8 hours ago
Thriving Amidst Giants
Crowdfunding Nerds: Kickstarter Marketing For Board Games & Beyond!
Since 2019, Crowdfunding Nerds has helped over 200 crowdfunding creators raise over $30M on Kickstarter and Gamefound. In addition to that, we have generated over $100M in ecommerce sales and had clients featured on Shark Tank, ”As Seen On TV,” and more. We work with IP’s like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Star Trek, Mass Effect, Dune, and more... But we have also helped a TON of first-time creators fund on day 1, too! Our podcast exists to help you with your journey before, during, and after crowdfunding using real-world examples from our clients. We share what’s working and what is not in today’s market. We build pre-launch e-mail lists, get backers during live campaigns, and drive pre-orders and e-commerce sales after your campaign ends! If you’re DIY marketing (doing it yourself), we created the Crowdfunding Nerds Academy to help, which has specialized courses designed to make sure you’re doing it right! Buckle up; it’s about to get nerdy.
Listen on:
Episodes
Episodes
Monday Mar 24, 2025
Monday Mar 24, 2025
Are you ready to dive into the world of crowdfunding with a twist of strategy and resilience? In Episode 224 of the Crowdfunding Nerds podcast, hosts Andrew and Sean team up with Ryan Williams, a fellow Nerd, to unpack the journey of his Kickstarter project, Starclash, inspired by the iconic StarCraft series. Ever wondered how to manage a Kickstarter campaign while juggling life's chaos or how to handle those pesky negative comments? Ryan spills the beans on these challenges and more.We explore the essence of finding the right fit with clients, the art of saying no to projects that don't align, and the power of perseverance. Ryan's personal tale of learning from a failed campaign and successfully relaunching his game, Backwoods, is a testament to grit. Plus, get the inside scoop on his current board game venture, Starclash, and the decision to self-publish. Tune in for a dose of inspiration and crowdfunding wisdom!
Links to check out!
River Rats: https://riverratscardgame.com/
Knee Deep in Hexes: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kneedeepinhexes/knee-deep-in-hexesStarclash: A Base Building Tactical Board Game: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mosthighgames/starclash-a-base-building-tactical-battle-board-gameCheck out our website at crowdfundingnerds.com and join our bustling community on Facebook. Don't forget to check out our NEW course at crowdfundingnerds.com/academy
Stay Nerdy!
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Episode 221 of Crowdfunding Nerds is here, and it's a game-changer! Ever wondered how alternate reality games (ARGs) can skyrocket a game's success? Or how a viral phrase like "the cake is a lie" came to be? Join us as we dive deep into the world of game development with the legendary Jeep Barnett, known for his work on the Portal series at Valve.Jeep shares his journey from video games to board games, revealing the magic behind ARGs that captivated players worldwide. Discover how these interactive experiences not only built hype for Portal but also drew parallels with crowdfunding strategies. We explore the risks and rewards of ARGs, their impact on community engagement, and how they mirror the crowdfunding landscape.Tune in for a fascinating discussion on the evolution of game
marketing, the art of player interaction, and lessons learned from Jeep's ventures, including a Kickstarter project. Don’t miss this episode packed with insights and secrets from the gaming world!
Links to Check out:
Website: https://www.jeepbarnett.com/Game: https://ssaangn.com/Jeep Barnett English Stuff - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx5AEI96l3U&list=PLfc4w03gYBcN9dLQcjXO-MIRKbgkewRYs
Check out our website at crowdfundingnerds.com and join our bustling community on Facebook.
Stay Nerdy!
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Have you ever wondered how scammers craft their traps so convincingly? In this gripping episode of Crowdfunding Nerds, hosts Andrew Loewen and Sean take you on a harrowing journey through a sophisticated scam attempt that nearly cost Andrew $9,500 in Bitcoin! Andrew recounts how the scammers, posing as law enforcement, manipulated real-life events, like a recent jury summons, to weave a believable narrative. Discover how his wife’s quick thinking and a call to the police unraveled the deceitful web. We dive into the broader implications of scams in the crowdfunding world, where public financial successes can make creators prime targets. Plus, we tackle the murky waters of digital advertising on platforms like Google and Facebook. Are they really scams, or just misunderstood? Tune in for invaluable insights and practical advice on protecting your online identity and investments. Stay savvy, stay safe!
Links to check out!Google Scam - https://krebsonsecurity.com/2024/12/how-to-lose-a-fortune-with-just-one-bad-click/Why you should not use text 2fa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVyu7NB7W6Y
Please Hold Short Film - https://www.amazon.com/Please-Hold-Doreen-Calderon/dp/B0B6FKMFR6Check out our website at crowdfundingnerds.com and join our bustling community on Facebook.
