Excited about making your own board game? You’re in the right spot. It’s a bit of a challenge to get a board game out there, but with the right prep and research, you can pull it off. In this piece, we’ll give you the lowdown on how to get your board game from idea to shop shelves. From testing your game, checking out publishers, prepping your pitch, and getting your game sold – we’ve got you covered! By the time you’ve read this, you’ll have a good grip on what it takes to launch a cool board game. Let’s dive in!
Try Out Your Game
After you’ve built your game, it’s time to test it out! This involves looking at how the game works to ensure it’s fair and everything fits together. Here’s your chance to check things like how players interact and how hard the game is. You should also think about how the game works with different numbers of players, as this could impact how well it sells.
During testing, there are lots of ways to get feedback. You could start by getting your friends and family who know nothing about the game to give it a go. Listen to what they think even if you don’t agree – what works for you might not work for everyone. You can also do an online test play session using sites like Board Game Geek or Tabletopia, which are great for finding testers and getting feedback on your game.
It’s super important that you take any feedback onboard during the testing phase – the good and the bad – so you can tweak things as needed before you start selling your game. This could mean anything from adjusting rules or changing game pieces entirely, depending on what makes the game more fun.
Check Out Publishers
You’ve done your homework, now it’s time to look for publishers. Look around and compare what each one can offer – from how far they can distribute to cost – so you can find the best one for you! As you look into funding or potential partners, you’ll want to make sure any publisher you think about has a good history of successful board games.
Take a look at the gaming industry and research which companies do well with new board games. This will help you understand the market and where your game could fit in. Also, check out the different deals publishers offer like royalties or percent-based contracts; this info will be super useful when you’re negotiating later.
Lastly, think about how much control you want over your own game – do you want the last word on design choices or marketing? Make sure whatever publisher you go with is okay with your vision and ideas for your board game. Researching different publishers carefully is crucial to finding one that meets all your needs.
Get Your Pitch Ready
Now that you’ve done your research, it’s time to make the perfect pitch and show potential publishers why your game should be on the shelves! The main thing here is to believe in yourself and your game. Start by creating a pitch that quickly explains your board game and its cool features. Also include stuff like how marketable it is, who your target audience is, and any other important info. Keep the pitch brief but jam-packed with info– don’t overwhelm potential publishers with too much detail.
Once you have a solid pitch, start networking with potential publishers. A great way to do this is by going to gaming conventions or pitching at publisher events. Networking is a big part of getting your board game out there, so focus on making lasting connections with those who might be interested in publishing it. Don’t forget about online platforms too– many publishers use these to initially get in touch with designers before further chats.
Your main goal should be to leave a lasting impression on potential publishers– leave them wanting more after your pitch! Be sure to show up with loads of enthusiasm, energy, and ideas for how they can help promote your board game when it’s out. Also, keep it professional: follow up when you need to but don’t push too much; listen carefully and ask questions; stay positive no matter what comes next.
Send Out Your Pitch
Now that you’ve created your pitch and made some connections with potential publishers, it’s time to send out your board game proposal and wow them! Before sending it, make sure you know how much it’ll cost to make the game, including stuff like pieces, boards, boxes, and rule books. Checking out what’s popular in the industry is also key; this will help you figure out what price or marketing strategy would work best for your game.
When you send your pitch to a publisher or investor, provide detailed info about the game’s development – from start to finish – and a timeline for when you plan to release it. Also include any extra materials like photos of a prototype or artwork that show how far along you are. Remember that first impressions matter so make sure everything looks neat and professional before sending it.
Lastly, get to know the submission guidelines of each publisher or investor before sending out proposals. This includes understanding how they review proposals and how long they take so you can expect when they’ll get back to you and follow up if needed. By considering all these things before submitting a proposal, you’ll up your chances of making your board game dream a reality!
Get Your Game in Stores
Once you’ve got a publisher or investor, it’s time to get your game in stores. To do this, you’ll need to figure out which stores would be the best fit for your game. Start chatting with store owners at these spots about selling your game. Negotiate terms for stocking the game, like how many copies to order, what discounts to give, and when they need to pay.
Making connections with store owners is a good move because they often like to support local creators by selling their products. Plus, they can give you useful feedback on what works well in that market and what games sell well there. With their insight, you can tweak your marketing if needed or even change parts of the game so that it appeals more to customers in those stores.
Also, make sure all other parts of getting ready for launch are taken care of, like printing rules with each game and having enough stock for launch day. Once everything is ready for launch day, including marketing stuff like social media posts and press releases, you’ll be all set for success!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my game is the right fit for a publisher?
Checking if your game’s a good match for a publisher can be a bit of a puzzle. You gotta test your game and see how players react, which can show you if you need to tweak something to make it more appealing for a publisher. Also, keep an eye on what’s hot in the board game world and chat with folks who know the biz. By getting all your ducks in a row and thinking out of the box, you’ll know if going down the publishing route is the right call for your game.
How can I get feedback from consumers about my game?
If you wanna get some thoughts from folks who play your game, there’s a few tricks you could try. You could run focus groups or surveys to get a feel for what players reckon and how they’d tweak your game. Also, host some play-test events where people can give your game a whirl and spit back their thoughts. Finally, you gotta nail down a price that’s fair for the players but still keeps you in the green. With all this in mind, you’ll get some solid feedback about your game.
What are the most important criteria to consider when submitting a pitch?
When you’re pitching your board game, you gotta think about things like product testing and intellectual property. Don’t miss any small stuff and make sure all the paperwork’s sorted before you put forward your pitch. Really get to know the market and your competition. Most of all, make sure your game’s got a unique twist that sets it apart from everything else out there. These steps will give your board game pitch a fighting chance of success.
What strategies can I use to market my game once it’s in stores?
Once your board game hits the stores, it’s all about getting the word out. Let people know it’s there through stuff like social media, influencers, and other marketing magic. Also, think about your price point – too cheap and you’ll make peanuts; too pricey and no one will buy it. By keeping your eyes peeled, thinking smart, and getting creative, you’ll make sure your game gets noticed.
How much should I expect to spend to bring my board game to market?
As you’re getting your board game out there, you’ve gotta think about what it’ll cost you. A solid plan for expenses and setting the right price will help you get your game launched without breaking the bank. Take into account everything from making and shipping the game to marketing it. If you crunch the numbers and set a savvy price, you can make sure your game gets into the right hands without costing an arm and a leg.
Conclusion
You did it! You’ve got a board game and you’re set to get it out there. With some careful planning, digging around, and getting ready, you can make sure your game hits the shelves. Start by checking out publishers and whipping up a pitch that pops. Once you’re in, get your game into stores and enjoy watching people have a blast with your creation. Kudos on getting your board game out there! Now go spread the fun of play!
