In this episode, host Nalin talks with Ross Thompson about everything you need to know when you’re thinking about different distribution channels and retail for your game. He explains the tiers involved in the distribution organization and gives you tips on how you can get prepared to go into retail even before getting fully funded.

 We discuss:

• [01:36]: Ross tells us who he is, a bit about his experience, and how the different tiers of fulfillment and distribution work together.
• [04:19]: Why and how you should contact distributors and retailers before your campaign finishes.
• [08:11]: Ross talks about how to manage and think ahead with quantities so you’re ready to go into retail after getting funded. 
• [10:17]: What a retailer kit for retailers is, how does it affect your PR strategy, and why is it important.
• [16:24]: Your energy and resources should be invested depending on the main goal you want to achieve with your game. Is it quantity? Quality? Mentions?
• [18:55]: How distributors think about price, and who you should be partnering with to distribute your own game.
• [24:38]: What is the difference between a crowdfunding audience and a retail audience, and how you should think about it if you want to create a brand after crowdfunding. 
• [28:52]: What makes a customer come back to buy from you? How to promote your games and produce new fresh content. 
• [33:56]: The difference between thinking just about a local or regional market, and an international market, and how that can make or break your brand.
• [38:30]: Being involved in the publishing and board game community online can only help you grow as a creator. You should be getting informed about what’s going on in the community and forming relationships with other creators, publishers, and everyone that can be a part of your creative journey.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Game on TableTop Website

Game on TableTop on Facebook

Game on TableTop on Instagram

Game on TableTop on Twitter

Game on TableTop on Youtube

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks with Alex Lu, creator of Dogs BOND, a family board game about rescuing dogs that promotes dog adoption. Perfect for all dog lovers out there. He talks about how he prepared for launch, where did he find his audience, and how he kept engagement and excitement up during the live campaign days. 

 We discuss:

• [01:22]: Alex tells us about him and about where the inspiration came from for his first game “Dogs BOND”, which goal is to be a game that includes the whole family, and raises awareness about dog adoption.
• [05:34]: How Alex chose the dog breeds he included in the game, and how diversity is also something that he also took into consideration when creating his characters.
• [09:35]: While Alex looked for and found his audience, and how he partnered with animal shelters to create more conversations about the importance of adoption, as a way to promote his game and his awareness message further.
• [17:56]: Alex talks about how he created his first game prototype for his team to try out, all the way to how launch day went.
• [23:37]: How Alex kept being proactive during the 30 days of the campaign, and how he engaged with his audience and included their suggestions on the game.
• [26:45]: The main advice Alex has for first-time creators is to do the incredible amount of work there is to be done before launch, but also be prepared to jump into a live campaign knowing your campaign won’t be completely perfect.
• [30:09]: How to approach and help first-time backers who are not used to crowdfunding platforms.
• [32:59]: For Alex, the knowledge of when his project would be ready to launch depended on the dates he knew would work better for his audience and niche, and working backward starting from that point to build everything needed to be ready for launch.
• [36:00]: How you can get a copy of Dogs BOND!
• [37:11]: Alex used pre-launch emails and messages to educate the audience on the importance of early backing for the complete success of a project. And he did the prep ahead of time by having many of the live-campaign messages pre-written for when they got to their funding goals.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Dogs BOND campaign on Kickstarter

Dogs BOND  Website

Dogs BOND on Facebook

Dogs BOND on Instagram

Dogs BOND on Twitter

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks with Peter from Top Tale, about the marketing strategy and learnings from the re-launch campaign for this game. What can creators learn from listening to their audience and the consequences of spreading too thin when it comes to trying to cover each and every social channel and marketing strategy. This is a great episode for all of those creators thinking about re-launching their own campaigns! 

 We discuss:

• [1:40]: How Peter has gone from being an engineer working with HP Inc. to designing a card game; and what Top Tale is all about.
• [07:15]: What is Top Tale storytelling component? And how it played a significant role in the marketing strategy pre-launch. 
• [13:30]: How Peter created his campaign video and how he adjusted the edition according to the data from the first round of ads.
• [17:50]: Re-launching a campaign is always a challenge. The secret is in listening to the audience and making the necessary adjustments.
• [23:05]: How Top Tale will evolve outside of Kickstarter with volumes and spin-off games, revolving around the same topic of “getting to know your fellow human”.
• [28:21]: Peter’s business strategy to eventually create a big games brand.
• [29:54]: What Peter would do differently in marketing. Trying too many things at the same time doesn’t work as one might expect it to. So It’s a great learning experience to know what works best for this project and where he should invest his resources in the future. 
• [36:25]: Which manufacturer did Peter work with.
• [37:25]: Where can people get a copy of Top Tale.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Top Tale Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/topthat/top-tale-tell-epic-tales-to-win-the-top-tale

Top Tale Website: https://www.yubnubgames.com/

Top Tale on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yubnubgames/

Top Tale on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yubnubgames

Top Tale on Twitter: https://twitter.com/YubNubGames

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks with Matt Holden from Indie Game Alliance, a service that helps crowdfunding creators bring their games to life. Their approach is to help creators with whatever they need help with! This means for him and his team that they need to wear many hats, but in the end it’s all worth it. You cannot miss this one!

We discuss:

• [1:24]: How Matt went from video games to tabletop games, to working to make other creator’s launches easier, more easygoing, and successful, and how their plans work for every project size and individual member’s needs. 
• [07:39]: Indie Game Alliance is all about making things easier for the creator, helping them with marketing, playtesting, shipping, etc. And they have a net of people all over the world who demo and teach new games at game stores. 
• [11:41]: How the volunteer net works. You can sign up for free!
• [17:13]: How the IGA system works, and how the creators feel less overwhelmed about everything that is going on with their launch.
• [19:14]: The challenges of an online world this year inspired IGA not to create their own online convention, but to help all of the people launching and promoting to create their own online events and get a push through that.  
• [24:24]: New things coming for IGA members!
• [27:44]: The first objective of IGA is to help creators with whatever they need help with. This means they do a lot of different things and offer different services to help creators make their ideas a reality.  

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Indie Game Alliance website: https://www.indiegamealliance.com/

Indie Game Alliance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IndieGameAlliance/

Indie Game Alliance on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dina.ramse

Indie Game Alliance on Twitter: https://twitter.com/IndieGameAllies

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks with Dina Ramse about everything related to social media marketing strategies for board game creators. From how to figure out what platforms work best for you, to the specific content you should be tailored for each one. How to be a part of conversations starting from scratch and what your goals should be regarding social media growth. Check it out!

We discuss:

• [1:29]: What Dina does as a community marketing specialist and the importance of knowing which platform works best for each brand and how to start building communities there. 
• [06:24]: How the dynamic conversations happening on Twitter are great for board game creators and designers. Some insights on the content you can create for this platform and other actionable things you can learn to be a part of the conversations. 
• [15:43]: It’s crucial to create constant updates during the pre-launch phase, getting the right time to each platform and not forgetting to post updates to your campaign page. 
• [20:23]: One of your goals on your social media strategy is to get people to engage more with your content. For that, you can start by commenting on people’s relevant content. Engagement is one of the most important things for the algorithm, so you want that in order to get your content in front of more eyes and direct more people to your campaign page or to sign up for your newsletter. 
• [24:51]: The challenges you face when hitting different follower amount goals. 
• [27:17]: The importance of creating specific content for each platform so you can get the most out of each algorithm. 
• [33:38]: How first-time creators should go about starting in social media and creating the first strategy. 
• [37:19]: What your main goals should be on your social media strategy, and how you should be adjusting them depending on how you grow.
• [39:25]: How Dina helps creators figure out the best social media strategy for them and how you can get in touch with her. 

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Twitch: 

Dina Ramse on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dina.ramse

Dina Ramse on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dinasaidso1

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks with Peter Hoang about marketing for Alien Puppies. Although he had a background in product development, being a first-time creator in crowdfunding got him to learn and experiment with digital marketing and audience building. He learned the best way to communicate his message to his leads and to directly answer any questions about his first project. Check out how he did it! 

