How To Raise $100,000 On Kickstarter

[@thomasbrush]

Thanks for watching! Hope you learned a ton. ► Learn how to make money from your indie games (free webinar): www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-how-to-make-six-figures ► Enroll in my 3D workshop, free!: www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-15-minute-3D-game ► Make your game instantly beautiful with my free workbook: www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-instant-beauty-color-workbook ► Get my 2D game kit, free: www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-2D-game-kit ► Join my 2D character workshop, free: www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-2d-character-art-workshop ► Wishlist Twisted Tower: store.steampowered.com/app/1575990/Twisted_Tower/ ► Learn how to make money as a KZbinr: www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-indie-game-income-workshop

[@1Hades0.0]

I love you man lol. This is an old video but I'm getting ready to launch my first game on Kickstarter. It's been a long time dream of to create a story along characters that you love. I started out by thinking "should I draw or write a book?". In the end I love gaming and I want to make a game as a gamer, not as someone that wants money from the game.. I have a baby boy and work full time, game is finally at a point where I can show some graphics and a hero. My game is a competitive pvp hero game. Coming just this far is crazy to me and I appreciate you greatly and will be watching more of your videos! Thanks alot for the ongoing inspiration!

[@aeolian951]

nope

[@patrickjcarangelo587]

I could really use your help with my patented invention first product called The Windshield Wiperglove 180 Unifier. The Don't Panic No Mechanic All Weather Windshield Wiper blades... 570-350-9451 - 1-877-WIPER-11 thanks 👍🙏😊

[@shanehof1022]

thomas: “you don’t really have to have much of a demo as long as you have polished graphics” also thomas: “I had worked on pinstripe for four years when I launched the kickstarter"

[@CurtisJensenGames]

Perhaps that first quote was for Coma and the second quote was for Pinstripe. The man is growing, after all.

[@moiropoulos]

Don't forget, he was looking for investors for Pinstripe as well before going to Kickstarter, if I recall correctly.

[@CidCarver]

and now today you can actually use MidJourney!

[@m_s7155]

I love learning from people that have actually "done stuff" before... This knowledge is invaluable... Thank you very much man.

[@xXDarQXx]

You mean priceless

[@DipUniversal]

It's more than priceless... It's invaluable because priceless usually means it's very expensive and valuable though they don't expect invaluable

[@LeoVOXA]

Value = price or emotional attachment Price = price

[@jacobtache8455]

As an aspiring entrepreneur and someone in the early stages of constructing my first Kickstarter campaign, I found this information to be very helpful. "If you want people to open up their wallets, you have to open up your heart to them."...Love this, thanks again for the insight, Thomas!

[@TodlicheVerwuste]

I stumbled upon your channel and this video quite by accident and was immediately hooked within the first 30 seconds. I appreciate the personal touch that you put into this, it comes across with a degree of sincerity that I believe to be hard to find in the past decade. Many channels opt for a high-energy approach that draws attention away from their main purpose, an oversight, to which, you clearly did not fall prey.

[@ninadpradhan6566]

Awesome quote... “if you want people to open up their wallets, you should open up your heart.... wonderful! Very creative

[@stinkyfoxstudio9097]

Man, thanks for sharing your experience. It's so great to find content like this!! Your story is so inspiring. We are currently working on our campaign, and your "secrets" are just on the point.

[@justinmarotta1319]

Just started getting into game development. I know this video is old, but you are an amazing mentor.

[@1ceBreaker99]

I'm about to do an kickstarter campaign for my new game, so I do this research you talked about right now and your video was really helpfull even when most of these things are obvious its hard to really accept them as hard work and getting to think about them more than I thought at the start I would need to. So thanks for this video it helped me out :D

[@DimaGamer3601]

Fire Dust what’s the name? I’d love to check it out

[@ravkenvega]

Believe it or not, I consider most of your videos as an inspirational video. Thank you for making this kind of videos.👍

[@christianmccauley7340]

He knows, that’s what they are.

[@TheSpanishGuitarHub]

Reaching out to other campaigns, what a brilliant idea! Just preparing for my 3rd KickStarter campaign, still one month to launch and it is already stressful. I am doing so much research as well at the moment, even though I have done it twice successfully. But never went over 10k. This video is amazing thank you so much!

[@markgburke]

Thanks Thomas for your honest and enjoyable video! I picked up Pinstripe after watching a few videos about game development and was immediately stuck by the fantastic artistry and captivating story telling. I can't wait to finish it. Keep it up!

