Crowdfunding Nerds: Kickstarter Marketing, Business, & Beyond!

Crowdfunding Nerds is a practical, behind-the-scenes podcast for creators looking to launch and scale successful crowdfunding campaigns. Since 2019, the Crowdfunding Nerds team has helped creators raise over $40M on Kickstarter and Gamefound while generating more than $100M in ecommerce sales.
From pre-launch strategy to post-campaign growth, the show delivers real-world marketing insights, campaign breakdowns, and lessons from both first-time creators and major IPs like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Fallout, Dune, and Star Trek.
Whether you're preparing for your first Kickstarter or optimizing your next launch, this podcast helps you do it smarter.
Crowdfunding Nerds is a practical, behind-the-scenes podcast for creators looking to launch and scale successful crowdfunding campaigns. Since 2019, the Crowdfunding Nerds team has helped creators raise over $40M on Kickstarter and Gamefound while generating more than $100M in ecommerce sales.
From pre-launch strategy to post-campaign growth, the show delivers real-world marketing insights, campaign breakdowns, and lessons from both first-time creators and major IPs like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Fallout, Dune, and Star Trek.
Whether you're preparing for your first Kickstarter or optimizing your next launch, this podcast helps you do it smarter.
Episodes
Episodes



Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
Ep 58: The Ultimate Crowdfunding Reading List – Part 2
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
The Crowdfunding Nerds are back with even more books to add to your Kickstarter reading list!
00:04:24 – Sean’s First Marketing Lessons00:08:31 - The Challenger Sale by Matthew Dixon, Brent Adamson
00:11:56 - The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman00:16:41 - The Kobold Guide to Board Game Design by Mike Selinker00:18:26 - Board Game Design Advice (2nd Edition) by Gabe Barrett00:18:58 - Board Game Kickstarter Advice by Gabe Barrett00:19:24 - A Crowdfunder’s Strategy Guide By Jamey Stegmaier00:20:57 - The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership By by John C. Maxwell, Zig Ziglar (Foreword)00:21:47 - 5 Day Weekend by Nik Halik00:22:27 - 6 Months to 6 Figures by Peter Voogd00:27:08 - The One Thing by Gary Keller
Shownotes
The Challenger Sale - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/11910902-the-challenger-sale The Personal MBA - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9512985-the-personal-mba The Kobold Guide to Board Game Design - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/12612706-the-kobold-guide-to-board-game-design Board Game Design Advice (2nd Edition) - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gabebarrett/board-game-design-advice-2nd-editionBoard Game Kickstarter Advice - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gabebarrett/board-game-kickstarter-adviceA Crowdfunder’s Strategy Guide - https://stonemaiergames.com/kickstarter/book/The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/815716.The_21_Irrefutable_Laws_of_Leadership5 Day Weekend - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/36083623-5-day-weekend6 Months to 6 Figures - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/23702503-6-months-to-6-figuresThe One Thing - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16256798-the-one-thingEpic Leather Quest Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01E9HP1SU/



Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Ep 57:The Ultimate Crowdfunding Reading List
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
The Crowdfunding Nerds discuss the business books you need to read to thrive at crowdfunding!
00:01:54 – Why You Should Read Fiction00:04:51 – Eat That Frog By Brian Tracy00:12:20 – The Urgent Important Matrix00:16:11 – Mac Productivity Software, Things 300:20:24 – Leveling Up: How To Master The Game of Life By Eric Siu00:29:05 – Rich Dad Poor Dad By Robert T. Kiyosaki00:33:15 - Rich Dad's Cashflow Quadrant: Rich Dad's Guide to Financial Freedom By Robert T. Kiyosaki00:40:59 – Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff By Richard Carlson00:45:52 - The E-Myth By Michael E. Gerber
Shownotes
Eat That Frog - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/95887.Eat_That_Frog_
Things 3 - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/things-3/id904280696?mt=12
Leveling Up - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/53225935-leveling-up
Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35397160-finish
Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average and Do Work that Matters - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17249189-start
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27213329-grit
Rich Dad Poor Dad - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/69571.Rich_Dad_Poor_Dad?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=TAjYyckCek&rank=1
Rich Dad's Cashflow Quadrant - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/81922.Rich_Dad_s_Cashflow_Quadrant
Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/170548.Don_t_Sweat_the_Small_Stuff_and_It_s_All_Small_Stuff?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=sqbN1pTkdC&rank=1
The E-Myth - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/81948.The_E_Myth_Revisited



