Crowdfunding Secrets | 6 Devs That Hit Their Goals [2020]

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6 Feb 202012:42

EducationalLearning

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TLDRThis video offers invaluable Kickstarter tips from indie game developers who've successfully funded their projects. It emphasizes the importance of community outreach, creating engaging demos, and continuous communication. Experts advise on preparing a compelling Kickstarter page, understanding your audience, and leveraging social media for maximum exposure. Personal connections at game exhibitions and strategic marketing on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Discord are highlighted as crucial for a successful campaign.

Takeaways

🤝 Reach out to existing Kickstarter developers for advice and support, as they can provide insights and help with your project's reach.
😢 Don't be afraid of setting high reward tiers, as they can be more profitable and attract backers looking for premium rewards.
📣 Keep talking about your project and providing updates to maintain interest and engagement within the community.
🏘️ Engage with niche communities and social media platforms to reach potential backers who might not be aware of your project.
🎮 Have a great demo ready to showcase the game's potential and ensure it's compelling enough to attract backers.
📊 Utilize social media, especially Twitter, to push your campaign and gain exposure for your game.
🤗 Make personal connections at exhibitions and events, as these can lead to valuable support during your Kickstarter campaign.
🎨 Create an attractive Kickstarter page with high-quality art and clear information about the game to hook potential backers.
📈 Plan meticulously, including social media posts, updates, and events, to ensure a smooth campaign and reduce stress.
💻 Prepare for a Kickstarter campaign to be more work than anticipated and manage the workload among the team to avoid burnout.
🕒 Be strategic about the timing of your campaign, especially the ending time, to maximize the chances of a successful conclusion.

Q & A

What is the first piece of advice given by Emmy for running a successful Kickstarter campaign?
-Emmy advises reaching out to existing Kickstarter developers, asking them questions, and showing support by backing their projects to get insights and help from the community.
Why are 'tears' important in a Kickstarter campaign according to Emmy?
-Tears, or tiers, are important because they can be more profitable than expected, especially the higher ones, and they help the project stand out and attract backers.
What is the significance of continuous communication about the project during a Kickstarter campaign?
-Continuous communication helps keep the project in the minds of potential backers and the community, providing updates and insights can generate excitement and support.
How did Pontus from Warm Kitten emphasize the importance of a demo in a Kickstarter campaign?
-Pontus stresses that a great demo is essential because it can attract support from influential people in the industry, like a Twitter account owner who played the demo and decided to promote the campaign.
What role did personal connections play in the Kickstarter campaign for 'Just in Whack'?
-Personal connections were crucial as they contributed to the campaign's success by providing support, promotion, and validation of the team's passion and legitimacy.
Why did Michael Forstman of Eldon Pixels emphasize defining the target audience for a Kickstarter campaign?
-Defining the target audience is essential for crafting a campaign that resonates with potential backers, ensuring that the marketing and presentation of the game appeal to those most likely to support it.
What was one of the key takeaways from Alexandra's experience with the Kickstarter campaign for 'Letters'?
-One key takeaway was that marketing is key, even without a following, and that it's important to post consistently on official and personal accounts to build awareness.
What advice did Derrick Fields from Waking Oni give regarding planning for a Kickstarter campaign?
-Derrick Fields advised planning everything, including social media posts, Kickstarter updates, and public events, to reduce headaches and hurdles during the campaign.
What does Dan Adelman from Star Soft recommend to avoid in a Kickstarter campaign?
-Dan Adelman recommends avoiding physical rewards due to the hassle they can cause, but if included, to know all the costs beforehand, including manufacturing, packaging, and shipping.
What is the one-word summary of what it takes to run a successful Kickstarter campaign according to Dan Adelman?
-According to Dan Adelman, the one-word summary of what it takes to run a successful Kickstarter campaign is 'plan'.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Launching Indie Games on Kickstarter: Expert Tips

This paragraph introduces a series of tips from indie game developers who have successfully launched Kickstarter campaigns. The video aims to help aspiring developers understand the process and strategies for a successful crowdfunding campaign. Emmy from Proximity Games shares the importance of community support, the role of tier rewards in profitability, and the value of continuous communication and community engagement. Pontus from Warm Kitten emphasizes the necessity of a compelling demo, the power of social media, and the benefits of personal connections made at gaming exhibitions.

05:01

🎮 Kickstarter Campaign Insights from Indie Developers

The second paragraph delves into further advice from various indie developers on running a Kickstarter campaign. Michael Forstman from Eldon Pixels stresses the importance of knowing your target audience and creating an attractive Kickstarter page. Alexandra from 5 a.m. Games discusses the significance of marketing, asking for help, and managing stress during the campaign. Derrick Fields from Weight Uni highlights the need for thorough planning, including social media strategy and public events, to create anticipation and excitement for the game's launch.

