exchange 2020 Secret Sophie

[NecroMancer]

I do like the idea of the Secret Sophie signature thing.

 

And while I like the idea of having lots of people participate, I like the idea of keeping it to the forumites.

 

I wonder if the new layout has anything to do with people missing it?  I mean I know I still scroll past the Exchange forum all the time even when I am looking for it.

[MoonglowMinis]

As a newer member of the forum, I only noticed this recently.  Maybe last week.  Love the idea behind this but haven't made a decision yet because I'm not sure if I'm willing to commit.  There could be others in that boat.

I can also vouch that I only found this by happenchance.  I tend to stick to the show-off and WIP threads and only looked into the exchanges thread out of curiosity.  It's entirely possible people just aren't seeing this.

Anyways, what kind of stuff do people normally gift?  I am trying to decide if I want to participate.  Sounds like a lovely idea, and I dug into the thread from last year, but there weren't many photos of what people received.

[Reaper_Jon]

I could post this on all of our social media. (Twit, FB, insta, reddit, discord ETC) but it seems like you want to just keep it apart of the forum people. so just let me know. I will be announcing a holiday event towards the end of November, but it is nothing like this. Just let me know. 

[SGHawkins09]

Thanks all for the feedback, I really appreciate it. I am going to go with option 2 and do two sets of assignments. So everyone that submits by end of day tomorrow will get their assignments by the end of day Monday. I will then update the first post with information about this and change the sign up deadlines. 
 

@Kuroneko we usually have a few people who will ship internationally.
 

@Reaper_Jon thanks for offering as I would have reached out to you for help if the consensus had been to go that way. 

[Pochi]

5 hours ago, MoonglowMinis said:

As a newer member of the forum, I only noticed this recently.  Maybe last week.  Love the idea behind this but haven't made a decision yet because I'm not sure if I'm willing to commit.  There could be others in that boat.

I can also vouch that I only found this by happenchance.  I tend to stick to the show-off and WIP threads and only looked into the exchanges thread out of curiosity.  It's entirely possible people just aren't seeing this.

Anyways, what kind of stuff do people normally gift?  I am trying to decide if I want to participate.  Sounds like a lovely idea, and I dug into the thread from last year, but there weren't many photos of what people received.

 

I have received unpainted Reaper minis that fit into the theme of the D&D campaign I was running. That person also hand made some chariots and horses to go with the minis. (Egyptian theme). He painted 3 minis for me, sent me some plasticard in varying sizes and some chocolates. I have also received basing stuff (grass tufts, weathering pigments).

 

I have sent minis that I painted based on their preferences and unpainted miniatures that I thought they might enjoy based on their preferences from their questionnaire. I include some little "Australian" things (keychains, pencils, or something and then some snacks).

 

So yeah, in the couple times I have done Secret Sophie, both giving and receiving, it has been some unpainted minis, basing items, and snacks along with painted mini(s) if you signed up to do the painting part too.

[Kuroneko]

I'm officially in, PM sent 

[Kangaroorex]

7 hours ago, Kuroneko said:

I'm officially in, PM sent 

Awesome!  Welcome to the club!

 

@MoonglowMinis the gift has always included unpainted Reaper minis (they are kind enough to support the forum and are a great team)  of no more than 25USD value.  Beyond that I've seen and sent many different things (my most memorable was a velvet dice bag with a pound of chocolate coins) but I've sent stuffies, brushes, cookies, basing material, and other things I thought people would like.

 

The other optional half is the painted mini.  This is in addition to the SS gift and I think its the most fun part.  I treasure all my exchanges and they all are displayed proudly, I love them all and I learn something from each of them.  Again we usually try to go with reaper minis because, well, Reaper

  However, secondary minis from other companies are also represented.

 

Which is all more than you probably wanted to know but I look forward to this every year as one of the highpoints of the season!  Thank you @SGHawkins09 for managing it!)

[MoonglowMinis]

@Pochi thanks for the inside scoop!  I think I understand the expectations better.

 

With that said, I have tossed my hat in the ring.  This sounds fun, and like a great way to get to know someone better!

[Corporea]

ok, I'd been waffling because this has been a tough year, I've been busy at work and wasn't sure I'd be able to commit to painting something.  However, I always want to participate. I like giving back to the hobby that has given me so much over the years, and been there for me when I needed it.  So, while I may not be able to do my usual fancy-based mini, I want to at least commit to painting something.  Maybe it will get me out of my funk and back to painting!  It'll be a win-win, right? ;)

 

I'm in! Muah hah hah!

 

[SamuraiJack]

Sorry I just saw this.. I can send my questionnaire tonight

[SamuraiJack]

I made the Exchange tag the prefix tag, so that should help draw more attention to the topic

[Auberon]

On 10/14/2020 at 10:56 AM, SGHawkins09 said:

Alright we have two days remaining for sign-ups and I have only received 7 questionnaires so far. Not sure if that is due to lack of interest this year or lack of awareness as people may not be looking for the post this early. With this in mind, I wanted to get feedback on some ways to boost participation.

 

Here are the options I thought of:

• Extend current deadline another two weeks to the end of the month but if people wanted to be able to order their mini this month due to the promos, they would not be able to .
• Keep current deadline and do a second set of sign ups next month. Those that sent a questionnaire would get their assignment now and an extra month to paint.
• Extend current deadline a couple of days and try to boost awareness on other Social Media like Facebook and Discord.

What do you guys think?

 

I would go with #2, plus advertising for the second round.  Forums need a way to grow and pulling in some people from social media already related to Reaper seems the best way to go. Maybe some of them even stick around and become active members. After all, it's not like I was on the forum 10 years ago.

[Kangaroorex]

2 hours ago, Corporea said:

ok, I'd been waffling because this has been a tough year, I've been busy at work and wasn't sure I'd be able to commit to painting something.  However, I always want to participate. I like giving back to the hobby that has given me so much over the years, and been there for me when I needed it.  So, while I may not be able to do my usual fancy-based mini, I want to at least commit to painting something.  Maybe it will get me out of my funk and back to painting!  It'll be a win-win, right? ;)

 

I'm in! Muah hah hah!

 

 

1 hour ago, SamuraiJack said:

Sorry I just saw this.. I can send my questionnaire tonight

Join us.... Join us...  

Oh join us already... what, you did?  well then, Great choice!

[rubegon]

I’m a little late to the party, but I’d still like to join if I can.  @SGHawkins09 I’ll send you my questionnaire and hopefully you can still work me in!

[SGHawkins09]

Assignment messages have been sent to this round's participants. Please make sure to reply acknowledging that you received it ASAP.