We discuss:

• [1:33]: What Alien Puppies is about and how Peter transitioned from developing digital products to creating his first physical product.
• [05:15]: Choosing to launch through crowdfunding as a way to get early adopters for the game and as a validation platform.
• [7:43]: Creating a Facebook group made the community building experience easier as it created a direct way to listen to the audience and use their input in the actual game. 
• [12:32]: Using Facebook ads to try targeting different audiences and learning what would work best for this campaign to get the leads necessary to get to the funding goal.
• [17:01]:  Using a Messenger chatbot and its high delivery rates to connect with leads and answer questions from first-time backers. 
• [24:13]: The best marketing strategy was to use Facebook ads manager to know what was working and was not in terms of creatives and ads, taking data from people who did convert into backers.
• [26:08]: Advice for people considering working with a marketing agency.
• [27:23]: Where you can get Alien Puppies and get in contact with Peter.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Alien Puppies website: https://www.alienpuppies.com/

Alien Puppies Kickstarter: https://bit.ly/2N0zSY5

Alien Puppies Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealienpuppies/?hl=en

Alien Puppies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alienpuppiesgame/?ref=py_c

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks with Brian Rauch about marketing for Pets Gone Shady. With his background in marketing, Brian had the opportunity to try out different strategies to promote the second version of his first game “Shady Pets”. His approach let him create an engaged audience that converted into backers nicely. He talks about the key work with Facebook leads and about collecting phone numbers.

We discuss:

• [1:29]: What Shady Pets and its second version, Pets Gone Shady, are all about and how it can be enjoyed by children and adults.
• [03:46]: After testing different marketing approaches, Brian started working with Facebook leads, collecting not only email addresses but also phone numbers, which cost more per lead but ended up creating more useful data.
• [8:45]: At the end, each backer had a conversion cost of around $12! This might have been because of the timing (the advertising costs probably went up) and the 2020 covid crisis.
• [12:20]: 70% of the backers came from the text message strategy. Brian explains what the approach was all about.
• [17:12]:  The key to getting great leads is to create good audiences on Facebook and let the algorithm do its work. You can choose from many variables including people who are interested in games alike or re-targeting people who have interacted with but not clicked on your first ad. 
• [21:03]: What’s coming up with Pets Gone Shady and where can you get the games.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Shady Pets website: https://shadypets.com/

Pets Gone Shady Kickstarter: https://bit.ly/3pOydTt

Shady Pets Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petsshady/?hl=en

Shady Pets Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shadypets/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks with Gabe Lawson about marketing for The Escape Box. As a first time creator, Gabe gives many insights on what can be accomplished with good market research and organic engagement; and how starting with the goal of creating a sustainable business can payout once you get fully funded. Check out everything he learned and shared with us!

We discuss:

• [1:29]: Gabe’s transition from creating real-life escape rooms into creating his board game version, and how he had to figure out who the audience for this new concept really was. 
• [05:33]: Taking his experience in real escape rooms along with the covid global situation as an opportunity to put this game out there for people who like escape rooms but couldn’t access them anymore; as well as reaching out to the puzzle games audience. 
• [8:36]: How market research is key when you have no experience creating a crowdfunding campaign page. Looking into other successful campaign pages in the same niche really helps to get an idea of what people are looking for and what works for marketing. 
• [15:51]: From other campaigns, successful and not so successful, they learned the shipping approach they wanted to do, how other creators were keeping their audiences engaged, the FAQ for day one, and reviewer/promotion options. 
• [20:31]:  How to balance the mystery side of the game, with the gameplay experiences and the updates showing people the pieces to keep the audience engaged and intrigued by it.
• [26:36]: As a first-time creator, Gabe learned the importance of having your preview page live weeks ahead, of putting in the work to find your audience, and the reality of how much time it really takes to have a successful campaign.
• [30:19]: As the main marketing strategy they used Facebook groups and Instagram. Mostly organic engagement, and almost no paid advertisement!
• [32:40]: The strategy they’re working on how to grow as a business and go into retail.
• [44:19]: How to get in touch with Gabe Lawson.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Escape Room Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CHgl0OFhxAg/

Escape Room Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theescapebox/the-escape-box-mysterious-puzzle-adventures

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks with James Faulkner about the creative process and marketing for board games. James talks about how he incorporates his personality and personal experiences with games in the products he creates with his team. He takes great pride in the time they invest in having a good customer experience and the organic relationships they’ve built with their audience. Check it out!

We discuss:

• [2:03]: How James’ passion for board games became the initial impulse to work on launching board games professionally.
• [10:24]: The best marketing strategy is always creating a good product that people enjoy, so you can expand more on the same resonating idea.
• [13:46]: The best communication tool for them was Facebook groups, to get in touch with the first audience about the second launch, and to look for look-alike audiences.
• [19:29]: Marketing is not one size fits all and the weirdest things might work for your campaign. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box.
• [26:52]:  How they integrated the reviews in their marketing campaign, and chose which review would resonate better with which audience.
• [32:39]: Each reviewer is different and there’s no one and only protocol to follow to get reviews. 
• [35:50]: Investing in Facebook ads is for sure great to find new audiences, but it should go together with the organic relationship-building part as well.
• [38:42]: Investing time in creating a great customer service tradition will get you far. One of the greatest things in the board game community, is the community itself. The people who form it.
• [44:32]: How to get in touch with James Faulkner.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Stone Sword website: https://www.stoneswordgames.com/

Stone Sword Games Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stone_sword_games/

Stone Sword Games Twitter: https://twitter.com/StoneSwordGame1

Hogs of War Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hogsofwarcardgame/

Hogs of War Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/stoneswordgames/hogs-of-war-the-card-game

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks with Sam and Tyler from Ejected Planet about the creation and marketing process for Dice Command and how they’re planning on growing their brand. How they converted people they met on Instagram through playtesting experiences into backers and fans. Check out their whole experience launch and getting fully funded! 

We discuss:

• [01:37]: Launching a board game experience through Tabletopia.
• [06:37]: Using playtesting and social media organic relationships as a pre-launch marketing strategy.
• [11:19]: Most of their backers came from the “notification follow” subscriber. This method was extremely effective although publishing it months in advance. 
• [18:17]: Getting reviews and promotion from small and medium-sized influencers and YouTubers can help your game reach out to a smaller but more tight together community.
• [23:14]: It’s absolutely possible to DIY your campaign page, but the most important thing is to research thoroughly what other campaigns in the same niche have done. 
• [26:21]: Never leave a page and social channels without updates! Try to keep people hyped up by the upcoming launch the weeks prior to it.
• [28:47]: Using conventions offline and online throughout the middle days of the campaign and how it converted to actual backers.
• [35:03]: Organic reach out was the best marketing strategy: giving people the chance to actually play the game and get feedback on it. 
• [39:04]: How they’re planning on moving forward with the brand and what they’ve learned from this first experience.
• [40:43]: How you can get in touch with Ejected Planet.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

 Ejected Planet website: https://www.ejectedplanet.com/

 Ejected Planet Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ejectedplanet/

 Ejected Planet Twitter: https://twitter.com/ejectedplanet

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

BLOG TITLE: Stars of Akarios with Brendan McCaskell

In this episode, host Nalin talks with Brendan McCaskell about the marketing process for Stars of Akarios. What did they do to build their email list? Where did they promote their game idea before running ads? They discuss the importance of creating a community environment that’s comfortable for everyone and where you can get feedback from your audience.

We discuss:

• [2:03]: How Brendan went from launching a couple of games through crowdfunding to being a game designer full time. 
• [4:10]: The way the marketing process can be affected when you have to change the game’s name, and how you can include the community to come up with the new name. 
• [5:30]: Brendan started writing about the game idea on a gamer’s blog before really pumping the paid marketing and social media as a pre-launch strategy. 
• [12:50]: The best investment for Facebook paid ads is not for people to like your page, but for them to sign up for your newsletter. In the end, they got a cost per email collected of around $1. The most important thing is to have great engaging ad content that hypes up people about the game.
• [18:22]:  The importance of having a great landing page with all of the information and a clear call to action for the visitors.
• [20:49]: Not only relying on ads but actually taking the time to create a good community atmosphere on the live campaign so everyone feels comfortable and heard. 
• [23:55]: How they chose a marketing agency to work with.
• [25:29]: Their marketing strategy after the live campaign while keeping their pledges open.
• [28:31]: Getting a lot of traction on day 1 will always be a great marketing push for the rest of the live campaign. Paid ads won’t do anything for your campaign if you’re not connecting and resonating with your audience.
• [33:22]: What’s coming up for Brendan and how you can get in touch with him.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Meeple Marketing Giveaway! Win a Stars of Akarios! meeplemarketing.com/giveaway

OOMM Games website: https://www.oommgames.com/

OOMM Games Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/p/CIKP0T4BvKI/

Stars of Akarios Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mccaskellgames/starlight-2

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks with Brenna Noonan about marketing board games with advertisements. Brenna is the queen of all things advertising. She has tested and implemented strategies that have proven to work wonders for a multitude of clients. The insights that Brenna shares could be invaluable to you and your campaign. You are going to want to listen to this. Bring a pen and paper, too!

