Crowdfunding Nerds: Kickstarter Marketing, Business, & Beyond!

Mastering Goal Setting: Journey to a More Productive Life

Welcome to Crowdfunding Nerds Episode 161! Ever wondered about the art of setting and achieving realistic goals? Your hosts, Andrew and Sean, are here to delve deep into this topic. We'll discuss why goal setting is crucial, how it enhances productivity, and its role in improving the quality of life. You'll hear personal stories about setting meaningful goals, overcoming challenges, and even dealing with failures.Learn how to make your goals specific and measurable, and how they can bring value to your life. Hear Andrew's personal journey of setting goals to improve his family life and how he learned to forgive himself for any setbacks. Finally, we'll explore the concept of time-bound goals and micro goals, with Andrew sharing his experience developing a board game.Ready to become a master goal-setter? Tune in now!
 
Links to check out: 
Choking on aspirations - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLCQ-5uJ78gKickstarter Mental Health: What You Need To Know & How To Prepare - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode9/The Ultimate Crowdfunding Reading List – Part 1 - https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode57/Chapters:00:01 Introduction to goal setting02:26 Importance of goal setting, personal experiences03:29 Approach towards failure in achieving goals07:03 Making goals specific and measurable with examples16:26 Andrew's journey in goal setting: the need for self-forgiveness39:26 The concept of time-bound goals and micro goals: Andrew's board game experience.
------------------Goal IdentifierList 3 of the most meaningful things you have learnt since last year:1.2.3.Think of 3 things you are really good at. If you were to become the best inthe world at these three things what would they be?1.2.3.List your top 6 values, i.e the reasons behind your life choices:1.2.3.4.5.6.List 6 things you would do if you had $10 million in your bank account:1.2.3.4.5.6.Setting 6 month goalsYour goals must have three essential elements.They must be:1. Specific2. Achievable3. Have Time LimitsYou will now define your 6 month goals.List 6 goals you hope to achieve in the next 6 months:1.2.3.4.5.6.Now list 3 goals for the next 90 days.These must be associated with the goals previously listed:1.2.3.Month #1List 3 things you are going to focus on for the first monthto achieve these goals:1.2.3.Month #2What 3 things would you then focus on in the second month?1.2.3.Month #3Now list 3 more things you would focus on for the third and last month:1.2.3.What are your top 6 reasons for achieving these goals?1.2.3.4.5.6.Now pick 3 of these reasons that mean the most to you:1.2.3.The three goals above are your 6 month goals
 

Balance Breaks: A Guide to Boost Crowdfunding Productivity

Welcome to Crowdfunding Nerds, episode 160! This is Andrew, your host, and joining me today is Sean. Ever wondered how to optimize your productivity while staying sane? Well, we're here to discuss just that – the importance of taking breaks for peak productivity.We're not just talking about work, but also the power of intentional rest. We'll share our personal experiences and strategies on how to make the most of your time. Listen as I discuss the value of play and purposeful rest, while Sean emphasizes the need for discipline and setting boundaries.We'll also delve into how breaks can reboot your productivity and how to return to work with renewed focus. Discover how clear goal-setting, regular reviews, and mindful time management can boost your productivity.Struggling with tech distractions? We'll share strategies to manage your time better, like scheduled breaks, digital curfews, and task-focused work hours. Plus, learn about the benefits of accountability partners and community support.So, get ready to balance work and rest for an optimal crowdfunding journey!
 
Links to check out:
Episode 159 (Setting goals among other things): https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode159/Episode 150 (Embracing change): https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode150Chapters:00:00 Introduction06:30 The Power of Taking Breaks10:20 Play and Intentional Rest16:40 Discipline and Setting Boundaries23:10 Breaks for a Productivity Reboot28:00 Goal-Setting and Time Management33:20 Managing Tech Distractions37:30 Strategies for Better Time Management44:00 The Role of Accountability Partners and Community Support52:20 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Combatting Complacency: Mastering Your Kickstarter Campaign

Welcome, fellow crowdfunding enthusiasts! Are you ready to tackle complacency? In episode 159 of Crowdfunding Nerds, Andrew and Sean are back to help you stay ahead of the game. We start with some casual banter, then dive into the dangers of complacency in Kickstarter campaigns. We also share our New Year's resolutions and discuss how to avoid the pitfalls of complacency.
 