Tuesday Jan 11, 2022
Ep 56: Opportunity Cost - Fact Or Fiction?
Tuesday Jan 11, 2022
Tuesday Jan 11, 2022
The Crowdfunding Nerds take about opportunity cost, is it something your need to consider or is it a ... myth!
00:01:05 – Opportunity Costs Are Rigged?00:04:15 – The Crowdfunding Nerds Podcast Opportunity Cost00:12:13 – Opportunity Costs Of Your Backers00:13:10 – Opportunity Cost With Crowdfunding Platforms00:18:05 – Advertising Budget Opportunity Cost00:23:53 – The Opportunity To Develop A Community00:36:51 – Is Rick Convinced?
Game On Tabletop Crowdfunding - https://www.gameontabletop.com/crowdfunding.phpGamefound - https://gamefound.com/Gamecrafter Crowdfunding - https://help.thegamecrafter.com/article/114-crowd-fundingCrowdfunding Nerds Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/crowdfundingnerds



Tuesday Jan 04, 2022
Tuesday Jan 04, 2022
The Crowdfunding Nerds start the new year off by chopping email marketing! Everything you need to know when crafting your board game emails!
00:02:03 – The Importance of Solid Email Marketing00:03:41 – Changes To MailChimp00:09:12 – MailChimp’s Pricing00:11:04 – When Do You Abandon Your Email List? 00:16:22 – 4 Absolute Essential Things Your Emails Need00:17:06 – The Email’s Theme00:20:57 – How To Do The Call To Action00:23:21 – Tips On Crafting A Thematic Introduction To Your Email00:25:53 – You Need Meaningful Content In Your Emails00:28:14 – The Optimal Length Of Your Emails00:36:37 – The Nature of Email Updates00:39:55 – Email Subject Lines & Preview Text00:48:38 – Be Careful What You Send Out
Shownotes
MailerLite Pricing - https://www.mailerlite.com/pricing
MailChimp Pricing - https://mailchimp.com/pricing/marketing/



Wednesday Dec 29, 2021
Ep 54: Looking Back - A Year Of Crowdfunding Nerds Podcasting
Wednesday Dec 29, 2021
Wednesday Dec 29, 2021
The nerds look back at a year of podcasting while highlighting their favorite moments!00:00:49 – Favorite Moments00:16:54 – Favorite Podcast Episode00:23:44 – The Facebook Group Is Growing00:27:07 – Favorite Campaign We Promoted00:31:34 – Favorite Moment In Deliverance Campaign00:37:45 – Last Year's Best Learning Experience00:44:49 – Biggest Surprises Of Last YearShownotesEpisode 0 - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode0Rick’s Troll Eating - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode28/Are Your Manufacturing Numbers Right For Kickstarter? - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode27/Gamefound’s Vision of Crowdfunding (VAT) - https://gamefound.com/blog/post/our-vision-of-the-future-of-crowdfundingThe Virtuous Cycle Of Kickstarter Marketing - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode14/Organically Engage A Facebook Community With Your Board Game - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode17/Interviewing Ant Lab Games: What To Look For In Content Creators Who Review Board Games - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode31/Marketing With Gabe Barrett Of The Board Game Design Lab - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode6/Gamefound: Behind The Scenes With CEO Marcin Świerkot - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode49/How To Run A Successful Tabletop Business With Chris Birch Of Modiphius Entertainment - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode50/Distilled - https://distilledgame.com/A Christmas Carol Adventure Book - https://vergegames.org/all-products/p/christmas-carol-adventure-bookA Christmas Carol RPG Kickstarter Case Study - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIPQJhjU6UQSkyrim On Gamefound - https://gamefound.com/projects/modiphius/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-the-board-gameWhat We Learned From A Facebook Ads Master And How It Relates To Kickstarter - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode23/



Wednesday Dec 22, 2021
Ep 53: Bonus Episode With Andrew - How To Engage Your Board Game Community
Wednesday Dec 22, 2021
Wednesday Dec 22, 2021
In this Christmas special Andrew goes solo mode and tackles the important topic of how to engage your community before your crowdfunding event!
00:02:02 – The Role Of Marketing For Your Kickstarter00:04:28 – How To Stand Out On Kickstarter00:08:13 – How To Get Your Community Excited About Your Project00:17:03 – Picking Your Community Platform00:19:11 – The Key To Communication00:22:48 – Become The Face Of Your Company00:25:37 – Involve Your Fans00:27:27 – How To Write Engaging Emails For Your Community00:31:18 – Don’t Stretch Yourself Too Thin