We discuss:

• [9:41]: What marketing services Brenna offers to her clients at Quillsilver.
• [15:41]: What Brenna thinks about videos in ads.
• [16:43]: What platform should you be focusing on for advertisements? Instagram? Facebook? Brenna tells us what she has seen work the best for her and her clients.
• [21:01]: What is Facebook Pixel and how can it take defining your audience to the next level?
• [26:34]:  The most common missteps that Brenna sees others making in their campaign marketing.
• [29:39]: You’ve defined your audience. You’ve captured your audience. You have good ad frequency. What now?
• [32:00]: Ok. So you’ve gotten leads but how do you determine the quality of the leads you have? Here’s how..
• [35:06]: Brenna’s mindset of sharing a lot of information about your game before launching on Kickstarter. Is it good? Is it bad? Maybe it’s exactly what your campaign needs!
• [37:15]: Everything you need to know about advertising from launch day onward according to Brenna.
• [39:29]: Brenna’s thoughts behind an unconventional 16 day campaign and why she thinks shorter campaigns are the way to go.
• [43:12]: How to get in touch with Brenna Noonan.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Quillsilver Website: https://quillsilver.com/aboutus/

Quillsilver Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QuillsilverStudio

Quillsilver Twitter: https://twitter.com/byQuillsilver

Quillsilver Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quillsilverstudio/

Brenna Noonan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brenna.noonan

Brenna Noonan Twitter: https://twitter.com/brennanoonan

Brenna Noonan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brennagames/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks with Jon Caspian, from Jon Caspian Media, about everything related to video production for crowdfunding. He tells us about the most important parts when creating visual assets, how he does storyboarding, and how he has managed to pivot his business model after 2020. Don’t miss out!

 We discuss:

• [01:29]: Jon tells us how he went from being a cruise ship performer to a video producer by chance. How he learned from another professional photographer. And how he eventually decided to start as an entrepreneur video producer by himself.
• [04:59]: The most important part to start creating a promo video is to have the assets close-to-perfect to be able to show people the idea behind the design and gameplay experience. 
• [12:05]: How Jon does A/B testing for his videos and what he takes into account to know what might work and convert best.
• [17:36]: There’s no cookie-cutter solution or setup for every promo video for a game. It depends on what your game is about, your assets, and overall on listening to what would speak faster and better to your audience. 
• [24:00]: How Jon does storyboarding and some tips you can take too.
• [29:25]: Why taking the right amount of time to reach out and create videos and visual assets is crucial for success. 
• [33:38]: Jon talks about some of his all-time favorite Kickstarter videos.
• [36:07]: What Jon is working on now and how you can get in touch with him.
• [38:08]: How Jon has pivoted his business model after 2020, and what’s coming up in 2021.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast

Jon Caspian Website: https://joncaspian.com/

Jon Caspian Media on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joncaspianmedia

Jon Caspian Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joncaspian/?hl=en

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks with Julianne Bierwirth and Adrian Kerrihard about their incredible crowdfunding journey with Mantis Falls. Learn how Julianne and Adrian put their heart and soul into not only the game creation, but their relationship with their audience and how that has been the biggest factor in their game board success. 

We discuss:

• [12:13]: How Adrian and Julianne experimented with test playing and used that in cultivating their audience.
• [16:47]: How letting Facebook ads do the work for their game skyrocketed their success.
• [19:09]: The biggest influence in pre-launch marketing that worked for them that wasn’t social media. 
• [20:20]: What to say and what kind of content to release if you’re new to game design and don’t know where to start.
• [24:42]: How Julianne and Adrian built a community of true trust. Why these people who weren’t even backers yet were rooting for them with all they had.
• [34:19]: Why Julianne and Adrain had to completely alter their stretch goals mid-campaign and how they pulled it off.
• [37:48]: How Julianne and Adrian kept people talking on all different platforms during their campaign.
• [43:47]: Advice from Julianne and Adrian
• [52:37]: How to get in touch with Julianne and Adrian.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Kickstarter Page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mantisfalls/mantis-falls-a-game-of-trust?fbclid=IwAR1-vdDH2-ZCk4WXxJzyCOCc5UxBHOQxp18lkoSvS5unSRxA_dCs6slvqKE

Mantis Falls Preorder Website: https://www.distantrabbitgames.com/mantis-falls-landing.html

Distant Rabbit Games Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DistantRabbitGames

Distant Rabbit Games Twitter: https://twitter.com/Distant_Rabbit

Distant Rabbit Games Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/distant_rabbit_games/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks with Malachi Ray Rempen about the two very different marketing tactics he used for his two successful games. Having come from being a filmmaker, Malachi had a lot to learn about the gaming industry. His story may be unconventional, but it is one that any aspiring board game creator can learn an abundance from. Malachi is extremely transparent with his journey and is sure to give you a plethora of information to ensure your success. 

We discuss:

• [1:37]: How a filmmaker found success in the board game industry.
• [7:50]: How Malachi accidentally rolled into gaming success & how it inspired him to keep going and make another game.
• [10:52]: Why Malachi gives you permission not to take his advice.
• [14:05]: Why Malachi’s campaign curve was a straight line from start to finish instead of the typical bell curve. 
• [17:10]: How nothing will appeal to everyone and why you should create a fictional ideal customer like Malachi and his team did.
• [25:25]: Why treating people who aren’t truly backers as if they were will go a long way.
• [29:46]: The two tones in asking for feedback according to Malachi.
• [34:40]: How Malachi got overconfident in his marketing due to his run of luck with his first gaming success.
• [37:34]: How Malachi bit off more than he could chew with Facebook Ads and what you can learn from his mistakes.
• [42:58]: How to get in touch with Malachi Rempen.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Final marketing tip from Malachi to new board game creators:

“My one bit of advice to first-time creators is: don't launch until you have a following. Get that following by giving content or services away for free (comics like me, a podcast like you, or a blog like Jamey Stegmaier for example) over a long period of time, then once you've built up goodwill among a community you can ask for something in return. Until then you'll find it a difficult climb”

Kickstarter Page: https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/malachi-rempen/created

Keen Bean Studio Website: https://keenbeanstudio.mailchimpsites.com/

Keen Bean Studio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keenbeanstudio

Roll Camera! Website: https://app.crowdox.com/projects/malachi-rempen/roll-camera-the-filmmaking-board-game

Roll Camera! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/758363654647023

Itchy Feet Website: http://www.itchyfeetgame.com/

Itchy Feet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itchyfeetcomic

Itchy Feet Comic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itchyfeetcomic/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks with Dan Blacklock about how he has managed not one, but two successful projects. Dan takes us through his entire process of product design, community building, backer engagement, and how all of that is tied into marketing. He discusses where he has found success and shares many tips for how you can be successful in all aspects of your own product from start to finish. 

We discuss:

• [2:22]: How Dan’s competitive mindset helped him get into the board game creating world and pushes him to be the successful creator that he is today.
• [7:06]: The importance of working with an industrial designer and how it will affect your cost efficiency in production. 
• [13:00]: What we can all learn about other’s feedback from Dan’s horrible Reddit experience that made front-page headlines.
• [21:16]: How Dan fosters a holistic brand experience for BoxThrone (a piece of furniture) by creating an entire alternate fantasy world.
• [25:46]: Not only did Dan create and launch a successful project once, but he did it twice! Learn about how he leverages those initial backers to hold fast to their support for current and all future projects. 
• [30:04]: How to think outside the box and market in that mid-campaign-slump.
• [34:55]: Dan’s advice to people who are new to creating products and running them on Kickstarter.
• [38:04]: The negatives of rushing through a launch and why Dan will do more Facebook Lead Ads on the next go-around.
• [49:01]: How to get in touch with Dan Blacklock.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Kickstarter Page: https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/cloudpunchergames/about

BoxThrone Website: https://storemyboardgames.com/

BoxThrone Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoardGameShelves

BoxThrone Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boardgameshelves/

BoxThrone Twitter: https://twitter.com/boxthrone

Cloud Puncher Games Website: https://www.cloudpunchergames.com/

Cloud Puncher Games Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CloudPuncherGames/

Cloud Puncher Games Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cloud_puncher_games/

Cloud Puncher Games Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cloud_Puncher

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Emma Larkins about all things digital in regards to board game creation in today’s world. From digital test play to the right social platforms to be on and how to utilize them, they discuss it all.

