So the store locator is getting close to being finished and at the most basic level that locator will help you (or new customers) find out where to BUY HeroClix. We're looking at ways to put in a "lite" scheduling system but it dawned on my as I got an email from my NY Board Game Meetup.com group - Why not use Meetup.com or Facebook Events?

Each has it's PROs and CONs - so I am asking you, how do you keep your groups informed? Does you system have a calendar, group email and RSVP system?

Any specific thoughts on Meetup or Facebook? I like Meetup's calendar and RSVP system- although FB has similar functionality, I just don't feel as hooked in.

Let me know what you think.


BTW - I have a couple of different ideas on how to implement an event scheduler - We can either have the store setup a group as part of the store setup process, or have the Envoy/Judge/TO setup groups and attach them to stores (with the stores permission). Again PROs and CONs to each. Feel free to chime in on that idea too.

Discuss & suggest.....

I created a facebook group for my events. Though I still want to be able to schedule events through the WizKids website, so more people will know about it than just the few I tell. Whatever the functionality is, I'll deal with it.

We coordinate events on the north side of Chicago through a Yahoo! group, which has the benefit of not requiring people to sign up for a Facebook or Meetup account. Members have the option of receiving individual emails or getting a bunch in digest format, and we have all the relevant rules and FAQs posted as downloadable files (this was particularly useful during WizKids' time in the desert, as not all of our players are active on the 'Realms).

From a marketing standpoint, though, I can see the benefit of capturing user data through a social networking tool like Facebook. Under the old event-reporting system, WizKids had a pretty good idea of who was playing (and, thus, who was buying) the game. Under the new system, that market data simply isn't being captured in an organized way.

I am against it because I do not belong to facebook. I already know that a lot of stores do have a facebook group and that is how they have been keeping most of the people informed about events, especially during the hiatus.

Other than that the postings of people on HCrealms is my window to events.

From the old site the best fuction was the store locator. This function should help a person not only find a store that sells heroclix but also stores that hold tournaments.

After a quick scan of meetup.com it seems like a great site to use for heroclix events. Why? Because it's sole purpose is for meeting up and scheduling these events. No B.S with posting on the wall and what-not.

***Justin, do you want me to sticky this thread?

look up .
.

Please do sticky this for a week or two.

I think you nailed why I don't feel as connected to FB. I tend to avoid the event pages b/c f the wall - I like FB but I hate all the wall B.S.

My group has a message board of our own that we use to post events, as well as talk about anything else we feel like talking about.

That seems to be one of the cons, as per my assumption.

In my opinion all that wizkids needs is...
Store locator, by state or zip code

Tournament locator by state or zipcode

A place to post events; Venue, day, time, build total, restricted/unrestricted/floor/sealed, scenario, and other pertinent information to the tournament.

We have a Yahoo group for our area that covers when the game is and where.

I think relying on a third-party service is a bad idea. You really have no control over it. I think it would be better to have something tailor-made for this purpose.

I use the venue's own message board and for the whole city a blog that I [barely] maintain with a google calendar attached to it.

I'm all for starting up regional facebook groups.

I made a website where all 6 local venue in the Bay Area post their events on a calender. We coordinate with each envoy so we don't over lap each other events. Look at my sig.

I've had to use several tactics just to get the word out about tournament schedules:

1. The Tournaments & Events forum on the Realms.

2. The store's forum on another more local site.

3. Facebook

4. Flyers in the store.

Facebook would be very handy but I've found that quite a few of the players who show up for Wednesday and Saturday events don't have a Facebook account. Some don't even have HCR accounts. However, everyone had a WizKids ID from the old forum.

I'm fine with whatever works, as long as folks show up and have a good time.

My venue uses Facebook and has found great success with it (despite the fact I refuse to join Crackbook).

Yahoo Group (everyone gets emails on events & things), I put flyers in the store and pass them out to other players I meet. I really miss the Store Locator that the old site had. I would rather not get tied up on Facebook or something else right now. We done pretty good getting word around locally and hopefully the "New" Store Locator will be done shortly.

Thanks for the postings Ziran. You are all doing a great job getting things moving again. Sometimes it seems slow but as I said earlier, we have done fine for the past year what's a couple more days or weeks matter.