We share personal stories of overcoming complacency, emphasize the importance of gratitude, and warn about the illusion of eternal success. Learn about the importance of innovation, goal setting, and contingency planning.
 
We highlight the dangers of underestimating customer engagement, overstretching yourself, and unhealthy comparisons. We underline the power of communication and the necessity of seeking audience feedback.
 
We remind you that no company is too big to fail and that each Kickstarter campaign should be treated uniquely. Finally, we discuss the importance of continuous learning and wrap up with some valuable resources.
 
Join us, let's overcome complacency together!
 
Show Chapters:
00:01 - Banter Beginnings
00:15 - Complacency in Kickstarter Games
01:35 - New Year's Resolutions Discussion
08:07 - Tackling Complacency in Crowdfunding
13:25 - Personal Anti-Complacency Stories
17:28 - Importance of Gratitude
18:19 - Illusions of Indefinite Success
19:28 - Emphasizing Innovation and Adaptation
25:46 - Forms of Complacency in Business
28:47 - Dangers of Overexpansion
31:20 - The Peril of Comparison
33:55 - The Power of Communication
34:16 - Audience Feedback and Game Innovation
45:56 - No Company is Too Big to Fail
46:15 - Treating Each Kickstarter Campaign Uniquely
49:38 - The Power of Continuous Learning
51:18 - Episode Wrap-up and Resource Sharing

Predictions for 2024!

Welcome, fellow Crowdfunding Nerds, to a crystal-ball-gazing session in Episode 158! Your hosts, Andrew and Sean, along with guest Rick, delve into the future of board games and crowdfunding. We jest, debate, and ponder on everything from China's manufacturing scenario to the rising costs for creators. Yet, we remain hopeful as we foresee an increase in backer numbers.
 
We envision a future where games are compact, streamlined, and focused on solo play. We also predict the rise of Game Found, potentially overtaking Kickstarter. The AI debate gets heated as Andrew and Rick share contrasting views. We also touch upon Kickstarter's fee changes, the surge in religious-themed board games, and the use of Twitch for promotions.
 
Reflecting on 2023, we express gratitude for the success of Deliverance and the birth of Andrew's son. We invite your feedback and look forward to another successful year in crowdfunding.
 
Join us in this exciting journey! 
 
Links to check out:
https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode104/https://www.augmentedarcana.com/https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode102/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
12:32 China's Manufacturing and Costs for Creators
22:04 Game Design and Solo Play Trend
36:19 Game Found Vs Kickstarter
48:38 AI in Board Games
1:22:22 Kickstarter's fee changes, religious-themed board games, Twitch promotion
1:44:46 Reflection on 2023 and Conclusion

Sharks, Ice Cream, and a Revolutionary Marketing Odyssey

Welcome to the wild ride that is episode #157 of Crowdfunding Nerds! Ever wondered what links sharks, ice cream, World of Warcraft, and marketing? Prepare to be enlightened. Your hosts, Andrew, Sean, and our special guest, Rick, will take you on a journey that melds humor, curiosity, and invaluable insights. 
We'll dive into a unique blend of marketing strategies, examined through a scientific lens that promises to revolutionize your approach. We navigate the thrilling world of trading card games, explore the legal labyrinth surrounding game creators, and delve into the importance of community engagement. 
Sean will guide us through the crucial aspect of accurate data interpretation, while Andrew shares his vision for the future of his game 'Deliverance.' As we near the end, we'll discuss the importance of persistence and the art of ignoring trolls. So buckle up, and let's get nerdy!
 
Links to check out:
Affirming-the-Consequent: https://www.logicallyfallacious.com/logicalfallacies/Affirming-the-ConsequentDeliverance on BGG: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/273814/deliveranceRoyal Road: https://www.royalroad.com/The Scientific Method: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/science-fair/steps-of-the-scientific-method
 
Timestamps:- 00:01: Sharks, Ice Cream & World of Warcraft- 00:40: Dragon Ball Z & Marketing Levels- 00:49: Introductions & SEO Expertise- 01:18: Scientific Method in Marketing- 02:04: Trading Card Game Market- 08:26: Deliverance's Popularity & Community Engagement - 16:04: Data Interpretation in Scientific Research- 21:42: Applying the Scientific Method to Marketing- 35:06: Avoiding Over-Analysis in Marketing- 39:06: Understanding Customer Behavior- 48:06: Deliverance: Kickstarter Strategy- 51:19: Persistence in the Creator's Journey- 59:58: Ignoring the Trolls - 1:07:17: Conclusion & Farewell Wishes

Unveiling Success: Crowdfunding Tactics and Viral Game Campaigns

Welcome to Episode 156 of Crowdfunding Nerds! I'm Andrew, and alongside my co-host Sean, we're going to unravel the secrets behind a successful crowdfunding campaign. This episode marks our 3-year anniversary and we've got a ton of exciting topics to cover!
 
