how to market you're miniatures and game?

[locutus]

Hi,

A couple of friend and me have been huge miniature lovers for some years now.

In a really drunk mood about two/three years ago we decided that we would try and create our own miniatures and game.
Although we our self found it to be a bold undertaking we none the less started to sculpt and create.

It is our believe that in order for people to get enthusiastic about it we had to first create models and a working game.

After what seems fore ever we are now nearing the completion of the models and game.

We realise that the quality of our models are not near as good as some of the other miniatures/ games that are on the market.

This is mainly due to the fact that it is hard to create the nessecary time to invest in such a large project when you have a job wife and kids that also wants to spend time with you. (and no sponsors to support)

We are now wondering what the best way is for us to start promoting this game; we really want to invest the necessary time in the near future to make a higher quality of miniatures.

if anybody can give any tips or advice we would appreciate it.

Our game is a scifi based table top game with miniatures ranging from 35 mm to 50-60 mm and 110 -130 mm.
Estimated playing time; 30 -45 min.

 

[wargamesculptor]

Financing is the key ! If you are getting loans to finnance this project then your effectivly working for the bank and will be a long time before you see any real money yourselves.
Kickstarters are very popular at the moment but you either need a strong reputation or pictures of quality product to make this work.
third option is you front the cash yourself, risky but very sattisfying when all your hard work pays off.
Lastly you need to let people know about your product and this can take a while or get very costly in advertising.
Hope this helps and good luck with your venture !

 

[locutus]

to wargamersculpter: we have no loans to sponsor us; the money that has been invested is our own.
We have enough to start a website/shop; get copy right; and to produce a small number of starters.
Kickstarter was a option we considered but u have to be a us citisan to get you're game on this website.

We're indeed wondering how to best market this; so any suggestions people might have is welcome.

Our own promotion ideas are: starting advertisements on local and inetrnational auctions like ebay; start contacting online tabletop gaming magazines; promote locally by contacting local gaming shops and giving demo days; start to print posters and send them to gaming shops who are willing to put it in their stores; we already have a facebook page; and our website is up and running.

thnx for you're advice wargamesculpter we can use all the help/advice we can get!!

 

[moonmin82]

You should link your website and FB page

 

[locutus]

i;m afraid i don't know how to link?? something

And won't the bosses of this site take offence if i put a link here?

I will share the facebook link but we anly have phot's from the rulebook as we are still waiting for a pressure chamber to make our stock so no mini pics yet.

it is: https://www.facebook.com/WorksoftheWicked?ref=hl

again thnx for all the help thusfar!!

 

[uglybug]

Indiegogo is like kickstarter but used by those outside the USA.

 

[Super Cereal]

Please just make sure that you keep good track of your IP, especially limiting draft-rulebook distributions to people you can trust!

 

[Bailey03]

Uglybug is right, check out Indiegogo. That seems like a good way to raise initial capital to get your game into production. I would be wary of two things...

1) Don't just jump into an Indiegogo campaign. Take some time to get the word out and build interest (like you're doing here and on facebook). Post on forums like this and others, show some initial images or concept art, give a sneak preview of how the game will work (not too much detail as Super Cereal warned), and then say an Indiegogo campaign will be starting in a few weeks or whatever your plan is. That will get people curious and should help your campaign be more successful.

2) A lot of your initial customers will purchase through the Indiegogo campaign. As a result, sales might be quite slow immediately afterward and take a while to ramp back up.

When you are ready to start your Indiegogo/kickstarter campaign you should definitely have pictures of the miniatures. If you can get them painted at a high level of quality, great. But mini's painted at low or even moderate quality can sometimes do more harm than good. In my opinion an unpainted mini and some concept art with color is good enough to get me interested. I'd also recommend putting together a gameplay video if you can. You can look at some of the CMON kickstarters (Zombicide or Guilds of Cadwallon for example) to see what I'm talking about. You don't need or want to include every details... just a quick example of how the game will work so we get the idea.

 

[locutus]

I'm looking into indiegogo and it seems like a good alternative to the kickstarter site.

I agree with you bailley03 we have to have some pics and perhaps a intro movie of the game in order fpr people to have an idea about what there purchasing.

Thnx for all the advice guys!!!

 

[QuietiManes]

You might think about selling models individually, as you finish them, as single sales. Simply to other hobbiests, to paint or collect. Without trying to sell the whole game system to them at the same time. This requires minimal cost to get going and will supplement your income as you build up to where your whole game is all finished and polished up to a perfect shine...ready to distribute. It will also attract investors and supporters, build your reputation for when you move forward.

 

[locutus]

we feel that as we are new to this miniature making venture that the power of what we have made is (for now) the game itself.

We are now looking into vacuum systems does anyone have a recomendation?