The Success of BBW [Part 2]
So last time we visited this topic, I touched on some basic things to help run your guilds efficiently, from my point of view. Communication, deadlines, etc. Things to really draw people in. Now, I'm gonna touch on some things that have a more negative connotation; I'm gonna talk about some do's and don'ts. I will note that some of this is based off recent events, this is not a shot at anyone though. s**t happens. We move on and get over it. But everything's a learning experience!
Jobs: This isn't one. This one might be a personal opinion, but this is NOT a job. The only people that owe loyalty to your guild are your champions, because that is a commitment. But to those that aren't champion or gunning for titles? They do not have a major commitment to you. Those that are booked in exhibition matches? They have no major commitments to you. I understand that it's infuriating when you see people being active elsewhere, but ignoring your guild; trust me, I -still- see it in BBW. Before you get steamed enough to drill into them, ask yourself three things:
- Are they a champion in your guild?
- Are they a champion or working a story in that other guild?
- Do you want them to be in your guild?
If they're a champion for you, then as I said, YES they do have a job in your guild. They're a top-dog, they need to be as active as they can. If they're forgetting your guild but posting in that other one, see if they're champion there. Are they? If yes, then they have a job THERE, not in your guild. If not but they're in an engaged storyline, while they're just doing random matches in yours, then guess what? They're more likely to be active there. Lastly, do you want them to be in your guild? Then talk to them, ask if they've got any stories planned or if there's a title they have interest in. Make them feel like you want them there.
You want them to be active, sure. I always want every match to be active. We know that's not gonna happen though.
Contendership: This is a touchy subject, because guild owners always have 'ideal champions'. For example, I won't lie when I say that I would've loved to put a title on Ryuu Sakamoto before he decided to disappear again. Did I expect to? No. While there are people we want to push, we have to take in multiple factors: activity level, longevity, how they work with others, etc. Sometimes, who we want as champion is not who is best for the role.
Now, something you need to remember when pushing someone, talk to your champion. If they have a storyline planned with an active person in your guild, let them try to work their story. If you don't see it taking flight, try to talk to them about reconsidering. But, do not force them to toss away a storyline for the sake of pushing that person you really want as a champion. Of course, you have to put a limit. For example, I wouldn't let a champion work an angle with a sole person for more than one Pay-Per-View run. For example, if Blackjack tried to work a story with Pantera that would go from Hardcore Harvest to Spring in The Ring? I'd demand it gets shorten down, or he loses the title to someone else along the way. But you've gotta consider what your champion wants as well. Remember, we're here to provide fun environments for them to RP in too.
HOWEVER, if you have a champion that doesn't plan any storylines and just kinda flounders around, giving you nothing to work with, then you make contender matches to your heart's content. Book him in a title defense every other card; I'm an a*****e like that though. But for more on this, visit Part One's topic on COMMUNICATION.
One last note on this. Do not give people shots out of pity. If they're being inactive or just being lazy with posts, giving a contendership match will RARELY make them get it together. If they want to succeed, they'll be active in their normal matches.
Title Shots: Matt, you just covered this! No, I didn't. If you're gonna book a title match without a contendership match prior, without a storyline in the works, without any notion beforehand, without it being a Pay-Per-View, you're not gonna have a happy champion. How to solve this? Talk to them. Make sure they're okay with this title match. If it's a PPV and you need the belt defended, and they have nothing in the works? Fine, book them against someone that deserves it. If it's just a random show and you decide that they should just defend it without talking to them, that looks sketchy to me. Now, sometimes you just look at a belt and go "Hey, they haven't defended in a couple of months, they need to", make sure they know and ask if they got anyone they'd like to face.
(I know it sounds like I'm catering a lot to champions, but that's because I've made mistakes in the past like this.)
Planning: While I encourage bookers talk to people and try to suggest plans, do not force them. I don't know how to be more blunt about this.
Keep Notes: You're gonna have people who refuse to work with eachother. Don't forget that. Let's say I hate working with Salem. You book me with Salem, chances are you're gonna get a pissy OOC match, or someone's gonna walk out. But Matt, what about champions? They gotta be willing to face everyone! This... is half-true, to me. While a champion does need to be ready to defend against everyone, their opinion does mean something. Let's say J.W. Caliber can't stand working with Brantley Summers and would rather work with Rex Kobra, then delay Summers a bit. If they keep making excuses to avoid having to face that person but won't drop the title to someone that will face him? Well, book it and tell 'em tough titt- tell them you've let them do what they want long enough, Summers deserves the shot.
Also, if someone has OOC issues with someone, don't book them. This is a general rule for me. Do not cause s**t to stir up unless they're willing to do the match. I point to the recent Three vs Arson match in CWA as an example. Do not do it. DO NOT DO IT. EVER. YOU ARE GOING TO CAUSE DRAMA, DAMN IT. Also never book me against people who are passive aggressive. Just throwing that out there. I don't deal with it well.
Roughdraft: Do not make your cards, and then decide that they're set-in-stone. MAke the rough-draft, post it for the public to see. Take their comments, ask if they're okay with how they're booked, etc. Now, if you're like me and tend to not post the card preview until like 24 hours before the show-date, you're gonna have to keep open to rebooking. I've had to rebook a couple of matches at the last moment before, it happens. Be flexible.
As always, these are just my thoughts. Run your guilds as you wish, I'm just here to give advice if I can.
