10.08.2009, 11:47
Hello everyone!
I'm constantly looking for new servers to play on - mostly RP servers as I like that game type.
Now, I'm a pretty active viewer of the Server Advertising forum, and I just have to say: put some more effort into your ad! Remember, you have to convince people about why they should join your server!
What, in my opinion, a good server ad needs:
Server Name:
Your server name is IMPORTANT!
Which of these topics would you watch if you're a professional roleplayer?:
GoDFather nr. 300 Server Nice!
The Streets of New York
(only two examples).
I would guess.. the last one, right? So there you have it. You NEED a good server name and a topic title to gain players. That's how it works!
And one more thing.. Don't name the server the same as your nickname or something.. It won't look good!
Banner:
When you're advertising your server, you should have a banner at the top of your post.
The banner _should_ look professional! If you're not a good GFX maker, try to get someone else to make it for you.
If that doesn't work out either, just find a good font, which should be "relevant" to your server.
For example:
Server name: Godfather Roleplay (which indeed is a bad server name).
Font type: Godfather Font:
Download the font and write your server name + IP in an empty Photoshop document (or some other program, of course), and upload it.
It's often I find a good looking server with just a good font in stead of some "tacky"/weird looking banner that someone used 1.5 minutes to design.
Server History
There should be a history behind the server.
Who has scripted it? Who are the admins? And do NOT forget: Why did you make the server?
The "Why did you make the server"-part is vital, in my opinion. - Why did you create a whole new server when there are so many others to choose from? Is it because you want to have power (admin) and "rule", or is it because your server got something that no other servers got?
I want to hear from the admin WHY I should spend hours and hours on his server.
There are thousands of servers to choose from, why should I pick yours?
You may also add pictures, but watch the image dimentions! These images should tell us something about your server, and why we should join.
You can also add a ******* movie, but it should be made so it attracts players, not scaring them away! Therefor you should consider NOT making a movie if you're not good with camera angles, scripts, your server not having enough members to create a movie without re-using all the members several times in several scenes, etc.
You should also write about unique features on the server. Have you scripted something that is unique for the game type you're running? Got something to show us that no other server has? Write about it! Unique/special features are always exciting, and players are being attracted by them because of the fact that there's something "new".
But.. there's a "but" here, yes.. Do NOT write something like this (RP example):
You might think "Why on earth shouldn't I inform my players about that?!" .. Well, at least I think that a decent (RP) server got those features anyway, and therefor it's not necessary to inform us about it. If you do, I would think "So.. These features are more than normal, and all servers got them. Isn't there anything unique here that the admin wants us to know about?".
So please, only tell us about features that you think is important for your players to know about! We all consider registration scripts as a standard part, therefor DON'T mention it, as it will make your server look like "just another SA:MP server".
Also tell us about whether your script is a strict RP server or not. I hate joining servers where after 30 min I find out that the admins are just power sick and non-roleplaying idiots looking for OOCly fun.
Server Information
There should be some general information, which have to contain the following (example):
You can also mention if it's a MySQL server.
What NOT to write:
- Most of the players doesn't care about "all" the commands that your server got. If you got some "special" commands, tell us! But do so carefully. To many commands in one post will make your server look boring.
- If you're running a RP script, don't tell us about all the "ooc" events with millions of dollars in prizes.. It's NOT RP to have OOC events. If you want un-professional and "bad" roleplayers, then of course you can mention it. But don't count on any good players to come.
- How MANY admins you got. I find it frustrating to look through server ads and see that a server with 10 players got 8 admins. There's no use for that. Rather tell us that you got an admin team with professional admins (if it's true, of course).
- Don't just say "Oh, plz join my srver! It are god!". Tell us WHY we should join, in PROPER English!
Good server ads:
So I thought I could show you some of the server ads I think is good! Admins, if you consider this re-advertising the posted servers, just delete this part:
Street Life Roleplay (The Features part here is OK, because it looks structured and doesn't hurt my eyes with much information)
Hawk Role Playing (This one also looks good. Might be a bit short, but I guess the video in the end will tell you how the server is)
San Andreas Most Wanted RP (Good banner and structured information set up!)
Not so good server ads:
(Admins: Delete this part if you don't think it's necessary. I only did this so that all server admins can see how NOT to write a server ad):
Rage Roleplay (Much can be done to improve the ad. More text, more information, etc. It only includes three parts.. and only two of them are necessary, the IP part and the forum link.)
Bubka3's Roleplay (Bad name - Not enough information. "Better Advertisement Next Month!" won't help you, as people already have seen how the server admin is.)
These two last parts are NOT meant to make any of the servers look good or bad. It's so you all can see how a good and a bad server ad looks.
That's all for now I guess.
A bit long, but .. I guess if you're serious about your server you would read it fully out!
Also, one more thing:
When you post your server ad, be sure that either you or some other members are online! None considers joining an empty server!
