Support the Lifestyle

[pgcannonjr]

I am now GMing two games and playing in two games online in addition to GMing a game at home for my kids. I've started a very minor world building exercise for one of my games. I would like to take the next step (logically, in my mind) and generate some income from these activities. (If for no other reason than to say to my wife, "But, see honey, I'm making money when I do this!") What are the options, which are most likely to generate income on a consistent basis, and am I just fooling myself thinking this is something I could do?

 

[JohnnFour]

Hey @pgcannonjr what are your income goals, and what kind of content do you like to make?

You can:

• Publish written game material
• Publish games
• Create a podcast
• Become a Youtuber
• Become a professional GM

Those are just a few options.

 

[pgcannonjr]

Income goals would be modest, to begin with. I don't want to quit my job and do this full time... yet.

Publish written game material, create a podcast, and become a professional GM sound the most appealing.

Which game systems offer the most opportunity for publishing? Are their guidelines to follow? I do have lots of free time right now and two Master's degrees with an emphasis on writing. I might as well put them to use!
Creating a podcast seems simple enough, I suppose the trick is keeping it interesting.
How does one advertise being a professional GM?

 

[JochenL]

How does one advertise being a professional GM?

You could start here: https://lookingforgm.com/

Which game systems offer the most opportunity for publishing?

IMHO, DnD5e, PF1&2, Starfinder

 

[JohnnFour]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/DMFORHIRE/ <= Use this for networking
https://www.fiverr.com/search/gigs?...search-autocomplete-original-term=game master

The DM For Hire marketing is really new. If you study marketing a bit, you can carve your own niche nd client base.

For game systems, you have two routes.

Route 1 like Jochen suggested is to pick the most popular games and write a blog, supplement, adventure, setting. Freelancing is pretty tough right now - 10x more sellers than buyers.

Route 2 is to pick an indie game with a rabid fan base, like Mothership, Dungeon World, Black Hack. Indie games often get little supplement support, so fans are hungry for good content.

For market research, surf Patreon, DriveThruRPG, and Kickstarter.

 

[pgcannonjr]

You could start here: https://lookingforgm.com/

And in the ultimate case of being in the right place at the right time, I have my first paying gig!

 

[pgcannonjr]

And then I poke around Patreon and find someone making over $22K/month selling adventures(!) and I'm like ugh.

 

[JohnnFour]

Heh. Never compare yourself to someone else. If you do see someone succeeding, congratulate them and consider that validation of your desired direction.

What's the Patreon URL?

 

[pgcannonjr]

What's the Patreon URL?

https://www.patreon.com/dmdave

 

[JohnnFour]

I'm a big fan of his blog. Haven't tried any of his adventures though.

 

[ELF]

His strategy is a good example of producing a lot of cheap and cheerful content quickly. Unfortunately, the hurried schedule and lack of editing show.

Another example of this strategy are Phil Reed’s $1 PDF Kickstarters, with the distinction that his output is not as voluminous and the products are much more polished.