**NS Roleplay Symposium 2017**
LOCATION: Symposium Hall
TOPIC: "Thread Marketing and Formatting”
TIME: 9 PM EST, Wednesday, July 12th
Good evening and welcome to the second panel of the evening - "Thread Marketing and Formatting”. Tonight, we’ll look at ways to make your game more appealing to players by use of coding and elements: "How to design your OOC thread's initial posts, as well as how to make you IC's first post pop!"
We'll also look into options for marketing your game in the various subforums.
I’m Swith, your panel moderator. Panelists, please introduce yourselves and tell us which subforum you haunt, as well as your favorite snack.
BEGIN
::
Gren - Today at 9:01 PM
I'm Gren. P2TM resident. My favorite snack is mac and cheese. And the souls of the damned.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:01 PM
I'm Kyru. Game Mod, Mentor Program Director, N&I RP Mentor specializing in FT. I am also known to make exceptionally complex BBCode things (like an airport flip tab-style read-out). My favorite snack? Dill pickle-flavored potato chips.
Maltropia - Today at 9:01 PM
Swith says good evening but it's 2 a.m. for me. Oh well, here I am. I'm still Maltropia, a senior N&I Mentor who's pretty sure he only got the job because he makes pretty storefronts. Most of my thread-sprucing is done in GE&T, but I've made good-looking threads before and will do again.
I actually don't know what my favourite snack is. Food in general is good.
Tilt - Today at 9:02 PM
Hello, am Tilt. I lurk P2TM and my favorite snack is fried rice cakes.
Santh - Today at 9:02 PM
I'm Santh, creator of many failed but brilliant threads. I am an N&I mentor for MT, PMT, and FT and why not FanT as long as we're here, if you would like. My favorite snack is tacos
Gren - Today at 9:03 PM
Tilt confirmed for weeb. :stuck_out_tongue:
Swith - Today at 9:03 PM
Welcome, Panelists. Well start off with one of the most important things: branding.
Question 1 posed by Ched - "What are common flashy and eye grabbing words you use in titles?"
Santh - Today at 9:03 PM
Q1 "OPEN"
Maltropia - Today at 9:03 PM
Q1: "Open"? I've never gone for specific-
SANTH
Santh - Today at 9:03 PM
Hah, jokes on you
I like pretentious quotes that aren't complete
Maltropia - Today at 9:04 PM
Thank you for joining our panel tonight. Our next one is in two hours
Tilt - Today at 9:04 PM
Q1. How to repaint Gren at every opportunity. But yes, I usually only tag genre, OOC or IC, and status.
@ maltropia
Swith - Today at 9:04 PM
Q1 For me, the title sets the tone. A clever name speaks for the theme itself.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:04 PM
Q1: I wouldn't say there was any one group of words, so much as a general intent.
I always try and structure my titles in a way that can either invoke an immediate, attention-grabbing response in the reader; a title that inspires mystery or alludes to conflict (wordplay can help here); or one that simply carries a certain... weight when seen.
Gren - Today at 9:05 PM
Q1: What Tilt said. Well, except for the first sentence. Speaking solely as somebody who is the target audience.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:05 PM
Recent example: "Money Makes Strange." Most people know how this quote ends, but why is it pertinent to the thread? "Guess I have to look."
Santh - Today at 9:05 PM
Yes
just like what Kyrusia said
pretentious but incomplete quotes
Maltropia - Today at 9:05 PM
Q1: I don't go for specific words, like ever. I like quotes and quote-like three-word combos, but I'm wary of buzzwords in general. Outside of GE&T, where thread titles are company names and will therefore often explain their purpose, they're too weird to use.
Tilt - Today at 9:06 PM
Of course, then you have someone like me who'll just send @ kyrusia a TG like "I strange you".
Kyrusia - Today at 9:06 PM
fans self.
Swith - Today at 9:06 PM
I suppose the difference being "Superhero Role Play [open]" vs "Of Men and Titans [open]". Give it a name that really catches attention.
Question 2 posed by Sailor "How should one go about with image graphics in a way that'll help with the RP's marketing?"(edited)
Kyrusia - Today at 9:08 PM
Q2: KISS. Keep It Simple, Stupid. Or, make it iconic. Don't give it too many extraneous details, but if you do, it need feel like a self-contained "thing." It shouldn't feel out of place, and it should be evocative of the theme of the thread or its aesthetics.(edited)
Tilt - Today at 9:08 PM
Q2. Banners. The Pub, I think, does this the best out of P2TM? I'm not sure how it might play in the advertising thread since I've never seen it done.
Gren - Today at 9:09 PM
Q2: Again, I'm speaking as the target audience, and I've never really been swayed by flashy graphics. Its the content of the OP itself that sways me.
Santh - Today at 9:09 PM
Q2 There's nothing wrong with a little graphic design, but I really think you should make your OPs stand well on their own without them
Kyrusia - Today at 9:09 PM
To add: graphics should be additive, not subtractive.
Swith - Today at 9:09 PM
Followup to Question 2 posed by Rhodevus "How can one properly market an RP without flashy graphics or picture?"
Maltropia - Today at 9:10 PM
Q2: Less is more. Just because images can be a certain size doesn't mean they should hit that limit. Usually I don't go further than fancy text, or a very small (e.g. 500x200 pixels) scene.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:11 PM
F//Q2: Author the initial segment of the OP in a manner that a simple glance is likely to cause the reader to note words or phrases that catch their attention. The concept of in media res highlighted in the last panel is one such way to do that. Even then, however, without fancy graphics or giant header text, something as simple as [blocktext] can cause your post to seem... "crisp and professional," while still not being burdensome.
Maltropia - Today at 9:12 PM
FtQ2: Good content; something catchy without being too immense to immerse in.
Basic forum code, as well, is often all you need to set your thread apart from others'. Without making the font 250% larger, you can do all sorts of things to pretty it up, as Kyrusia says.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:13 PM
[/ blocktext][/ align=justify]? +10 to Professionalism. (Breaking these for when Swith C&P's for the logs.)(edited)
Santh - Today at 9:13 PM
and you only need a score 15 professional to succeed
Maltropia - Today at 9:14 PM
I don't post anymore without those two tags. Everything else is optional.
Gren - Today at 9:14 PM
Yeah, I'm going to reiterate. Good content in your OP is more attractive to potential players than flashy graphics. Sure, you might have Xtreme Kool Picz and Daaaank May Mays, but if the setting, the plot, the mechanics, etc., are shit, I don't want to app.
Swith - Today at 9:14 PM
(Bless you, Kyru! TY)
Question 3 posed by Rhodevus "What would be the difference between a properly marketed RP and an improperly marketed RP?" (What elements and coding make a potential player stay on the page long enough to read it over vs what causes a potential player to roll their eyes and click off the page?)
Gren - Today at 9:14 PM
Q3: I think I just touched on that.
Tilt - Today at 9:15 PM
Q3. I'm a mechanics nut. Always have been, always will be. Poor mechanics, not-well-thought-out story. Those are probably my two biggest turn-offs.
Santh - Today at 9:16 PM
Q3 I'm great at what doesn't work. Watch your color choices if you're using color. Consider not using color, at that. Bright colors? Definitely refrain. Big square images centered with no floats? That just looks sloppy
Kyrusia - Today at 9:16 PM
Q3: If I see eye-searing purple in the first line? I bail.