Ever wondered how a well-crafted ad campaign can create ripples in the crowdfunding world? Or how a single game can become the cornerstone of a thriving brand? We're diving into these questions and more. We'll start with a heartwarming catch-up on life events, including the story behind the name of our newest addition - John Constantine.
 
We'll then dissect our viral ad campaign for 'Deliverance' on BoardGameGeek, sharing insights on how we climbed the hotness list and ignited a buzz in the board game community. We'll also delve into our brand-building strategy, the importance of customer acquisition, and the exciting concept of turning Deliverance into a lifestyle game.
 
Links to check out:
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3202814/poor-advertisement
https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode147/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EZu9NoWV5k
 
Chapters:
00:01 Three-Year Anniversary of the Podcast
00:45 New Baby - John Constantine
01:59 Future Plans & Learning Opportunities
02:05 Christmas Season– A Selling Opportunity
03:59 Viral Post on BoardGameGeek for Deliverance
09:21 Anatomy of an Ad Campaign
18:03 Focusing on a Single Game - Brand Building Tactics
25:46 Strategies for Customer Acquisition and Cross-selling
38:33 Deliverance - A Lifestyle Game
43:37 Vision for the Future - A Sustainable Brand
50:14 League of Legends - Building a Game Community
 
Join us on this exciting journey and discover the secrets to crowdfunding success!
 
 

Boost Your Crowdfunding: Secrets from WW2 Propaganda & Humor Marketing

Welcome to the 155th episode of Crowdfunding Nerds! Ever wondered how World War Two propaganda, the Bavarian Illuminati, and humor can boost your crowdfunding campaign? Join hosts Sean and Jacob as they delve into these fascinating connections. We also introduce Jacob, our Facebook ads guru, to discuss the power of different ad types. 
Discover why Facebook Ads are a game-changer for pre-marketing campaigns and how Instagram can help you capture attention. We also explore the magic of humor in marketing and how witty headlines can give your campaign the edge. 
Learn about the power of targeted advertising and how thinking outside the box can help you reach untapped audiences. We also discuss how to leverage your product's uniqueness and the effectiveness of themed headlines and emojis to grab attention. 
We dive into the concept of using mysteries to engage potential backers, and caution against gimmicks, emphasizing the need for genuine engagement. Finally, we wrap up with some words of encouragement for your crowdfunding journey. 
Chapter timestamps:00:01 Introduction00:30 Meet the Facebook Ads Expert03:00 The Power of Facebook Ads16:00 Humor in Marketing19:00 The Magic of Targeted Advertising22:00 Leveraging Product Uniqueness32:00 Engaging with Mysteries36:00 Genuine Engagement vs. Gimmicks42:27 Wrap Up
Join us on Crowdfunding Nerds, where we help turn your campaign dreams into reality!

Nerding Out: Unmasking Felicia Day’s Internet Legacy and Productivity Hacks

Welcome to episode 154 of Crowdfunding Nerds! I'm your host, Sean, flying solo today while Andrew and the rest of the team enjoy a post-Thanksgiving break. Ever felt weird on the internet? Well, according to Felicia Day, "You're Never Weird on the Internet". In today's episode, we delve deep into her book, uncovering the journey of her creation, "The Guild", and the early adoption of the internet in her family, influenced by her military grandfather.We'll explore the four productivity principles she shares, and learn how to create low-budget films that still wow the audience. We'll also discuss the art of marketing, using the unique approach of "The Guild" as a case study. And for those of you wondering about Facebook ads, there's a little something for you too.So buckle up and let's get nerdy!
 
