You are who Google says you are
Daniel Priestley who wrote the terrific book, Key Person of Influence, says “You are who Google says you are.” When you’re done being outraged, just think about it for a minute. Of course, there’s more to you than what can be found online, but not to the person who is Googling you for the first time.
If you’re trying to get games published and make links within the board game industry, is your online presence doing you justice? When someone wants to find out more about you online, what will they find? Will they find anything? If you’re honestly not sure, test it out. Go incognito and search for yourself. Put your name in inverted commas and add “board games” – e.g. “Ellie Dix” “Board Games” – and see what comes up.
Are you happy with what you find? Do these links do you justice? How easy is it to build up a picture of your profile within the board game industry? If it’s a bit sketchy, you have some work to do. Ok, I know that with the Google algorithms such as they are, we have very little control over what comes up in the top positions of a search. But if you’ve put nothing out into the digital world, then you’re not helping yourself.
Even if you’re unlikely to post on social media regularly, there are some easy wins that can make a big difference. Here are my top four:
1. Update your LinkedIn profile.
After Google, this is the most likely place people will search for you. Many publishers hang out here (particularly those working in the mass market), so make sure your profile is up to date. LinkedIn is the network for all of your professional life – including board games. Your tagline should mention that you’re a game designer. It doesn’t have to be the first thing, but it should be there. Your photo should be recent and ideally smiling. A clear photo, that’s obviously you, will help people to find you online after meeting you in person… and to find you in person after meeting you online.
You should have “Board Game Designer” listed as a job. In your description of the job, explain what kinds of games you make and what projects you like to work on. If you don’t yet have any published games, mention games that are in development. If someone clicks on your profile, they’ll see any posts you have shared, so aim to post about your games, even if it’s infrequent. Start connecting with people who work within the industry to make sure your profile pops up as a recommendation for others to follow.
2. Take control of your Board Game Geek profile.
If you have any published games (including self-published and PnP games) then you can be listed as a designer for those games on Board Game Geek (BGG). For people working within hobby board games, this may be their first port of call. They’ll search for you as a designer and look at the games linked to your profile.
Board Game Geek is a database that anyone can add to. It’s not the most intiutive of platforms, but there are plenty of ‘How to’ videos to help the uninitiated. Many mass market publishers won’t list games on BGG, but you can – and should – list them yourself. Make sure all your games are listed and you’re linked as the designer. Update your profile and picture. Then go into your settings and make sure that you’ll receive an email every time someone messages you on the platform (this is not a default setting). If you might want to pitch to hobby game publishers at any stage, it’s important that you’re here.
3. Create a webpage.
Having a website about your work within board games – even just a simple one-page site – communicates an additional level of commitment to the industry. This doesn’t need to be complicated. There are loads of websites that help you create very good looking webpages very easily. Pick from a template and customise it a little bit.
Check that your name and contact details are easy to find. (I know that sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised). Explain who you are, what you’re doing and why. You might want to list games you’re actively pitching. You may even want to add links to sizzle videos and sell sheets. Just make sure that it’s as evergreen as possible. Unless you’re updating very regularly, perhaps avoid posting news that will quickly date. You want want people to think that you’re no longer active as a board game designer.
4. Pick your social media.
You don’t have to be everywhere. Choose one platform that you are happy to engage with at least semi-regularly (or already do) and optimise your profile on that platform for your board game activity. This could be LinkedIn, by the way. But if you pick something else, you should also make sure you at least have a profile on LinkedIn. Yes, people who post frequently and consistently will grow their audiences more quickly, but less regular posting can still be valuable. Remember, this is about being found when someone is looking for you – not necessarily about people who aren’t looking for you finding you. Photos and videos still drive the best engagement and everyone loves seeing prototypes in development.
When you’re updating your profiles, if you’re struggling to know what to say, read this article on your personal brand as a game designer. The more you refine your ‘why’, the easier developing and maintaining a presence in the digital world will become.
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