We discuss:

• [4:30]: How to go from that first game creation to promoting yourself as a designer.
• [6:06]: Marketing and networking don’t have to be systematic, scary, or intimidating. Emma looks at it as a way to make friends. 
• [8:28]: Playtesting has become increasingly more digital these days and there are actually a lot of benefits to it. There is a very low barrier to entry and it's quite a bit easier than in-person groups.
• [10:46]: What can people expect from digital playgroups these days? What should we do to prepare to go into one of these?
• [15:54]: You will have strong and weak connections via social media. Make sure you are utilizing and focusing on those strong connections, as those will be reciprocal connections that will help in your crowdfunding later on.
• [18:06]: Twitter, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Discord, Instagram. Let’s talk through which platform(s) are most important during the beginning stages as a game designer.
• [26:47]: People choose to consume the things that you're putting out there. So, put things out there that people want to interact with. Post about more than just your board game.
• [28:00]: Recommendation to people who are a little shy: get a lot of mileage from some of the less involved interactions - i.e. retweeting and liking. These things will go a long way and they require less interaction. 
• [31:00]: Final advice from Emma
• [32:53]: How to get in touch with Emma Larkins.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Talk to people about your upcoming Kickstarter. Friends, acquaintances, anyone who will listen. It always shocks me when I first hear about a friend's campaign AFTER it launches! Talking about a campaign before it launches is lovely because you don't have to feel like you're begging people for money. Launching a Kickstarter is a big deal, and you should be proud to tell people about it.

You can send an email, or Facebook message, or a text. Keep it simple - "I'm getting ready to launch a Kickstarter for the game I've been working on! I'm really excited and nervous about it 😅" Leave space to start a conversation. You're building a relationship, not trying to trick someone into giving you money. Only do this if you are willing to engage with and really listen to the other person.

Start early, ideally a month before you launch, messaging a few people each day. Keep these conversations one on one - this is a different type of outreach than your social media posts or email newsletters.

You'll find that most people will be excited to hear from you. Sure, every now and then you might get someone who ignores you or gets annoyed, but the vast majority of people will be supportive.

It goes without saying that this type of outreach is more effective if you are generally connected to and supportive of your network. If your campaign is still a ways off, start sending check-in messages to the people you don't talk to regularly. It's good for business, and for your relationships. Think of these people as friends who want to hear about your adventures, not just potential backers.

Ultimately, your friends want to share in your success, and they can't do that if you don't talk to them.

Kickstarter Page: https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/emmalarkins

Website: https://www.emmalarkins.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eklarkins

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmalarkins/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to  Travis Drake about Postcard Games that raised   $11,267  on Kickstarter.

We discuss:

-          [1:29] How Browuhaha Games started and what it was like to dove right into game creation and launching with its first campaign. Learning while doing.

-          [4:14 Asking the first and most important question for success: who is your audience? Who is your game for?

-          [9:25] Using all of the data from Facebook ads and testing around to understand your audience better, what they respond more to. Looking at cost per click and subscribers through different channels as performance indicators.

-          [14:58] Having a simple DIY’d landing page, photoshoot and email marketing system worked for the specific audience and because the product idea was good. Simple sometimes goes a long way.

-          [19:04] Managing and communicating to the different audience groups. Collecting feedback and taking this to make the game better before launch.

-          [24:23] Being helpful and organically active in the creator’s community is the best way of doing networking. Being authentic first, helping each other. People want to see other people succeed.

-          [28:08] Having a marketing plan for the live campaign phase, not coming with it on the go. Although most of the marketing is done pre launch, when the campaign is live creators should have a good idea of who they want to reach and what they want to communicate. 

-          [30:31] Experimenting with different channels and groups to spread the word and networking.

-          [35:35] Value organic reach as a marketing strategy. Being active in groups of people who are passionate about the same niche can be great for a campaign. And it’s an investment of time, not so much of money.

-          [36:01]How to connect with David and Justin at Coozies Games

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brouhahagames/postcard-games-stamp-it-send-it-play-it

Website: https://www.brouhahagames.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrouhahaGames

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrouhahaGames

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brouhahagames/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to  David and Justin from Coozies Games about  Buy the Vote! that raised   30.072 $  on Kickstarter.

We discuss:

-          [1:38] How Coozies Games was born from a family of board game enthusiasts, and what Buy the Vote! is about.

-          [5:38] The importance of pre-launch marketing, for building excitement. They went to conventions and had people try the game and fill in surveys about the experience. Since it is a 15 minutes play through time, this was a key selling point to get strangers to try the game. 

-          [12:32] How they did the survey and what they learn from it. 

-          [16:29] The difficulties of launching a game with a political theme, and the mission behind it.

-          [19:15] Using Kickstarter as a way to fund creating a game vs. using it as a way to find a bigger market.

-          [26:19] Using 1 on 1 reach out to people on Launch day, bringing around 300 new backers to Kickstarter!

-          [30:06] The best conversion came from conventions, and much less from digital marketing ads. Youtube reviewers are also great exposure for board game creators.

-          [32:59] How to connect with David and Justin at Coozies Games

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Final marketing tip from David and Justin to new board game creators:

"Figure out exactly who your target audience is. You can't be everything to all people. You have to pick and choose who you think would fall in love with your board game creation!"

Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/buythevotegame/buy-the-vote-election-board-game

Website: https://buythevotegame.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buythevotegame

Twitter: https://twitter.com/buythevotegame

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Will Carson about Indipro.

We discuss:

-          [2:03] How Will went from role-playing games in his childhood, to become a tabletop game distributer with the goal to bring indie games to the store shelves.

-          [4:36] How creators can work with Indipro to promote and distribute their games. When working together since pre-launch, Indipro will advise you on what can be also improved for marketing and distribution reasons, which can in itself help for the success of the campaign.

-          [9:35] A good game will always have great gameplay and a clear rulebook/video.

-          [11:43] How many copies work better, the type of packaging and pricing per style of game. 

-          [19:15] Using Kickstarter as a way to fund creating a game vs. using it as a way to find a bigger market.

-          [21:57] The services and help you can get with Will and Indipro.

-          [26:11] Reorders and the distribution process timeline.

-          [28:54] How to connect with John and Indipro.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Final marketing tip from John to new board game creators:

“Have an audience already, and if you can, launch it in a time where you plan on being at least one if not more conventions, so you can get that synergy going.”

Website: https://indiprogames.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InDiProGames/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiprogames/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/indiprogames

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to John de Campos about Token Terrors, which raised $29,159 on Kickstarter. 

We discuss:

-          [1:26] What Token Terrors is all about. 

-          [2:49] Going to events and presenting the game to people face to face gives a great opportunity to catch quality emails for the list. Nurturing relationships and moving around the circle of people involved in publishing and tabletop games also creates a chance to interact with more people with the same interests.

-          [6:42] Having a nice welcoming table on events where people can try the game makes a huge impact.

-          [10:16] Being proactive on the online communities where board games creators and players are. 

-          [19:00] Consult with experts publishers and creators to see if your game is missing something or if it could have something else.  

-          [24:42] What’s coming up on Terrible Games.

-          [27:54] How they did ads and what converted better for their product. What the cost per click were.

-          [30:20] How they used Reddit, and how not to get banned from it with too much self promotion. Always follow the 10 to 1 rule. 

-          [34:02] The reason behind a 18 day campaign. 

-          [36:02] The key behind the success of marketing for this campaign was like a snowball effect, but the most important part was to have a great product to promote. 

-          [38:43] How to connect with John. 

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tokenterrors/token-terrors-battlegrounds

Website: https://www.tokenterrors.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tokenterrors/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokenterrors/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tokenterrors?lang=en

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Rachael Blaske about Networking In The Industry As A Publisher.

We discuss:

-          [1:18] How Rachael got started in publishing.

-          [6:00] Her first convention experience, learning to network, and the importance of following up with people.

-          [8:19] Moving from hosting small breakfasts for networking, to submitting panels at conventions and starting to get noticed. From that, to hosting a unique Zoom event.

-          [16:17] Reaching out to people through a personal message before an event to engage and re invite them to attend. 

-          [20:51] Research panelists and their business before conventions to know what they are about and to have a starting point to make a connection. Being truly interested in other people’s projects and finding the connections their businesses need to grow, to help them. 

-          [25:53] Staying on top of announcements and industry news is crucial to be able to create new connections in the industry. Also, put yourself out there and introduce your face to the world so you can start to get recognition for your work. 

-          [38:50] The tip for introverts who are scared to put their brand and themselves out there is to choose the pace they are comfortable with and perform. A lot of speakers and public personas are introverts, have introspective jobs. So the key is to put yourself out there in the best way you can handle it. 

-          [36:38] Where you can find Rachael and learn more about her work.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachael.blaske

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raeblaske/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Rita Orlov about marketing for Emerald Flame, which raised $290,088 on Kickstarter.

