How We Helped Boltz Entertainment Secure a Win at DreamHack Atlanta: Behind the Scenes of a Winning Strategy
If you’re a business owner looking to make a mark at an event, or if you’re simply trying to stand out in a crowd, this story will give you the actionable strategies you need to elevate your game. In this post, we’re sharing the secrets behind how we helped Boltz Entertainment make a massive impact at DreamHack Atlanta and secure the People’s Choice Award for their indie game, Write Warz.
The DreamHack Challenge: Standing Out in a Sea of Talent
DreamHack Atlanta is one of the largest gaming conventions in the world, featuring thousands of booths, displays, and passionate gamers. Boltz Entertainment was selected as one of only forty indie games to showcase at this event—an incredible achievement, but also a major challenge. With so many games vying for attention, standing out was key.
But how do you capture attention in such a massive, crowded environment? The answer: strategy, preparation, and a clear, engaging plan.
The Strategy: Building an Experience, Not Just a Booth
To win the People’s Choice Award, we needed more than just a great game; we needed to create an unforgettable experience. Our first step was to come up with an incentive that would draw gamers in. A high-value giveaway—a $900 graphics card—was the perfect bait. Every gamer in attendance would love to win this, so we used it as a tool to get people to play Write Warz and vote for it.
The giveaway wasn’t just a random prize. It was tailored to the audience’s interests. By offering something they truly wanted, we immediately increased the chances of engagement. Even those who weren’t initially interested in playing the game were incentivized to try it out for a shot at the graphics card.
Making the Giveaway Work for Us: QR Codes and Data Collection
We didn’t just want players to visit our booth; we wanted to build a lasting connection. So, every person who entered the giveaway had to submit their contact information through a Google form linked via QR codes. This gave us a valuable opportunity to grow our email list significantly, which we could use for future marketing.
To ensure this process was as seamless as possible, we printed materials with QR codes that led directly to the giveaway sign-up. The result? A smooth, efficient system that captured essential contact details while also providing value to attendees.
Maximizing Engagement: The Gatekeeper Strategy
On the event floor, engagement was everything. DreamHack is a sensory overload, with people constantly moving, playing games, and checking out new booths. To ensure that no one walked by our booth without interacting, we took an active role in reaching out to potential players.
We didn’t wait for attendees to come to us; we went out and found them. Our team, which included Rachel and me, was on a mission. We politely stopped passersby, offering them the chance to try out Write Warz and giving them the opportunity to win the coveted graphics card. And we didn’t stop there. If we saw someone hesitating, we didn’t wait for them to approach us—we made sure they couldn’t walk by without hearing our pitch.
The result was undeniable. While other booths struggled to engage with a handful of attendees, we had a constant flow of people playing Write Warz, interacting with our team, and learning about the game.
The Power of a Strong Team: The Key to Our Success
Having a well-organized, motivated team was crucial to our success. With a team of seven people, we made sure every role was covered, from game support to marketing to social media capture. Our team members worked seamlessly together, ensuring that no aspect of the event was overlooked.
One key strategy that set us apart was our focus on capturing real-time reactions from players. With Jesse, our videographer, on hand to film reactions and Bobby, the musical genius behind Write Warz, conducting interviews, we were able to create engaging content for social media. Not only did this help build hype around the game, but it also gave us valuable material for promoting Write Warz after the event.
The Importance of Having the Right People in the Right Roles
While it’s tempting to think you can do everything yourself, having the right people in the right roles can make all the difference. We were lucky to have a team that was both passionate and versatile. Whether it was Rich, the game’s creator, talking to key influencers, or Eddie helping players with the sign-up process, each team member played a critical role in ensuring everything went smoothly.
We even had Ben, who was dedicated to cleaning and maintaining the equipment, making sure every player had a great experience. The key takeaway here is that every role, no matter how small it may seem, contributes to the overall success of the event.
Perception Matters: How Our Team and Presentation Set Us Apart
Another important lesson we learned from this experience was the impact of perception. When you show up at a big event with a well-organized team, coordinated attire, and a professional setup, you create an impression that you’re a major player in the industry. Wearing matching shirts, having clear roles, and bringing everything together made us look like a professional, cohesive unit. This gave us the credibility and visibility we needed to stand out at the event.
Final Thoughts: Strategy, Preparation, and Action Lead to Success
In the end, Write Warz won the People’s Choice Award at DreamHack Atlanta, a massive achievement that was the result of strategy, preparation, and execution. By planning ahead, creating engaging incentives, and having a proactive team, we were able to maximize our impact and secure a win in a competitive environment.
If you’re a business owner attending an event, remember that it’s not just about showing up. It’s about having a clear strategy, engaging with your audience, and making sure you’re creating an experience they won’t forget. So, get ready to put these strategies to work and watch your business make an impact at your next event!
Want More Event Strategies?
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