If you are a TTRPG creator, the Shard Tabletop Marketplace is one of the most powerful billboards available to you. But many creators make the mistake of seeing it as a dead end street. They upload a free adventure, people play it, and then those players disappear forever.
I use a Freemium strategy to ensure those free samples actually grow my brand. Here is exactly how I turn a Shard freebie into a loyal visitor for Twist of the Fates.
The Strategy: Vertical Slice
Don’t give away a random pile of notes. Give away a Vertical Slice. This is a small but high quality piece of content that is ready to play tonight.
The Goal: Build trust. If your free map or one shot is amazing, they will assume your paid content is even better.
The Bridge: Every free package should solve a problem but leave a value gap that can only be filled by visiting your website.
Technical Setup: Mastering the Shard Editor
In Shard, you build content using Books. Unlike a PDF, a Shard Book is an interactive web experience. You must use this to your advantage to drive traffic.
| Resource Type | Strategic Use |
|---|---|
| Official Guides | Visit the Shard Learning Center to master the editor basics. |
| Direct Links | Insert a hidden treasure page at the end of your adventure with a link to your newsletter. |
| Embedded Data | Always Embed your unique monsters and items so the free version is plug and play for the user. |
Tracking Your Success with UTM Parameters
You should not guess where your traffic is coming from; you should know. Every link I put inside my Shard packages uses UTM Parameters. This tells my analytics exactly which Free Sample sent me a new subscriber. I use this data to come up with ideas for new content and to make revisions to underperforming and old content to liven it up a bit.
For example, my primary newsletter link looks like this:
https://twistofthefates.com/newsletter?utm_source=shard_marketplace&utm_medium=ttrpg_freebie&utm_campaign=shard_to_newsletter_2026&utm_id=freemium_v1&utm_term=marketing_tips&utm_content=newsletter_signup_btn
The Newsletter: Converting Interest Into Loyalty
Once they land on your site, don’t just ask them to join a community. Give them a reason to stay. I provide a weekly newsletter that covers:
New content and marketplace drops.
Marketing tips and tricks for TTRPG creators.
Creative ideas and homebrew sparks for your table.
By offering tips on how to build a business out of homebrew, I am not just a map maker anymore; I am a resource.
Ready to Build Your Own Empire?
If you are tired of shouting into the void and want to learn the specific marketing secrets I use to grow Twist of the Fates, join my inner circle. I send out weekly tips on layout, marketplace strategy, and how to get more eyes on your sagas.
Feel free to ask questions in the comments!