Episode #139: The ONE Thing You Need To Do BEFORE You Launch That Toy Kickstarter
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Kickstarter is just a platform for product presales? Right? Wrong! Sales is an important aspect of the platform, but today’s episode is all about how Kickstarter can actually help you develop an authentic community for your toy or game idea. Today’s guest launched a Kickstarter and funded his original game idea in just 4 days. Then he went back and launched another successful campaign for an expansion pack for the game!
Today you will hear from Joe Slack, a board game designer. In addition to designing games he has also taught courses on board game design and wrote an internationally best selling book: The Board Game Designer’s Guide. He funded his solo play game Relics of Rejavihara on Kickstarter, then also funded the expansion pack Montalo’s Revenge on the platform.
Joe tells you how he used social media organically to get people interested in his board game, how he strategically planned his second Kickstarter campaign, and some of the options for fulfillment and shipping partners when doing a Kickstarter for a game. You’ll also find out what a pledge manager is and why you might want to use one once your Kickstarter campaign is over. If you’ve got a crowdfunding campaign going for your toy or game, or you’re thinking about making one, listen to this episode!
EPISODE CLIFF NOTES
Find out how Joe used social media in an organic way to reel people into his Kickstarter. [00:05:23]
Learn how Joe strategically timed the expansion pack and 2nd Kickstarter to keep people engaged with the game. [00:11:04]
Learn what a pledge manager is and how it can help you after a Kickstarter campaign. [00:15:19]
Find out the differences between using a pledge manager and having your own website. [00:17:27]
Find out the benefits of working with a fulfillment partner for your toy or game Kickstarter. [00:18:19]
Learn why you might want to work with more than one fulfillment partner. [00:21:06]
Find out a strategic pricing method to make high shipping costs less painful for Kickstarter backers. [00:22:08]
Learn how you can sell directly to retailers from Kickstarter. [00:24:59]
Find out the most important piece of advice Joe has for creating a Kickstarter. [00:27:15]