If I see a spectrum of colors, all thrown like a candy fairy vomited all over the first post? I bail.
I see hanging, broken codes? I bail. (Or, if they break the thread, I fix them and then bail.)
If you're going to employ formatting, USE PREVIEW POST. Make sure it works and looks well. Don't just slap it up and never look back again.
Gren - Today at 9:16 PM
I'd also recommend against dark colors, for those of us using the dark themes. Dark blue is just as unreadable in dark theme as yellow is in the light theme.
Swith - Today at 9:16 PM
Question 4 Panelist provided, "What elements should every OOC have in place before launching [hitting submit]?"
Maltropia - Today at 9:17 PM
Q4: A basic rundown of the concept and an explanation of the joining process (needn't be an app form). Those are essential.
Tilt - Today at 9:18 PM
Q4. Good question. Char app, basic plot, basic backstory, details on the setting.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:18 PM
F//Q4: Something in the OOC - such as a quote or introductory blurb - that catches the reader's attention, an overview of the actual intent/purpose/plot of the thread, extraneous details about the setting that may be required, rules (that do not attempt to override or conflict with the OSRS), an example application with each bit of info required explained, and an application code.
Santh - Today at 9:18 PM
Q4 Set your ground rules and expectations first. If you leave out plot elements, that might lose you some players initially, but without rules and expectations, people who join will be put in a worse spot if you add them in later and those people who wanted more plot elements won't come back even to ask for more detail(edited)
Swith - Today at 9:18 PM
Q4 For P2TM: a title, a byline (something to catch reader attention, an image, whatever), an overview of the concept, some setting information, the rules for your game, the application. Then add two extra posts ("reserved by OP") where your archives will go.
Gren - Today at 9:18 PM
Q4: A fleshed out setting.
In addition to what Kyru and Swith and Santh said.(edited)
Kyrusia - Today at 9:19 PM
F//Q4: Also don't have porn. I probably don't need to say that, but it's true. xP
Tilt - Today at 9:19 PM
...
Santh - Today at 9:19 PM
F//Q4 onsite, anyway
Kyrusia - Today at 9:20 PM
I mean, it will get attention. It can also get your account DEAT'd.
Swith - Today at 9:20 PM
Question 5 posed by Ched - "How big could a title be before it becomes too wordy? And likewise, how small can title be in contrast?" and well as "How much tagging is too much in the title?", posed by Sailor.
Clarification required perhaps: Title for the thread as well as title bling for the game.
Tilt - Today at 9:21 PM
Q5. Good title length for me is about five words. There's a char limit, anyway. Tags are useful, but the main thing is indicating status (open, closed, invite only). If done right in combo with the title, it should draw attention.
Maltropia - Today at 9:21 PM
Q5: "Less is more." Once your title gets auto-ellipsised you should reconsider. There will be times when one word is enough; other times when you'll need ten. It depends on the story.
Tilt - Today at 9:21 PM
I'm not sure how to title bling.
Santh - Today at 9:21 PM
Q5 Not sure on wordiness, but short is never an issue if it's snappy. I would at least look at something titled "Regime [OPEN]" whereas I will not look at "We're turning fascist [OPEN]"
Kyrusia - Today at 9:21 PM
Q5.1: I would avoid going over 4-5 words. Shoot for three. You can get by with one as well, if it's interesting enoug (example: "Titanomachy").
Q5.2: Again, aim for three or four. Example: [IC/FT/Mature], [Closed/FT/Mature], [OOC/App/FT].
Personal example: Unexpected Guests [FT/Mature/Closed](edited)
Maltropia - Today at 9:22 PM
"Stardust" was enough of a name for a movie. "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime" is a good book title. There are times when you should go one way and times when you should go the other. As long as the name is good, don't worry too much about length.
Gren - Today at 9:22 PM
Q5: A few words, plus setting tags (and whether its character, faction, or nation), Open/Closed/something else, and IC and OOC tags for each.(edited)
Maltropia - Today at 9:22 PM
You can get away with a title and a subtitle, sometimes. "Rejuvenation: The Saga of Kyrusia's Cheese" works, for example.
Santh - Today at 9:23 PM
Q5, that's also part of why shortening quotes works. Snappier title, and people know what's coming next. I have "The Duke is Dead..." and, well, the next part is "Long Live The Duke" but it needn't be mentioned
Swith - Today at 9:24 PM
Question 6 (As setting is an element that draws players in) posed by Mini - "How much about the world should be revealed to the potential player?" This is for both P2TM and N&I.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:25 PM
Q6: In the OP, I aim less to reveal the whole world, and aim more for the feeling of the world. Each post will reveal more and more, expounding upon that feeling. This also has the added bonus of allowing your players to "fill in the blanks" while defaulting to doing so within the strictures of a theme or aesthetic you have already defined.(edited)
Tilt - Today at 9:26 PM
Q6. It depends, really. At the very least there should be some kind of a basic setting, some framework for players to tie their posts to. It also depends on the genre. Is the RP suspense? Action? Locked-room mystery? Slice-of-life with worldbuilding? Posts add detail, either the OP's or the players'.
Gren - Today at 9:26 PM
Q6: As much as possible without spoiling things. If your RP has been running for a while, a covering of the events so far that a new-comer should know isn't a bad idea, either.
Tilt - Today at 9:26 PM
Sometimes both.
Santh - Today at 9:27 PM
Q6 you need enough for people to see that there's something to play with, that you won't be making it all up as you go. That will inspire more confidence. Get the theme of the settings across, some basic information about who and why, and you should be good for a start
Swith - Today at 9:27 PM
Question 7 posed by Sailor - "How should one advertise an RP without getting too spammy?"
Santh - Today at 9:28 PM
Q7 come to the NSFT discord and ping @ kyrusia "hey, hey, look at this" - works like a charm
Tilt - Today at 9:28 PM
Q7. 24h bump rule, advertisement thread, private TGs, pick any 2, I think.
Swith - Today at 9:28 PM
For P2TM: We have an RP advertisement thread (forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=283489) as well as the Cafe (forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=298409). We highly recommend you don’t open an “Interest” thread, nor visit groups outside your own in order to advertise (this might be considered spam by players). Bump once every 24 hours but, if nobody replies, it means there isn't any interest in the game.
Santh - Today at 9:28 PM
Q7 For Real I like discussing with people privately, and definitely don't be afraid to bump a couple times throughout the week
Maltropia - Today at 9:29 PM
Q7: There are certain rules and guidelines as to the etiquette. Don't bump a thread more than once a day; don't contact reams of people you don't know with unsolicited invitations. Both N&I and P2TM have places where you can develop ideas and suss out interest, and those should be used.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:29 PM
Q7: Advertisment threads are one way, linking it in your sig is another. Never drop into an unrelated thread with a link to your own. That is spam and you can get smacked for it. It's also exceptionally fucking rude.
Beyond that, this is a part of why OOC networking is so important. Immerse yourself in the community, discuss your concepts, discuss your thread ideas, and provide a reason and an attitude that naturally attracts others. Even then, however, sometimes threads just fail to take of; it happens.
More than once a day or until it has dropped off the front page, whichever takes longer.
Maltropia - Today at 9:29 PM
If you have RP buddies you think might be interested, absolutely invite them.