[@KeyboardKrieger]

I really think you are a quite unsympathic guy, I wouldn't drink a beer with. But lots of your videos, including this, are gold. And it's nice that you share this knowledge with us. I appreciate that you found a way to financial success through the gaming industry and help others on their way. Thumbs up for that.

[@erayrjot9356]

#2 is written as #3 in video

[@thomasbrush]

Jere Ranta good catch!

[@wafi5576]

whats wrong with you

[@newarteest]

I scrubbed around the video thinking I missed #2.

[@REGNiZZ]

@@newarteest I scrubbed in the comments to check if someone else noticed

[@cdabim7264]

Thanks for sharing your journey, Thomas. I feel inspired and enlightened. I am also working on a campaign that has taken me 9 years and has yet to begin because I have no idea how to do it. You bring light from darkness, keep it up!!!

[@misaandcoart]

I love these points. I'm a graphic designer working on a tarot card deck campaign, and I honestly wrote down your quote and love it. At some point I'd love to make a graphic of it and send it to you. :) Thank you for this invaluable information, and being yourself. I love being immersed in quality content that has an authentic, personal voice to it. :)

[@kritik_mb2144]

Thomas: I was married and had two dogs....!??

[@needfulsamurai8630]

and then "we got pregnant" this is why he had some pounds more... i know that - waking up at night and go for icecream, because wifey has a hunger... :D hahaha

[@galbutler]

brooo, i love this guy. great video, Im launching a Kickstarter soon, and I'm in highschool, so you know its not easy but videos like this one really help. Thank you!

[@FreakyMonsterMan]

I'm not involved in the video game world but your point of view is really consistent and clearly for my mind. Congrats you have a new subscriber.

[@GameDesignverse]

First of all thanks for this video and thanks for all the supportive videos that you have shared that really were closed to the heart and almost every topic was close to heart. Thank you Thomas... Thanks a lot.

[@ladyjaynefontaine]

You are in my first steps of research for several ideas I have for Kickstarter projects. I have so many questions as to how it works and how do you come up with the number you need, and what happens when you get greater support that what you asked for? how much does kickstarter keep and wow I love the animation you created that I saw in your video!. I love you concern to help others and great strategies to get others to promote you! I subscribed and liked you video and will be looking for more. PS you are never to old to see your dreams some to pass, I have been working on mine for over 50 years and domestic violence prevented me for finishing until now. Those years I just created and adjusted the vision! Now it is time to pull it all together!

[@JTMoustache]

6th secret is social media

[@spoderman8454]

you are an asshole.

[@himiko4202]

Dickhead

[@CJBERMUDEZ23]

Albert James lmfao

[@anythingtogetregiste]

Not hard to work out, really. It's a huge thing that he didn't mention.

[@cabreram.4734]

But why, apart from the obvious🤔

[@jeffreymichael6766]

Dude the best video I've seen and read so far about being an entrepreneur. My heart ❤ was just energized. Full steam ahead. WOW

[@franknsubuga4966]

wow Thomas this is the best video I have watched in my 1 year of kickstarter research

[@Poeina]

Cool definitely some different and new ideas for kickstarter. I'm about to launch my 3rd campaign and it's interesting to see what different things people figure out. I checked out your kickstarter pages and they did look super great.

[@brandoncluff6696]

The quality of the videos are getting much better!

[@eclarklind]

I like it. I'm headed for my first Kickstarter this year. I'm working with manufacturers right now. Thanks for the info:)

[@XMan-zc9lw]

How did that work out ?

[@NMW111]

every game dev video is with you bro :))

[@PinguinoLinguino]

Thanks for this video! I've also been struggling with how much personal story to include in my campaign video - your advice helped me make my decision! Great content here.

[@tribesofdieutcg2672]

Thank you for this inspiration. Me and my co dev as small start ups in Seattle and eindhold Netherlands. Soaking in all the knowledge for next year

[@jaulloa21]

I want to make a bad ass game, I want to go at it alone. I want to revolutionize the world with my ideas. Not so much the money but the comfort of knowing that the world is changing through this platform of inter creativity.

