FREE Eclipse deck for ALL BACKERS promo

[davegk]

Facebook promo to give away a FREE Eclipse Edition Polaris deck to every single kickstarter backer:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... =1&theater" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also, Polaris precision metal dice are now available:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gol ... sts/390088" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

-David

[badpete69]

Free decks are always good but I had to laugh at the comment left by a backer on the KS page

"30,000 likes lol? Might as well set the goal for 30 million, with 6 days to go would accomplish the same thing. "

[cosmicsecret]

Free decks are always good but I had to laugh at the comment left by a backer on the KS page

"30,000 likes lol? Might as well set the goal for 30 million, with 6 days to go would accomplish the same thing. "

Yeah it´s a good way to drag people in - he will get maybe 2000 more likes through this campaign and he doesnt need to give away anything. FREEBIE TIME
SMart ...very smart!

[davegk]

If each backer gets 40 people to like the post then we'll make the goal
-David

[Russell]

Only 29,876 to go!!!

[CBJ]

I consider this BS tactics.

Makes you look bad in my opinion

CBJ

[Modi]

Someone else will have to do my 40 backer share, as I refuse to deal with facebook, and of course this isn't going to happen no matter what. Love the decks though.

[davegk]

So much doubt and negativity...you guys gotta open your minds and think bigger!

-David

[Strag]

lol well this might actually get me to unpledge. Was considering it anyway but seriously, this is a promo without any realistic chance of happening whatsoever. This comes from someone with quite a lot of experience in social media. Even 3k would be a stretch.

[4pmdesigner]

Hey, at least he's trying.

[alvinhy]

30,000 is just a bit too much i think...
even the project is successful already, people might think you are doing this just to get publicity and likes on facebook.
But they will see it negatively knowing 30,000 is impossible hence not liking.

[Strag]

Hey, at least he's trying.

I give David credit for doing a lot of different and unique things. The FB thing... well that's been done before and yes, he's promising a lot of free decks, but it's something that will never be met.

Tell you what, if aliens invade, I will give you my entire collection. It's that impossible (without buying likes etc I mean).

TBH right now some of my feelings toward KS are that I should just wait and buy stuff in the aftermarket unless it is REALLY amazing or I think they might sell out and not be available. Too many decks are becoming available before my packages even ship, and at a much lesser price. Along with some of the horror stories that are out there on other KS and some products that I've gotten that are sub-par. Well, I love KS as a concept, but in practice I don't know that it's really working out.

[Oswin]

30,000 is just a bit too much i think...

Sure ! It is the wind that thing ....

[Paul Middleton]

lol well this might actually get me to unpledge. Was considering it anyway but seriously, this is a promo without any realistic chance of happening whatsoever. This comes from someone with quite a lot of experience in social media. Even 3k would be a stretch.

I'm with you on that.

Setting smaller realistic goals that are achievable would be a better PR exercise. Getting 30k likes for a niche company/page like that in such a short time is unlikely to happen unfortunately.

[Encarded]

I think the concept of incentives for Likes is good, but unfortunately Dave you just set things way out of the ballpark. Only places like Theory11 and Dan & Dave have a following large enough to achieve such goals, but looking at their pages even some of their top posts only have 1,500 Likes. And it's taken them years and dozens/hundreds of products to achieve. I been at social marketing for over a year and have 2 decks in peoples hands and even getting 300 Likes on a post would be a fantastic result.

It's an enticing idea but I think everyone will see it as disingenuous, which will ultimately frustrate instead of excite. I don't think it's about doubt or negativity but simple reality. For a tiny little company likes your or mine, getting 300 Likes for a post in a week would be a great result, 3,000 would be utterly amazing, but 30,000 would be as likely as getting hit by a meteor on your way to work.

Marketing stuff is a tricky road, balanced between annoying and enjoyable for the audience and sometimes (all the time?) I think it's best to keep things simple and honest. Good luck with the decks though, they are quite cool.

[Strag]

lol well this might actually get me to unpledge. Was considering it anyway but seriously, this is a promo without any realistic chance of happening whatsoever. This comes from someone with quite a lot of experience in social media. Even 3k would be a stretch.

Actually pulled (or is it unpulled) the trigger and de-pledged today. Ahhh that feels better. But at least they are up to 279 likes on that post now, only 29,721 to go!