Links to the books mentioned in this episode:
https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Never-Weird-Internet-Almost/dp/147678566Xhttps://www.amazon.com/Surveillance-Valley/dp/1785785710Chapter Timestamps:00:00 Intro & Book Discussion: "You're Never Weird on the Internet"0:45 Facebook Ads0:51 Solo Episode Announcement2:17 Early Internet Adoption & "Surveillance Valley"4:00 The Formation of "The Guild"4:39 Military Influence in Internet Adoption6:18 Four Principles of Productivity9:05 Creating Low-Budget Films12:50 Marketing: "The Guild"15:00 YouTube Funding & The Success of Geek and Sundry19:05 Business Advice from the Book

Cybersecurity Unmasked: Protecting Your Crowdfunding Campaign

Ever wondered how to safeguard your crowdfunding campaign from cybersecurity threats? Curious about the tactics hackers use to target unsuspecting victims? In episode 153 of the Crowdfunding Nerds podcast, we dive headfirst into this digital minefield.
With Andrew away, Jacob (our Facebook ad guru) and Sean step in as the Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi of cybersecurity. We expose a real-world data breach and unravel the fear and urgency tactics used by cyber attackers. Learn how to fortify your defense with multi-factor authentication, strong passwords, and by changing those pesky default router passwords.
We also navigate the murky waters of zero-day attacks and malware-infected USB devices, stressing the necessity of software updates. Discover privacy-oriented tools like Librem laptops, VPNs, and DNS-based security tools, and the importance of end-to-end encryption with apps like SimpleX and Session.
Join us as we summarize key takeaways to protect your crowdfunding campaign and online presence from the relentless claws of hackers. So, ready to ride the cyber wave?
Links to check out:
https://cointelegraph.com/news/monero-community-wallet-loses-all-funds-after-attackhttps://ccs.getmonero.org/https://mullvad.net/https://usbkill.com/https://youtu.be/3hbuhFwFsDU?feature=sharedhttps://www.qubes-os.org/https://librem.one/https://getsession.org/https://simplex.chat/https://nextdns.io/https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/10/16632724/scam-chatbot-ai-email-rescam-netsafehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPajqAJWiNA
 
Episode Breakdown:00:01 Cybersecurity & Privacy Importance00:43 Meet the Hosts01:04 Privacy in Crowdfunding & Real-World Data Breach04:02 Cybersecurity Threats & Hacker Tactics15:13 Securing Your Router & Avoiding Social Engineering23:40 Phishing Attacks & Effective Security Tools27:57 Zero-Day Attacks, USB Killers, & Encrypted Apps38:00 Recap: Safeguarding Your Campaign & Personal Data

Andrew & Sean React! Episodes 6-10 Revisited

Welcome, crowdfunding enthusiasts! I'm your host, Andrew, joined by my co-host Sean, for Episode 152 of the Crowdfunding Nerds podcast. Ever wondered about the secret recipe for a perfect crowdfunding email pitch? Curious about how to handle criticism while maintaining your sanity? Interested in optimizing your Kickstarter campaign pages? We've got you covered!Join us as we take a trip down memory lane, recapping episodes 6-10 of our podcast journey. We'll revisit the golden nuggets of wisdom from these episodes, discussing organic marketing, email personalization, Facebook ad effectiveness, and more. Expect to hear about our experiences with guest Gabe Barrett, our lessons learned from three years in crowdfunding, and our strategies for dealing with toxic backers and comments.Finally, for those of you planning to sell your game on Amazon, we'll share crucial insights on preparing your infrastructure and optimizing your product listings. So, buckle up and let's dive into the exciting world of crowdfunding!
 
Episodes in review:https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode6/https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode7https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode8https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode9https://crowdfundingnerds.com/episode10Cold Email Article: https://crowdfundingnerds.com/email-cold-calling/Organic Board Game Marketing: https://boardgamedesignlab.com/how-to-market-a-board-game-part-1-with-andrew-lowen/Deliverance New Website Redesign: https://playdeliverance.comTimestamps:0:01 Introduction and Overview0:29 Lightning Bolt, Facebook Ads1:17 Key Takeaways from Past Episodes2:03 Episode 6: Marketing with Gabe Barrett3:53 Episode 6 Continued: Email Cold Calling and Personalization5:43 Episode 7: Are Your Facebook Ads Effective?8:35 Episode 8: Lessons Learned from Crowdfunding13:40 Episode 9: Focusing on Mental Health19:38 Episode 10: Maximizing Your Kickstarter Page's Impact27:03 Recap and Takeaways34:43 Selling on Amazon and Infrastructure Preparation39:49 Website Sales and Improvement47:07 Wrap Up and Closing Remarks
 
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