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Professional GM: Possible Return
Captain_Commando
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
For those of you who are unaware, I'm a New Yorker who was about to start a horribly planned business called "Caravan of Blades" back in early March. The business was a pay-for-play Dungeons and Dragons 4e campaign. I wasn't thinking clearly. My father had recently passed away of a heart attack and the experience and aftermath were a bit traumatic (I discovered the body that night). I needed to get a job and picked a bad idea for making money.
Fortunately I put a stop to the horror on the first day when I snapped back to my senses.
Unfortunately despite job-hunting since then I still haven't gotten hired. Yesterday featured an interview at the local Burger King yesterday which I think went very badly. I'm having serious doubts about being able to get a job. My resumé sucks, so much that it might be impossible for me to get anything due to local competition being fierce and better qualified in practically every case.
I'm handing in some more applications over the next couple of weeks, but I'm starting to feel very desperate as well as very pathetic.
I'm contemplating another try with paid game mastering. This time with a plausible sane business plan.
This time practically everything would have to be done differently.
This might be just a false alarm but I'm mulling this over nonetheless.
This will be just brainstorming for now. Actually going through with this would be a last resort. I'm open to suggestions.
So to start things off.
1. This will NOT be a pay-for play campaign. This time I'll be a game master hired by the hour. No sitting around simply hoping for people to show up. I'll be able to cancel in case of emergency.
2. I'll charge $8/hour + tip for my services. It will be relatively inexpensive if my clients are paying as a group. The tip is not mandatory.
3. I'll run 1-shot self-contained adventures for DnD 4e. They can be from a menu of prewritten original adventures I'll offer or published adventures or custom adventures tailored to the clients' preferences (with an extra service charge).
4. I'll advertise my services to local meetup groups and specific local businesses. The local DnD Meetup Group for example has over 800 members, many without a regular group or unable to find games that fit their schedules.
5. My primary hook will be convenience. For example, if someone is planning a special birthday party featuring a DnD game, and no one has the time to prepare a game, that's where a hired GM might be considered. I don't have to try to be the best. I just have to run a good fun game and be available. I'll be providing most if not all the gaming materials.
6. I'll have a web site tailored for the business instead of mooching off another website that is focused on something else altogether.
7. I'll scout out every location that I can find that is conducive to gaming to give clients a broad range of places to choose from if they have no specific one in mind.
8. All of my original 1-shots will be tested and refined through the local meetup group's meetup events.
9. I'll create a relationship with the local privately-owned game store(s) and comic shops. Cross advertisement and possible space rental/reservation.
Fortunately I put a stop to the horror on the first day when I snapped back to my senses.
Unfortunately despite job-hunting since then I still haven't gotten hired. Yesterday featured an interview at the local Burger King yesterday which I think went very badly. I'm having serious doubts about being able to get a job. My resumé sucks, so much that it might be impossible for me to get anything due to local competition being fierce and better qualified in practically every case.
I'm handing in some more applications over the next couple of weeks, but I'm starting to feel very desperate as well as very pathetic.
I'm contemplating another try with paid game mastering. This time with a plausible sane business plan.
This time practically everything would have to be done differently.
This might be just a false alarm but I'm mulling this over nonetheless.
This will be just brainstorming for now. Actually going through with this would be a last resort. I'm open to suggestions.
So to start things off.
1. This will NOT be a pay-for play campaign. This time I'll be a game master hired by the hour. No sitting around simply hoping for people to show up. I'll be able to cancel in case of emergency.
2. I'll charge $8/hour + tip for my services. It will be relatively inexpensive if my clients are paying as a group. The tip is not mandatory.
3. I'll run 1-shot self-contained adventures for DnD 4e. They can be from a menu of prewritten original adventures I'll offer or published adventures or custom adventures tailored to the clients' preferences (with an extra service charge).
4. I'll advertise my services to local meetup groups and specific local businesses. The local DnD Meetup Group for example has over 800 members, many without a regular group or unable to find games that fit their schedules.
5. My primary hook will be convenience. For example, if someone is planning a special birthday party featuring a DnD game, and no one has the time to prepare a game, that's where a hired GM might be considered. I don't have to try to be the best. I just have to run a good fun game and be available. I'll be providing most if not all the gaming materials.
6. I'll have a web site tailored for the business instead of mooching off another website that is focused on something else altogether.
7. I'll scout out every location that I can find that is conducive to gaming to give clients a broad range of places to choose from if they have no specific one in mind.
8. All of my original 1-shots will be tested and refined through the local meetup group's meetup events.
9. I'll create a relationship with the local privately-owned game store(s) and comic shops. Cross advertisement and possible space rental/reservation.
Captain_Commando on
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There's a not-so-fine line between being interested in DnD and being interested in DMing DnD. Also, many who would be interested in DMing might not have the time and/or resources to run a game or already have a full group.
