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Developers looking to fund their projects through kickstarter must excite potential contributors into backing them, says indie dev.
As reported by Gamasutra, Awkward Hug co-founder Julie Coniglio said developers must research, prepare and form an emotional connection with potential backers if they want to be a crowd funding success.
“Do your research, prepare, read the blogs,” said Coniglio.
“It’s changing all the time, it’s growing so rapidly, if you don’t stay up-to-date, you’ll be left behind.”
Coniglio referenced her own experience using kickstarter, asking for $6,000 to fund her own project.
“We really tried to push them to evangelise for us," she said.
"The second best thing they can do for us is spread the good word. They need to be excited, and it needs to be easy for them–give them a sexy trailer, a good one-liner, something to work with."
Coniglio said every single cost had to be accounted for, as well as potential hidden expenditures, whilst backers must become attached to the developer’s ambitions and project to maximise contributions through their video pitch.
“When people watch your video, they kind of have to fall in love with you a little bit, because they’re not just giving money to your project, they’re giving money to you,” she said.
Kickstarter community manager Cindy Au, who also took part in the session, added that the most popular reward tiers were $10 and $25, which developers should keep in mind when offering out gifts related to different donations.
“Make sure people can play the game at a very low buy-in. That’s what people want the most,” said Au.
Coniglio added: “We know that most people contribute at the $25 level, so we made sure to make the rewards under that level super low, and make the $25 reward super awesome.”
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