[davegk]

I'm sorry to hear that you're no longer a backer. I don't quite understand why you feel offended by a single promotional attempt. I admit that 30,000 likes is a lofty goal but honestly I didn't know what the result would be and I thought it was worth a shot. At the same time, I'm offering plenty of other cool promos (excellent stretch rewards) and this 30k promo was only an attempt to help offer my supporters something extra special.

I have only the best intentions and I'm a bit saddened by the hostility of those who complain instead of being grateful for the opportunity to get additional free bonuses. If attempting to give out free stuff causes people to no longer back projects then perhaps I shouldn't even bother :p

-David

lol well this might actually get me to unpledge. Was considering it anyway but seriously, this is a promo without any realistic chance of happening whatsoever. This comes from someone with quite a lot of experience in social media. Even 3k would be a stretch.

Actually pulled (or is it unpulled) the trigger and de-pledged today. Ahhh that feels better. But at least they are up to 279 likes on that post now, only 29,721 to go!

[volantangel]

Would you consider the 40k stretch goal to be upgrading the cards to bee casino stock? It would bring the cards to a totally different level. I think i would personally do a couple more decks if it were to be.

[BMPokerworld]

Would you consider the 40k stretch goal to be upgrading the cards to bee casino stock? It would bring the cards to a totally different level. I think i would personally do a couple more decks if it were to be.

Just so you know, upgrading to Bee stock only cost a nickel more per deck when I did my premier back. It isn't a big deal. If 5,000 decks are printed it is only an extra $250.

Thanks!

[volantangel]

Would you consider the 40k stretch goal to be upgrading the cards to bee casino stock? It would bring the cards to a totally different level. I think i would personally do a couple more decks if it were to be.

Just so you know, upgrading to Bee stock only cost a nickel more per deck when I did my premier back. It isn't a big deal. If 5,000 decks are printed it is only an extra $250.

Thanks!

Yeap! Dave you really should consider this option

[davegk]

I love the idea of upgrading to Bee stock, however I'm producing 3 decks so I'd have to purchase 15,000 decks total (+1500 additional decks for 10% overrun). In order to break even on the project, I would have to raise around $50k on kickstarter :p

Might do Bee stock on just the eclipse decks...
-David

Would you consider the 40k stretch goal to be upgrading the cards to bee casino stock? It would bring the cards to a totally different level. I think i would personally do a couple more decks if it were to be.

Just so you know, upgrading to Bee stock only cost a nickel more per deck when I did my premier back. It isn't a big deal. If 5,000 decks are printed it is only an extra $250.

Thanks!

[davegk]

Out of curiosity, can I get a show of hands for anyone who would be interested in purchasing additional Eclipse decks if they were printed on Bee stock?
Thanks!
-David

I love the idea of upgrading to Bee stock, however I'm producing 3 decks so I'd have to purchase 15,000 decks total (+1500 additional decks for 10% overrun). In order to break even on the project, I would have to raise around $50k on kickstarter :p

Might do Bee stock on just the eclipse decks...
-David

Would you consider the 40k stretch goal to be upgrading the cards to bee casino stock? It would bring the cards to a totally different level. I think i would personally do a couple more decks if it were to be.

Just so you know, upgrading to Bee stock only cost a nickel more per deck when I did my premier back. It isn't a big deal. If 5,000 decks are printed it is only an extra $250.

Thanks!

[BMPokerworld]

I have only the best intentions and I'm a bit saddened by the hostility of those who complain instead of being grateful for the opportunity to get additional free bonuses. If attempting to give out free stuff causes people to no longer back projects then perhaps I shouldn't even bother :p

Not sure why anybody should be grateful, since clearly there was zero chance that you were going to get 30,000 likes in the time frame you stated. I don't know if there are even 30,000 people worldwide that collect playing cards. If there were, then I would image the decks with Bicycle on them would sell out completely and much faster. Remember, Ellsuionist, Theory11 and D&D sell magic items in addition to playing cards.

Maybe next time if you don't want to alienate people with goals that will never be attained, set up a goal which may be a challenge, but will be reachable. If you do that, people won't feel that it is just a poorly veiled attempt to creatively promote your deck without saying 'Come buy me"!!!

Just food for thought.

Thanks!

[davegk]

Okay, well clearly that promo was a misstep - I apologize for offending/upsetting anyone.
-David

I have only the best intentions and I'm a bit saddened by the hostility of those who complain instead of being grateful for the opportunity to get additional free bonuses. If attempting to give out free stuff causes people to no longer back projects then perhaps I shouldn't even bother :p

Not sure why anybody should be grateful, since clearly that was zero chance that you were going top get 30,000 likes in the time frame you stated. I don't know if there are even 30,000 people worldwide that collect playing cards. If there were, then I would image that the decks with Bicycle on them would sell out completely and much faster. Remember, Ellsuionist, Theory11 and D&D sell magic items in addition to playing cards.