Stay Nerdy!
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Did you know game specialization can level up your marketing? Join us for Episode 221 of the Crowdfunding Nerds podcast, where Andrew and Sean unravel the complexities of board game publishing and marketing. Sean shares insights from his recent lecture, guiding us through the three pathways for creators: self-publishing, partnering with a publisher, or a hybrid approach. Discover the pros and cons of each, and why having a built-in audience is your secret weapon.
We also dive into alternative monetization strategies beyond direct sales, and the magic of the virtuous cycle in crowdfunding. Learn about the upcoming Crowdfunding Nerds Academy, designed to equip you with the tools for crowdfunding success. Whether you're a seasoned creator or just starting, this episode is packed with strategies to elevate your game and maximize your impact in the industry. Tune in and level up your board game marketing game!
Links to check out:
Hybrid Example - crowdfundingnerds.com/episode63
Other Ways To Monetise Board Games
crowdfundingnerds.com/episode95
crowdfundingnerds.com/episode126
Seeking A Publisher
youtube.com/@AdaminWales
boardgamedesignlab.com/get-published
The Virtuous Cycle
crowdfundingnerds.com/the-virtuous-cycle-of-kickstarter-marketing
The Best Time To Send Email 2025
Mailerlite.com/blog/best-time-to-send-email
The 3 Scroll Test
crowdfundingnerds.com/episode10
The Crowdfunding Nerds Academy
crowdfundingnerds.com/academy
Check out our website at crowdfundingnerds.com and join our bustling community on Facebook.
Stay Nerdy!
Monday Feb 24, 2025
Monday Feb 24, 2025
Are you ready to dive into the world of crowdfunding tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs)? In episode 220 of Crowdfunding Nerds, hosts Andrew and Sean are joined by Mark Diaz Truman, the CEO and co-founder of Magpie Games, to unravel the intricacies of this dynamic industry. Ever wondered how a Kickstarter project like "Fallen London" can raise over $700,000? Or how to stand out in a market dominated by Dungeons & Dragons? Mark shares his strategies on streamlining reward tiers and engaging followers pre-launch, as well as the challenges of marketing non-D&D systems. Discover how the new Adana system by Magpie Games is set to revolutionize gameplay experiences, and explore the potential opportunities arising from the revocation of the Open Gaming License. Tune in for a treasure trove of insights on creating games that captivate players long after the campaign ends. Don’t miss this episode packed with wisdom for both creators and gamers alike!
Links to check out!
Fallen London: The Roleplaying Game - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/magpiegames/fallen-london-the-roleplaying-game
Urban Shadows - https://magpiegames.com/collections/urban-shadows
Magpie Games - https://magpiegames.com/
Check out our website at crowdfundingnerds.com and join our bustling community on Facebook.
Stay Nerdy!
Monday Feb 17, 2025
Monday Feb 17, 2025
Ever wonder why some crowdfunding campaigns soar while others barely get off the ground? In this episode of Crowdfunding Nerds, Andrew and Sean unravel the secrets behind effective product demonstration for crowdfunding success. Andrew kicks things off by sharing his journey as a board game publisher and the hurdles he faced with Kickstarter. Can fresh eyes breathe new life into your marketing strategy? Sean thinks so, and he shares insights on overcoming project fatigue by seeking new perspectives.We delve into the power of community feedback and why understanding your target market is crucial. Discover how to transform features into solutions and why social proof is your best friend. Plus, get a sneak peek into the marketing strategies for our Crowdfunding Nerds Academy courses. Don't miss out—visit our Academy page to join the waitlist for exclusive discounts!Check out our Course here: crowdfundingnerds.com/academyGot questions? Submit them at crowdfundingnerds.com/question
Check out our website at crowdfundingnerds.com and join our bustling community on Facebook.
Stay Nerdy!
Monday Feb 10, 2025
Monday Feb 10, 2025
Episode 218 of Crowdfunding Nerds is here, and we're diving deep into the world of crowdfunding platforms! Have you ever wondered how Kickstarter and GameFound stack up against each other? Or what goes on behind the scenes of our podcast? Join us as we tackle these questions and more! Andrew is determined to address your feedback and share insights from recent episodes featuring GameFound's CMO, Alex Radcliffe. We’re not about hit pieces; we're about honest, constructive dialogues.Kickstarter's recent article claims an impressive 80% success rate for game projects. Is this a strategic counter to GameFound's assertions? We analyze the competitive landscape and discuss how both platforms are evolving.Plus, we share our wish list for Kickstarter features and invite you to suggest future interviewees! Tune in for a candid chat about transparency, innovation, and the future of crowdfunding. Don’t miss it!
