Crowdfunding Nerds: Kickstarter Marketing, Business, & Beyond!

Episode 260 of the Crowdfunding Nerds Podcast. Marketing advice you have heard before and need to hear again!

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Ever wondered how to elevate your podcast game and marketing strategy? In Episode 259 of the Crowdfunding Nerds, your hosts Andrew and Sean take you behind the scenes as they embark on a journey to upgrade both the audio and video quality of their show. Why is authenticity the secret sauce in marketing, and how can a simple AI-generated ad go hilariously wrong? We dive into these questions and more! Discover the importance of havi...

Ready to level up your game design and marketing strategies? In episode 255 of the Crowdfunding Nerds podcast, hosts Andrew and Sean dive deep into the art of strategy, tactics, and operations. Ever wondered how military doctrines could inspire game design? Or how a clear strategic vision can revolutionize your marketing efforts? Join us as Sean shares his intriguing research into military operations and how these concepts can tra...

How do you craft a video game that hooks players and keeps them coming back for more? Dive into Episode 256 of Crowdfunding Nerds, where Andrew along with special guest Chris Cantero, unravel the magic behind addictive gameplay loops and reward systems. Chris, who has worked on iconic titles like Doom Eternal, shares insights from his latest roguelite creation, High Fructose. Imagine a thrilling mix of Fruit Ninja, Brotato, and Gho...

Ever wondered what makes a game truly addictive? Join us on this episode of the Crowdfunding Nerds as Andrew and Sean, along with Deliverance playtester Evan Gilcrest, unravel the secret sauce behind captivating gameplay loops. From the indie darling Megabonk to the colossal World of Warcraft, we explore how balancing complexity and simplicity can make or break a game's success. Discover how Megabonk achieved indie fame with a sho...

Ever feel like your to-do list is running your life? In episode 253 of the Crowdfunding Nerds, we tackle the art of time management and the power of 'no' in business. Have you ever missed a crucial meeting because your schedule was bursting at the seams? Andrew and Sean share personal stories and strategies to help you avoid this pitfall. We dive into the first six months of SEO marketing and why they're crucial for building clien...

Ever wondered how game designers breathe life into immersive worlds? Or how family dynamics shape creative processes? Join us on this captivating episode of Crowdfunding Nerds as Sean and Donnie sit down with Cody Pondsmith from R. Talsorian Games to explore these very questions. Dive into Cody's fascinating journey from his early days in game design, under the tutelage of his legendary father, Mike Pondsmith, to his groundbreaking...

How does a two-time world champion in Star Trek CCG transition to a senior game designer at Fantasy Flight Games? In episode 251 of the Crowdfunding Nerds, Andrew and Donnie sit down with Caleb Grace to explore this fascinating journey. Caleb, who once battled impostor syndrome, now crafts immersive experiences for iconic IPs like Lord of the Rings and Marvel Comics. Discover how he balances game mechanics with narrative to create ...

Ever wondered how the art of wordsmithing can make or break a game? In episode 250 of Crowdfunding Nerds, Andrew and Sean delve into the fascinating world of game development, unravelling the secrets behind crafting the perfect rulebook. How can you ensure your game instructions are crystal clear yet thematically rich? Why is strategic depth more crucial than complexity? Join us as we explore the power of precise language, the mag...

How do you transform a fan into a true fan? What does it take to create an unforgettable gaming experience? In this episode of the Crowdfunding Nerds, Andrew Lowen, flying solo today, dives deep into the art of delivering exceptional value to both his team and fans. We kick things off by addressing some recent tech hiccups and our temporary switch to Zoom for recordings. Then, we take you on a journey to Strong Tower Con in Waukesh...

Ever bought a game just because it looked cool? In Episode 248 of Crowdfunding Nerds, Andrew and Sean explore the concept of "game shaped objects"—games that lure us with their aesthetics but might not see much playtime. Why do we sometimes buy games that end up as shelf trophies? 

Join us as we dive into the tension between art and marketability in game design. Sean shares tales of gifting games like Codenames that become more o...

Crowdfunding Nerds Podcast episode 247 is here, and it's a rollercoaster of insights! Are GameFound's latest moves set to shake up the crowdfunding landscape? Can Kickstarter keep pace with its tech updates? Join Andrew and Sean as they dissect GameFound's acquisition of Indiegogo and what it means for creators and backers alike. Could this shift in the industry redefine marketing strategies? We also dive into the controversial wo...

Ready to conquer the crowdfunding world of 2025? In Episode 246 of the Crowdfunding Nerds, Andrew and Sean unravel the secrets to overcoming backer objections in an ever-evolving landscape. Are stretch goals truly a double-edged sword? Can gameplay exclusives be more gimmick than game-changer? We dive into insights from Chris George of Room and Board, tackling these questions head-on. Join us as we share golden nuggets from managi...

Ever wondered what it takes to launch a successful tabletop gaming company? In Episode 245 of the Crowdfunding Nerds podcast, Andrew and Sean are joined by Marco Pecota from Raybox Games to unravel the secrets behind a $100,000 crowdfunding campaign and the art of world-building in gaming. How do you craft a modular game that appeals to diverse budgets? Why are deluxe versions so enticing? Marco shares his fascinating journey from ...

Ever wondered how sibling dynamics shape the creation of a board game? In episode 244 of the Crowdfunding Nerds podcast, we dive deep with Brian and Michael Toth of Toth Games about their journey in crafting Legends of the Arena. Join Andrew and Sean as they explore the Toth brothers' collaborative process, starting from a shared childhood love for games to the challenges of translating video game dynamics into a board game format....

Ever wondered how to navigate the choppy waters of crowdfunding with finesse? In Episode 243 of Crowdfunding Nerds, Sean and Donnie are joined by Robin Stokkel, the mastermind behind the card game River Rats. Robin takes us on a riveting journey through his Kickstarter campaign, sharing the secrets behind his marketing magic and the lessons learned along the way. Why is Reddit both a goldmine and a minefield for marketers? How do ...

Ever wondered how to turn a canceled pledge into a success story? Join us for Episode 241 of Crowdfunding Nerds, where Sean chats with Chris Loizou from SBG Editions about the art of running a successful crowdfunding campaign. Dive into Chris's experience with his project, Ascendia, and discover how personal outreach can recapture those elusive canceled pledges with a whopping 90% success rate! Why did Chris choose GameFound over ...