10:03

📈 Strategic Planning for a Successful Kickstarter Campaign

The final paragraph features insights from Dan Adelman of Star Soft, who encapsulates the essence of a successful Kickstarter campaign in one word: 'plan'. He outlines a detailed timeline for preparation, including page readiness, avoiding physical rewards, seeking feedback, and understanding the dynamics of campaign timing. Adelman also underscores the importance of leveraging social media influencers and the significance of the campaign's ending phase, advising against ending the campaign at a time when potential backers are least active.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Indie game

An indie game refers to a video game that is typically created by individuals or small teams without the financial support of a large publisher. In the video's context, indie games are the focus as developers share their experiences with crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter. The video aims to provide insights into launching a successful campaign for these types of games, as evidenced by the mention of 'IndieGoGo' and 'Kickstarter'.

💡Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a method of raising funds by collecting small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the internet. In the script, crowdfunding is the central theme as it discusses strategies for running a successful Kickstarter campaign, which is a form of crowdfunding specifically for creative projects.

💡Kickstarter

Kickstarter is a popular crowdfunding platform focused on creativity, where artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers, and other creators can raise funds for their projects. The video script mentions Kickstarter as the platform on which several indie game developers have successfully launched their campaigns, emphasizing its importance in the indie game development community.

💡Campaign

In the context of the video, a campaign refers to a specific project or initiative, such as a Kickstarter campaign, which is a time-limited effort to raise funds for a particular goal. The script provides tips for launching a successful campaign, indicating the importance of planning and community engagement in achieving funding goals.

💡Backers

Backers are individuals who support crowdfunding campaigns by pledging money in exchange for rewards or the opportunity to see a project come to fruition. The script mentions that many backers come from personal connections and community involvement, highlighting the importance of building a supportive network for a campaign.

💡Demo

A demo, short for demonstration, is a version of a game or software that is used to showcase its features and capabilities. In the video, the importance of having a great demo is emphasized as it can attract backers and generate excitement about the game, as illustrated by the story of 'Just in Whack' where a compelling demo helped secure support.

💡Personal connections

Personal connections refer to relationships and networks that individuals have built, which can be leveraged for support and promotion. The script suggests that many backers come from the creators' personal networks, emphasizing the value of these connections in the success of a Kickstarter campaign.

💡Marketing

Marketing is the process of promoting and selling products or services, which includes advertising, branding, and public relations. In the video, marketing is identified as a key component of a successful Kickstarter campaign, with the developers advising to be active on social media and to seek help from others who have experience with Kickstarter.

💡Tiers

Tiers in the context of a Kickstarter campaign refer to the different levels of rewards or support that backers can choose from when pledging money. The script mentions the importance of having well-defined backer tiers, which can entice potential supporters with various incentives.

💡Stretch goals

Stretch goals are additional objectives or milestones that a project creator sets to achieve if the initial funding goal is surpassed. The script advises having stretch goals prepared in advance, as they can help maintain momentum and excitement throughout the campaign.

💡Discord

Discord is a communication platform that allows users to create and join communities with chat, voice, and video features. In the video, Discord is mentioned as an effective tool for engaging with a community and receiving feedback, which can be crucial for the success of a Kickstarter campaign.

💡Trailer

A trailer is a short promotional video that provides a preview of a larger work, such as a game. The script highlights the importance of having a cool-looking trailer for a Kickstarter campaign, as it can capture the audience's attention and generate interest in the project.

Highlights

Reach out to existing Kickstarter developers for advice and support.

Don't be afraid of higher tier rewards as they can be more profitable.

Continuous communication about the project is key for community engagement.

A great demo is essential to attract backers and support for the campaign.

Utilize a Twitter account to effectively push out campaign information.

Personal connections made at exhibitions can significantly boost the campaign.

Discord can be a powerful tool for connecting with fans and gathering feedback.

Define your target audience to tailor the Kickstarter page effectively.

Good art and a visually appealing Kickstarter page are crucial for initial attraction.

Marketing is key; maintain a strong online presence across various platforms.

Ask for help from anyone who might offer advice or support for your campaign.

Prepare for stress and maintain an emotional distance to handle campaign pressure.

Planning is vital; prepare every detail of the campaign in advance.

Avoid physical rewards due to their complexity, or ensure you understand all costs involved.

Get feedback on your Kickstarter page from friends, other devs, and Kickstarter staff.

Create a list of influencers to help promote your campaign when it goes live.

Be mindful of the campaign's end time to maximize the final push for funding.

On launch day, thank and provide easy sharing options for those promoting your campaign.

Knowledge sharing is crucial for the success of the indie game development community.

Transcripts

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