[@OrangeChair]

Just make sure that you set guide lines, since this sounds like a huge task. In fact, this idea is not only huge, but to be honest with you, most people won't care about it unless you express it through the gameplay. Remember, less is more, and start on smaller, and I'm refering to SMALL (excuse the irony). Get yourself into a habit of finding time after school or work, and work on your game, and even if your making something small, it's best to be able to have a prototype slightly over a month, or even under one since it may be small enough to do in that time frame. Anywho, I don't mean to go on a huge infodump here, and if you want to learn more about what i'm alking about, watch the youtube channel, Extra Credits. The've been in the industry for years and truely know what they are talking about (even more then me(... funny(#NOTSPONSORED))). As stated before, if you want to deliver your ideas through the gameplay, watch their video on delivering your fantasy on your game, I highly reccomend it, along ith other videos aswell. I just wanted to share some advise, nothing more and nothing less, and I hope this was useful for you. :)

[@willcrockett7732]

GREAT JOB ON THIS VIDEO! Thanks very much for taking the time to share this.

[@MidnightSt]

"have a polished prototype" yeah, that's why i'm still postponing my campaign, working on the prototype. nice to know i naturally came to the same "success maximizing" solution, at least this one point (which i assume is very powerful, since you list it as the first one)

[@MonhooGameDevlogs]

I was thinking about Kickstarter because I almost finishing my game, I will be some sort of demo. And I find this video and it's very useful thing for me thanks

[@Atys.D585]

Thanks a lot for your amazing video :D I have a question and I'm feeling silly because of it. I don't know why. Well, actually I have two of them: 1. Could you make a video about how to gather a team or like, if one is not an artist and has to hire an artist for early game art, music or marketing material to show case in his kiskstarter(which means the game is not funded yet) how should we do that? and if the game is funded, how you make contact and work with hired artists, voice actors or sound designers? Well, now that I think, there is a lot more than Two: How you realize how much budget you need? How do you manage that budget? What list of things and what costs should we think about when trying to come up with a number for the budget? What projects even need kickstarter and what projects don't? Are physical/digital rewards for backers necessary? Do you ever think of a marketing budget? if yes, how do you use it? and why do I feel silly when trying to reach out to others? Like, when I make an small game, I'm always scared of showing it to others thinking it's too silly. But this way I won't ever get any feedback to make bigger projects based on How do you market silly/small prototypes or games that aren't intended to be bigger game projects? How the hell I make more than 60 people download my thing and make them actually give feedback? Is doing that even a good strategy? How do I get along with the anxiety? . . . well, sorry for tons of questions :P I hope I get an answer, but there is no problem if you can't answer them in the comments section. also, you can have my email if needed(just ask). Thanks a lot :D

[@dudechill6057]

Yo I'm a musician...can i help? ^-^)7

[@dudechill6057]

I know I'm too late...sorry 😂😂

[@aarank1008]

Bruh

[@balakoduri614]

So Grateful for you man. Cheers!

[@chrisSandersASX]

great tips, im currently getting ready to launch my kickstarter game.

[@SuperShadowMarioFan]

Boy, I have loads of questions now after hearing all of this...

[@LegendOfCalvas]

Love this channel. By far my biggest motivator haha

[@Bartetmedia]

I think only 3D graphics are not allowed from what I've heard anymore. I mean you can use them but you must use images of the real thing whether it's of the prototype or the finished product because people have complained that when they got their product it wasn't the same thing as what they saw in the 3D graphic images. Make sure your product is as good looking as your 3D images represents or as close as possible. Good video, I knew most of these things but it was good to hear it from someone that actually went through the process. Cheers!

[@justinchristian3374]

Thank you so much, this information is like a big bag of gold!

[@Deltaplexity]

I'm starting a new game, and hope one day I can finally have my game for people to play. It's been my dream since I was 14.

[@morganwardfilm]

8:04 consistency is key because peoples asset swap senses are on high alert

[@jessjonesldn]

Great advice Thomas - love how you say to keep it personal

[@mtking4]

Nice video keep up the good work! Thanks for the advice this would definitely help me and my team in the near future since we've considered backing up with Kickstarter. And congrats for the baby girl ❤️

[@thomasbrush]

Aw thank you!

[@sammitman3031]

this was about a videogame, which is quite different from a movie in a lot of respects (A movie is what i want to get funded for) - but this was a great and very informative video, very well done, and i saved it to my favorites for future re-watches. Fantastic. :)

[@Mizuno6857]

The Mitt Romney was 8000% unexpected and hilarious lmao 9:39

[@eclipseentertainment8666]

Super helpful video! I've watched this like 5 times

[@imdanstellar]

Love your channel man! Inspiring!