We discuss:

-          [0:50] What type of game is Emerald Flame.

-          [1:43] Pre-launch audience reach started out with the creation of online puzzles that people could do whilst on quarantine. From that, organic relationships were formed with other creators and with the audience, where there was the opportunity to promote Emerald Flame, and have people subscribe to the newsletter.

-          [6:21] Having a social media scheduling calendar for promotion and sharing the creative process with the audience pre-launch. Creating a presence on Facebook online tabletop game enthusiast communities.

-          [12:55] Launch day bakers came mostly from subscribers of the Newsletter and long time followers. Promotion was mainly publishing on the Facebook communities and messaging early bakers for their support. 

-          [15:49] The rest of the campaign  they messaged people who over pledged, and they also had a collector’s edition which also helped to get bakers. Then, decided to implement Facebook ads to target new audiences, promoting the fact that they were already fully funded. 

-          [19:49] The other thing was to continue with the weekly puzzles with features form the Emerald Flame game universe, which helped create more of a tight community engaged with the game. It turned into a great lead magnet for new subscribers.

-          [27:11] The key was the combination of all of the things, and being authentic about the project, showing people the creator and creating an organic connection with the audience.

-          [29:56] Where you can find Rita and learn more about  Post Curious.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Kickstarter campaign:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/postcurious/the-emerald-flame

Website: https://www.getpostcurious.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/postcurious

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postcurious/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/getpostcurious

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

BLOG TITLE:  Building A Publishing Company With Ed Baraf

In this episode, host Nalin talks with Eduardo Baraf about the complicated and incredible journey of making a career in the board game designing and publishing world. He talks about the keys to success like building a community and really getting to know your audience, but also the importance of connecting with other people and being willing to lend a hand.

 We discuss:

• [01:20]: Ed tells us a bit about his career in game design, from working in the videogame industry to launching his first game through Kickstarter, to becoming a games reviewer, to launching his own tabletop games publishing company
• [05:30]: How the marketing and board game scene has changed over the years, with the increase of games being published each year, the strength on the community and guerrilla-style of marketing; and the importance of knowing your limits when it comes to marketing and social media, and asking for help when needed.
• [15:31]: Ed talks about the importance of knowing your long-run goal with your game. The importance of asking yourself what you really want to do, to achieve, where do you see yourself going in the board game scenario. All of this will give you a good start on your journey and you won’t be wasting time working on things you’re not passionate about or that don’t bring you closer to your goals.
• [26:08]: Ed talks about the main cores of Pencil First publishing company, and how the focus on passion, quality, community building, and communication as transversal values integrated into everything they do and offer to the public.
• [32:37]: The incredible importance of really getting to know your audience and who you’re preparing your game for, is the best way to make your marketing strategy more efficient. Knowing your buyer persona and their interests will make or break your campaign.
• [42:14]: Ed mentions the importance of creating a record of each step of your production process and using it as a good opportunity for content creations, in order to share and connect with the audience waiting for the game. 
• [48:32]: If you’re any type of creator you are willing to help and collaborate with others, in order to create authentic relationships and learn from others. Starting conversations can lead to personal and professional growth. 
• [54:02]: What Floriferuos the game is about, who worked on it and how you can get in touch with Ed.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Floriferous campaign on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ebaraf/floriferous

Ed Baraf Website: http://www.baraf.com/

Pencil First Games Website: https://www.pencilfirstgames.com/

Pencil First Games on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PencilFirstGames

Pencil First Games on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Pandasaurusgame

Pencil First Games on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pencilfirstgames/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Ammon Anderson about marketing for T.A.C.O., which raised $10,278 on Kickstarter.

We discuss:

-          [1:15] The inspiration behind T.A.C.O., and where the first playtesters came from.

-          [3:21] Being active in Facebook gaming communities and finding an audience for the game.

-          [8:36] Learning to “leverage” the audience you build so you take advantage of follower’s connections to find other audiences who might be interested in the game: Word of mouth marketing.

-          [10:42] The organic growth of an engaged community allowed for different dynamics on the Facebook group where people could participate and feel included in fun conversations. 

-          [15:26] The importance of getting to know your audience and of being genuine online while doing it. Not overselling upfront.

-          [22:27] Being open to feedback about your game is key for success. What is good for you, might not be for other players. How feedback made T.A.C.O. much better.

-          [31:01] The key was to be consistent with the ads and the organic presence online. To keep the conversation going. And word of mouth from people who were testing the game.

-          [40:17] How T.A.C.O. got funded at the very last minute!

-          [45.05] Where you can find Ammon and more information about T.A.C.O.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ammonsart/taco-the-game

Website: https://tacosforever.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tacothegame

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t.a.c.o_the_game/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Jonathan Vallerand (JV) about marketing for With A Smile & A Gun , that raised  CA$ 16,411 on Kickstarter.

We discuss:

-          [0:50] What With A Smile & A Gun is about.

-          [1:57] Being active in online communities a long time before launch helped with feedback, ideas and establishment.

-          [7:14] Asking questions and asking for help in forums takes time, but eventually helps creating and establishing a presence online that will transfer to promotion for the game. 

-          [10:45] Havin different ways to involve the communities into the game like asking for feedback, or creating an online tournament to build excitement a few weeks before launch and to promote the game. 

-          [15:40] Running the online tournament and online stream conversation the most organic way possible.

-          [18:09] Building social capital on social media, and groups by posting on launch day to remind everyone of the campaign. 

-          [20:08] How stretch goals helped the game reach a broader audience through mouth-to-mouth promotion. 

-          [22:56] Running targeted ads (like focussing on the game being canadian made, for the canadian audience) and doing traditional PR during the campaign  like podcast interviews and reviewers checking out the game. 

-          [25:58] Taking advantage of the benefits of collaboration (and networking), where people will not only contribute to the game, but also be invested in it and promote it as well. 

-          [31:10] The importance of providing value in conversations (offline and online), and not being scared of reaching out to people in the industry.

-          [33:16] What’s coming up in the future for Subsurface Games and where people can reach out to JV.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Final marketing tip from Jonathan to new board game creators:

 Make connections first. If you approach every conversation with "how can I get something out of this?", you're doing it wrong! Instead, connect with people, learn about them, help them out, involve them in your process. If you're too sales-y, you might get one customer. If you are more genuine, you might get one spokesperson, and that's much cooler. 

Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/subsurfacegames/with-a-smile-and-a-gun-a-dice-drafting-game-for-2-players

Website: https://subsurfacegames.ca/wasag-landing/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/subsurfacegames/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Carla Kopp about marketing for Weird Giraffe Games.

We discuss:

-          [1:02] All of the project Carla is currently working on and how she started in the board game industry.

-          [7:39] Creating new community activities to share and learn together online, in the current “new normal” context.

-          [12:19] Having the opportunity to choose who to work with, prioritizing working with creators who have a good attitude towards the creation process of their game, and who are fun to work with. For this, online communities with organic and real relationships have been very useful. 

-          [15:10]  Choosing a team of people and creators who can bounce ideas and have opinions to make games even better. 

-          [18.38] The process of working with a publisher for a game can take a long time, up to years. It requires a long marketing strategy, approaching reviewers, getting feedback, finishing the game.  There is no “one size fits all” strategy.

-          [25:21] How to target people on the mailing lists for different games. Email is king, and it let’s create a special treatment for super fans.

-          [31:09] The importance of having an online presence for creators, to share their game constantly and creating a name for themselves and their game. Take advantage of all of the people online and the feedback they can give. 

-          [34:39] How to contact Weird Giraffe Games and Carla Kopp!

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Website: https://www.weirdgiraffegames.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/weirdgiraffegames

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weirdgiraffegames/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WeirdGiraffes

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Ando Wilde about marketing for  Houston, We Have A Dolphin , that raised  €25,106 on Kickstarter.

We discuss:

-          [1:46] What Houston, We Have A Dolphin is about and how it integrates an digital component. 

-          [3:18] Using organic social media engagement and reaching to the last campaign’s backers as a pre-launch marketing strategy.

-          [6:56] Creating an engaging newsletter and a circle-like kind of promotion with other channels for people to sign up for the newsletter.

-          [11:19] The struggle to tweak and upgrade the type of content for Instagram so it would convert better, as the other channels. 

-          [16.17] The decision of not making an early bird offer. 

-          [21:01] Having a tight relationship with the audience gave the opportunity to create other incentives for backers like signatures on the product.

-          [24:24] Using planified (dates and products) stretch goals and dynamics to battle the mid-campaign slowness. 

-          [36:53] The importance of day 1 on the campaign for overall success, and to have prototypes and every project part as ready as possible before launching. 

