Learning Experience - DON'T DO Facebook Events

Welcoming to Gaming 4 Misfits! This is a new series of articles (and possibly videos) where I’ll be diving into what I’m best at - namely, creating games, the mechanics, writing, art directing, and more that comes with them.

This series will have a strong focus on teaching and not selling to you. If you’re interested in learning from someone who’s actively “doing” and figuring out what I do, why I do it, and skipping my mistakes, then this is for you. 

Without further ado, I hope you enjoy! 

Learning Experience - Facebook Events 

Welcome to a subseries of G4M I’m calling “Learning Experience,” which in essence is about a topic in which I’ve failed horribly and miserably, teaching you that it’s a-okay and only damages your self esteem (a lot) a little bit! Today’s topic is “Facebook Events.”

For those unaware, I’ve run hundreds of Facebook Events on the “Otherworlds” page in the past, each event was more or less a way for me to RSVP seats since Otherworlds was popular enough in demand to not hold everyone at a single table.

I could write a whole other article about my experiences with that, but that’s for another time.

Anyways 

I’ve recently used Facebook Events sparingly and have since moved onto doing online livestream events, instead of private local events like I used to. 

The two previous events I’ve done are…

The Soul Eater Anime Club and Vincent’s Spooktacular Halloween Party. 

For the anime club we actually picked up a lot of traction and engagement. I was impressed and excited. 

However, I found out that funneling people from Facebook to Discord proved futile, many people who are comfortable using Facebook don’t wish to “jump ship” to another platform, even if it’s something of interest to them.

So, this effort was for naught. 

Vincent’s Spooktacular Halloween Party 

This one, I clearly put in the title of the actual event, on the image banner AND on the page that this is an online, livestream event.

Still, I’ve gotten questions about it, as if it were a physical meetup (it’s not).

The event is currently sitting at “1” going (thanks to my dearest Abby).

Now, I’m not sure how much of this is due to confusion, lack of interest, or attempting to engage the Facebook audience. My guess is it’s all three, but to what degree, I’m not sure.

What Gave Me The Idea?

I’m a huge fan of the band “Motionless in White” and with bands unable to tour they’ve had to get creative. Motionless is performing live (not sure on what platform, but I’ve seen it promoted on Facebook) and then promoting their livestream (called a Deadstream) made me believe there wouldn’t be much confusion in me doing something inspired by them.

I was clearly wrong, but that’s okay.

Happy birthday to me. 

Experience Gained 

Don’t waste time setting up a Facebook Event if it’s to promote something on Discord or Twitch.

Also, don’t forget to stay awesome!
Vincent