[@alishakarchy8864]

My plan is to launch a fitness product on Kickstarter - Im deciding the strucutre of the video and would love to hear your advise on this: First part of the video is a highly edited Montage of the product being used (2:45 length) - filmed with fitness models & Voiceover explaining benefits. Section should show benefits and give a feeling that makes them want to workout with the tool. Second Part of Video (1:30 length) - The founder (Me) explaining my story for this launch, where my passions and motivations are for it and why I need the support of backers to make the project a reality. What do you think of this plan? Its my first ever kickstarter launch so your opinion would be valued.

[@ZenlandGames]

Hey Thomas, this was really insightful thanks! We almost have our announcement trailer done for our campaign!

[@amamacademy01]

Thank you so much buddy, you're an amazing person

[@KeithAShieldToy]

Great quote at the end!

[@aFewBitsShort]

How would you go about asking others creators to support your project without seeming like you just wanted to use them?

[@aFewBitsShort]

You mentioned Cross Promotion. Do you also send backers to their steam page or slacker backer portal?

[@OsadeTOOT]

i mean you don't go like "hey i wanna use you", you instead show them that you need support for your game and you want some advice from them. maybe you're still using them, but in a nicer way :)

[@rwwhitejr31]

Great review, thanks!!

[@PeterMilko]

Dwerve is going to be on KS next week! Im nervous.

[@Slodin]

Being honest is probably the best. Not showing any weakness or being overconfident just doesn't sit well in campaigns asking for money people may or may not see returns on. That just shows you don't understand the obstacles ahead or just straight up lying to do a cash grab. At least that's my thought process, I don't like those types of agencies or consultants; master of lies.

[@TheMarkEntertainment]

Good advices! We are doing reasearch and preparing the campaign for almost a year now 😂 the reason is that we don’t want to launch the campaign without a playable demo. So many struggles and roadblocks! But we are finally wrapping it up and launch-releasing in July.

[@thomasbrush]

That's great! Don't be afraid to release a short demo. Doesn't have to be long :) Just be sure it's polished!

[@TheMarkEntertainment]

Thanks! Pinstripe being an adventure game and with a very successful Kickstarter campaign, could you help us out to put the word out for our campaign once we have a preview page? Thanks in advance!

[@TYNEPUNK]

Great tips, just watched your kickstarters, I am amazed you got so much funding, Ive constantly failed to even get 5k usd. I know you did a lot right but I cant help but think you were also extremely lucky somehow.

[@PeptideScienceInstitute]

what were some of your projects?

[@81amolkini]

Awesome story and tips to start kickstarter program 👍

[@777certain7]

awesome video! thank you for making this!

[@SharifSourour]

You're awesome man! Love everything you do.

[@jimmy6feet]

I may not being a graphic designer at the moment, however I am doing graphics for my GCSEs

[@jimmy6feet]

In my last unit I actually made a piece inspired from characters designed by Edmund McMillan (Isaac, super meat boy, etc.) it didn't really help with designing game characters but because the end goal was actually to make packaging for headphones I still learnt so much about branding and layout so hopefully this will help me in the future. And to anyone who may need help with graphic designs, don't be afraid to get lessons from someone!!

[@thomasbrush]

That's awesome Zachary!

[@LeonGreeff]

Fantastic info, for starting ANY project! Thanks, you are such a great find on youtube!!

[@yuplis2664]

Hi Thomas. I'm watching your video and I'm considering starting my own Kickstarter campaign with the game that I have been making for a while now (indie), Thanks for the advice.

[@johnlabry325]

Great vid bro

[@phillipables3689]

wow, your games look amazing!! inspiring

[@mattsiiteri4366]

Great tips! It should be updated since Kickstarter requires a working prototype now

[@NiallSharma]

I am really scared to release a Kickstarter because I'm worried I'm won't be able to follow through. On day though, one day I will.

[@SasukeUchiha723]

we're on the same boat

[@truevibe24]

great vid... love your vibe

[@gabangang]

10:59 even though he did it as a joke 2 years ago, today it would be really be something more.

[@mastersten6434]

Thank you, Thomas. I have a very cool product in the works but very little in the way of a following, so I have my work cut out for me. I will factor your advice into my game plan.

[@Salamaleikum80]

Did you build an audience before launching kickstarter?

