Things one can do to help promote Squadron Strike and Attack Vector:Tactical:
- Play the game(s).
This is really the number one thing to do.
People want to buy fun, not theoretical fun. Think of it this way: Are you more likely to go to a movie that your friend said looks awesome or one that your friend said is awesome after they saw it?
I recently found out that a manager at my company picked up AV:T because he heard about it while talking to my co-worker and AV:T opponent.
- Play the game regularly.
Ties into number 1 above. People also want to buy value. Hearing about regular game play increases the perception of value.
- Play the game publicly.
Even if you are not willing to do demos or teach the rules, simply playing the game in a public setting, such as a gamestore, will increase its visibility. Again, people don't want to buy theoretical fun and seeing actual people playing the game removes the theoretical part.
- Demo the game.
Pretty self-evident, but only after the first 3 above. The worst thing to do during a demo is to read from the rulebook. The occasional look-ups are fine, but constantly referring to the rulebook just sends the message that the game is too complicated.
Looking up how to do nukes is fine as that is a rare event. Looking up how to do a thrust-break is not.
Games can be demoed at stores, local conventions, etc....
My only caveat for doing demos at local conventions is to see if one of the dealers will have the game at the con. Gamers are far more likely to impulse buy a game they just demoed and is available. This can be done by contacting the vendors before the con asking if they will have the game there for sale. Pointing out that you'll send potential customers their way after a demo will help convince vendors to bring the product.
- Post reviews on web-site such as Board Game Geek and Amazon.
Be honest and don't be a shill. Every time that a review, good or bad, is posted on BGG, it attracts attention. More attention means more sales for Ken.
Game ratings are nice, but reviews get displayed on the front page of the 'geek for a short while.
- Post session reports
Almost better than reviews are session reports as they are describing fun. They can be posted on the 'geek and sites like theMiniaturesPage. (This is something that I've been meaning to do for a while.)
Session reports on the 'geek are displayed on the front page for a brief period of time.
The Space Game forum on theMiniaturesPage is so slow moving that a session report there will be visible for at least a month.
Session reports posted on Facebook can be liked and shared by members which spreads their visibility through social media.
As with reviews, be honest and don't shill the game(s).
For reviews and session reports is helps to be part of the web-site's community. Folks quickly pick-up on users that only seem to promote just one game.
