#RPGaDAY2018 - Day 8: How can we get more people playing?

Two words: Recruiting and Retention


Recruiting

Back in the day, if you wanted to get more people playing, you'd have to check which one of your nerdy friends and family members would be willing to try it out. For many, this was easier said than done. 

Nowadays, there's a likelihood that somebody you just met has heard of D&D before, and is secretly just looking for an opportunity to play. The trick for this to work is to show off the hobby. Talk about D&D at work or when you're out. Bring out that Player's Handbook in public. Eventually, I assure you, somebody's going to catch on. Curiosity will get the best of someone.

All you have to do is invite them over to a game. Just one game. That's all it takes to get them hooked.

Retention

Things don't end with the first session, however. We have to be open and welcoming to our fellow players all the time. The gaming table needs to be a safe space for everyone involved. Thankfully, our community is very open minded, and it's up to each and every one of us to keep it that way. 

One bad experience is all it takes for someone to abandon the hobby. I've heard stories of groups mishandling some of their newer players, where instead of educating them, the "veterans" would bully the "novices", or generally "gating" these players for whatever reasons. 

Therefore, make sure  to check up on those new players once in a while; check if they have any doubts about the game, and accomodate them as much as possible.