Crowdfunding Nerds: Kickstarter Marketing For Board Games & Beyond!

Listen To This Podcast Before Creating A TTRPG

The Crowdfunding Nerds sit down with Chris Birch of Modiphius Entertainment to talk about the Open Gaming License controversy, the 2d20 World Builders Program and how to stand out in the marketplace as a TTRPG developer.
00:01:56 – Gaming Retirement Homes?00:05:41 – Wizards of The Coast Open Gaming License00:14:44 – Why Did Modiphius Create The 2d20 TTRPG System00:20:59 – 2d20 World Builders00:28:50 – Old School Blizzard00:31:27 – Dealing With Licenses00:36:57 – Without GMs TTRPGs Are Dead00:46:10 – Thinking About Your USP
Shownotes
Skyrim Adventure Board Game - https://www.modiphius.net/products/the-elder-scrolls-skyrim-adventure-board-game-core-game
Paizo Announces System-Neutral Open RPG License - https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6si7v
2d20 World Builders Program - https://www.modiphius.net/pages/2d20worldbuilders
OGL Change of Heart - https://www.polygon.com/23574677/dungeons-dragons-dnd-ogl-canceled-wizards-fans-win
Mutant: Year Zero - https://www.modiphius.net/products/mutant-year-zero-corebook-map
D&D Beyond - https://www.dndbeyond.com/

5 Dangerous Assumptions That Can Kill Your Crowdfunding Campaign Before It Begins

The Crowdfunding Nerds seek to help you think critically about your game development by pondering 5 dangerous assumptions that can kill your crowdfunding campaign before you even launch.
 
Shownotes00:04:36 – Open Gaming Licence00:11:04 – Facebook’s Everyone Tag00:20:45 – Dangerous Assumption Overview00:21:17 – Failing Before You Begin00:23:54 – Assumption #1 “People Want This”00:30:59 – Assumption #1.5 “I Can Do This”00:36:36 – Assumption #2 “Tons of People Want This”00:41:46 – Assumption #3 “I Know My Target Market”00:44:28 – Assumption #4 “I Know Why People Think This Is Awesome”00:49:23 – Assumption #5 “People Want An Expansion To This”
 
Skyrim Board Game - https://www.modiphius.net/pages/skyrim-the-adventure-game
Modiphius 2d20 World Builders - https://www.modiphius.net/pages/2d20worldbuilders
An Update on the Open Game License (OGL) - https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1423-an-update-on-the-open-game-license-ogl 
Sankwalkers - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/goblinzstudio/sandwalkers-a-roguelike-turn-based-exploration-game
Gabe Barrett’s Playtesting Tips - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=strkQM8P9F4
Crowdfunding Nerds Kickstarter Course - https://course.crowdfundingnerds.com/p/facebook-ads-for-crowdfunding

Why Gamers Back Crowdfunding Campaigns

The Crowdfunding Nerds discuss why gamers backed Deliverance on Kickstarter from a recent question and answer. You will be able to leverage these reasons for your own Kickstater or Gamefound campaigns!
00:08:34 – Should You Reply To Every Comment On Every Platform?00:10:47 – I Want This To Be In The World / I Helped Made It Possible00:13:36 - Won’t Be Made Otherwise00:15:15 – Having A Say In The Design & Development Process00:17:05 – Make Fans Feel Special00:20:21 – The Crowdfunding “Loot Box” Effect00:22:23 – Better Value In Components (Not Gameplay)00:27:04 – Get The Product Before Anyone Else00:30:25 – Andrew’s Reasons For Backing Kickstarters00:37:25 – The Most Common Reasons
Shownotes
Andrew’s Kickstarter Update - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lowenhigh/deliverance-board-game/posts/3678070
Crowdfunding Nerds Marketing Course (65% Discount: PODCAST2023) - https://course.crowdfundingnerds.com/p/facebook-ads-for-crowdfunding

How To Write A Good Kickstarter Update

Want to write a Kickstarter update for your board game but don’t know where to begin? Well the Crowdfunding Nerds give some needed tips on project updates.
00:01:30 – Banned Facebook Ads Account Update00:02:51 – Meta Quest 2 Review00:06:54 – Andrew’s Fancy Cars00:12:45 – How To Prepare To Write A Kickstarter Update00:14:49 – Kickstarter Update Template00:18:59 – Keep It Personal00:24:59 – Centralising Your Updates00:34:05 – Expect Trolls
Deliverance Kickstarter Update Example - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lowenhigh/deliverance-board-game/posts/3678070
Dice Throne - https://shop.dicethrone.com/
Larp Video - https://fb.watch/hYfrTCnM_v/
Crowdfunding Nerds Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/383263609608760