Maybe next time, if you don't want to alienate people with goals that will never be attained, set up a goal which may be a challenge, but will be reachable. If you do that, people won't feel that it is just a poorly veiled attempt to creatively promote your deck without saying 'Come buy me"!!!

Just food for thought.

Thanks!

[volantangel]

I love the idea of upgrading to Bee stock, however I'm producing 3 decks so I'd have to purchase 15,000 decks total (+1500 additional decks for 10% overrun). In order to break even on the project, I would have to raise around $50k on kickstarter :p

Might do Bee stock on just the eclipse decks...
-David

Well i never quite got it round my head why people needed to 'break-even' on kickstarter, I know the costs are upfront, but the kickstarter project ending is certainly not the end of your income. Less decks sold thru ks equals less 'cost' in terms of shipping, certainly doesnt take $50k to print 16,500 decks (I know it adds up when you include shipping). Nobody expects you to be sold out on all your decks on ks alone, resellers and direct sales would result in a significant amount of income post ks. Think of ks as a way of gauging the popularity of your cards (hugely important), and a 3-4 months cash advance to help get your decks printed, its certainly not the end of the project.

On a different note, i would do more decks if it were on bee stock.

[BMPokerworld]

Okay, well clearly that promo was a misstep - I apologize for offending/upsetting anyone.
-David

I have only the best intentions and I'm a bit saddened by the hostility of those who complain instead of being grateful for the opportunity to get additional free bonuses. If attempting to give out free stuff causes people to no longer back projects then perhaps I shouldn't even bother :p

Not sure why anybody should be grateful, since clearly that was zero chance that you were going top get 30,000 likes in the time frame you stated. I don't know if there are even 30,000 people worldwide that collect playing cards. If there were, then I would image that the decks with Bicycle on them would sell out completely and much faster. Remember, Ellsuionist, Theory11 and D&D sell magic items in addition to playing cards.

Maybe next time, if you don't want to alienate people with goals that will never be attained, set up a goal which may be a challenge, but will be reachable. If you do that, people won't feel that it is just a poorly veiled attempt to creatively promote your deck without saying 'Come buy me"!!!

Just food for thought.

Thanks!

That's OK, we all make mistakes. Onward!!!

[davegk]

The whole point of doing a kickstarter project is to raise funds to cover the cost of making the project possible. It's not intended to raise part of the funds so that you can then pay out of pocket for the remaining upfront costs and hope to make a profit in the end. Between printing costs, artwork fees, shipping supplies, postage, kickstarter fees, amazon fees, taxes, and then cost of producing and shipping additional accessories... 16,500 decks + 100 porper clips + uncut sheets + poker chips + wooden accessories + metal dice + t-shirts + posters would easily be > $50,000. I realize that all the inventory will ultimately lead to profit, but I'm not in a position to just spent tens of thousands of dollars of my own money to cover initial costs.

-David

I love the idea of upgrading to Bee stock, however I'm producing 3 decks so I'd have to purchase 15,000 decks total (+1500 additional decks for 10% overrun). In order to break even on the project, I would have to raise around $50k on kickstarter :p

Might do Bee stock on just the eclipse decks...
-David

Well i never quite got it round my head why people needed to 'break-even' on kickstarter, I know the costs are upfront, but the kickstarter project ending is certainly not the end of your income. Less decks sold thru ks equals less 'cost' in terms of shipping, certainly doesnt take $50k to print 16,500 decks (I know it adds up when you include shipping). Nobody expects you to be sold out on all your decks on ks alone, resellers and direct sales would result in a significant amount of income post ks. Think of ks as a way of gauging the popularity of your cards (hugely important), and a 3-4 months cash advance to help get your decks printed, its certainly not the end of the project.

On a different note, i would do more decks if it were on bee stock.

[DukeBoy]

I would not be interested in geting any decks until I see the 1set of decks shipping and getting into peoples hands and with only 3 days left I'm not sure if that will happen.

[davegk]

Which reminds me...Vända cards officially begin shipping today!
-David

I would not be interested in geting any decks until I see the 1set of decks shipping and getting into peoples hands and with only 3 days left I'm not sure if that will happen.

[MJF]

Sweetness, I can't wait to get my decks in from you. Really looking forward to the Vanda decks!