Why are we not getting any sales

[Tersia]

Hi all

I would like to know your opinion on why we are not able to sell a game we have developed

We have recently developed a Christian board game. We have gone to a lot of trouble and expenses to get it designed and produced. We have also set up a website to promote the game. In my opinion we now have a very high quality Christian board game. I have contacted loads of Christian sites and people to ask them to help us promote the game. Out intention is to re-invest the money we make to develop ever more exciting Christian games.

The problem we have is that we have sold only one game in two months. This really puzzles me. I would like to know why. Would you mind having a look at the website and give me an honest opinion why you think people are not buying? Your help would be hugely appreciated.

Tersia

inthebeginninggame and then .com

 

[rocklife]

Where can I find your site?

 

[Tersia]

I am so sorry, I am not allowed to post full URLs. Here is the URL

All the http stuff and then

inthebeginninggame and then .com

 

[vessel4]

I will offer my two cents. I hope that you understand that my comments are truly meant only to help you. Here are some of my comments:

1. The price jumped out to me as being the biggest problem. I was expecting something around 20 or 25 dollars.

2. I would let as many people as possible actually play the game. I would try to get their opinion. People that play the game will give you the best opinion about the game and could also be some of your first buyers. If they like it they would also be likely to tell others about it.

Those are just some thoughts that I thought about. I hope that helps.

 

[Gabriel]

It looks like a great game and the website is very nice as well. I am VP of sales and marketing for a nutritional supplement company. We started off as the new kid on the block and have built our company from the ground up. The first thing I will tell you is that your price is about double what most people would consider paying for a board game. Second, you need to be marketing this game through niche markets. Christian publications are one source. Another option that works VERY well is to send the game to a few radio personalities that broadcast Christian programming. Once they see the game, if they are impressed, they may give you a free plug which is worth it's weight in gold. Also, you should be trying to approach the buyers of national Christian book stores. You want to provide this game both direct to the consumer through your website and you want to create a wholesale market for your product as well. And NEVER rule out direct mail. Many companies provide mailing lists. You want to reach certain people so be specific when looking into purchasing a list. You want ppl 18 and older who are Christians and like to purchase things via internet or catalog. You then send them a flyer about your product, offer them a special something (15% off or free shipping) for responding to the mailer right now. Also, contact Amazon.com. They are a bit of work to get hooked up with at first, but they reach so many millions of ppl that it is worth the hassle and the expense is minimal and subject to your sales so it is performance based. And last, but not least. Offer a money back guarantee and HONOR IT if they return the product. Many ppl are leary about mail order. But, with a money back guarantee, they feel secure because they feel as though there is less risk involved.

Also, find a company that specializes in Christian marketing, specifically internet. Many times you can work a deal out with webheads where they market your website and only get paid a percentage of sales made through their specific links.

 

[Tersia]

Thanks for the comments. I REALLY appreciate the honest assesment and suggestions. The cost is a realy problem. We only produced 500 games which makes the unit price for each game quite high. Add to that shipping the games from the UK and it gets expensive. I will see what I can do about that. It's going to be a risk to go for making a loss on the first batch and then hope to make it up on the next round because we need to feel confident we will be able to ship 1000 - 2000 units then

What do you think about things like offering five lucky buyers a top quality, animated, personal website?

Tersia

 

[tomkuegler]

Hello:

Just one sentence about me so you have a frame of reference, I am now a founder of a VC firm and have in the last 15 years built and sold 4 different technology companies so getting companies to sell their stuff is really what I have always done.

Here is my feedback:

1. To echo someone else's feedback, your game is priced too high. That is going to be a hard sell via the Web or in any other channel.

2. Your Web site is really good, very little needs to be changed there. Although a demo of the game would help.

3. How about finding a US partner to help sell in this market? Would help you a little bit I think.

4. My guess is you have not done enough marketing of the site. You may need to spend some resources on this to be effective. Your game, if priced right, would sell via the Web.

5. You should do a contest where you give away a copy of the game not your Web development services. Then you know you are getting the right audience to visit the site.

Hope this feedback helps.

Tom
Wasabi Ventures

 

[Tersia]

Thanks Tom, that's brilliant

 

[tomkuegler]

Glad I could be of help... If I can do anything else, drop me a line

Tom

 

[billwald]

$55 is to much for an unknown game. Send a half dozen copies to Dobsen's staff and to your denomination's headquarters.

 

[ABOOT03]

I went to your website, and read some of the info, and I even played the demo game thing.. Personally I think the reason sales are so slow is because of the market your in. I heard a statistic the other day on TV stating that gaming (video games not gambling) is a multibillion dollar industry, and that christian gaming, and games based on religion make up less than 1 % of the sales.. So it's probably a problem with who your marketing to.

My suggestion is get it out there into the churches, and youth groups, contact people within' organizations such as campus crusade, here in ohio we've got groups in the high schools called IMPACT, also call local christian colleges , see if they've got programs that mentor younger kids...

Just thought I would throw a couple things in the pot...


Good luck with the game

 

[Unimatrix]

edit

 

[Touring3D]

You've definately got to market your game better. Maybe if you could get Lifeway to carry it.

 

[JessB]

Hate to say it so bluntly, but:

It's the price.

If you wanna sell these things, sell 'em at $25. Yes, you may lose some money at first, but it's the only-- repeat ONLY-- way you're likely to be able to sell these things. You can get a Game Boy Advance on eBay for the amount you're charging for this paper-based board game!