Tuesday Dec 14, 2021
Ep 52: 2022 Crowdfunding Predictions & Forecasts For Tabletop Marketing
Tuesday Dec 14, 2021
Tuesday Dec 14, 2021
The crowdfunding nerds wrap up a year of podcast with their predictions & forecasts for 2022. Who will be right? Will they all be wrong? Time will tell...
00:01:45 – Prediction Vs Forecasting00:09:38 - SEO Wizard Rick’s Predictions for 202200:15:49 – Andrew’s Prediction For 202200:19:47 – Richards Fiscal Cliff Song00:21:00 – South Africa’s Economic Hardships00:26:29 – Richard’s Girlfriend Is A Snoop00:27:25 – Buy Now Pay Later00:32:51 – Andrew’s Final Prediction About Distributors00:35:02 – Sean’s Suspicion of 2022 Manufacturing00:37:43 – German Manufacturing?
Shownotes
Times Magazine On China - http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,165453,00.html
Ludo Fact Manufacturing - https://ludofact.de/en/



Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
Tuesday Dec 07, 2021
The Crowdfunding Nerds answer some questions from the Crowdfunding Nerds Facebook Group that you now need to be in if you are a regular listener; otherwise, you will be labeled a loser.
00:01:31 - Facebook Support Is Meh 00:06:45 - Crowdfunding Nerds Facebook Community 00:07:41 - Have Multiple Admins In Your Facebook Group 00:10:00 - The Group Rules 00:13:24 - Answer Automated Questions 00:15:22 - Why We Created The Facebook Community 00:16:58 - Community Question About Gamefound 00:25:29 - Gamefound For Marketing Not Crowdfunding 00:32:17 - How Do You Even Start Calculating International Shipping? 00:37:03 - Personal Goals For The Rest of 2021
Shownotes
Crowdfunding Nerds Kickstarter Marketing Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/383263609608760
Tabletop Game Kickstarter Advice Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/TabletopKickstarters
Board Game Design Lab Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/281973812325263
Wheaton's Law - https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/wheatons-law
Gamefound: Behind The Scenes With CEO Marcin Świerkot - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode49/
How To Run A Successful Tabletop Business With Chris Birch Of Modiphius Entertainment - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode50/
ShipQuest - https://www.shipquest.co.uk/
VFI Asia - http://vfi.asia/
Happyshops - https://www.happyshops.com/index.php?cmd=fulfillment&fulfillmentLanguage=EN



Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
Christ Birch, co-founder of Modiphius Entertainment joins the Crowdfunding Nerds to discuss the business of tabletop crowdfunding, licensing, and distribution.
00:01:40 – How To Transition From Hobby To Business? 00:08:55 – Dealing With Business Success00:19:55 – How To Get Into Licencing Intellectual Properties00:27:41 - How To Develop Tabletop Games For Large IPs00:31:52 – Survey Your Community / Customers 00:35:34 – Have Realistic Goals For Crowdfunding 00:39:09 – Think About Retail When Planning Your Crowdfunding Project 00:45:34 – Getting Into Distribution 00:49:19 – The Biggest Challenge In Marketing Skyrim The Adventure Game
ShownotesSkyrim on Gamefound - https://gamefound.com/projects/modiphius/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-the-board-game?refcode=Jq0R6pNfukOyUuxnjzkuNQ
Thunderbirds Board Game - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modiphius/the-thunderbirds-co-operative-board-game-by-matt-l
Modiphius.net - https://www.modiphius.net/Modiphius.us - https://modiphius.us/



Tuesday Nov 23, 2021
Ep 49: Gamefound: Behind The Scenes with CEO Marcin Świerkot
Tuesday Nov 23, 2021
Tuesday Nov 23, 2021
The Crowdfunding Nerds are joined by Marcin Świerkot, CEO of Gamefound to get a behind the scenes look into their plans for the future within the Board Gaming and Tabletop space.
00:01:19 – How did Gamefound come about?00:07:22 – Gamefound Community Groups & Social Badges?00:10:53 – Gamefound’s Early Bird Features00:13:31 – Gamefound & The Facebook Pixel00:15:35 – What Is Responsible For Kickstarter’s Traffic?00:20:17 – To Succeed With Crowdfunding You Can’t Be Average Any more00:21:05 – Gamefound Affiliate Links For Board Game Reviewers00:27:00 – Gamefound & iOS 1400:29:14 – Facebook Ads Scaling Issues00:33:05 – Marcin Świerkot’s Conspiracy Theory
Shownotes
Gamefound - https://gamefound.com/creators/becomeacreator#/Awaken Realms - https://awakenrealms.com/Biggercake - https://www.biggercake.com/Google Header Bid Lawsuit - https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1328941/download










