Launching your first crowdfund campaign is a thrilling ride, with equal parts excitement, and mild panic. You’re finally taking steps to turn your vision into reality! If you’re a board game creator, you’ve spent countless hours crafting your game mechanics, designing components, and dreaming about seeing your creations on tables around the world. But before you hit that “Launch” button, there’s one crucial thing that can make or break your campaign that many don’t initially realize: planning.
Lack of planning is a common theme when it comes to crowdfund campaigns. Creators pour their hearts into their designs, excitedly plan out their campaign, obsess over the manufacturing, but forget to map out the logistics of getting their game to their backers safely, smoothly, and on budget. After all, you’re bringing your passion to life. All the other details may be boring in comparison, but delivery delays, poor packaging, damage, and lack of communication can leave your backers with a sour taste in their mouth. So let’s walk through the key things you should plan before you launch your campaign, so you can avoid costly mistakes and deliver a smooth, satisfying experience to your backers.
1) Know your Numbers (Especially Fulfilment Costs)
It’s easy to get swept up in stretch goals and deluxe components, but fulfilment is where many campaigns lose money. Before you launch, you need to:
- Estimate shipping costs by region (Canada, US, EU, etc.)
- Understand tariffs and duties
- Factor in packaging, storage, and handling fees
- Decide whether you’ll use a fulfilment partner (and of course we recommend you do, especially because that partner will take care of many of the above details for you)
If you anticipate a lot of Canadian backers, working with a Canadian fulfilment company can save you and your backers from surprise fees and border delays. Choosing a single, centralized U.S. fulfilment centre might seem convenient, but those hidden costs can pile up fast. And the U.S.-Canada tariff landscape is currently volatile and unpredictable.
2) Map Your Timeline
Crowdfund campaigns don’t end when the funding goal is met. You’ll need to plan for:
- Manufacturing lead times
- Shipping windows
- Customs clearance
- Freight and fulfilment times
A realistic timeline builds trust. If you promise delivery in three months, but manufacturing takes six, you’re going to be very busy fielding angry emails and refund requests. Pad your estimates and create a regular communication strategy to keep your backers informed on project progress and delays.
3) Plan Your Packaging and Inventory
Board games can be bulky, variable in size, and add-ons and fragile components can result in a variety of packaging needs for a single campaign fulfilment.
- You’ll need sturdy packaging that protects your product
- You should plan for extra inventory to cover lost or damaged shipments
- You’ll want to consider how add-ons and stretch goals will affect box size and weight
These details impact your shipping rates and fulfilment strategy. Don’t wait until after the campaign to figure them out.
4) Build Your Backer Communication Strategy
Your backers aren’t just customers. They’re your community. Before you launch, decide:
- How often you’ll post updates
- What tone and voice you’ll use (friendly? professional? quirky?)
- How you’ll handle delays or issues if they arise
Transparent communication builds loyalty. Even if things go wrong, backers are more likely to stick with you if you’re honest and proactive.
5) Choose the Right Partners
If this is your first campaign, all these details can feel a little overwhelming, but you don’t have to do this alone. From manufacturers to fulfilment companies, the right partners can make your life easier. Look for:
- Companies that specialize in board games
- Partners who are friendly to small creators
- Fulfilment teams that understand Canadian logistics
At our company, we love working with first-time creators. We know the learning curve is steep, and we’re here to help you climb it with confidence.