Tilt - Today at 9:29 PM
@ kyrusia Less than once a day? :stuck_out_tongue:
Gren - Today at 9:29 PM
Q7: I'd also recommend using the tags.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:30 PM
Never bump more than once in a 24-hour period or until a thread has dropped off the board's front page, whichever takes longer to occur. If it's been a week and it's still on the front page, don't bump. :stuck_out_tongue:
Swith - Today at 9:30 PM
Question 8 Panelist provided - "What sites do you recommend for image hosting? Are there any problems that can arise when we use hotlinked images not hosted on our personal host accounts?"(edited)
Santh - Today at 9:31 PM
Q8 Your own. Otherwise imgur
Maltropia - Today at 9:31 PM
^
Tilt - Today at 9:31 PM
Q8. LiveJournal image embed.
Gren - Today at 9:31 PM
Q8: Imgur.
Or, better yet, Myspace.
Santh - Today at 9:31 PM
Tom loves your hotlinked images
I hope our audience is old enough to know Tom. I'm not old
Kyrusia - Today at 9:32 PM
Q8: Your own, first. If not possible, Imgur. Even then, read the Terms of Service and understand there are always risks when using another service other than one you yourself host - as we recently saw with Photobucket.
NEVER USE TINYPIC.
TinyPic recycles its image urls, meaning your pic of a fuzzy cat can turn into obscene pornography or gore without notice. And guess what? It's in your post, you're responsible for it, meaning if that does happen, you're the one that gets smacked for it.
Don't hotlink for similar reasons.(edited)
Maltropia - Today at 9:32 PM
Q8: I will recommend specifically that you don't link to other people's websites if they're not dedicated image hosts. You can get yourself and NS slapped sometimes, or at the very least your links won't work.
Swith - Today at 9:32 PM
Question 9 posed by Sailor - "How should one manipulate colors in presentation, if one may choose to do so?"
Clarification: how the RP thread looks.(edited)
Kyrusia - Today at 9:33 PM
In text, graphics, or both?
Tilt - Today at 9:33 PM
Q9. Using one's own code (i.e., not BBCode on the forum itself, but self-generated Web application code), print screen, then embed the image.(edited)
Santh - Today at 9:33 PM
Q9 Keep in mind that people do not have equal eyesight capabilities, and no one can see yellow on white background. Muted tones are usually better, neutral in brightness - not too bright or dark
Gren - Today at 9:34 PM
Q9: As was said in the #ns_mentors channel, make it theme-agnostic.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:34 PM
Q9: Avoid colors, but if you use them, keep in mind that people don't always use the default theme. That means how you intend for something to be shown, might not be for them. Also avoid garish colors - there's actually a rule against garish posting.
Swith - Today at 9:34 PM
Further clarification: Both text and graphics.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:34 PM
Same answer. :stuck_out_tongue:
Maltropia - Today at 9:35 PM
Q9: In prose, and outside of headers: not at all. There are situations (e.g. the disclaimer in the footer of a letter, or an in-line link to another news article) where you might want something subtle like a light grey, but I believe your text should never be less than 90% black.
Gren - Today at 9:35 PM
My answer remains the same as well.
@ maltropia Or white, for dark theme users.
Swith - Today at 9:35 PM
Question 10 posed by Ched - "If your RP had a particularly setting or theme in mind, or is based on a franchise, what example of a choice of words would you used for it? Not just in the title, but also the first words that someone reads in the OOC."
Maltropia - Today at 9:36 PM
Header-images can be lovely, but friendly reminder that some readers are literally blind and cannot see them.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:36 PM
Q10: Would depend on the theme or franchise.
Santh - Today at 9:36 PM
Q10 Established canon? Just say "A FRANCHISE RP"
Maltropia - Today at 9:36 PM
Bat-thread.
Tilt - Today at 9:36 PM
Q10. It depends. Tone is everything. Season to taste.
Gren - Today at 9:37 PM
Q10: Aside from mentioning it in the title, also make sure to explain in the OP what point in the course of events your RP is taking place in, as well as any major differences from established canon.
Swith - Today at 9:37 PM
Be careful that the images pulled don't violate the PG13 rule from the OSRS. While some are fanciful, exposed breasts or excessive gore can get you into trouble.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:37 PM
Salt ALL the things!
Santh - Today at 9:37 PM
Salt the earth, even!
Kyrusia - Today at 9:38 PM
And yes. Don't violate the PG-13 Rule with boobs. Srsly. It's an easy kill for us.
Swith - Today at 9:38 PM
Question 11 posed via PM - "What elements from the OOC should I bring into my IC?"
Tilt - Today at 9:38 PM
Q11. I'm assuming this refers to each's OP...Whatever you would like to emphasize. Backstory? Setting? Character list?
Kyrusia - Today at 9:39 PM
Q11: I often see the introductory blurb, byline/marquee, and rules being ported to both, as they tend to be fundamental to each. I would avoid just making the IC and OOC OPs identical (or near-identical), however.
Santh - Today at 9:39 PM
Q11 definitely don't make them identical. That leads to tired Sanths posting in the wrong thread
Kyrusia - Today at 9:39 PM
And Santh is always tired.
Santh - Today at 9:40 PM
there's also, like, forty of me
Swith - Today at 9:40 PM
Question 12 panelist provided - "What are your favourite formatting tricks to use in a thread and why?"
Maltropia - Today at 9:40 PM
Q11: I don't like to put more than the same titling in the OOC and IC, aside from styling them the same way. Just provide a link to the other near the top of each.
Tilt - Today at 9:40 PM
Q12. I don't really have any, other than playing with text size and alignment.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:41 PM
Q12: Tab, anchor, blocktext, align=justify, and list (without an actual list).
Tab and List: Indentation and emphasis, breaking blockquotes, etc.
Blocktext and Align=justify: Professional, crisp look and appeal.
Anchor: Glorious navigation.
Santh - Today at 9:41 PM
anchors are great
Kyrusia - Today at 9:42 PM
FTR: tab= 30 is essentially identical to hitting "Tab" in a word processor. #TheMoreYouKnow
forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=14332973#p14332973 Also. Note the "Air Travel Delays." Open-up a "quote" to see exactly how that works. :wink:
Swith - Today at 9:43 PM
This isn't really a coding trick but... I tend to mark my OOC [closed - WIP] when I submit the first post. Then I have plenty of time to work on subsequent posts that outline the setting or other helpful information.
Santh - Today at 9:43 PM
Ah, I just prep them all in advance
and post like a madman
though, N&I is slower
Swith - Today at 9:44 PM
Question 13 posed by Sailor; reframed by mod - "What are your community's standards regarding the number of posts an OP should hold in reserve after they make their initial opening post/s?"
Santh - Today at 9:44 PM
@ kyrusia your paste was corrupted
Tilt - Today at 9:44 PM
Q13. Not aware of any. Judging it is sometimes hard to anticipate based on the amount of material.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:45 PM
Q13: Depends on board. I tend to shoot for OP+2 or OP+3.
@ santh Works for me. D:
Santh - Today at 9:45 PM
@ kyrusia it's unreadable!
Maltropia - Today at 9:45 PM
Q13: In an RP, I'd say two (beyond the OP) at a max. GE&T can have easily half a dozen.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:45 PM
Oh. Well yes. :stuck_out_tongue:
Santh - Today at 9:45 PM
Q13 I like threes
Swith - Today at 9:45 PM
Question 14 posed by Gren - "Are there any good guides on how to use anchors?"