The main point is time. This is about having someone prepare a game to your own preference and then run said game at a time and place that you dictate.
If you want to watch a play, do you get the costumes and prepare the show yourself? No. You pay to see other people to do it because you have a day job or school. I would prefer a day job to this but my situation demands a backup plan.
Anyway, if I actually do this, I'll run it by the local meetup groups to see what they think of it.
I'm hoping I don't have to do this but if I do, I won't go in unresearched and unqualified like last time.
EDIT: There's also a guarantee that any original material used will be tested and the game master will be experienced since I will be regularly running games to test myself and my material through the local meetup group.
I do think it's a TERRIBLE plan ;-) because you are charging far too little.
How can you make ends meet on 8/hour, in NY?
and why would they hire you for so low?
I can't speak for everyone in the world, but nerds tend to have at least a little $$$ to waste on their favorite hobbies/pasttimes. I think you should set your prices higher--20/hour? I mean, for 5 people, you are talking, in a 3 hour session, 11 bucks each. Not bad...
Can you supply food? If you brought beer & snacks, & added that in, I'd say you could easily bill 100$ for a session. That's 20 dollars for each person, for 3 hours of D&D plus 2 six packs & snacks. And, speak yourself up a little
$8 per hour plus TIP
It was mentioned on the WotC board that I put this on that I should either make the tip mandatory or not mention it at all.
I think I will make it mandatory, at a minimum of $2 (cost of public transportation in NYC). The client(s) can tip me higher based on how well I run the game and how much the client(s) is satisfied.
By keeping the base price low, I can attract more first time clients.
6 forums: WotC 4e, RPG.net, EN World, Giant in the Playground, Game Squad, and Penny Arcade
I'm getting a lot of good advice and feedback across the different forums except for Game Squad whose Tabletop forum seems kind of dead.
There seems to be more positive support and genuine interest for this GM-for-hire idea than the pay-for-play campaign idea.
There are a huge number of differences though.
Azulan Saul Tigh
"Really? Because I was thinking about upping my tip to 16.5%..."
"Did I say +1 Broadsword? I mean a +2-"
"Ahem."
"... +3 Vengeful Broadsword."
This is more or less the same plan you had the first time.
It's got all the same flaws.
Read through the previous threads you've put out on this board.
You will see the mistakes you are making with this idea. Again.
If this game is your main area of talent I would suggest freelance writing for game publishers or developing an interesting new game aid that people would want to buy or even assembling and painting custom minatures for people.
That's the kind of thing folks will put their cash out for: product.
And anyway... do you really want to play this game with people who are going to a) have expectations based upon the fact they are paying, b) watch the clock constantly as a result and c) might not be socially adept enough to have friends to play the game with?
If you screwed up a job interview at Burger King I recommend you hock your D&D books and invest in some serious career counseling.
The ability to pull this off comes down to how sociable and likable and how entertaining you are. Also you have to have balls of steel when it comes to collecting money. No "I'll pay you next week" or "billy forgot to bring his part of the $8"
I kind'a think what you are doing is akin to starting a website design service out of your bedroom or a home recording studio. You have to commit hardcore to the idea and lot of people will try to take advantage of you.
You have to come off as professional as possible and the problem is you absolutely have to spend money to do that.
Here is a bit of advice i have for everyone starting a business:
Don't use your cell number or your primary phone number as your phone line
Absolutely have a hot friend who is female as your "front" to the public . for example have her leave the answering machine message. Have her on the web page.
I am not talking a girl in a bikini i am talking a professional well put together girl who still has gamer caché.
You will be surprised by how much that helps.
I mentioned I was looking for something temporary and not long term. Although it's just the 2nd day since the interview so I don't know absolutely for sure they won't hire me (probably won't though).
Anyway...
I've decided to try the business out. Other jobs will be pursued as the business is underway. Flexible hours for the GMing service will make it possible to pursue other sources of income.
I've collected both positive and negative criticism from each of the 6 forums on which I posted this brainstorming thread. A lot of insults but also a lot of insight, even from some of the insults.
There are profound differences between a pay-for-play campaign and a paid-by-the-hour GMing service. Perhaps the most important difference is flexibility.
Here's a new list. This might not be everything but it's a few steps forward from the first brainstorming list. Keep the comments and the suggestions coming.
1. The business is a DnD 4e GMing service paid by the hour. DnD 3.5e or Pathfinder service might be offered as well though 4e will remain the primary rules system used.
2. The cost might be $15/hour. <no tip mentioned> Too little or too much can drive away clients. The existence of a mandatory tip may cause problematic expectations. A 4-hour session split between 5 players would thus be the equivalent of a movie ticket in Manhattan. Special session packages may be offered at higher or lower rates.
