Quote:
Originally Posted by caspermatic
How will I be notified of the promotions that your staff will make up at random times for each level?
This is a very good question and thank you for it because it is something, for us that is still in development.
INITIAL OBJECTIVE:
I think first is that we need to be close enough with our players that they will have the ability to contribute to a discussion for what kinds of special group/division promotions they want. So even if you're not a 'Gladiator Class-200 plus lvl' yet, but a 'Barbarian-50plus lvl' we still want each group to have its own voice/identity/consciousness.
DIVISIONAL GUIDE/LEADER/REP
But before then, each division will have its own dedicated divisional Hero staff who will manage both the communication and execution of the promotions: ie. the leader of the Farmers, Recruits, Barbarians etc. And it will be there job to ensure that the players in those divisions both have the guidance and the voice to participate as well as ensure that the promotions are truly relevant to the players.
COMMUNICATION
The first key points is that it can be done via social media, such as a dedicated facebook page whereby members join after approval with their username, or via twitter for the actual announcements of dates, times, passwords, promotional nature.
We also may simply get a dedicated sub-forum in each of major poker communities that we are active in and manage it from there or launch our divisional community forums where players would get email notifications.
STRUCTURE OF PROMOTIONS
Nothing would be random, there will be guidelines that certain promotions must be inclusive to x% of the active players of the respective division in relation to the prize/reward of the promotion. And that would also include lead time, but if we are doing our job then a player's participate in the forums would be regular as these forums/discussions would not be there to act as a general poker community but to specifically discuss what promotions should be on the table. To that end, likely due to the global nature of the business the promotion should be held on the same day at 3 different time zones: Asia Pacific, European, Americas.
THE PROMOTIONS & CONTEXT OF BEING BOUTIQUE
Eventually promotions will be more systematic in the initial divisional levels, but I could also see them more unique in the higher levels such as going to see a rock concert as a group and Hero buying the tickets or going on a 'drink the town dry' event during the Aussie Millions or WSOP as the group will be more smaller in numbers etc. But I want to make a point that the promotions wouldn't be just limited to online tournaments or prizes; people say the want custom shirts for the group, then we get a design done, get a vote, make it, mail it out etc.
Also, we will simply staff up to as many as needed to provide the same level of interaction and if we can't we will limit player numbers on our site until we can catch up. I know that sounds like BS or nuts, but I mean, if your business is based on a premise like luxury and then to keep up with demand you start producing all your products with cheaper materials and inferior labour, then you are basically betraying your current consumer base. I'd like to think that we are building Hero to be around indefinitely as it is still a relatively young industry and for us to be around is to be true to our core business and service. Of course it is easy for me to say that now because we are not suffering from that, but I wanted to put it out there here and now.
Lastly, beyond a static VIP rewards system, I would think it is wrong to assume that we know what players want. Or to wait until it is on a forum like twoplustwo, rather to actually have that consistent and regular interaction would be a key part of including all our players as part of our company on a level to define and shape it. Of course this is in the context of me doing my job and keep things focused and managing our competitive issues/forces.
Again, thanks for the question, it actually allowed me to take a breather and articulate what has been on my mind for a few months now.
Cheers.