Kyrusia - Today at 9:46 PM
Q14: Lemme grab Esty's.
Maltropia - Today at 9:46 PM
Q14: yes! forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=227511 forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=323657 forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=15929047#p15929047
I had those ready.
Gren - Today at 9:46 PM
Q13: Keep in mind that each post has a 60k character limit. You shouldn't need more than 5 (AT MOST), unless you're a huge RP like EH or PL.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:46 PM
forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=22797689#006 Here y' go.
Gren - Today at 9:46 PM
Thanks, guys.
Tilt - Today at 9:46 PM
Q14. Pretty well covered.
Swith - Today at 9:47 PM
Question 15 posed via PM - "Is it okay to make an archive thread?"
Maltropia - Today at 9:48 PM
For those unaware: anchors are a code you insert into your thread using a keyword which can subsequently be used for navigation within a post. As an example: mid-post I could have [anchor=Goats]. In the table of contents, I have a link to a thread with p=0000001#Goats and it'll bring me to the Goats anchor.
Tilt - Today at 9:48 PM
Q15. For high data volume, sure. Megathreads, mainly.
Santh - Today at 9:48 PM
Q15 I nominate Kyrusia to answer that for me
Kyrusia - Today at 9:48 PM
Q15: Archive threads aren't banned. Threads which duplicate content - such as from an OOC thread - constitute spam and will be locked.
Swith - Today at 9:48 PM
Tilt's advice pertains to P2TM. :stuck_out_tongue:
Gren - Today at 9:49 PM
Q15: Not unless you need more than a page of [reserved] posts.
Swith - Today at 9:50 PM
Question 16 posed by various - "What are spoilers, how can they be used effectively, and how do you know if you're using way too many in your OP?"
Tilt - Today at 9:51 PM
Q16. I'm one of the askers, so I'll take this time to eat a rice cake.
Santh - Today at 9:51 PM
Q16 At the very least, if you have to ask yourself "Am I using too many?" you probably are
Kyrusia - Today at 9:52 PM
Q16: Honestly? I despise spoilers on principle.
The purpose of a thread is to read the content contained in them. I see no reason to hide entire blocks of text to the point the post is just a bunch of spoilered content. I find it hideous and tend to ignore threads that do it.
That being said, spoilering content in an organizational manner has its purposes, but they are limited to sort of something akin to... "More Info" or blurbs about specific content that is superceded by the bulk of the post in question.
Maltropia - Today at 9:52 PM
Q16: I personally prefer to restrict spoiler use to things most people don't need to see or want to see all the time. Once a thread is no longer new, you could stand to spoiler the application form, for example. In a storefront, you might spoiler a list of operators of a certain product, or the revenues in a given quarter.
Most of the time, though, spoilers are undesirable because they hide text you should be showing off.
Swith - Today at 9:52 PM
Question 17 posed by Ched - "Do you think who's making the RP matters a lot to its marketing? Like a mentor making a new RP as opposed to a newcomer or less known player?"
Maltropia - Today at 9:53 PM
Q17: Yes.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:54 PM
Q17: Unfortunately? Yes, but that's just how the world works.
If Coca-Cola - a company that has a history of making a popular soda - makes a new soda brand, it's likely people will try it.
Compare this to if Jim-Bob's Soda Company - one no one knows of outside of Jim-Bob's hometown - makes a new soda brand, it's unlikely anyone who aren't personal friends with Jim-Bob are going to care to indulge their eccentricity.
Gren - Today at 9:54 PM
Q17: Probably, but at the same time, a good quality RP from a newcomer isn't necessarily doomed to ignomity.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:54 PM
^
Maltropia - Today at 9:54 PM
My name is in a nice, visible colour. It'll stand out by default, and that gives me an edge when I want to advertise a thread. Even aside from that, I probably gravitate towards the threads of people whose names I recognise.
Swith - Today at 9:54 PM
Q17 Somewhat in relation, when I see an interesting RP, I'll look to see who posted it. If I know the person made a new RP yesterday, and a new one the day before, and a new one last week... I won't click on the RP to see what it's about. The OP has earned himself a rep for not sticking with ideas, etc.
(As a Mentor, I'll click so I can see how to best help them.)
Tilt - Today at 9:54 PM
Q17. Depends. That's not really what a mint jacket is for. With that said, yes, the more well-known in the community you are, and especially if you have proven yourself to be a good RPer, it matters a great deal.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:55 PM
'Course, I RP under a puppet account, not my Modtor account.
Swith - Today at 9:56 PM
FINAL QUESTION "Are there any tips our panelists can offer that have not been covered already here?"
Maltropia - Today at 9:56 PM
FQ: I could probably talk all week, especially since I secretly wanted all the questions to be about GE&T.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:57 PM
FQ: Don't be disheartened if your first (or 300th) thread just fails. It happens. You'll have hits and you'll have misses. Keep trying, keep practicing, and keep working at it and no matter how many threads end-up just not taking off, you'll end-up enjoying yourself and pumping out successes.
Santh - Today at 9:57 PM
FQ It was already covered but I do highly, highly recommend getting to know people, the players of the community, more than anything else
Kyrusia - Today at 9:57 PM
^
Tilt - Today at 9:57 PM
FQ. Don't stress.
Swith - Today at 9:58 PM
Sometimes, no matter how pretty your coding or how nicely formatted your text, or how well laid out your concept and other ideas, players just won't bite. Don't beat yourself up too badly when that happens.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:58 PM
Or if you're me: DO IN EXCESS.
Maltropia - Today at 9:58 PM
Be inspired. Look at how other people do it. Don't be afraid to ask for help. If things don't work as planned, try again.
Tilt - Today at 9:58 PM
~_~
Stress bad.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:58 PM
If I'm not stressin', I'm deceased. xP
is naturally high-strung.
Santh - Today at 9:59 PM
inb4Kyrusiamemorial
Maltropia - Today at 9:59 PM
The NS community is absolutely full of people who know what they're doing and would be delighted to help. Exploit that like it's an Angolan offshore diamond deposit.
Santh - Today at 9:59 PM
I actually already have his memorial planned
Maltropia - Today at 9:59 PM
I won't be in attendance. Better things to do.
Gren - Today at 9:59 PM
Don't stress, repress.
please do not actually repress
Kyrusia - Today at 9:59 PM
This does not surprise me
Santh - Today at 9:59 PM
@ maltropia you weren't invited. You have better things to do
Swith - Today at 9:59 PM
Thankfully, I have his murder planned. TEAMWORK!
Thank you, panelists and audience, for your participation. This wraps up this evening panel’s panel. Be sure to stick around for “Midnight Madness: The Revolving Door (Oddball #2)”
Tomorrow’s schedule is:
Thursday, July 13th, 2017
Writing, Exposition, and the Narrative (Early Hour Panel) — 12PM Eastern/4PM GMT
NS Sports: Mechanics and Roleplaying (Guest Lecture) — 4PM Eastern/8PM GMT
Global Economics & Trade: A Primer — 7PM Eastern/11PM GMT
Worldbuilding and Related (Late Hour Panel) — 9PM Eastern/1AM GMT**
NS Roleplay Symposium 2017
TOPIC: "Thread Marketing and Formatting”
TIME: COMPLETED
LOCATION: Symposium Hall
TOPIC: "Thread Marketing and Formatting”
TIME: 9 PM EST, Wednesday, July 12th
Good evening and welcome to the second panel of the evening - "Thread Marketing and Formatting”. Tonight, we’ll look at ways to make your game more appealing to players by use of coding and elements: "How to design your OOC thread's initial posts, as well as how to make you IC's first post pop!"