3. The service offers 1-shot adventures (original pre-written, published, or custom). Custom adventures may have free prep or prep at an additional charge based on the amount of time and effort required to fulfill the client's request.
4. The service offers teaching games. This may include rules tutorials, game design tutorials (including monster and NPC design), plot writing tutorials, and at-table performance tutorials. Good for both players and aspiring game masters. Special games for math, science, or history tutoring could be offered.
5. The service offers special cooperative war games with DnD miniatures.
6. The service is sold on time and convenience as well as guaranteed quality.
7. Role-playing products could be sold or advertised at the end or during each session.
8. Snacks could be sold during sessions depending on the gaming location.
9. The service will have its own web site, not part of someone else's.
10. All original adventures are tested through the local DnD meetup group.
11. Local comic and gaming stores should be approached for cooperation. Product discounts, coupons for clients, store and service advertisement, and space reservation/rental may be discussed.
12. A menu of [gaming locations + location details] will be on the web site.
13. Special packages could be offered that may include food or renting a conference room at a hotel or space at a store.
14. Gaming products may be sold or advertised on the service website for extra income.
15. A standard survey should be prepared to find out client preferences and maximize their enjoyment. All sessions should be adapted or suggested based on the survey.
16. Breaks for bathroom or food will not be included in the bill. An itemized billing summary indicating time consumption might be necessary.
17. Extra effort must be taken to memorize story elements to provide a more professional level of performance.
18. Attire and behavior should be professional. A nice shirt and slacks if not a suit and tie.
19. A feedback or evaluation survey form could be given to willing clients with space for writing suggestions on how to improve the service or business model.
20. A minimum 24-hour notice will be given if I have to cancel a session. Any less and the next gaming session is offered for free.
21. Character generation will be offered as pregens, partially constructed characters, or up to the client to create. A character creation tutorial could be offered as part of the session.
22. Business networking is crucial to the service's success. Some companies might hire a known professional game master to run team-building exercises. Local Meetup groups will be marketed to including NYC DnD, Board Games and Card Games, SciFi Fantasy, and BizNet. New groups and companies should be marketed to every month if not daily/weekly. The previous attempt at marketing focused on college students and the marketed product was unmarketable.
23. Copies of all receipts for the service should be kept for tax purposes.
24. A contract with carefully written terms of agreement should be issued at the beginning of a session to prevent certain legal problems.
25. All gaming materials will be provided by me (clients can still bring their own though). This will include dungeon master's screen, dice, pencils, paper, dungeon tiles, printed handouts (including reference sheets), cinema stand, action tokens, and washable battle mat. Reference sheets should be no more than 5 pages. Cinema stand is yet to be tested but holds promise. Meticulous memorization of details/rules and innovative use of pre-tested game design tools (ex. battle challenges and moving terrain) will likely enhance the value of the service.
26. RPGA certification as a judge should be pursued. I'll be registering as a member on Wednesday, and the Herald test has been quickened. Higher level judge certification should be pursued as soon as possible. Having DMing experience recorded on the NYC DnD Meetup site is also helpful for attracting clients.
27. A compilation of play tested and refined adventures from the service will be offered to a game company for increased income.
28. A business relationship with a game company might be possible based on how much attention the service gains.
29. For packages including food, perhaps culinary/baking students might be approached for the promise of a share of the haul and/or in some cases a seat at the table and/or experience to add to their resumés and/or a free game session or product. NYC is loaded with culinary/baking students.
30. Professional web support may be possible. Web designers also have a meetup group. Web design students can always use more cash. Perhaps someone will trade web service in exchange for free game sessions or morbid curiosity or just for fun/experience.
You've posted this on 6 boards, including just about the most populous PnP gaming boards on the web. How many people have contacted you saying, 'yes, this sounds like a great idea! When are you starting, because I want you to run games for me?' How many people were you saying you thought you'd work with? I think you talked about playing with 20 groups a months? Given that you've thrown out your shingle into some of the greatest possible concentrations of gamers out there, that should say something about the viability of your plan as a whole.
Maybe you could do something like that.
Also, maybe you should try craigslist, since your service seems to be confined to one area of the world.
Azulan Saul Tigh
To be a good GM, you need to be able to improvise.
This tells me you're not so good at the improvisation part.
Furthermore, you'd have to probably be running games for at least ten groups a week for this to even be a viable option. The preptime involved would be astronomical. Good luck trying to find 40ish people who'd be interested in paying for something like this.
