Feedback wanted

[LAT]

As most of you know we are trying to expand our readership/membership and to this end Scurra has been working on an extended version of the Snark issue with additional non-meta puzzles plus some explanations and preliminary solutions to the meta puzzles. Most of the meta puzzles are as they were in the original version of this issue but a couple have been changed.

I am attaching a link to a pdf of the (almost) final version of this. The file is nearly 60MB so some of you may not wish to download it. And it is identical to the version that those who were at the Withernsea meet got to see so you won't need to download this.

http://www.puzzlebrains.com/temp/snark.pdf

What we are after however are any comments you have on the magazine, in particular any errors, or suggestions for improvement.

We would also love some ideas of how/where to try to market it. The plan is to produce a batch of sample copies to offer to possible buyers in the hope of tempting them to order some stock for their customers.
We have had a bit of preliminary discussion on this and I will add some of the comments we have made but we will be really grateful for any suggestions that any of you can come up with.

[MBH]

I'll try and come back with something construcive when I put my analytical head on but it does strike me visiting the shops how MANY different puzzle magazines are out there giving virtually the same thing as each other. Buy a mag and get logic puzzle after logic puzzle or sudoku after sudoku.

There MUST be a place for a mag like this for those puzzlers that want more of a challenge. Fingers crossed

[BassBloke]

That's where DVP made the difference. They has lots of different types of side puzzles as well as the main story puzzles. Only problem is I came accross DVP TOTALY by accident in my local Morrisons. I was just after something to take on holiday at the time and just stumbled upon it.

Sorry if that is not very constructive but there MUST be a way of making it stand out. Where are all the marketing types out there?

BB.

[Laura]

My dad first came across DVP in an airport shop and bought it to do on holiday, if that's any use to you?

[LAT]

All feedback is really welcome and helpful.

Anybody got any useful contacts?

[Redfraggle]

I love it and cant suggest any improvements

If I had to market this I would put one of the puzzles on Facebook (maybe a quick do-able one). I would also advertise it with phrases something like this

Have you got what it takes? Are you up for the challenge? Have you got a puzzle brain? Along with OUR comments as if we're discussing a puzzle. 'This is soo frustrating but Im addicted' (things like that) Most people are ready to take on a challenge - so it might grab their attention. If they solve it - it will inspire them to order more copies. I have almost 700 people on my nettlefield site on Fb - so I know I reach people. You only need a group added to someone's name. Then you can advertise it and post a link to order a copy.

If you get a generic barcode it could also be sold through Amazon as an individual - I was told to do this for my wee book.

[Bunnylump]

No useful contacts, I'm afraid. As I said to Gill I COULD put some copies in the school library, but the kids would probably just end up doodling in them. I suppose some of the 6th former or teachers might like to have a look, but I certainly don't have any SALES outlets I can help you with.

My thought was - these puzzle hunts - they have a really large following, don't they? Isn't there any way of contacting / advertising through them? Or, thought for the week - what about trying University campus bookshops?? Perhaps a mail shot to all the main UK universities?

The thing that got me into DVP was my Mum!! And she was attracted to it because of the mystery element. Hey, Scurra, how do you fancy writing a thriller to go with it??

It does strike me that if places like Morrisons stocked DVP, then would supermarkets be a possible outlet? I could ask my sister in law how you would go about contacting buyers for Sainsbury's if you like. I couldn't guarantee she would know though.

Of course there is always the dreaded social networking sites. Is there any way of getting anything tagged in there? Don't ask me, I don't do them!! EDIT I see as I was typing this Fraggle was suggesting the same thing!!

[Redfraggle]

Yeah but you only need a group added to someone's profile. I dont mind putting it on the Streetgames site and my own - I can also get lots of others to put it on theirs. It basically means that it gets it out there. if there's a puzzle challenge on there - people will try to do it.

[Bunnylump]

Yes, I think you could be right. I suppose if people can download a single issue for £2 they might just try it...

[Redfraggle]

A tasty free sample like an alphactor of Cluedo characters - then the box below in order would spell out the murderer! Just a thought.

[Redfraggle]

I think the mystery factor really helps.

Themes like

The Mary Celeste
The Bermuda triangle
The Bigfoot
UFO's
Standing stones of Britain
Crop circles

all that sort of stuff.

There could be a central character investigating these things in 'secret files'

This actually sounds good to me - all I need now if for Scurra to start making the puzzles

[Bunnylump]

I can almost feel Scurra sighing, as we speak!!

[LAT]

These are good ideas. (says she who has no idea how the social networking sites work! )

If we can get stocked by some supermarkets that would be great. An easier bet might be local independent shops that we could maybe approach direct and persuade to stock a few copies.

Gill had some ideas too, the paper supplier to the printer we use has mini shops in printers he supplies with paper. Basically, at his own cost, he provides shelving and stock in areas where paper is in demand. She told me she is pretty sure he’d put our mags into all his mini shops. Not least because he’d get more paper orders if we needed large amounts of printing.

[Redfraggle]

Yes, I can too strangely enough - he must have developed telepathic powers along with his other skills!

Oh Scurra - where are you????

I dont mind adding PB to FB if it helps - but I do need a puzzle even as a jpeg.

[Bunnylump]

He must have developed telepathic powers along with his other skills!

Well, all I can say is I hope he doesn't know what I'm thinking about him sometimes...

OOps, I think we scared Scurra off...

[Redfraggle]

Scurra - there's nowhere to run - nowhere to hide!!!

[chazzie]

Oops, I think we scared Scurra off...

What again??!! As for feedback....... one of the puzzles when I almost got some of my (all male) colleagues to get into these puzzles- was the one with the pictures of cars from various TV shows....

[Bunnylump]

(Smug face)

I must say, even my son's friends liked that one.

I do think Redfraggle has a good point. The idea of enticing people with a taster on facebook is a really good one. Then you could add a link to the new website.

[Scurra]

And when the new website is ready, I will be more than happy to do that.
It's getting it right that is the tedious bit (as I'm sure SparkOut will agree. )

(Oh, and thanks for the thematic ideas, RedFraggle. They've gone on my little list. And any other ideas for themes from anyone else would be gratefully received as well.)

[MBH]

I think the mystery factor really helps.

Themes like

The Mary Celeste
The Bermuda triangle
The Bigfoot
UFO's
Standing stones of Britain
Crop circles

all that sort of stuff.

There could be a central character investigating these things in 'secret files'

That was seriously impressive It sounds like you just rattled that lot off.

My intro to DVP (I've probably told this before) was the pictures = phonetic alphabet puzzle that I opened up and 'got' while I was standing at the magazine counter. [Alpha course, Tango dancers, Mr Caine in Zulu did it for me]. Everybody unfortuneatly will have a different hook making advice difficult

It seems our little red friend is the main access to Facebook - I've got nothing to do with it either. [I'm seeiing a theme here] When I've tried to bring people on board on a one-to-one basis I've used the Advent calendar as a source of free puzzles.

You've already figured out that the starter hints and directions are vital for the average puzzler (and for some of us lofty Puzzlebrain puzzlers.... he says looking in the mirror ) and a few that I've looked at appear enough - but since we originally did it without the hints have these been tried on freash eyes? People need to be able to at least get started on the majority of the puzzles.