, or allow outside food.

Ventilation, and windows. Good air movement can be important, whether it is because of us claustrophobes, or other air pollutants; and the windows for light. SOme tables can be a horror show because the sunshine comes in right onto them, so you either have everything in shadow or you are blinded by glare...

[Rob Duncan]

Kinevon,

Great suggestions.

I took your advice to heart and started packing the following:

2x lightweight folding tables (my local "mart" store has 8' that fold in half)
Table skirts
Power strips
Wireless hotspot
Case of water
Foam ice chest
10# ice

I've also used "the greatest screen ever" with some inserts for initiative; the wet-erase markers on sheet protectors have helped some with tracking spells, etc.

I also started bring stacks of index cards: use a spell, you need to write out what it does, what page its on, etc.

The "Robot Chicken" roleplaying game session that the other company has on YouTube uses printed cards for "encounter actions" and it seemed like a good idea.

Surprised that I haven't had more help/ideas so far.. Appreciate your post!

[godsDMit]

You already touched on this, but bring extra stuff. I;d be tempted to bring at least one or two examples from each product line (hardcover books, Players Companion line, other book line which I cant think of, novels, flip mats, map packs, Pathfinder Battles miniatures (the black dragon), etc. The more awesome stuff you can use to show off, the better! Even if you have to lure people to the table with something that has nothing to do with the game, use it! For example, since Paizo doesnt have any huge sized minis out now except the dragon, and since I used to play Star Wars Miniatures, I've got a pair of huge sized Rancor miniatures(this one and this one) that I like to use for bad guys. I've gotten many 'are they really fighting a Rancor?' type questions from people who are just walking by.

Advertise!
Even if, in your example, the store doesnt carry hardly anything of the product line, do some advertising. Check to see if the store has a Facebook page and announce that you will be running demos on it, put a flyer up on their bulletin board, have the store owner add it to the calendar. The more the better.

When they are available, make sure to bring a stack of the latest holiday boon.

[Corax]

I agree with pretty much everything they said. The best thing you can do is come prepared. If you bring a laptop. have a copy of the adventure you are going to run and a paper copy. Bring First Steps with you and a just in case scenairo you like to run. If you are hosting keep in contact with the DMs. *Especially the day before the game* Just a quick whats up helps alot. Get feed back and dont be afraid to ask.

Wear a Pathfinder Society Shirt or Gaming Shirt. I know The VL said this already, but: Advertising! That is a big one. Word of mouth within our gaming community helps. See what the rules are about reserving a table or tables. Know what you are walking into. Not just the size of the store, but the area. Do a dry run. Scout it out and talk to the stores. They love you because you advertise for them. big groups mean money. People love to see a busy place over a dead place. My friend Runs a World of Darkness game out of a Coffee Shop in the Back room. On other nights you can find him running his Pathfinder Home Game out of there. Nothing like Jacked up RPGers running around on pure caffine. Kind of like that scene from scanners :)

Fliers all over. I post on meetup, In the store if they allow it(I havent been to one that doesnt), On the stores online event calender, Comic book shops and their boards(ask first or if you are chummy with them they probably would not mind. Most Comic shops like to support gaming because they tend to be gamers themselves. Wonder Twin Powers activate) and dont forget to post on the paizo boards AND the event Calender. You may pick a player or two off the boards and/or the Event Calender, but the vast majority is going to come from the fliers and posting at the store you plan to run at.

The last thing I would say outside of minis and books is: DMs. If they are Dming then they have the pulse. They probably have a home group or know others. If you are new to the area. Talk to your DMs. They maybe able to hook you up better than any store owner or the other VCs. They have done the ground work for you. You never know til, you ask. They can help you. Not just the DMs who run for the event, but the guy who runs with the same group every sunday for the last 5 years at the same table that is THEIR table. That guy. He can help. You never know. HE maybe dying to be on the other side of the screen for a change. Good luck!!

[Rob Duncan]

All great stuff. I've gotten a group going in Oklahoma City, so I'm excited that I have more than just /my/ table going now!

I found that a lot of people are just plain scared of GMing, so I've been working on a guide/handout that covers some of the GM tips I've encountered. Running some Slot 0 games so that new GMs can "run what you've played" has helped out a lot too.