There’s some new peeps here… so INTRODUCTION TIME
I’m a
-professional ballroom dancer/instructor
-show runner for
@TalesofNovum
-award winning gamemaster
-TTRPG content creator
All business inquires can be sent to:
alecthebardd
@gmail
.com
Learning that someone you looked up to as a mentor was bad mouthing you the entire time they were helping you, and only a day after they gave you a whole speech about how proud of you they were… sucks..
Looks like I’m writing my game on my own.
I’ve waited a bit since PAX unplugged to say something.
I am always okay with meeting people, or taking pictures.
However, do not make sexual comments towards me, do not touch me without my permission.
There were several fans who crossed that line at PAX
So I know a lot of peeps from DND Tik Tok. But when it comes to
#TTRPG
Twitter, I have no idea how socializing or meeting people works.
So here goes!
Hi I’m Alec I’m a TTRPG content creator and a pro ballroom dancer.
Need a
#dm
or dancing lessons?
I got you
And it’s becoming increasingly common at Cons/events where people mistake my content online as consent. It’s not. It never will be. For myself or any creator.
Did one of my players put me on the spot looking for a detective agency, and I panicked and made up Detective Bearington based off the sentient bear dnd meme. Yes. Did I speak in only bear sounds the whole time. Also yes.
God I love dnd
Gen con 2023 was unreal, here are some highlights:
🏆Won Best Gamemaster | Indie at the
@crit_awards
😳 Got to meet
@matthewmercer
&
@BrennanLM
🎲 Recorded the finale to Maw in person
🎸 Played in an all bard one shot with some amazing people
Why do I have to provide the equivalent of a resume of my sexual history to be accepted as bisexual?
Had someone call me out today on Tik Tok because my fiancé is a woman. It wasn’t until this year I said anything publicly about my orientation. Because it’s my business.
I’ve now been swiftly reminded why I stopped making warhammer 40k content.
I made one joke video poking fun at the dudes angry about the fact there are female custodes.
The amount of slurs, insults, and people telling me to 💀 myself in my comment section and DM’s is wild.
Say it with me content creators:
My value as a creator is not defined by the number of likes, views, comments, shares, downloads, I receive.
And repeat.
Learning how to make short form content of your AP on platforms like TikTok/Instagram and how those platforms work is so important these days to build an audience.
Want a good example of this ?
@byConnieChang
and
@TransplanarRPG
on TikTok kill it.
This is a dream come true.
Funded with a week left ❤️
This isn’t just for the show but the beginning of our studio here in the Midwest.
Thank you to everyone for the support ❤️
We are going to make you proud 🙏
The doctor called this morning, I still need to get surgery to repair the hernia.
BUT they concluded I do not have testicular cancer! I cannot tell you how stressed I’ve been just waiting for my results.
I feel like I can breathe again.
A friendly reminder that not everyone can keep up with the shitstorm of things that happen in this hell scape of social media we inhabit. So do your friends/colleagues/etc a favor and let them know they are following a shitty person, and let them unfollow before you insta block
So, I’ve never officially come out.
As I don’t really know.
Sometimes I’d say I’m bisexual, other times pansexual.
Does it matter what label I put on it? I am not entirely sure. Any assistance or advice would be lovely.
Happy
#PrideMonth
y’all 🏳️🌈
I am finally able explore a character in
#dnd
that has dissociative identity disorder just like me. And I’ve worked with the dm, they have been nothing but kind and open, doing the research and listening to me.
I can’t tell you how seen it makes me feel.
The last 60 days on Tik Tok:
3.5 million views
Money TikTok paid me: $0
If I did those numbers on YouTube, I could become a full time content creator.
This is why Tik Tok content from me is going to be slowing. And YouTube content is going to increase.
I DONT NEED SURGERY!
Fuck yes. I tore a muscle badly, and need physical therapy. But no surgery which means I’ll be able to dance again! (After therapy, but sooner than surgery)
I am so relieved.
While I appreciate being recognized at a con, do not grab me, touch me or shove a camera in my face without my consent. Happened 5 times with me being on the con floor for less than 2 hours.
You know I always see people talk about renting a cabin with your friends and playing D&D for days.
I think I’m gonna make that a goal for 2023 or 2024.
Comparison is the death of all progress
Comparison is the death of all progress
Comparison is the death of all progress
Comparison is the death of all progress
Comparison is the death of all progress
I’m excited to go to
@Gen_Con
and meet a bunch of new people in the industry. But also I’m feeling like it’s the first day of school, like I’m gonna make a fool of myself trying to make friends 😬
I have officially gone 3 weeks full time into content creation.
The stress of the responsibility to generate my income on my own has been a lot.
But the freedom and joy I feel from finally feeling like I’m where I belong, it’s worth all the stress.
Per the advice of a friend I started posting my videos on Facebook because of the monetization. But I think I’m done with it now.
I haven’t been called this many slurs in such a short period since high school… And I thought YouTube was bad 🤕
I hit a 100k on Tik Tok today. I’m so grateful to my followers and my friends who helped push and inspire me.