We'll also look into options for marketing your game in the various subforums.
I’m Swith, your panel moderator. Panelists, please introduce yourselves and tell us which subforum you haunt, as well as your favorite snack.
BEGIN
::
Gren - Today at 9:01 PM
I'm Gren. P2TM resident. My favorite snack is mac and cheese. And the souls of the damned.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:01 PM
I'm Kyru. Game Mod, Mentor Program Director, N&I RP Mentor specializing in FT. I am also known to make exceptionally complex BBCode things (like an airport flip tab-style read-out). My favorite snack? Dill pickle-flavored potato chips.
Maltropia - Today at 9:01 PM
Swith says good evening but it's 2 a.m. for me. Oh well, here I am. I'm still Maltropia, a senior N&I Mentor who's pretty sure he only got the job because he makes pretty storefronts. Most of my thread-sprucing is done in GE&T, but I've made good-looking threads before and will do again.
I actually don't know what my favourite snack is. Food in general is good.
Tilt - Today at 9:02 PM
Hello, am Tilt. I lurk P2TM and my favorite snack is fried rice cakes.
Santh - Today at 9:02 PM
I'm Santh, creator of many failed but brilliant threads. I am an N&I mentor for MT, PMT, and FT and why not FanT as long as we're here, if you would like. My favorite snack is tacos
Gren - Today at 9:03 PM
Tilt confirmed for weeb. :stuck_out_tongue:
Swith - Today at 9:03 PM
Welcome, Panelists. Well start off with one of the most important things: branding.
Question 1 posed by Ched - "What are common flashy and eye grabbing words you use in titles?"
Santh - Today at 9:03 PM
Q1 "OPEN"
Maltropia - Today at 9:03 PM
Q1: "Open"? I've never gone for specific-
SANTH
Santh - Today at 9:03 PM
Hah, jokes on you
I like pretentious quotes that aren't complete
Maltropia - Today at 9:04 PM
Thank you for joining our panel tonight. Our next one is in two hours
Tilt - Today at 9:04 PM
Q1. How to repaint Gren at every opportunity. But yes, I usually only tag genre, OOC or IC, and status.
@ maltropia
Swith - Today at 9:04 PM
Q1 For me, the title sets the tone. A clever name speaks for the theme itself.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:04 PM
Q1: I wouldn't say there was any one group of words, so much as a general intent.
I always try and structure my titles in a way that can either invoke an immediate, attention-grabbing response in the reader; a title that inspires mystery or alludes to conflict (wordplay can help here); or one that simply carries a certain... weight when seen.
Gren - Today at 9:05 PM
Q1: What Tilt said. Well, except for the first sentence. Speaking solely as somebody who is the target audience.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:05 PM
Recent example: "Money Makes Strange." Most people know how this quote ends, but why is it pertinent to the thread? "Guess I have to look."
Santh - Today at 9:05 PM
Yes
just like what Kyrusia said
pretentious but incomplete quotes
Maltropia - Today at 9:05 PM
Q1: I don't go for specific words, like ever. I like quotes and quote-like three-word combos, but I'm wary of buzzwords in general. Outside of GE&T, where thread titles are company names and will therefore often explain their purpose, they're too weird to use.
Tilt - Today at 9:06 PM
Of course, then you have someone like me who'll just send @ kyrusia a TG like "I strange you".
Kyrusia - Today at 9:06 PM
fans self.
Swith - Today at 9:06 PM
I suppose the difference being "Superhero Role Play [open]" vs "Of Men and Titans [open]". Give it a name that really catches attention.
Question 2 posed by Sailor "How should one go about with image graphics in a way that'll help with the RP's marketing?"(edited)
Kyrusia - Today at 9:08 PM
Q2: KISS. Keep It Simple, Stupid. Or, make it iconic. Don't give it too many extraneous details, but if you do, it need feel like a self-contained "thing." It shouldn't feel out of place, and it should be evocative of the theme of the thread or its aesthetics.(edited)
Tilt - Today at 9:08 PM
Q2. Banners. The Pub, I think, does this the best out of P2TM? I'm not sure how it might play in the advertising thread since I've never seen it done.
Gren - Today at 9:09 PM
Q2: Again, I'm speaking as the target audience, and I've never really been swayed by flashy graphics. Its the content of the OP itself that sways me.
Santh - Today at 9:09 PM
Q2 There's nothing wrong with a little graphic design, but I really think you should make your OPs stand well on their own without them
Kyrusia - Today at 9:09 PM
To add: graphics should be additive, not subtractive.
Swith - Today at 9:09 PM
Followup to Question 2 posed by Rhodevus "How can one properly market an RP without flashy graphics or picture?"
Maltropia - Today at 9:10 PM
Q2: Less is more. Just because images can be a certain size doesn't mean they should hit that limit. Usually I don't go further than fancy text, or a very small (e.g. 500x200 pixels) scene.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:11 PM
F//Q2: Author the initial segment of the OP in a manner that a simple glance is likely to cause the reader to note words or phrases that catch their attention. The concept of in media res highlighted in the last panel is one such way to do that. Even then, however, without fancy graphics or giant header text, something as simple as [blocktext] can cause your post to seem... "crisp and professional," while still not being burdensome.
Maltropia - Today at 9:12 PM
FtQ2: Good content; something catchy without being too immense to immerse in.
Basic forum code, as well, is often all you need to set your thread apart from others'. Without making the font 250% larger, you can do all sorts of things to pretty it up, as Kyrusia says.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:13 PM
[/ blocktext][/ align=justify]? +10 to Professionalism. (Breaking these for when Swith C&P's for the logs.)(edited)
Santh - Today at 9:13 PM
and you only need a score 15 professional to succeed
Maltropia - Today at 9:14 PM
I don't post anymore without those two tags. Everything else is optional.
Gren - Today at 9:14 PM
Yeah, I'm going to reiterate. Good content in your OP is more attractive to potential players than flashy graphics. Sure, you might have Xtreme Kool Picz and Daaaank May Mays, but if the setting, the plot, the mechanics, etc., are shit, I don't want to app.
Swith - Today at 9:14 PM
(Bless you, Kyru! TY)
Question 3 posed by Rhodevus "What would be the difference between a properly marketed RP and an improperly marketed RP?" (What elements and coding make a potential player stay on the page long enough to read it over vs what causes a potential player to roll their eyes and click off the page?)
Gren - Today at 9:14 PM
Q3: I think I just touched on that.
Tilt - Today at 9:15 PM
Q3. I'm a mechanics nut. Always have been, always will be. Poor mechanics, not-well-thought-out story. Those are probably my two biggest turn-offs.
Santh - Today at 9:16 PM
Q3 I'm great at what doesn't work. Watch your color choices if you're using color. Consider not using color, at that. Bright colors? Definitely refrain. Big square images centered with no floats? That just looks sloppy
Kyrusia - Today at 9:16 PM
Q3: If I see eye-searing purple in the first line? I bail.