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Final marketing tip from Ando to new board game creators:

"Bring your audience! Kickstarter will multiply your efforts, but if you don't make people ready to back you once you go live, every marketing action and all the Kickstarter algorithms won't help you much either. So find true fans, make people subscribe to your newsletter and get people to follow you with the built-in prelaunch page!"

Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hybrgames/houston-we-have-a-dolphin-0

Website: http://hybr.co/en/home/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/hybrgames

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hybrgames/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Joe Slack about marketing for  Relics of Rajavihara, that raised  CA$ 63,360 on Kickstarter.

We discuss:

-          [1:29] Where the inspiration to create Relics of Rajavihara came from. 

-          [6:37] Using niche specific Facebook Groups engagement to create organic relationships and create a following for the game as a pre-launch marketing strategy.

-          [12:03] The strategy and approach to converte these organic conversations into email subscribers. 

-          [20:56] The importance of implementating this marketing steps to create an engaged following of people. 

-          [23:18] How to decide when is time to launch: data and instinct. 

-          [25:44] Preparing ahead of time the strategy for the live campaign marketing: ads, outreach, reviews, and stretch goals. 

-          [33:48] The strategy to look for and approach reviewers.

-          [37:22] The importance of having a timeline and due dates, accounting for enough time to plan for marketing, but that are also flexible enough dates.

-          [43:20]  The upcoming projects of Crazy Like A Box.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

“In terms of one piece of advice, I would say make sure you have enough of a following for your game that you feel confident that it will get funded within the first day or two. If you're not feeling confident about this, continue to build your following, even if this means delaying your launch date.”

Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/crazylikeabox/relics-of-rajavihara

Website: https://www.crazylikeabox.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CrazyLikeaBox/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Jonny Vance about marketing for Poopocalypse, that raised  $54,052 on Kickstarter.

We discuss:

-          [0:51] Where the inspiration to create Poopocalypse came from. 

-          [4:45] Creating a print and play version of the game for free, to capture emails on pre-launch, with Facebook ads and groups.

-          [8:54] Why conversion ad campaigns worked better, along with testing different headlines and images, getting to a cost per email of only 50 cents.

-          [10:36] Organizing on how the features of the game will be presented on the video, and how to enhance those features in video production.

-          [14:52] Not expecting and waiting until everything is perfect to create content and start interacting with the audience.

-          [16:45] Getting collaboration with other brands as a live-campaign marketing strategy.

-          [20:03] Having a surprise for the middle of the campaign “slow” period to raise excitement from backers and new audiences.

-          [25:10] The importance of starting a Facebook group early on, and working with an ad-buying partner like Backerkit.

-          [30:36] The communication with the client dynamic, from the first approach to the end product. 

-          [32:33]  The news for the Poopocalypse game. 

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1260036344/poo-pocalypse

Website: https://www.poopocalypse.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pg/ThePooGame/posts/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to David Diaz about marketing for Mesa Game Lab.

We discuss:

-          [0:54] How Mesa Game Lab was created to help create great videos and gifs for kickstarter campaigns.

-          [5:00] The importance of creating an engaging main image and 30 first seconds of the video. 

-          [7:06] The best practices to create engaging gifs for the campaign page.

-          [10:36] Organizing on how the features of the game will be presented on the video, and how to enhance those features in video production.

-          [12:34] Presenting the game set up and playtest experience through the gifs to create a better online experience for potential backers. 

-          [15:15] The production time frame and why having at least the video ready some weeks before launch is a good marketing idea. 

-          [21:00] Process outline: How Mesa Game Lab works each package they offer for creators, what they need and how they conceptualize each video for each client.  

-          [25:46] How the team specializes in different parts of the video production complex process. 

-          [30:36] The communication with the client dynamic, from the first approach to the end product. 

-          [32:33]  The new projects coming up.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

“Do your research! Get on Kickstarter and look at as many campaign videos and pages as you can, both successful and unsuccessful, to see what works and what doesn't. And if video production or designing a page is out of your wheelhouse, look into hiring a professional to help.”

Website: https://www.mesagamelab.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MesaGameLab/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mesagamelab

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Josh Patton about marketing for Animo: Cross Trainers that raised  $21,545 on Kickstarter.

We discuss:

-          [2:00] What Animo: Cross Trainers is about, and how this narrowed down the marketing to a specific market.

-          [6:06] Collecting emails in niche specific conventions, announcing upcoming expansions, and using facebook ads as part of the pre launch marketing campaign.

-          [10:36] Understanding the audience: After getting visitors to the landing page, using this information to re target the facebook ads and get new leads. 

-          [15:11] Having small giveaways of the game cards at conventions as an incentive to start conversations and collect emails. 

-          [20:35] Creating sales flyers for customers inviting them to check other products on the series when they buy one. 

-          [22:41] The 3 emails sent on the week prior to launch to remind people and build excitement about the campaign.

-          [24:06] Using facebook groups to share the launch day.

-          [25:55] Having a giveaway and a monthly facebook challenge helped in the live campaign as an organic promoter, since people were sharing the kickstarter site with their own networks. 

-          [31:49] The most successful marketing strategy was having a limited personalized premium reward at the very beginning of the campaign. 

-          [36:54]  The new projects coming up.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/animogames/crosstrainers-series-2-of-animo

Website: https://www.animocards.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Animocards/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animocards/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnimoGames

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Bradley Field about marketing for  How Game Are You? Couples Intimacy Edition that raised  AU$ 10,503 on Kickstarter.

We discuss:

-          [0:54] Where the original idea for How Game Are You came from?

-          [4:54] How personal networks worked as the base for the Facebook marketing strategy. 

-          [8:14] Getting reviews, going to conferences, and getting shout outs from the sexologist who helped with the psychological part of the game to make sure everything was in order. 

-          [12:25] The pre-launch and launch day Facebook marketing strategy aimed at family and friends. 

-          [15:45] The importance of starting early with the reach out to reviewers, and having a clear timeline planned out.

-          [22:14] The timing in releasing the reviews gotten to keep up the momentum. 

-          [23:24] Asking for people’s help to recommend and talk about the campaign while it was live, as well as updating people on Facebook about the development of the campaign and the funding. 

-          [26:24]  Creating branding and getting emails and feedback on a gaming conference. How, in retrospective, the targeting could have been better.

-          [33:48]  How Facebook, at the end of the day, was the best marketing strategy for the game. 

-          [37:21]  The new projects coming up.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Final marketing tip from Bradley to new board game creators:

“Friends, family and existing contacts can be a real help when you need a boost or encouragement. Make sure you tell them about your project early (the good and the bad), and bring them along for the ride.”

Kickstarter campaign: https://bit.ly/32JNLiZ

Website: https://howgameareyou.com/product/couples-intimacy-edition/

Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/howgameareyou/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howgameareyou/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Pavle Ilijasevic about marketing for Overtime that raised $9,968 USD on Kickstarter.

We discuss:

-          [0:52] What Overtime is about and how they created it. 

-          [3:00] Investing time in gaming groups, and promoting the game nationally and internationally.

-          [5:22] Using local playtests to collect emails and feedback 

-          [11:00] Sharing images of the playtests as social media marketing strategy.

-          [13:00] Launch day: Facebook groups posting approach 

-          [16:15] Live campaign ads and “guerrilla marketing” strategy on live events. 

-          [20:00] What they would change about their marketing strategy, in retrospect, to create a better engagement with possible audience members. 

-          [22:56]  Why they didn’t invest a lot on ads throughout the campaign

-          [22:56]  The new game they’re working on 

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dazboggames/overtime-the-card-game-of-no-work-and-all-play/comments?ref=discovery&term=PLAYING%20CARDS

Website: https://dazboggames.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dazboggames/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dazboggames/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks with Danni Loe from Pandasaurus Games about the launch of their latest game. She talks about the challenges of creating the right expectations, preparing stretch goals ahead of time, and the importance of creating strong communities.

 We discuss:

• [0:33]: Danni tells us how she started with Pandasaurus, the importance of communicating with the backers during and after the campaign, and how often they do it.
• [06:41]: How they converted feedback into actionable things to incorporate in their game, without even having printed it yet. 
• [08:39]: How they plan and organize game releases.
• [10:21]: How Danni and the team tackled the challenge of managing the expectations to the right size, without losing the momentum they gained before launch.
• [14:37]: Handling haters and trolls online!
• [16:21]: Advice for newbies: Plan your stretch goals ahead of time and work hand in hand with a team you trust.
• [21:32]: Using social media to promote play-testing a digital version of the game, and which platforms to use.
• [26:32]: Creating a real community feeling on different platforms, and which tools they use to manage all of them without losing the one-on-one relationships.
• [30:20]: The importance of the communities and of creating organic relationships with backers, is what will differentiate your game from others. Those relationships and the attachment people have to their passions are something you must think about when building your game’s community.
• [37:02]: Last advice for game creators: play a lot of games, engage, and don’t forget your call to action!

