I’m sure I’ve written about this before on my blog, Twitter, and elsewhere. I’m not going to go dig up those links, as there’s not a lot to what I have to say about it.

Feedback is very helpful for those of us creating RPG materials. So like it or not, please let me know in a constructive way.

• If it’s crap, can it be salvaged?
• If it’s great, what is great about it?
• Did I spend too much time in one area and not enough in another.
• Did I leave out something that really makes sense to be there?

To me, silence means it’s perfect, which I find hard to believe. All creators feel self-doubt to some degree. I always have a nagging feeling I’m not good enough or do a good enough job.

However, I’m not looking for a pat on the back or false platitudes or building up my ego. In some ways the downloads says one thing and the money towards PWYW titles on DriveThruRPG [Affiliate Link] says it more strongly. Still I think I only have one review on one product. Part of that may be that publishers on DriveThruRPG [Affiliate Link] can’t leave reviews. (I think some bad actors gave bad reviews to punish competitors.)

Over on Twitter I started a hashtag, #IYLSSS (If You Like Something Say Something) as a way to support small creators. Related tags are ResponsibleFandom and #SupportSmallCreators. I’ve not done much myself with those hashtags for awhile, and I should be better. Especially as a small creator myself.

The idea is if you like something tell the creator AND tell OTHERS! Word of mouth is the best advertising. Likes are great, but sharing and re-tweets actually help others know about something.

Here’s a Sample List of Ideas:

• Tell others about the Kickstarter you backed, and talk about the final product when it arrives. In person and on blogs and social media.
• Do a review on your blog or on the creator’s website or DriveThruRPG product page, and then share it across all your social media.
• If you have a YouTube and/or Twitch channel, talk about it there.
• If you have a podcast, talk about it there.

Even if your social media only has a few followers, maybe someone who follows you has a lot of followers. If they share your mention then all of their followers see it. I have just over 1,000 followers on Twitter, but since I had around 100, I’ve had those with thousands of followers follow me. I don’t mention those people directly without their consent if I’m pitching my own stuff or the stuff of others. But when I like something they are doing, I mention them and they often like or re-tweet/share it.

I’m almost 55 years old, and if I can figure out this social media stuff, then anyone can. If you’re not a creator, then you are a consumer and your words of support are often more valuable than your single purchase. I’m not asking people to plug my stuff because they like me, but because they like what I’ve made. I’m not asking for just me, but for any small creator who does something you like or think is cool.

While I’m under know illusions of being able to make a living creating games and game materials, I believe it is possible to break even. I have over a decade before I anticipate retirement, so while I have the income to subsidize my hobby and creative efforts, I will take advantage of it. My hope is that I can make enough to continue that creative effort in my retirement years for a few decades. This creative outlet brings me satisfaction in spite of the frustrations of layout and design.

Others are so much more creative and prolific than I am and I’m surprised they aren’t able to make a living at this hobby.

I hope you will always support the small creators with your likes and shares, posts, reviews, podcasts, live streams, and videos.