How To Get Better At Marketing

The Crowdfunding Nerds discuss strategies that will help you become a better marketer based on their own experience, and why being good at marketing matters!
00:00:36 – Washington Post Article00:03:30 – Focus On The Theme Of Your Game00:06:25 – Gamefound Updates00:14:06 – Meta Quest 2 Facebook Ad Account Issue00:18:48 – Take The Time To Learn00:22:32 – Get A Book On Logic00:30:47 – Practice What You Are Learning00:36:39 – Understand Propaganda00:45:38 – Caring About People
Washington Post Article - https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/12/24/board-game-popularity/
Gamefound Update - https://gamefound.com/blog/post/communication-management-vat-reverse-charge-and-more
Introduction to Logic - https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Logic-Irving-M-Copi/dp/1292024828
Propaganda - https://www.amazon.com/Propaganda-Edward-Bernays/dp/0970312598
This Is Marketing: You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn to See - https://www.amazon.com/This-Marketing-Cant-Until-Learn/dp/0525540830
Interviewing A Sales Master: Dan Boe - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode61/
Interviewing A Sales Master: Dan Boe Part 2- https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode62/
Share Your Marketing Tips - https://www.facebook.com/groups/crowdfundingnerds

Troubleshooting The Mid-Campaign Slump: A Case Study

The Crowdfunding Nerds are joined by Galen McCown of Galen’s Games to talk about troubleshooting the mid-campaign slump of Super Snipers.
00:00:59 – Important Updates From Gamefound00:05:45 – Altruistic Pledge Levels?00:09:35 – Troubleshooting The Mid-Campaign Slump00:17:26 - Honest Kickstarter Case Study00:35:27 – Galen’s Changes To Future Campaigns00:50:38 – Building Good Will
Gamefound Update - https://gamefound.com/blog/post/introducing-installments-on-gamefound-celebrating-1000-projects
Andrew’s Prediction Came True (28:47) - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode52/
Super Snipers - https://super-snipers.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders
Galen’s Blog / Case Study - https://www.galensgames.com/blog/thoughts-from-a-first-time-self-publisher-3-months-from-the-kickstarter-prologue
Gabe Barrett’s Marketing Book - https://gamenightoutfitters.com/collections/game-design/products/board-game-kickstarter-advice-pdf
Jamey Stegmaier’s Book - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1626564086
Fake Influencer Video - https://youtu.be/FRClNMC_z-s
Let’s Talk Zombicide With Ross Thompson - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode102/
Galen’s Blog: "What Would I Do Differently?" - https://www.galensgames.com/blog/thoughts-from-a-first-time-self-publisher-part-20-lessons-part-3
Galen’s Games - https://linktr.ee/galensgamedesigns

Listen To This Podcast Before Making Stretch Goals

Andrew Lowen describes a mistake he made with stretch goals on the last day of his Kickstarter campaign. The Crowdfunding Nerds talk about obligations to delivering to backers, even when it hurts!
00:01:38 – Kickstarter Update: Easy Ship & Referral Links00:07:03 – Andrew’s Stretch Goal Mistake00:14:17 – Be Careful Making Promises00:15:34 – Thinking About Retail00:19:24 – Selling Shirts Through Kickstarter00:23:27 – When You Should Launch In December00:25:00 – Think Through Stretch Goals Before Launching00:26:52 – How Does Your Community Perceive Your Decisions?00:37:58 – Sometimes It’s Ok To Lose Money
Shownotes
Kickstarter & Easy Ship - https://updates.kickstarter.com/were-partnering-with-easyship-to-make-shipping-less-of-a-headache/
Kickstarter Pre-Launch Referral Links - https://updates.kickstarter.com/new-tools-to-help-creators-market-their-projects/

