Dear crowdfunding publishers: Chill out with the content stretch goals

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I have noticed that most Kickstarters that offer dice, either as a stretch goal (bad) or as an add-on (better) are outsourcing to either Q Workshop (for ordinary dice) or Level Up Dice (for expensive super-deluxe dice). Both can be counted on, it seems, to deliver on time with clearly agreed-upon shipping rates.

But pursuant to what @Morrus is saying, it's probably worth working out costs, shipping rates and delivery time tables before launching the campaign.

 

[Ath-kethin]

The answer is don't do it. If your stretch goals are goig to delay the core deliverable, don't do it. Find stretch goals which don't delay our core deliverable. For example, in our current Kickstarter, the tretch goals are for a digitial random dungeon generator. They don't affect the core deleverable at all.

If you want to add extra physical stuff, make sure to budget for separate shipping and calculate your stretch goals appropriately. That might make those stetch goals unviable... in which case don't do it.

The general theme of this thread is -- stretch goals delay delivery. Don't do it.

Thank you for answering!

What you just laid out is pretty much how I had interpreted what you were saying, and I appreciate you clarifying/confirming as much.

It's a bummer, but good advice.

 

[Marc Radle]

I have noticed that most Kickstarters that offer dice, either as a stretch goal (bad) or as an add-on (better) are outsourcing to either Q Workshop (for ordinary dice) or Level Up Dice (for expensive super-deluxe dice). Both can be counted on, it seems, to deliver on time with clearly agreed-upon shipping rates.

But pursuant to what @Morrus is saying, it's probably worth working out costs, shipping rates and delivery time tables before launching the campaign.

That should ALWAYS be done. A well run KS by an established company used to running kickstarters will (or certainly should) have all costs and other logical issues fully costed and worked out before the KS launches.

Stretch goals and add ons should rarely if ever be surprises or last minute things.

 

[MNblockhead]

Since the first project I've backed in 2012, I've backed 106 projects on Kickstarter, one on Indiegogo, and one on the new Backerkit platform. For trusted and proven creators, I'm neutral on stretch goals. I rarely care about most stretch goals. For new creators, I get skittish if I see a lot of stretch goals.

What I really dislike is when stretch goals add content to the core product. I prefer that the creator have a clear vision for the product and not try to bloat it with additional content if they make higher amounts.

Stretch goals I have cared about, include:

• books that will be softcover, but if they get pledges over X amount they upgrade to hard cover
• VTT assets for adventures
• T-shirts, especially if only made available to backers. Kinda dumb, but I like interesting, obscure, and uncommon gaming-related t-shirts.
• upgraded components for board games (metal instead of plastic, etc.)
• credit to backers for on-line digital purchases for established companies

Looking at the vitriol I see in the comments of many of the projects I've backed, I feel like I'm extremely understanding of delays. But there are some creators who I've lost respect for and no longer trust because of their poor and unprofessional handling of their Kickstarter projects.

 

[Umbran]

I know how this works. There are few things in the world I’m a leading expert on, but this, specifically, is one.

Which is great for you. We consumers cannot base our expectations for delivery on the behavior of the small number of extremely successful experts.

You yourself called it a "rookie error". How many creators get to do this enough to not be rookies?

 

[Morrus]

Which is great for you. We consumers cannot base our expectations for delivery on the behavior of the small number of extremely successful experts.

I was taking to creators not consumers.

 

[Umbran]

I was taking to creators not consumers.

Hard for me to get that, when you are replying to me, and I'm not a creator.

 

[Morrus]

Hard for me to get that, when you are replying to me, and I'm not a creator.

You felt that it was hard for you to get that “So don’t let stretch goals affect your core deliverable” was directed at consumers not creators? I’m not sure how to respond to that other than express my surprise. But fair enough.

To clarify in case of confusion, I don’t think that customers have core deliverables they need to avoid being affected by stretch goals. Hopefully that’s clear now!

 

[ReshiIRE]

It's not nice to see father and daddy fighting like this.

To be on point, I fear at this stage in so many ways Kickstarter is treated by customers as an advanced access / early access / pre-order system. I have been guilty of that myself. So with that in mind, why wouldn't crowdfunding publishers want to put in a bunch of stretch goals, to get funds quickly and encourage purchasing?

I'm not sure how to solve that however, or if it can be solved.

 

[Morrus]

I fear at this stage in so many ways Kickstarter is treated by customers as an advanced access / early access / pre-order system....

I'm not sure how to solve that however, or if it can be solved.

Why fear? Sure, it is. But why is that a problem or need to be solved?