[@Braydenmartinnn]

Even with the cross-promotional advice you gave, I'm having trouble thinking of a way to get former campaigners to promote my new campaign when it launches because I'm creating a product that is somewhat comparable to what some people have done but entirely different, and I can't see them promoting my product as they would want people to buy theirs.

[@unearthlywatch]

I first have to learn to market with social media. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, KZbin. Also I am thinking get a game near finished before I use all the resources I have made for social media, plus a short polished demo, for a Kickstarter.

[@zakriaamensar9222]

I really loved Your perspective of life.. you're brilliant !

[@AdamWestish]

Mahalo for your honesty

[@DreamTitanGames]

Thank you for the video

[@brentsrx7]

Best video on youtube

[@moontear3646]

Thank you. That's a nice video.

[@shadowyt6038]

*i was married and had two dogs* Ok didn't expect that

[@mgk-metalgearkelly5054]

13:35 I literally have a pen and a diary with me at this point, you didn't need to mention it.

[@stellarstrategium1673]

Thanks! Wish us some luck :-)

[@Stupidiusity]

Awesome video, I found it very interesting! I'm currently developing my first ambitious project, and my team and I are hoping to get crowdfunding on Kickstarter (or another similar platform). We'll be sure to heed your advice! I wish you all the best for your future endeavours! Also, may I ask what's her name? :3

[@thomasbrush]

Thomas Forest who? :)

[@Stupidiusity]

Atmos Games your daughter

[@zimapokacariapokacari9990]

He gave me helpful advice on prototyping

[@seditt5146]

Did dude just ask for his daughters name? Not gonna lie... little creepy.

[@jeffheftyhorn]

Hey Thomas, I really enjoyed your video. I've never done a Kickstarter campaign but I'm trying to get the courage. Btw, most people say that to start a campaign you must already have a fanbase. Is that true?

[@avvren]

I wouldn't say fanbase specifically more like a community of people you can reach out to who believe in what you are doing and will actually support you with $$, but within the pre-launch phase it is always important to build up an list of people (I recommend by email and sm contacts) . You'd want to build one to the extent to where you have enough people during the first 1-3 days to reach ideally +30% of your initial funding goal. This will essentially help tell kickstarter that your kickstarter campaign has gained traction and what kickstarter will do for you is help more people see your campaign. I'm sure you know that the buzz is important, but it's also important to remember to keep the momentum. I hope this was helpful!

[@Jeea84]

Hi Thomas, thank you for your videos!! I saw both your pages for Pinstripe and Once Upon a Coma on Kickstarter, and both had the minimum budget of $28000. So I want to know, why $28000? Why not 25 or 30k?? How did you calculate this? How did you find out the shipping costs, for example, for a month later, or whenever your release date was, beforehand?? How did you figure your printing costs?? What was included in your costs?? Since you're an Indie, who else did you employ/pay?? Thank you!

[@Mr020420]

The absolute honest review abt kick-start campaign

[@SSPPP888]

Great video.

[@konradgebura3985]

I love Five Guys as well(And thanks for the advice it helped alot)

[@PeterCho3878]

Great advice. Thanks Thomas. The sincerity does come through ! (*Number 2 says 3.. oops ;) Cheers!!

[@fredfaresjrcarpentry]

Hi Thomas, Awesome Video! I am a beginner game developer. One of my biggest concerns is making enough money. Do most Indie Game Developers earn a living through Kickstarter Campaigns? I did view your other video about 5 Ways To Make Money which was also helpful.

[@OutClassNutrition]

Hi Thomas, How did you put the notification on your Kickstarter preview? The red heart you were talking about. Or did you have a landing page? Thanks

[@brandaffectzmultimedia2448]

KEEP GOING

[@bhavinb.artstation]

When ur mind is narrowed ur soul deepen u look like Thomas brush

[@elkikex]

The sixth secret is "If you're good a something, never do it for free"

[@supertenchoo4271]

hey thomas why not make course on udemy you will help us a lot

[@austinnewman3496]

How would you go about marketing a card game ?

[@thomasbrush]

WHOA. My next game Neversong comes out on Steam MAY 20th! Wishlist now to snag that tasty launch discount :) store.steampowered.com/app/733210/Neversong/

[@michaelobi9012]

I love this, and would love to talk to you personally as well

[@needfulsamurai8630]

If someone is going to open their wallet to you, you need to open up your heart to them! - Thomas Brush Because you're famous! ^^