Board Game Industry 2023 Predictions

The crowdfunding nerds discuss their 2023 predictions on economics, manufacturing and board game demand.00:01:13 – Facebook Bands Ad Accounts For Personal Posts00:05:35 – Andrews Social Media Philosophy00:08:58: - Facebook’s Ad Model Vs YouTube’s Ad Model00:10:23 – Why Sean Uses RSS00:15:20 – China’s COVID-19 Restrictions Impacting The Board Game Industry00:18:41 – Andrew’s Prediction #1 – Manufacturing Is Going To Stay In China00:25:02 – Richard’s Prediction #1 – Increased Costs For National US Postage00:27:57 – Sean’s Prediction #1 – Big Video Game IPs Are Going To Bring More Board Gamers To The Hobby00:32:53 - Sean’s Prediction #1 – Global Economic Crash / Fiat Replaced With New System00:39:18 – Richard’s Prediction #2 – Manufacturing Costs Will Go Up & Backers Will Go Down00:46:13 – Andrew’s Prediction #2 – FOMO Will Be Less Applicable To Larger IPs00:50:30 - Andrew’s Prediction #3 – Kickstarter Is Going To Lose Traffic To Backerkit & GamefoundShownotesFacebook Ad Restrictions Document - https://www.facebook.com/business/help/975570072950669?id=434838534925385Twitter Files: Secret Blacklists - https://twitter.com/bariweiss/status/1601007575633305600Being Intentional About Sharing Politics On Social Media With Ross Thompson - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode102/Effective Altruism - https://www.effectivealtruism.org/Brave News With RSS - https://brave.com/brave-news/ Feeder RSS Browser Extension - https://feeder.co/Thunderbird - https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/Homeworld: Fleet Command Board Game - https://www.modiphius.net/pages/homeworld-fleet-commandSandwalkers Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/goblinzstudio/sandwalkers-a-roguelike-turn-based-exploration-gameHallow Knight Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/11662585/hollow-knightSteam Wishlist Breakdown - https://www.gamesindustry.biz/a-game-developer-guide-to-steam-wishlists

2022 Board Game Industry Predictions In Review

The Crowdfunding Nerds review last years predictions and discuss the developments and trends of the board game industry in 2022.
00:04:02 – Reviewing Rick's First 2022 Prediction00:07:31 – Reviewing The Elden Ring Kickstarter Campaign00:21:27 – Reviewing Rick's Second 2022 Prediction00:23:58 – Reviewing Andrew's First 2022 Prediction00:30:19 - Reviewing Andrew's Second 2022 Prediction00:36:07 – Reviewing Andrew’s Third 2022 Prediction00:46:51 - Reviewing Sean’s Only 2022 Prediction
Shownotes
Gabe Barrett’s YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@gabebarrett
2022 Crowdfunding Predictions & Forecasts For Tabletop Marketing - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode52/
Elden Ring The Board Game - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steamforged/elden-ring-the-board-game
Summer Vacation Spend Up 91% - https://www.travelagentcentral.com/your-business/stats-summer-vacation-spend-91-percent-over-pre-covid-levels

Let’s Talk Zombicide With Ross Thompson

The Crowdfunding Nerds continue their discussion with Ross Thompson on marketing big games while diving into the Zombicide Kickstarter campaign.
00:00:44 – Pricing Big Games00:06:48 – What Steamforged Games Does With Their Kickstarter Campaigns00:11:25 – Focus On The Experience of Big Games00:14:41 – The Need For A Schedule00:18:37 – Being Intentional With Social Media Feed Scrolling00:20:57 – Being Intentional About Sharing Politics On Social Media00:33:30 - Kickstarter Comment Moderation00:38:58 – The Zombicide Kickstarter Launch & Stretch Goals00:51:18 – Ross Thompson’s Marketing Advice For Today01:00:24 – Super Cool Marketing Lessons?
Elden Ring: The Board Game - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steamforged/elden-ring-the-board-game
Resident Evil™: The Board Game - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steamforged/resident-evil-board-game/
Adventures & Academia: First Class - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/russrmc/adventures-and-academia-first-class
RuneScape Kingdoms: Shadow of Elvarg - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steamforged/runescape-board-game
Epic Encounters: Local Legends - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steamforged/local-legends-1
Rivet Wars: Reloaded - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steamforged/rivet-wars-reloaded
Godtear - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/steamforged/godtearElden Ring Press Event - https://steamforged.com/en-gb/blogs/brands/what-went-on-at-the-elden-ring-the-board-game-press-event
Amy Hennig On Gaming Experiences - https://youtu.be/caURIb9cOIg?t=4505
Facebook News Feed Eradicator Browser Extension - https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/news-feed-eradicator/
Warhammer Moderation - https://www.warhammer-community.com/2021/11/19/the-imperium-is-driven-by-hate-warhammer-is-not/
Jamey Stegmaier Quits Twitter - https://stonemaiergames.com/why-i-quit-twitter-its-not-you-its-me/
Kickstarter Comment Moderation Update - https://www.kickstarter.com/blog/improving-comment-moderationpart-of-our-commitment-to-keeping-0
Zombicide - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cmon/zombicide
Ogre Designer's Edition - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sjgames/ogre-designers-edition
TGN - https://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/ 
Beast of War - https://www.beastsofwar.com/
ICv2 - https://icv2.com/
Bell of Lost Souls - https://www.belloflostsouls.net/
Dropfleet Commander - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hawkwargames/dropfleet-commander
Polygon - https://www.polygon.com/
io9 - https://gizmodo.com/io9
Mojo Nation - https://mojo-nation.com/about-mojo/
Tabletop Game Jobs - https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopJobs
Ross Thompson LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-thompson-52a0b844/