BGMP 031 Marketing Yourself As A Game Designer with Emma Larkins
Release Date: 11/04/2020
BGMP 054 Distributor and Retailer Marketing with Ross Thompson
Board Game Marketing Podcast
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]:...
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BGMP 053 Dogs BOND with Alex Lu
Board Game Marketing Podcast
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...
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BGMP 052 Creating Videos with Jon Caspian
Board Game Marketing Podcast
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...
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BGMP 051 Building A Publishing Company With Ed Baraf
Board Game Marketing Podcast
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...
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BGMP 050 Community Marketing with Danni Loe
Board Game Marketing Podcast
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. ...
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BGMP 049 Chai with Connie and Dan Kazmaier
Board Game Marketing Podcast
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...
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BGMP 048 Crowdfunding on Gamefound with Marcin Świerkot
Board Game Marketing Podcast
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,...
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BGMP 047 The Mariana Trench with Tris Rossin
Board Game Marketing Podcast
In this episode, host Nalin talks with Triss from The Mariana Trench, 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: [1:30]: How a family project became the first game Triss designed, that has led him to work for over 4 years in game...
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BGMP 046 Macaron with Ta-Te Wu
Board Game Marketing Podcast
In this episode, host Nalin talks with Ta-Te Wu from Macaron, about the marketing strategy and learnings from the launch of the game. We talk about the importance of having a reviewer marketing strategy in place, and of finding the best reviewers that fit with a game. We discuss: [1:29]: How Ta-Te went from a youth experience playing games, to board game designer and publisher. [06:04]: Where the inspiration for Macaron, his newest game, came from, and how from the beginning there were doubts about launching a game with a less popular name or topic. [14:30]: The importance...
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BGMP 045 A Conversation with Gabe Barrett
Board Game Marketing Podcast
In this episode, host Nalin talks with Gabe from the Board Game Design Lab. He has launched 10 crowdfunding campaigns and now is working on a huge platform to connect and help board game creators. He discusses the key points to succeed in crowdfunding and what he wants to achieve with Board Game Design Lab. Check it out! We discuss: [1:20]: Who Gabe is and a bit of his podcaster journey. He has launched 10 crowdfunding campaigns so far! [03:16]: The key to launching a successful campaign is to understand who your audience is, listening to their input and opinions, and really...
info_outlineIn 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!
Final marketing tip from David and Justin to new board game creators:
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.