Find a real job, keep gaming as something you do for fun. Don't say that you're going to look for a job concurrently as you try to develop this idea. Any time you spend on this and don't spend on trying to land an interview with an employer is going to be wasted time.
i think this is a cool idea, especially the tutorial idea. it's like a consulting job, almost. don't listen to these guys - they're getting uptight because you're trying to make a little money off of something they hold sacred.
after reading through your model and list, i think you're on to something - the only caveat i would offer is that if you decide to do this, you have to put your heart and soul into it. it's certainly doable (don't listen to people who try to tell you you won't succeed). you just gotta be as professional as possible and be the best gamemaster you can possibly be so that any group you run for will advertise to their friends and so on and so forth.
whether or not it's worth the investment is your call.
We're trying to dissuade homeboy from a venture that isn't going to be a viable method of supporting himself.
Actually, that reminds me to once again point out that you fail at reading comprehension. He doesn't want to 'make a little money' off of this, he wants to do this as his full time job. That's where the problem lies.
you sure like to insult people in a civil discussion don't you?
you could try contributing more to the thread than calling people who disagree with you retards who lack comprehension skills, bud.
my statement stands: gamers, including myself, adore the hobby and we do in fact hold it sacred.
and FURTHERMORE, if you read my post, I said to make this viable he should put his full effort into it.
again, stop being a dick to be a dick.
he posts a thread asking for constructive advice, and i think it's an interesting academic experiment if nothing else. it likely has never been tried before, and it's certainly something worth exploring.
And I was never being a dick to be a dick. I was objecting to your insinuation that my problem with CC's idea is that it offends me on some personal level instead of just being an objectively bad idea.
Are you having trouble reading your own posts now? The reason I'm objecting to this is because it's a terrible idea, not because I'm bellowing, 'Be paid to GM? HERESEY!' He wants to do this as a full time job, and yet despite advertising himself across a half-dozen forums to thousands of people, he has received no actual interest from anyone, yet this has done nothing to diminish his enthusiasm to attempt this as a full time job. Here are some of the significant problems with his plan: So he has no idea what the local reaction will be like, and yet he already has a potential customer base identified, so well researched that he knows precisely how many of them will go to GenCon? Not to mention, the infamous back-up plan? Babysitting? Good idea. Movie extra? Much like paid GMing, nonreliable source of income.
still no reason to throw around insults, nor is it any reason to shame the guy out of trying something new, especially when he's asking for actual advice and not people telling him how much his idea sucks and that he should go home.
Especially with everyone's wallets being tight, it's an extremely luxury service you're trying to provide, when the chances of people wanting it are slim to none.
You'd be much better off trying to find something more concrete.
these are all good points
you should definitely account for the sorry state of our economy at the moment. if you plan on going through with this, i think you should definitely lay out some kind of test bed, pretty much to get your name out there.
i think the best training ground would be to run convention games and events through the local stores for free, making sure to stress that you're using the groups you run for as testers and to spread the word.
to make this viable you basically have to put all your weight behind it and really establish a serious reputation.
i think we can take this from another angle. take a look at the convention one-shot - it's essentially the same service if you think about it. you pay to get into the con and if you choose to do so can sit down with a 'professional' GM to run you and some other folks through a one-shot.
what this idea is is that core concept but personalized and tailored to the client.
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=84706
Note that the one time he's attempted to actually do the "work" he originally canceled due to staying up too late. Oh, and he didn't have any customers.
Honestly, this really is just a morbid, voyeuristic fascination with this car crash of brilliance, though.
When you think of it that way it might be a better approach to have an arrangement with an FLGS for this kind of thing.
A dude could host a weekly one-shot type of game at a certain store that anyone could throw down a few bucks for, just show up empty-handed and play.
Part of Cons is that they're epic events that rarely happen with people you see once a year at most. There are tons of things going on, and the game will be part of a greater experience.
Doesn't the game lose some of its marvel if it's just a one-off thing with the local games down at the store every week? At best I see this driving some of those guys to get their own free game together as one of them gets up the gumption to run his own game.
I agree.
if this were to work, i think the best approach would be this:
find a couple people who are like-minded, who like to GM and are on board with the initial plan. bonus if they all run different systems, but it's fine if they don't.
the first step is establishing a reputation. get a logo and a name - you need a brand. attend every con you can as far afield as you're willing to go. advertise the hell out of your business through all the local shops as much as you can. the key limiting factor to all of this is that essentially, you're targeting a niche market within a niche market.
the next step is to consider your format. i extremely doubt that long-term campaigns would be feasible, and should instead be dealt with by customer request. instead, you'd really want to deliver a small, compact experience with no strings attached, probably for a flat fee (20$ a person for four hours, plus 5$ per additional hour let's say)
you're essentially taking the con scenario, cutting out the middle-man, and personalizing it for the client.
EDIT: what shoe mentioned is another way to go about it. think about the dungeon delve wizards runs at DnD experience - one hour of just straight-up DnD. you could run a weekly format similar to that, charging 5$ a person for 1-2 hours of quick and dirty DnD.