10 Tips for your first Board Game Convention (with a booth!)

#1
A Booth Divided
Cons can be really expensive for first-timers trying to build an audience. As a cost-saving measure, our 10 square meter spot was split between The Square Ring and The Old King's Crown (of Eerie Idol Games). I'm not sure if either one of us would have done Berlin Con without something to clear that initial cost-benefit hurdle.

#2
Share the Load
Second,  if you're not a local, reaching out to get any amount of help from locals if they are eager and willing is tremendous. I live in Berlin, and had one extra vendor pass. Even though I live here, having a helper on each day was great. We had visitors swing by the booth just to say “hey” to their me or my boothmates, and it helped create a really nice, inviting atmosphere.

#3
Nail down your pitch and teach!
‍Most people that are coming to you are already interested. You're trying to get the strollers and rubber-neckers that are on the fence about sitting down. Your pitch should be down to 10 seconds, and you should be able to explain a playable portion of the game within a minute. Then you can say, "Do you have a minute? I'll just show you how the movement works. You can flip some cards over and tell me what you think!"

‍#4
Open to Transients
Four, unless your table is always full, having someone stop by for a minute or two to try the game out is a good thing. They do not have to play-through an entire game to get the gist of it OR for you to understand the good, the bad, and the ugly of your pitch and teach. Take notes if you can!

‍#5
We con on our stomachs
As you're running around explaining and pitching your game like a very meth-addled broken record, you will have very little time to take a breather, sit down, and have a square meal. Bring food and drink for your hectic day. You'll also save money from buying overpriced Con grub. I needed roughly 2 liters of liquid per day.

#6
Just like Grandma
‍Bring candy or snacks or something to share with your audience. It's an easy way to break the ice. I brought two boxes full of candies and chocolates. My goal was to get rid of it ALL before I went home on the second day. I was successful. HYBR games, one of our neighbors, went the extra mile and baked cookies. Heroic.

‍‍#7
Hidy-ho neighborino!
You're gonna be at this con for a couple days, and see the people in your neighboring booths for something like 16 hours. Be a good neighbor, say hi, and make sure that they know what you're doing. Maybe they'll recommend some people to you. Maybe they’ll have cookies. Proximity networking for the win.

‍#8
Phones, Camera, Document!
‍Take all the pictures. And video. Everything. Show people you're engaging with the community. Get pictures of a full table or happy faces. When you visit other booths, tag them in a story. Show some love! Especially if you're a newcomer, THIS is your chance to make an in-person splash. It doesn't have to be perfect, just do it!

#9
Branding!
‍Retractable signage is a pretty basic requirement. But one thing that TOKC crew did was make bookmarks out of their most stunning pieces. If you have great artwork, let the people take some of it home! Business cards are nice, but not often picked-up from what I saw. The Eerie Idol boys were saying that at UKGE, they were handing quite a few out. Context!

‍#10
Sign-up Collection.
‍Email sign up online should be your top priority which is why you'll see a few of QR codes sprinkled about. Ain't nobody got time to type in a 15 character URL. Collecting business cards in a little bowl can also work well. If you're in a pinch, having them write it down on a list, but between your pen, the paper, their handwriting, and your reading comprehension, information will be lost. Something like 2-3% in my case.

‍Bonus Material!
‍You don’t have to do this, but I included an archetype chart so that players of Magic or Unmatched or Street Fighter could understand the variety and strategies that existed within the game. There were people that didn’t care for the game, but  STILL took a picture of this chart. Food for thought!

‍I also reached out to the Board Game Design Lab group and asked for any advice they would want to offer:

"This is my own personal preference so take them as you will: Hygiene = comfort.

Pack deodorant, clean socks & a clean shirt, & a cloth face washer in a plastic bag. Ideally you can go have a wash, put on fresh deodorant, socks & shirt but even if you can’t just putting on clean socks halfway through the day can make a massive improvement to your own comfort." - Sean Fenemore

In regards to #7: "Don't forget to see the rest of the con at some point." - Chris Backe

‍Locked in on going? Here’s a little checklist that might help:

The Tangibles:

• Signage
• 2 to 3 Copies of your Game
• Water and Food
• QR Code(d items or signage)
• Sign up website so people can digitally input their email 
• Sign-up Sheet as Back up
• Phone or Camera
• Some candy to share
• Optional Handouts (Bookmarks, Business Cards, Post Cards, Flyers, Brochures)
• Optional Notebook

The Intangibles:

• Getting friendly with your Neighbors
• 10-second pitch down pat
• A short rules explanation for a little playable portion (in case they can’t play an entire game)