Links to check out!2024 Was a Big Year for Games on Kickstarter: https://updates.kickstarter.com/kickstarter-biggest-platform-for-games/Gamefound is #1 Board Game CF platform - 2024 summary: https://gamefound.com/en/blog/post/gamefound-no1-2024-summary
Check out our website at crowdfundingnerds.com and join our bustling community on Facebook.
Stay Nerdy!
Monday Feb 03, 2025
Monday Feb 03, 2025
Ever wondered how a simple email subject line can make or break your crowdfunding campaign? In this episode, Andrew and Sean unravel the secrets behind crafting compelling subject lines that boost open rates and ensure your emails land where they belong—in the inbox, not the spam folder.Join us as we introduce the Crowdfunding Nerds Academy, where we offer a treasure trove of courses, including our latest on email marketing. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or on a tight budget, our academy provides structured guidance to elevate your crowdfunding game.Discover the magic of specificity in subject lines, the pitfalls of sensational language, and why six words might be your sweet spot. Plus, learn about RSS feeds as a savvy backup to email communication.Don't miss out on our early adopter discounts and join our vibrant Facebook community for more insights. Let's revolutionize your crowdfunding journey together!
Links to check out!SubjectLine.com: https://subjectline.com/Email marketing benchmarks by industry and region for 2025: https://www.mailerlite.com/blog/compare-your-email-performance-metrics-industry-benchmarksBest Time to Send Email: https://www.mailerlite.com/blog/best-time-to-send-emailCroundfunding Nerds Academy: https://crowdfundingnerds.com/academy/
Check out our website at crowdfundingnerds.com and join our bustling community on Facebook.
Stay Nerdy!
Monday Jan 27, 2025
Monday Jan 27, 2025
Ready to dive into the world of crowdfunding with a twist? In Episode 216 of Crowdfunding Nerds, Sean and Andrew, unravel the mysteries of Gamefound's new advertising platform, AdFound. Could this be the game-changer creators have been waiting for, or is it just another player in the crowdfunding arena? We dissect AdFound’s competitive edge—offering a mere 5% fee on conversions compared to BackerKit’s 15%—but is cheaper always better? We also tackle the crucial question of data ownership and the potential pitfalls of relying too heavily on centralized systems like Gamefound.Join us as we compare Gamefound’s claims of being the top dog in board game crowdfunding against Kickstarter, and explore the real stories of creators like Dwarven Forge and The Dice Tower. Can smaller creators thrive on Gamefound, or do they risk losing their magic touch? Tune in to find out and discover why maintaining your own marketing infrastructure is more vital than ever!
Links to check out:
AdFound Update - https://gamefound.com/en/blog/post/adfound-marketing-revolutionDice Tower 2024 Results - https://www.kicktraq.com/projects/tomvasel/support-the-dice-tower-2024/#chart-dailyDice Tower 2025 - https://gamefound.com/en/projects/dice-tower/the-dice-tower-gamefound-2025Dwarven Forge Gamefound - https://gamefound.com/en/creators/dwarven-forgeDwarven Forge Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/dwarvenforge/created
Check out our website at crowdfundingnerds.com and join our bustling community on Facebook.
Stay Nerdy!
Monday Jan 20, 2025
Monday Jan 20, 2025
Curious about the next big thing in crowdfunding? Join us on Crowdfunding Nerds as Andrew and Sean dive into a fascinating conversation with Alex Radcliffe, Gamefound's CMO, who spills the beans on Gamefound's explosive growth and ambitious goals for 2025. From its humble beginnings as a pledge manager to raking in over $85 million in 2024, Gamefound is making waves. But can it dethrone Kickstarter? We explore the pros and cons of each platform and how Gamefound plans to attract and maintain big names like Awaken Realms and CMON.Discover Gamefound's unique features, like the Gamefound Feast, and hear Alex's take on integrating social media to boost community engagement. Plus, we tackle the challenges of offering comprehensive services and Gamefound's future as a creator's one-stop shop.Tune in for a compelling look at Gamefound's journey and the evolving crowdfunding landscape!
Links to check out:
Blog Post about Gamefound 2024 results: https://gamefound.com/en/blog/post/gamefound-no1-2024-summary
Ask Alex a question in the Crowdfunding Nerds community on Facebook.
Stay Nerdy!