Big things to come this year, thank you all so much
#dnd
Friends, we close on our house this week, and I’ve already started thinking about keeping the thermostat at the proper temperature, and got excited about getting a riding lawn mower… what’s happening to me…
Being stopped by fans at
#GenCon
and having them tell me how much my content means to them was something I wasn’t expecting. And I didn’t know what to say besides “thank you”
But it reassured me that I’m doing something right.
Me: Posts a fun video of “scary goth privilege” as my three fabulous friends followed me around a con
Weird men in comments: I could beat them up
What is wrong with people
We all deserve to get paid and enjoy the work we are doing.
And I’m happy to share anything and everything I’ve learned from the past 5 years of making content creation my full time job.
I don’t believe in gatekeeping it, or keeping it behind a paywall.
We all deserve to eat.
One of things I didn’t realize after being a creator on TikTok is how I got desensitized to hitting milestones.
But that’s a joy that YouTube has started to give me again, after a week of posting I’ve jumped 800 subs. And I jumped for joy crossing 2k.
Had a person comment on a video I made about making content besides from dnd that my career is going to “crash and burn” if I don’t make dnd content.
Well the 1.2 million impressions I’ve had on my videos the last 30 days says otherwise 👀
A crazy thing from
#BigBadCon2023
was getting invited to DM on
@TtlPrtyChll
It’s a dream of mine to play in AP’s in studio and this was an amazing time. I’m so thankful to Devon for inviting me and to all my players who made it a fantastic time.
Made the mistake of watching the TikTok congressional hearing. Listening to these walking corpses who need their grandkids to turn on their computer pull buzzwords from blog posts and attempt to form questions and then not even allow the dude to answer is so infuriating.
Me at 24 (in 2014) vs me in 2024!
The funny part is that there were a few years in the middle there where I looked 45 because I was corporate LARPing to survive 😅
This year I set out on a mission.
5 actual plays
5 different TTRPGs
23 players
One connected story
This is
@TalesofNovum
Editor:
@_MizLavender_
Short form editor:
@ver_sachi_
Art by:
@Tobydotexe
Cast credits can be found on my Instagram.
Had someone message me asking me what my qualifications are to teach a dance class at a con
I’m an award winning ballroom instructor
8 teaching certifications
Trained in Covid protocols to teach safely
Trained in paradance for students with physical limitations
My friends who make videos/content
When dealing with sponsors-
Make damn sure you clarify usage rights so predatory companies cannot take advantage of you and steal your content.
What we aren’t going to do is invalidate other peoples mental health diagnoses because it’s not like your romanticized version you’ve seen on tv and in movies
No two cases are exactly the same. You’re valid, end of story.
Now that I’ve time to think about it.
Last night I closed my very first streamed game last night, after a year of playing.
I’m so thankful to all of my players, the audience for teaching me so much.
Helping me tell this story and bring it to an epic close.
Thank you all ❤️
#dnd
I’ve had 12 comments asking my opinion on FH. I’ll leave it to creators who are better suited to speak on the topic and I suggest you all listen to them. Also their partner threatened me last time I made a video about FH. So I’m not so inclined to do it again for my safety.
As much as I’ll miss teaching.
I am happy to say I have been promoted to the Social Media Manager of two different dance studios here in Wisconsin.
I’ll still be competing professionally, but I’m excited for this new journey ❤️
Taking a break from creating content on Tik Tok and It’s been my main platform for 2 years now. So it’s scary.
BUT
My life is changing ALOT (new job, marriage, house)
So I’m shifting my focus to long form content on YouTube and AP on twitch.
Time to start a new chapter
🧵
I have been quiet here on the happenings in the space. And choosing to just retweet/support other voices. Also this app scares the hell out of me.
But I wanted to make a post about moving away from D&D, my experience so far, and what I’ve learned.
One of the best things I’ve done for my mindset as a content creator: 🧵
When content isn’t performing well, replace algorithm with audience.
We so often will blame this faceless, formless equation for our content not performing well. And for me it would make me feel powerless.
I’ve built my platform mostly on Tik Tok but I want to make more content on YouTube but don’t really know how to translate my content to long form. Anyone have any suggestions ?
Ya know. I know I make what could be called “cringy” content. But what grinds my gears is when people come into my comments saying something akin to:
“My character would beat up this character because xyz”
Like y’all this isn’t a competition, I was feeling myself in some armor
One of my students told me that thanks to her lessons she felt confident enough to finally talk to the boy she likes.
It’s a big win for her, as this was a student who couldn’t even look me in the eye when we started dancing.
I’m so proud of her.
Need some positive energy yall, I’m waiting to hear back on several big opportunities, and the furious checking of my email is stressing me out.
I don’t want to get my hopes up, but I also don’t want to give up?
Getting more comfortable with streaming and doing just chatting, had a fantastic start talking about Horror TTRPGs in prep for the spooky season.
What are some of y’alls favorites?
Started putting my homebrew up on my kofi and it’s been doing alright. Then I make a Helldivers inspired one shot and in a couple of days 1,100 people pick it up 😳