I'm constantly looking for new servers to play on - mostly RP servers as I like that game type.
Now, I'm a pretty active viewer of the Server Advertising forum, and I just have to say: put some more effort into your ad! Remember, you have to convince people about why they should join your server!
What, in my opinion, a good server ad needs:
Server Name:
Your server name is IMPORTANT!
Which of these topics would you watch if you're a professional roleplayer?:
GoDFather nr. 300 Server Nice!
The Streets of New York
(only two examples).
I would guess.. the last one, right? So there you have it. You NEED a good server name and a topic title to gain players. That's how it works!
And one more thing.. Don't name the server the same as your nickname or something.. It won't look good!
Banner:
When you're advertising your server, you should have a banner at the top of your post.
The banner _should_ look professional! If you're not a good GFX maker, try to get someone else to make it for you.
If that doesn't work out either, just find a good font, which should be "relevant" to your server.
For example:
Server name: Godfather Roleplay (which indeed is a bad server name).
Font type: Godfather Font:
Download the font and write your server name + IP in an empty Photoshop document (or some other program, of course), and upload it.
It's often I find a good looking server with just a good font in stead of some "tacky"/weird looking banner that someone used 1.5 minutes to design.
Server History
There should be a history behind the server.
Who has scripted it? Who are the admins? And do NOT forget: Why did you make the server?
The "Why did you make the server"-part is vital, in my opinion. - Why did you create a whole new server when there are so many others to choose from? Is it because you want to have power (admin) and "rule", or is it because your server got something that no other servers got?
I want to hear from the admin WHY I should spend hours and hours on his server.
There are thousands of servers to choose from, why should I pick yours?
You may also add pictures, but watch the image dimentions! These images should tell us something about your server, and why we should join.
You can also add a ******* movie, but it should be made so it attracts players, not scaring them away! Therefor you should consider NOT making a movie if you're not good with camera angles, scripts, your server not having enough members to create a movie without re-using all the members several times in several scenes, etc.
You should also write about unique features on the server. Have you scripted something that is unique for the game type you're running? Got something to show us that no other server has? Write about it! Unique/special features are always exciting, and players are being attracted by them because of the fact that there's something "new".
But.. there's a "but" here, yes.. Do NOT write something like this (RP example):
Quote:
|
Our server got: Registration System Bank System House System Car System |
So please, only tell us about features that you think is important for your players to know about! We all consider registration scripts as a standard part, therefor DON'T mention it, as it will make your server look like "just another SA:MP server".
Also tell us about whether your script is a strict RP server or not. I hate joining servers where after 30 min I find out that the admins are just power sick and non-roleplaying idiots looking for OOCly fun.
Server Information
There should be some general information, which have to contain the following (example):
Quote:
|
--------------- - Server IP + Port: x - Ventrilo IP + Port: x - Avarage players online: x - Server script: (Optional - Custom script is best, of course - If you're running a Godfather-based server, just shut it down now. It's not worth trying). - Website: (Optional, but "needed") - UCP: (Optional) --------------- |
What NOT to write:
- Most of the players doesn't care about "all" the commands that your server got. If you got some "special" commands, tell us! But do so carefully. To many commands in one post will make your server look boring.
- If you're running a RP script, don't tell us about all the "ooc" events with millions of dollars in prizes.. It's NOT RP to have OOC events. If you want un-professional and "bad" roleplayers, then of course you can mention it. But don't count on any good players to come.
- How MANY admins you got. I find it frustrating to look through server ads and see that a server with 10 players got 8 admins. There's no use for that. Rather tell us that you got an admin team with professional admins (if it's true, of course).
- Don't just say "Oh, plz join my srver! It are god!". Tell us WHY we should join, in PROPER English!
Good server ads:
So I thought I could show you some of the server ads I think is good! Admins, if you consider this re-advertising the posted servers, just delete this part:
Street Life Roleplay (The Features part here is OK, because it looks structured and doesn't hurt my eyes with much information)
Hawk Role Playing (This one also looks good. Might be a bit short, but I guess the video in the end will tell you how the server is)
San Andreas Most Wanted RP (Good banner and structured information set up!)
Not so good server ads:
(Admins: Delete this part if you don't think it's necessary. I only did this so that all server admins can see how NOT to write a server ad):
Rage Roleplay (Much can be done to improve the ad. More text, more information, etc. It only includes three parts.. and only two of them are necessary, the IP part and the forum link.)
Bubka3's Roleplay (Bad name - Not enough information. "Better Advertisement Next Month!" won't help you, as people already have seen how the server admin is.)
These two last parts are NOT meant to make any of the servers look good or bad. It's so you all can see how a good and a bad server ad looks.
That's all for now I guess.
A bit long, but .. I guess if you're serious about your server you would read it fully out!
Also, one more thing:
When you post your server ad, be sure that either you or some other members are online! None considers joining an empty server!