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Pandasaurus Games website: https://pandasaurusgames.com/

Pandasaurus Games on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pandasaurus_games/

Pandasaurus Games on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pandasaurusgames/

Pandasaurus Games on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Pandasaurusgame

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Mikael Lyck about marketing for The Phantom: The Card Game that raised SEK 377,860 (approx $40,800 USD) on Kickstarter.

We discuss:

-          [2:37] Transforming an early passion for games into a business

-          [4:29] Investing time in forums and gaming groups, being part of the community, to get the project’s name out there.

-          [9:36] Using Reddit as a smart marketing strategy to find the right audience for this game style and getting feedback on it. 

-          [14.57] Spending enough time on the pre launch marketing and community interactions pre launch. 

-          [18:37] Connecting with other creators on the same niche to collaborate and promote each other. 

-          [21:31] Announcing the launch on all the channels, and on the forums and Facebook groups.

-          [26:18] The marketing strategy during the live campaign, and the connection with engaging followers and backers.

-          [28:23]  The benefits of having chosen an existing IP for the game, in creating organic relationships in fandom forums, and in finding an audience.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Final marketing tip from Mikael to new board game creators:

Read up. Know your costs, know your target audience!

Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gamesbylyck/the-phantom-the-card-game 

Website: https://gamesbylyck.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhanCardGame/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

My name is Nalin Chuapetcharasopon and I help creators get the word out about their passion projects. Ever since serendipitously getting into crowdfunding in 2015, I’ve helped creators raise over $13 million dollars (and counting!) on Kickstarter and Indiegogo, launch their businesses and live the life they want. 

Meeple Marketing (including the Board Game Marketing Podcast here) is geared towards helping game designers market their board games. Let’s tell the world about your game!

For daily marketing tips, be sure to join us on Facebook in the Kickstarter Board Game Marketing Group.

For more extensive tools, training, and resources to market and launch your board game be sure to visit the Meeple Marketing website.

Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, or leave a review!

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Wes Woodbury about marketing for DIE in the Dungeon that raised CA$ 73,676 on Kickstarter.

We discuss:

–          [1:31] Balancing a full-time job while designing games

–          [3:03] How to get people into the game’s Facebook group

–          [5:26] His thoughts on openly sharing your game, mechanics and art before launch

–          [7:20] The best kind of feedback you can get while designing a game (hint: has to do with online playtesting)

–          [13:18] Effectively using stretch goals as a way to maintain momentum

–          [16:34] How to engage your community of backers with a social share campaign and other in-campaign surprises

–          [20:29] Ways to engage with the game community through the content that you create

–          [23:17]  How to engage different content creators like previewers and reviewers to help promote the game throughout launch and beyond

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fundamentalgames/die-in-the-dungeon/ 

Website: https://www.thefundamentalgames.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/555244208580474/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Chris Rossetti about marketing for Galaxy Dice that raised $16,115 on Kickstarter.

We discuss:

-          [3:21] Taking an early passion in games and creating a business out of it

-          [5:33] The importance of a good pitch video

-          [7:53] Investing heavily in the art upfront since it is the first thing people see for a game

-          [9:45] Being very active in The Game Crafter community and building long-term relationships with other game designers

-          [12:01] Not paying for reviews of the game and connecting with new and upcoming cerators in that way

-          [15:00] The exact elements Chris makes sure to include in all his Kickstarter videos

-          [17:57] Purchasing an easy-to-remember domain that automatically redirects to his Kickstarter page

-          [22:01]  How to create an enticing pricing strategy to get people to back, especially the no-brainer pricing strategy

-          [30:53] Finding engaged fans and brand ambassadors to spread the word about the game

-          [34:06] Building a Kickstarter launch model to continue designing and launching games as a hobby 

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Galaxy Dice Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/603343698/galaxy-dice 

Website: https://www.rampagegamesllc.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rampagegamesllc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rampagegamesllc/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rampagegamesllc?lang=en

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

My name is Nalin Chuapetcharasopon and I help creators get the word out about their passion projects. Ever since serendipitously getting into crowdfunding in 2015, I’ve helped creators raise over $13 million dollars (and counting!) on Kickstarter and Indiegogo, launch their businesses and live the life they want. 

Meeple Marketing (including the Board Game Marketing Podcast here) is geared towards helping game designers market their board games. Let’s tell the world about your game!

For daily marketing tips, be sure to join us on Facebook in the Kickstarter Board Game Marketing Group.

For more extensive tools, training, and resources to market and launch your board game be sure to visit the Meeple Marketing website.

Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, or leave a review!

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Evangelos Foskolos about marketing for Legendary Metal Coins that raised $50,284 on Kickstarter.

We discuss:

-          [1:03] The projects they work on: over 10 campaigns of board games, accessories, and additions to successful products.

-          [3:50] The strategy to get backers to return to new campaigns including keeping backers included in the process behind the scenes and asking backers what they want. 

-          [6:31] Planning ahead for stretch goals and controlling their manufacturing costs (as manufacturers themselves) 

-          [10:33] The importance of being active in forums and groups and how it helps with building credibility

-          [14:12] How prelaunch engagement is crucial and the need to be part of conversations happening online and create organic engagement with audiences.

-          [16:42] Being present in an organic way is important for recognition when you launch. 

-          [19:44] They try to reach reviewers 4 to 6 months ahead of time so there’s plenty of room for delays or if things to go “wrong”, and also so reviewers can plan their schedule ahead of time and reserve a feature slot for this new product. 

-          [22:06] The importance of launch day, everything that needs to be done and spending those first 24 hours online.

-          [25:35] We go into the mid-campaign slump and the content you need every single day to keep people engaged and continue to bring traffic. 

-          [28:22] For paid ads, Facebook is what works best for them because it’s the tool that better allows them to change the parameters of the audience to target

-          [33:02] How every little thing you do helps market your campaign and they all play off one another. The more you build your brand presence in different spaces, the better. 

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Final marketing tip from Evangelos to new board game creators:

“My one piece of advice is to prepare. Make sure you have researched everything before launching the campaign. It's better to delay the campaign until you are ready and people know about your game before you launch it.”

Legendary Metal Coins Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/drawlab/legendary-metal-coins-season-5

Website: https://www.drawlab.com/accessories/legendary-metal-coins/?v=fa868488740a

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrawlabEnt/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/drawlab_ent

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drawlab/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog: https://meeplemarketing.com/

My name is Nalin Chuapetcharasopon and I help creators get the word out about their passion projects. Ever since serendipitously getting into crowdfunding in 2015, I’ve helped creators raise over $13 million dollars (and counting!) on Kickstarter and Indiegogo, launch their businesses and live the life they want. 

Meeple Marketing (including the Board Game Marketing Podcast here) is geared towards helping game designers market their board games. Let’s tell the world about your game!

For daily marketing tips, be sure to join us on Facebook in the Kickstarter Board Game Marketing Group.

For more extensive tools, training, and resources to market and launch your board game be sure to visit the Meeple Marketing website.

Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, or leave a review!

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Kenny Chapman about marketing for Knights Of The Hound Table that raised $10,310 on Kickstarter.

We discuss:

-          [1:03] Their process of launching a game with friends

-          [2:52] How they capitalized on the theme of their game to grow organically through their Instagram page. 

-          [5:02] Creating an Instagram hashtag strategy. They tried with different hashtag groups to discover the best conversation to organic grow. 

-          [8:39] How email subscribers worked better for their campaign than a social media following. Email subscribers turned out to be people who were already invested in the project and the process. 

-          [11:33] Their Facebook ad campaign strategy was trial and tweak and trial again. This is how they managed to lower their cost per acquisition and cost per click.

-          [18:06] The important role of friends and family for their funding goal in combination with the email subscribers.

-          [21:43] How to use early bird specials, email activation and Facebook group strategies for the campaign. 

-          [25:37] How they experimented with ways to combat the crowdfunding Valley of Death in the middle of the campaign. 

-          [29:32] It was incredibly helpful to have someone on the team who is savvy with ads and social media marketing since it means email subscribers which were the most loyal fan base. 

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Final marketing tip from Kenny to new board game creators:

Build an audience of email subscribers and social media followers before you launch on Kickstarter. Have people ready to mobilize and support you BEFORE asking for money.

