So you have an idea for a new tabletop roleplaying game. Perhaps you have it written. But bringing it into reality—whether as a zine, a book, or even a box set—is a different beast.

Let’s look at 5 things to do before you launch your Kickstarter.

1. Start Right Now

If you are reading this, then you are at least thinking about crowdfunding a game project. That means that the best time to start preparing for your campaign is this moment. The more time you put in before launch, the better your success is going to be when you hit go.

2. Choose A Platform

I know the title of this article has “Kickstarter” in it, but today there are a number of platforms where people find success in funding their games. You might consider BackerKit, Crowdfundr, or even a slow-funding method like your own store or itch.io. 

Ask yourself some of the following questions:

• Customization: Does it allow you to make the visual page that best highlights your game?
• Marketing: How effective is the platform at driving backers to your page?
• Support: How supportive is the platform of creators? What are other people in your community saying about their experience?
• Projects You Love: Where have your favorite creators found success?

There is no right answer. But there may be a right answer for your project. Weigh your options and commit to the one that feels most aligned with your goals and values.

3. Find References

The best artists steal. The best crowdfunders steal a lot. 

Crowdfunding is an intense and onerous process where you are required to wear a dozen hats. No matter what knowledge you are bringing into this project, there is almost definitely a hat you have never had to wear before. 

Pick 2-3 projects with very similar scope to yours that have had successful crowdfunding campaigns. Study their campaigns and make a list of what they did well.

Some things to focus on in particular:

• What information is present on their page? In what order is it presented?
• How have they used visuals to make an attractive page?
• What is their pitch? How are they writing effective copy to communicate this to potential backers?
• How have they set up their pledge levels? What unique levels are they offering that might get backers to give more money than the "base pledge" alone?
• How are they using updates and other in-platform features to keep backers in the loop?
• What are they doing outside the platform on their socials, newsletters, etc.?

Some fantastic reference campaigns: Triangle Agency, Ion Heart, A Perfect Rock

4. Build A Team

Whether your team is 2 people or 20+, a crowdfunding campaign is made easier by more hands. 

Start with the people that will help make the game a reality: the core team of Editor, Layout Artist, Illustrator. These are the people who will be most invested in the success of your campaign. Get them involved early and make it as clear as possible what your expectations are for them around contributing to marketing throughout the campaign.

Then, depending on your project size, look to your community and friend groups and ask yourself, “Who do I know that could help me do something unique for this project?” One of my best friends is a composer and he has made a theme song for nearly every game I have crowdfunded. 

Perhaps most importantly, make sure you have someone in your life who can be your support through the campaign. The person you can vent to, celebrate with, and lament the mid-campaign slump alongside. They might be a team member but, more likely, they are just a good friend.

5. Play Your Game. Play It A LOT

You could have the most ideal crowdfunding campaign in the world, with the best visuals and a trailer directed by Greta Gerwig. It means nothing if your game isn’t good!

Playtesting is critical to figuring out what your game is. When do people yell out in triumph? When do their eyes glaze over? When do they excitedly pull out that ability they’ve been saving all session? 

You might playtest at different scales depending on the scope of your project. Consider doing one or all of the following:

• Playtest with a group of friends: The easiest to schedule and the easiest to get a lot of reps in. The drawback is your friends may not want to give you critical feedback.
• Playtest at your local game store: Contact the owner or take advantage of free play tables to get a group of total strangers to try your game. This will be one of the best ways to figure out how approachable your game is.
• Playtest online: Create a heavily discounted or free listing on StartPlaying and run the beta version of your game for a whole new set of players you would have never connected with otherwise. 

Your playtesters are not only a resource for polishing a game’s design, they are the most likely group to be among your day one backers. They’ve (hopefully) already fallen in love with your vision for the game.

5 down, 995 to go

Crowdfunding, like most creative endeavors, is doing 1000 little things that all add up and contribute to success. You will never know exactly which ones were key to reaching your goal. But these five are a good start.

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Elliot Davis aka “moreblueberries” is a game designer, publisher, and podcast producer known for games like Project ECCO, Rom Com Drama Bomb, and the upcoming The Time We Have.