If I see a spectrum of colors, all thrown like a candy fairy vomited all over the first post? I bail.
I see hanging, broken codes? I bail. (Or, if they break the thread, I fix them and then bail.)
If you're going to employ formatting, USE PREVIEW POST. Make sure it works and looks well. Don't just slap it up and never look back again.
Gren - Today at 9:16 PM
I'd also recommend against dark colors, for those of us using the dark themes. Dark blue is just as unreadable in dark theme as yellow is in the light theme.
Swith - Today at 9:16 PM
Question 4 Panelist provided, "What elements should every OOC have in place before launching [hitting submit]?"
Maltropia - Today at 9:17 PM
Q4: A basic rundown of the concept and an explanation of the joining process (needn't be an app form). Those are essential.
Tilt - Today at 9:18 PM
Q4. Good question. Char app, basic plot, basic backstory, details on the setting.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:18 PM
F//Q4: Something in the OOC - such as a quote or introductory blurb - that catches the reader's attention, an overview of the actual intent/purpose/plot of the thread, extraneous details about the setting that may be required, rules (that do not attempt to override or conflict with the OSRS), an example application with each bit of info required explained, and an application code.
Santh - Today at 9:18 PM
Q4 Set your ground rules and expectations first. If you leave out plot elements, that might lose you some players initially, but without rules and expectations, people who join will be put in a worse spot if you add them in later and those people who wanted more plot elements won't come back even to ask for more detail(edited)
Swith - Today at 9:18 PM
Q4 For P2TM: a title, a byline (something to catch reader attention, an image, whatever), an overview of the concept, some setting information, the rules for your game, the application. Then add two extra posts ("reserved by OP") where your archives will go.
Gren - Today at 9:18 PM
Q4: A fleshed out setting.
In addition to what Kyru and Swith and Santh said.(edited)
Kyrusia - Today at 9:19 PM
F//Q4: Also don't have porn. I probably don't need to say that, but it's true. xP
Tilt - Today at 9:19 PM
...
Santh - Today at 9:19 PM
F//Q4 onsite, anyway
Kyrusia - Today at 9:20 PM
I mean, it will get attention. It can also get your account DEAT'd.
Swith - Today at 9:20 PM
Question 5 posed by Ched - "How big could a title be before it becomes too wordy? And likewise, how small can title be in contrast?" and well as "How much tagging is too much in the title?", posed by Sailor.
Clarification required perhaps: Title for the thread as well as title bling for the game.
Tilt - Today at 9:21 PM
Q5. Good title length for me is about five words. There's a char limit, anyway. Tags are useful, but the main thing is indicating status (open, closed, invite only). If done right in combo with the title, it should draw attention.
Maltropia - Today at 9:21 PM
Q5: "Less is more." Once your title gets auto-ellipsised you should reconsider. There will be times when one word is enough; other times when you'll need ten. It depends on the story.
Tilt - Today at 9:21 PM
I'm not sure how to title bling.
Santh - Today at 9:21 PM
Q5 Not sure on wordiness, but short is never an issue if it's snappy. I would at least look at something titled "Regime [OPEN]" whereas I will not look at "We're turning fascist [OPEN]"
Kyrusia - Today at 9:21 PM
Q5.1: I would avoid going over 4-5 words. Shoot for three. You can get by with one as well, if it's interesting enoug (example: "Titanomachy").
Q5.2: Again, aim for three or four. Example: [IC/FT/Mature], [Closed/FT/Mature], [OOC/App/FT].
Personal example: Unexpected Guests [FT/Mature/Closed](edited)
Maltropia - Today at 9:22 PM
"Stardust" was enough of a name for a movie. "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime" is a good book title. There are times when you should go one way and times when you should go the other. As long as the name is good, don't worry too much about length.
Gren - Today at 9:22 PM
Q5: A few words, plus setting tags (and whether its character, faction, or nation), Open/Closed/something else, and IC and OOC tags for each.(edited)
Maltropia - Today at 9:22 PM
You can get away with a title and a subtitle, sometimes. "Rejuvenation: The Saga of Kyrusia's Cheese" works, for example.
Santh - Today at 9:23 PM
Q5, that's also part of why shortening quotes works. Snappier title, and people know what's coming next. I have "The Duke is Dead..." and, well, the next part is "Long Live The Duke" but it needn't be mentioned
Swith - Today at 9:24 PM
Question 6 (As setting is an element that draws players in) posed by Mini - "How much about the world should be revealed to the potential player?" This is for both P2TM and N&I.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:25 PM
Q6: In the OP, I aim less to reveal the whole world, and aim more for the feeling of the world. Each post will reveal more and more, expounding upon that feeling. This also has the added bonus of allowing your players to "fill in the blanks" while defaulting to doing so within the strictures of a theme or aesthetic you have already defined.(edited)
Tilt - Today at 9:26 PM
Q6. It depends, really. At the very least there should be some kind of a basic setting, some framework for players to tie their posts to. It also depends on the genre. Is the RP suspense? Action? Locked-room mystery? Slice-of-life with worldbuilding? Posts add detail, either the OP's or the players'.
Gren - Today at 9:26 PM
Q6: As much as possible without spoiling things. If your RP has been running for a while, a covering of the events so far that a new-comer should know isn't a bad idea, either.
Tilt - Today at 9:26 PM
Sometimes both.
Santh - Today at 9:27 PM
Q6 you need enough for people to see that there's something to play with, that you won't be making it all up as you go. That will inspire more confidence. Get the theme of the settings across, some basic information about who and why, and you should be good for a start
Swith - Today at 9:27 PM
Question 7 posed by Sailor - "How should one advertise an RP without getting too spammy?"
Santh - Today at 9:28 PM
Q7 come to the NSFT discord and ping @ kyrusia "hey, hey, look at this" - works like a charm
Tilt - Today at 9:28 PM
Q7. 24h bump rule, advertisement thread, private TGs, pick any 2, I think.
Swith - Today at 9:28 PM
For P2TM: We have an RP advertisement thread (forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=283489) as well as the Cafe (forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=298409). We highly recommend you don’t open an “Interest” thread, nor visit groups outside your own in order to advertise (this might be considered spam by players). Bump once every 24 hours but, if nobody replies, it means there isn't any interest in the game.
Santh - Today at 9:28 PM
Q7 For Real I like discussing with people privately, and definitely don't be afraid to bump a couple times throughout the week
Maltropia - Today at 9:29 PM
Q7: There are certain rules and guidelines as to the etiquette. Don't bump a thread more than once a day; don't contact reams of people you don't know with unsolicited invitations. Both N&I and P2TM have places where you can develop ideas and suss out interest, and those should be used.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:29 PM
Q7: Advertisment threads are one way, linking it in your sig is another. Never drop into an unrelated thread with a link to your own. That is spam and you can get smacked for it. It's also exceptionally fucking rude.
Beyond that, this is a part of why OOC networking is so important. Immerse yourself in the community, discuss your concepts, discuss your thread ideas, and provide a reason and an attitude that naturally attracts others. Even then, however, sometimes threads just fail to take of; it happens.
More than once a day or until it has dropped off the front page, whichever takes longer.
Maltropia - Today at 9:29 PM
If you have RP buddies you think might be interested, absolutely invite them.