Knights Of The Hound Table Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kennychapman/knights-of-the-hound-table-by-we-ride-games

Website: https://weridegames.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knightshoundtable/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/knights_hound?lang=en

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knights_of_the_hound_table/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog: https://meeplemarketing.com/

My name is Nalin Chuapetcharasopon and I help creators get the word out about their passion projects. Ever since serendipitously getting into crowdfunding in 2015, I’ve helped creators raise over $13 million dollars (and counting!) on Kickstarter and Indiegogo, launch their businesses and live the life they want. 

Meeple Marketing (including the Board Game Marketing Podcast here) is geared towards helping game designers market their board games. Let’s tell the world about your game!

For daily marketing tips, be sure to join us on Facebook in the Kickstarter Board Game Marketing Group.

For more extensive tools, training, and resources to market and launch your board game be sure to visit the Meeple Marketing website.

Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, or leave a review!

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Jay Cormier about marketing for MIND MGMT that raised CA$ 191,611 on Kickstarter.

We discuss:

-          [2:20] Marketing is everything so start early

-          [5:55] Starting a YouTube channel to talk about how to start a board game company

-          [10:03] Using Gleam contests to generate people for an email list

-          [14:32] Reaching out for reviews are so important and 100% worth it

-          [16:13] There’s approximately a 7-month timeline for the entire review process

-          [26:41] Getting creative with hidden clues on the Kickstarter page to keep backers engaged throughout the campaign

-          [31:02] The importance of staying on brand when doing anything related to the board game launch

-          [33:49]  Be sure to keep your comments section going by asking questions to backers 

-          [38:39] Continue to be involved in comments, even it’s just to say thank you.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Final marketing tip from Jay to new board game creators:

Everything you do is marketing. How you respond to backers is helping create your brand - that's marketing. Making a nice looking sample to demo at cons - that's marketing. Using the theme of your game when you demo the game, and throughout your campaign - that's marketing. Running contests, writing blog entries, making videos to increase your mailing list - that's marketing. Determining where your stretch levels are set and how you're going to roll them out - that's marketing. Everything you do and say is helping (or hurting) your brand, and when you're a newer publisher, all you have is you and your brand. Think about every aspect of what you're doing and how it will be perceived by potential customers.

MIND MGMT Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mindmgmt/mind-mgmt-the-psychic-espionage-game

Website: https://offthepagegames.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/mindMGMTcomic

Facebook: https://offthepagegames.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/offthepagegames?lang=en 

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

In this episode, host Nalin talks with Connie and Dan about the creation of Chai, a board game for people passionate about tea (and games). They are a team dedicated to create new memorable games, and nurturing an awesome communi-tea around them. They’ve sold over 15,000 copies of their tea board game so far, and here’s a bit of how they did it. 

 We discuss:

• [1:11]: Connie and Dan tell us about their introduction to the game of tabletop games throughout their lives. And how they came up with the idea of Chai.
• [08:56]: They started their marketing by making sure to not post too much about your game or trying to make a sale. But instead adding value to the market, sharing other people’s games and creating valuable content that people can relate to.
• [11:43]: Creating engaging and AUTHENTIC posts and captions for Instagram, that invite people to engage and catch their attention, can be a lot of work and time investment.
• [16:20]: Knowing which type of pictures and arts will work best for your brand is a bit of trial and error. But with a cellphone camera creators have more than enough gear to start creating quality content in different formats.
• [18:58]: Starting out by finding out who their audience was through Facebook groups and playtesters that helped them realize exactly what demography the game was working best for, and perhaps adjust their strategy to better reach this exact audience.
• [24:31]: Inviting people to be part of the Facebook group through a free print and play, and having a compelling document with all of the possible FAQs, helped them connect with new people and get valuable feedback on their game.
• [34:31]: The second campaign Connie and Dan is an expansion to the original game and, although covid made it difficult to manage all of the logistics, it became a good reminder to backers of the game they already enjoyed, and it helped keep the community engaged.
• [39:28]: Life after Kickstarter is full. Creators have to keep growing the relationships they’ve made, research their best option for getting into retail, keep promoting and getting your game mentioned by reviewers in the tabletop game world.
• [32:03]: What’s coming up in 2021 for Chai and where you can get in touch with Connie and Dan.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Steeped Games website: https://steepedgames.com/

Steeped Games on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steepedgames/

Steeped Games on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steepedgames

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

My name is Nalin Chuapetcharasopon and I help creators get the word out about their passion projects. Ever since serendipitously getting into crowdfunding in 2015, I’ve helped creators raise over $13 million dollars (and counting!) on Kickstarter and Indiegogo, launch their businesses and live the life they want. 

Meeple Marketing (including the Board Game Marketing Podcast here) is geared towards helping game designers market their board games. Let’s tell the world about your game!

For daily marketing tips, be sure to join us on Facebook in the Kickstarter Board Game Marketing Group.

For more extensive tools, training, and resources to market and launch your board game be sure to visit the Meeple Marketing website.

Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, or leave a review!

In this episode, host Nalin talks to Gary Alaka about marketing for Rival Restaurants that raised $300,148 on Kickstarter.

We discuss:

-          [1:20] Their process of launching a game with friends

-          [5:46] The importance of really testing your game to hone the mechanics and know your audience 

-          [10:52] Spending time to be active on social media to build an enthusiastic follower base

-          [12:14] Putting up a landing page to collect emails to start building a community for launch

-          [14:27] Engaging with people at conventions and tactics to collect emails there

-          [20:17] Meeting new people and the power of getting reviews 

-          [22:38] Be proactive at conventions and actively pull people in to playtest

-          [23:49]  The importance of beautiful artwork for the game

-          [27:19] The best way to learn how to market your game is to start listening and learning from others who have come before you

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Final marketing tip from Gary to new board game creators:

Quality over quantity! It's not the size of the audience that counts, but the passion it brings. Invest in your audience, empower your ambassadors, and reward their passion.

Rival Restaurants Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gapclosergames/rival-restaurants-back-for-seconds 

Website: https://www.rivalrestaurants.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GapCloserGames/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gapclosergames?lang=en

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gapclosergames/?hl=en

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.

My name is Nalin Chuapetcharasopon and I help creators get the word out about their passion projects. Ever since serendipitously getting into crowdfunding in 2015, I’ve helped creators raise over $13 million dollars (and counting!) on Kickstarter and Indiegogo, launch their businesses and live the life they want. 

Meeple Marketing (including the Board Game Marketing Podcast here) is geared towards helping game designers market their board games. Let’s tell the world about your game!

For daily marketing tips, be sure to join us on Facebook in the Kickstarter Board Game Marketing Group.

For more extensive tools, training, and resources to market and launch your board game be sure to visit the Meeple Marketing website.

Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, or leave a review!

In this episode, host Nalin talks with Marcin Swierkot from Gamefound. They discuss how this pledge manager has evolved into a complete crowdfunding platform tailored for board game creators and enthusiasts. Its vision is to make every part of the user experience as both creator or backer the easiest and most personalized way possible, so that everyone can aim for success.

 We discuss:

• [1:26]: Gamefound started as a pledge manager, but has now evolved into a complete crowdfunding platform with the vision of making everything easier for both the creator and the backer, specifically on the board games section. 
• [08:39]: One of the main offers Gamefound wants to make is to create an easier alternative for calculating and managing taxes, so the creator can focus on their game as much as possible.
• [11:56]: The main difference between Kickstarter and Gamefound is that the process after the crowdfunding is completed is much easier, since it is a unique integrated system, creators will have it easier to fill in the information about shipping rates and connect it to the backers. No complications, no surprises. The other big feature will be the calculators and educational content creators will have access to, in order to make sure all of their budgetary requirements and decisions are correct, so they can assure they’ll deliver their promise to backers.
• [18:15]: If you launch on a big platform like Kickstarter, you’re competing with so many projects, and statistics are not clear on how the organic traffic works. Gamefound wants to create a more personalized experience for the backer, where they get to see the projects and content related to their personal preferences.
• [24:57]: Gamefound will be available in pretty much every country that Kickstarter works with, with its main page in English, but allowing projects to be created in other languages. You’ll be able to use different currencies. The fees of the platform are very much like Kickstarter..
• [29:10]: Gamefound wants to support the creators in every way possible, making it easier to email and communicate with team members when they have questions. Marcin also talks about how they’ll be able to do pixel tracking.
• [32:03]: What’s coming up in 2021 for Gamefound.

Thanks for listening to the Board Game Marketing Podcast!

Gamefound’s website: https://gamefound.com/#/

Gamefound on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GamefoundBusiness/

For more information on how to market your game, be sure to check out the Meeple Marketing Blog.