5 Kickstarter tips to fund your board game

Anyone that has tried to take a personal project or passion into a sellable product knows that funding can make our break your goals. Here are some tips that have helped us with our projects, such as Reventure Orbitale, our very own success case created with Tabletop Creator.

Let’s get started!

To launch your game on Kickstarter, you’ll need to:

• Create a campaign on your chosen platform, in this case Kickstarter.
• Present your project in an attractive way, with a video and detailed descriptions.
• Set funding goals and rewards for your backers.
• Promote your campaign.
• Keep your backers informed about any updates.

It may sound like a daunting task but don’t worry too much. Here are some key things you can do to make sure your Kickstarter launch is a success:

1. Prepare your board game

Before you launch your game, it’s important to make sure your game is fully developed and ready for production. Make sure you have done enough playtesting to identify and fix any problems. Tabletop creator is a game board design software that not only makes this process way simpler, but it will allow you to easily preview your game physically.

Keep in mind that you should have all the necessary components decided upon, from cards and dice to miniatures and tokens. Here are some steps you could follow:

• Come up with a game concept. What kind of game do you want to make? What are the mechanics? Who is your target audience?

• Use game design software like Tabletop Creator to create your game: Tabletop Creator allows you to build your templates with panels of any shape and type and get a printable PDF with just a click (or a digital render to playtest).

• Playtest your game. Once you have a prototype of your game, get it out there and playtest it with friends, family, and other gamers.
  • Get feedback on the game’s mechanics, balance, and overall fun factor.

• Refine your game based on feedback. Make changes to your game based on the feedback you receive.
  • This may involve tweaking the mechanics, adding or removing components, or changing the overall theme of the game

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2. Create an eye-catching Kickstarter page

Your page is your showcase and will be the first thing potential backers will see, so it’s important that it’s attractive and informative. Here are some tips on what your page should contain:

• Include high quality images: Images are a vital part of your Kickstarter page. They should be clear, high-quality, and visually appealing. Make sure they accurately represent your game and its mechanics.

• Provide detailed information: This includes the game’s mechanics, how it’s played, the rules, and the rewards you’re offering backers. Anything that can add value to your backers should be included.

• Create a video presentation: A video presentation is a great way to show potential backers how your game is played. Make sure the video is short and concise, and that it highlights the best parts of your game.

• A strong call to action: This should tell people what you need them to do, such as pledge money or share your campaign on social media.

• Make sure it’s easy to understand: Your Kickstarter page should be easy to read and well laid out. Avoid using words and terms that your audience may not understand.

• Proofread your page carefully: This will help you make a good impression on potential backers. Grammatical errors will make your page seem untrustworthy.

• Keep your page updated: This will help keep your backers engaged and informed. You will retain trust and support if you make your backers feel reassured in their decision.

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3. Define your funding goal and rewards

Before launching your campaign, decide how much money you need for production and logistics. This will be your funding goal. Be sure to include all costs:

• Graphic design
• Materials and components
• Production and manufacturing
• Shipping costs and materials
• Kickstarter fees
• Marketing and advertising

Next, you’ll need to decide what types of rewards you’ll offer your backers. Here’s how you could structure backers into different tiers:

1. Basic level: You could offer a copy of the final game at a special price for backers.
2. Intermediate level: You could offer a copy of the final board game at a special price for backers. It could also include some kind of promotional material, such as stickers or a poster.
3. Premium level: This would include multiple copies of the game, as well as some additional rewards, such as an expansion of the game or customized tokens.
4. Deluxe level: This could be a limited and exclusive edition of the game, with high quality components and a customized box.
5. VIP level: This level would offer an exclusive experience, such as a private play session with the game designer, a visit to the development studio or even the opportunity to design a card or token for the game.

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4. Promote your crowdfunding campaign

Today the best way to make your campaign gain traction is through social sharing and social media platforms. It’s not just a suggestion, nowadays its a must to use social media and other channels to reach the widest possible audience.

You will have to become an “influencer” (more or less) to be successful. If you have a team working with you, designate some of the members as responsible for your channels, and make sure you publish content periodically.

Types of content you could share:

• Updates: Share updates about your game.
  • ¿How far is it in development and/or production?

• Artwork: Share mockups, designs, creative ideas you had,…
  • You can always upload smaller images with a watermark to protect your work.

• Share content from other creators: Also, follow other creators.
  • They may follow you back and share your work to their followers.

• Memes and pop culture: Match the content of your socials to the interest of your target audience.
  • Make yourself more human, you are not only selling a product, you are sharing a passion.

• Offer exclusive rewards for early backers.

• Run a pre-launch campaign: Generate interest and buzz around your game

• Partner with other creators.
  • Consider sending prototypes of your game to reviewers and influencers so they can talk about it and share it with their followers.
  • Giving them and their audience an early peak can help generate buzz around your work and make people excited about it.

• Use Kickstarter marketing tools to reach a wider audience.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of launching a successful Kickstarter campaign for your game.

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5. Follow through on your pledges

Once the campaign has been successfully completed, you will need to fulfill your commitments. Produce and ship the game as promised. Be sure to keep in constant communication with your backers to inform them of your progress. You need to make sure everyone gets what they paid for, so budget carefully!

This is essential to the success of your next projects, you don’t want to loose the trust of the people.

Your Kickstarter Crowdfunding Checklist

Now that we’ve gone over the tips, lets review them. Here you have a checklist you can follow when designing your campaign [see list]

1. Define your game.
   • What is your game about? What are its mechanics? Who is your target audience?
2. Do your research.
   • Look at other successful Kickstarter campaigns for board games. What did they do well? What could they have done better?
3. Create a prototype.
   • This is essential for playtesting and getting feedback on your game.
4. Playtest your game.
   • Get as much feedback as possible from friends, family, and other gamers.
5. Refine your game.
   • Make changes based on the feedback you receive.
6. Create a campaign page.
   • This is your chance to sell your game to potential backers. Make sure it’s well-written and visually appealing.
7. Set a funding goal.
   • This is the amount of money you need to raise to make your game a reality.
8. Choose your rewards.
   • What will you offer backers in return for their pledges?
9. Promote your campaign.
   • Share it on social media, reach out to influencers, and attend gaming conventions.
10. Communicate with your backers.
    • Keep them updated on your progress and thank them for their support.
11. Start early.
    • Give yourself plenty of time to prepare your campaign.
12. Be realistic.
    • Don’t set your funding goal too high.
13. Be passionate.
    • Your enthusiasm will be contagious and will help you attract backers.
14. Be patient.
    • It takes time to build a successful Kickstarter campaign.

💡We hope that these tips help you with your crowdfunding campaign!