Tilt - Today at 9:29 PM
@ kyrusia Less than once a day? :stuck_out_tongue:
Gren - Today at 9:29 PM
Q7: I'd also recommend using the tags.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:30 PM
Never bump more than once in a 24-hour period or until a thread has dropped off the board's front page, whichever takes longer to occur. If it's been a week and it's still on the front page, don't bump. :stuck_out_tongue:
Swith - Today at 9:30 PM
Question 8 Panelist provided - "What sites do you recommend for image hosting? Are there any problems that can arise when we use hotlinked images not hosted on our personal host accounts?"(edited)
Santh - Today at 9:31 PM
Q8 Your own. Otherwise imgur
Maltropia - Today at 9:31 PM
^
Tilt - Today at 9:31 PM
Q8. LiveJournal image embed.
Gren - Today at 9:31 PM
Q8: Imgur.
Or, better yet, Myspace.
Santh - Today at 9:31 PM
Tom loves your hotlinked images
I hope our audience is old enough to know Tom. I'm not old
Kyrusia - Today at 9:32 PM
Q8: Your own, first. If not possible, Imgur. Even then, read the Terms of Service and understand there are always risks when using another service other than one you yourself host - as we recently saw with Photobucket.
NEVER USE TINYPIC.
TinyPic recycles its image urls, meaning your pic of a fuzzy cat can turn into obscene pornography or gore without notice. And guess what? It's in your post, you're responsible for it, meaning if that does happen, you're the one that gets smacked for it.
Don't hotlink for similar reasons.(edited)
Maltropia - Today at 9:32 PM
Q8: I will recommend specifically that you don't link to other people's websites if they're not dedicated image hosts. You can get yourself and NS slapped sometimes, or at the very least your links won't work.
Swith - Today at 9:32 PM
Question 9 posed by Sailor - "How should one manipulate colors in presentation, if one may choose to do so?"
Clarification: how the RP thread looks.(edited)
Kyrusia - Today at 9:33 PM
In text, graphics, or both?
Tilt - Today at 9:33 PM
Q9. Using one's own code (i.e., not BBCode on the forum itself, but self-generated Web application code), print screen, then embed the image.(edited)
Santh - Today at 9:33 PM
Q9 Keep in mind that people do not have equal eyesight capabilities, and no one can see yellow on white background. Muted tones are usually better, neutral in brightness - not too bright or dark
Gren - Today at 9:34 PM
Q9: As was said in the #ns_mentors channel, make it theme-agnostic.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:34 PM
Q9: Avoid colors, but if you use them, keep in mind that people don't always use the default theme. That means how you intend for something to be shown, might not be for them. Also avoid garish colors - there's actually a rule against garish posting.
Swith - Today at 9:34 PM
Further clarification: Both text and graphics.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:34 PM
Same answer. :stuck_out_tongue:
Maltropia - Today at 9:35 PM
Q9: In prose, and outside of headers: not at all. There are situations (e.g. the disclaimer in the footer of a letter, or an in-line link to another news article) where you might want something subtle like a light grey, but I believe your text should never be less than 90% black.
Gren - Today at 9:35 PM
My answer remains the same as well.
@ maltropia Or white, for dark theme users.
Swith - Today at 9:35 PM
Question 10 posed by Ched - "If your RP had a particularly setting or theme in mind, or is based on a franchise, what example of a choice of words would you used for it? Not just in the title, but also the first words that someone reads in the OOC."
Maltropia - Today at 9:36 PM
Header-images can be lovely, but friendly reminder that some readers are literally blind and cannot see them.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:36 PM
Q10: Would depend on the theme or franchise.
Santh - Today at 9:36 PM
Q10 Established canon? Just say "A FRANCHISE RP"
Maltropia - Today at 9:36 PM
Bat-thread.
Tilt - Today at 9:36 PM
Q10. It depends. Tone is everything. Season to taste.
Gren - Today at 9:37 PM
Q10: Aside from mentioning it in the title, also make sure to explain in the OP what point in the course of events your RP is taking place in, as well as any major differences from established canon.
Swith - Today at 9:37 PM
Be careful that the images pulled don't violate the PG13 rule from the OSRS. While some are fanciful, exposed breasts or excessive gore can get you into trouble.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:37 PM
Salt ALL the things!
Santh - Today at 9:37 PM
Salt the earth, even!
Kyrusia - Today at 9:38 PM
And yes. Don't violate the PG-13 Rule with boobs. Srsly. It's an easy kill for us.
Swith - Today at 9:38 PM
Question 11 posed via PM - "What elements from the OOC should I bring into my IC?"
Tilt - Today at 9:38 PM
Q11. I'm assuming this refers to each's OP...Whatever you would like to emphasize. Backstory? Setting? Character list?
Kyrusia - Today at 9:39 PM
Q11: I often see the introductory blurb, byline/marquee, and rules being ported to both, as they tend to be fundamental to each. I would avoid just making the IC and OOC OPs identical (or near-identical), however.
Santh - Today at 9:39 PM
Q11 definitely don't make them identical. That leads to tired Sanths posting in the wrong thread
Kyrusia - Today at 9:39 PM
And Santh is always tired.
Santh - Today at 9:40 PM
there's also, like, forty of me
Swith - Today at 9:40 PM
Question 12 panelist provided - "What are your favourite formatting tricks to use in a thread and why?"
Maltropia - Today at 9:40 PM
Q11: I don't like to put more than the same titling in the OOC and IC, aside from styling them the same way. Just provide a link to the other near the top of each.
Tilt - Today at 9:40 PM
Q12. I don't really have any, other than playing with text size and alignment.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:41 PM
Q12: Tab, anchor, blocktext, align=justify, and list (without an actual list).
Tab and List: Indentation and emphasis, breaking blockquotes, etc.
Blocktext and Align=justify: Professional, crisp look and appeal.
Anchor: Glorious navigation.
Santh - Today at 9:41 PM
anchors are great
Kyrusia - Today at 9:42 PM
FTR: tab= 30 is essentially identical to hitting "Tab" in a word processor. #TheMoreYouKnow
forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=14332973#p14332973 Also. Note the "Air Travel Delays." Open-up a "quote" to see exactly how that works. :wink:
Swith - Today at 9:43 PM
This isn't really a coding trick but... I tend to mark my OOC [closed - WIP] when I submit the first post. Then I have plenty of time to work on subsequent posts that outline the setting or other helpful information.
Santh - Today at 9:43 PM
Ah, I just prep them all in advance
and post like a madman
though, N&I is slower
Swith - Today at 9:44 PM
Question 13 posed by Sailor; reframed by mod - "What are your community's standards regarding the number of posts an OP should hold in reserve after they make their initial opening post/s?"
Santh - Today at 9:44 PM
@ kyrusia your paste was corrupted
Tilt - Today at 9:44 PM
Q13. Not aware of any. Judging it is sometimes hard to anticipate based on the amount of material.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:45 PM
Q13: Depends on board. I tend to shoot for OP+2 or OP+3.
@ santh Works for me. D:
Santh - Today at 9:45 PM
@ kyrusia it's unreadable!
Maltropia - Today at 9:45 PM
Q13: In an RP, I'd say two (beyond the OP) at a max. GE&T can have easily half a dozen.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:45 PM
Oh. Well yes. :stuck_out_tongue:
Santh - Today at 9:45 PM
Q13 I like threes
Swith - Today at 9:45 PM
Question 14 posed by Gren - "Are there any good guides on how to use anchors?"
Kyrusia - Today at 9:46 PM
Q14: Lemme grab Esty's.
Maltropia - Today at 9:46 PM
Q14: yes! forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=227511 forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=323657 forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=15929047#p15929047
I had those ready.
Gren - Today at 9:46 PM
Q13: Keep in mind that each post has a 60k character limit. You shouldn't need more than 5 (AT MOST), unless you're a huge RP like EH or PL.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:46 PM
forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?p=22797689#006 Here y' go.
Gren - Today at 9:46 PM
Thanks, guys.
Tilt - Today at 9:46 PM
Q14. Pretty well covered.
Swith - Today at 9:47 PM
Question 15 posed via PM - "Is it okay to make an archive thread?"
Maltropia - Today at 9:48 PM
For those unaware: anchors are a code you insert into your thread using a keyword which can subsequently be used for navigation within a post. As an example: mid-post I could have [anchor=Goats]. In the table of contents, I have a link to a thread with p=0000001#Goats and it'll bring me to the Goats anchor.
Tilt - Today at 9:48 PM
Q15. For high data volume, sure. Megathreads, mainly.
Santh - Today at 9:48 PM
Q15 I nominate Kyrusia to answer that for me
Kyrusia - Today at 9:48 PM
Q15: Archive threads aren't banned. Threads which duplicate content - such as from an OOC thread - constitute spam and will be locked.
Swith - Today at 9:48 PM
Tilt's advice pertains to P2TM. :stuck_out_tongue:
Gren - Today at 9:49 PM
Q15: Not unless you need more than a page of [reserved] posts.
Swith - Today at 9:50 PM
Question 16 posed by various - "What are spoilers, how can they be used effectively, and how do you know if you're using way too many in your OP?"
Tilt - Today at 9:51 PM
Q16. I'm one of the askers, so I'll take this time to eat a rice cake.
Santh - Today at 9:51 PM
Q16 At the very least, if you have to ask yourself "Am I using too many?" you probably are
Kyrusia - Today at 9:52 PM
Q16: Honestly? I despise spoilers on principle.
The purpose of a thread is to read the content contained in them. I see no reason to hide entire blocks of text to the point the post is just a bunch of spoilered content. I find it hideous and tend to ignore threads that do it.
That being said, spoilering content in an organizational manner has its purposes, but they are limited to sort of something akin to... "More Info" or blurbs about specific content that is superceded by the bulk of the post in question.
Maltropia - Today at 9:52 PM
Q16: I personally prefer to restrict spoiler use to things most people don't need to see or want to see all the time. Once a thread is no longer new, you could stand to spoiler the application form, for example. In a storefront, you might spoiler a list of operators of a certain product, or the revenues in a given quarter.
Most of the time, though, spoilers are undesirable because they hide text you should be showing off.
Swith - Today at 9:52 PM
Question 17 posed by Ched - "Do you think who's making the RP matters a lot to its marketing? Like a mentor making a new RP as opposed to a newcomer or less known player?"
Maltropia - Today at 9:53 PM
Q17: Yes.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:54 PM
Q17: Unfortunately? Yes, but that's just how the world works.
If Coca-Cola - a company that has a history of making a popular soda - makes a new soda brand, it's likely people will try it.
Compare this to if Jim-Bob's Soda Company - one no one knows of outside of Jim-Bob's hometown - makes a new soda brand, it's unlikely anyone who aren't personal friends with Jim-Bob are going to care to indulge their eccentricity.
Gren - Today at 9:54 PM
Q17: Probably, but at the same time, a good quality RP from a newcomer isn't necessarily doomed to ignomity.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:54 PM
^
Maltropia - Today at 9:54 PM
My name is in a nice, visible colour. It'll stand out by default, and that gives me an edge when I want to advertise a thread. Even aside from that, I probably gravitate towards the threads of people whose names I recognise.
Swith - Today at 9:54 PM
Q17 Somewhat in relation, when I see an interesting RP, I'll look to see who posted it. If I know the person made a new RP yesterday, and a new one the day before, and a new one last week... I won't click on the RP to see what it's about. The OP has earned himself a rep for not sticking with ideas, etc.
(As a Mentor, I'll click so I can see how to best help them.)
Tilt - Today at 9:54 PM
Q17. Depends. That's not really what a mint jacket is for. With that said, yes, the more well-known in the community you are, and especially if you have proven yourself to be a good RPer, it matters a great deal.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:55 PM
'Course, I RP under a puppet account, not my Modtor account.
Swith - Today at 9:56 PM
FINAL QUESTION "Are there any tips our panelists can offer that have not been covered already here?"
Maltropia - Today at 9:56 PM
FQ: I could probably talk all week, especially since I secretly wanted all the questions to be about GE&T.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:57 PM
FQ: Don't be disheartened if your first (or 300th) thread just fails. It happens. You'll have hits and you'll have misses. Keep trying, keep practicing, and keep working at it and no matter how many threads end-up just not taking off, you'll end-up enjoying yourself and pumping out successes.
Santh - Today at 9:57 PM
FQ It was already covered but I do highly, highly recommend getting to know people, the players of the community, more than anything else
Kyrusia - Today at 9:57 PM
^
Tilt - Today at 9:57 PM
FQ. Don't stress.
Swith - Today at 9:58 PM
Sometimes, no matter how pretty your coding or how nicely formatted your text, or how well laid out your concept and other ideas, players just won't bite. Don't beat yourself up too badly when that happens.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:58 PM
Or if you're me: DO IN EXCESS.
Maltropia - Today at 9:58 PM
Be inspired. Look at how other people do it. Don't be afraid to ask for help. If things don't work as planned, try again.
Tilt - Today at 9:58 PM
~_~
Stress bad.
Kyrusia - Today at 9:58 PM
If I'm not stressin', I'm deceased. xP
is naturally high-strung.
Santh - Today at 9:59 PM
inb4Kyrusiamemorial
Maltropia - Today at 9:59 PM
The NS community is absolutely full of people who know what they're doing and would be delighted to help. Exploit that like it's an Angolan offshore diamond deposit.
Santh - Today at 9:59 PM
I actually already have his memorial planned
Maltropia - Today at 9:59 PM
I won't be in attendance. Better things to do.
Gren - Today at 9:59 PM
Don't stress, repress.
please do not actually repress
Kyrusia - Today at 9:59 PM
This does not surprise me
Santh - Today at 9:59 PM
@ maltropia you weren't invited. You have better things to do
Swith - Today at 9:59 PM
Thankfully, I have his murder planned. TEAMWORK!
Thank you, panelists and audience, for your participation. This wraps up this evening panel’s panel. Be sure to stick around for “Midnight Madness: The Revolving Door (Oddball #2)”
Tomorrow’s schedule is:
Thursday, July 13th, 2017
Writing, Exposition, and the Narrative (Early Hour Panel) — 12PM Eastern/4PM GMT
NS Sports: Mechanics and Roleplaying (Guest Lecture) — 4PM Eastern/8PM GMT
Global Economics & Trade: A Primer — 7PM Eastern/11PM GMT
Worldbuilding and Related (Late Hour Panel) — 9PM Eastern/1AM GMT**
NS Roleplay Symposium 2017
TOPIC: "Thread Marketing and Formatting”
TIME: COMPLETED