Live! DoubleSix Dice Generation Two Kickstarter campaign
over 5 years ago – Tue, Mar 26, 2019 at 01:16:33 AM

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Dear Team DoubleSix,

At long last, the next Kickstarter campaign for DoubleSix Dice has finally launched, and Generation Two will be focused on making the dice in brand new materials.

Of course, Generation Two would not have been possible without all your unflagging support behind Gen One.  Thank you so much for your initial backing, and the ongoing sharing and support that has lead to Gen One almost completely selling out (I have your word-of-mouth to be grateful for). 

Eventually, I hope to keep the momentum going and work on the subsequent generations and campaigns, which might include all new designs, casino grade versions, and polyhedral sets.  

But for now, I humbly present to you, Gen Two:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mattfleming/doublesix-dice-generation-two

Rolling on,

Matt

Next Kickstarter Soft Launch: Preview Link
almost 6 years ago – Tue, Jan 29, 2019 at 01:03:22 AM

Dear Team Doublesix,

Finally making good progress on the next Kickstarter Campaign.  

I did a rough campaign draft and video, and ran it by The Council, who gave me great feedback.  I made some changes, and want to see what the rest of you think.  

I removed the draft video as it needs a complete reshoot.  But I am looking for some high-quality photos and video of Doublesixes (and Triplefours) to add to the campaign page and video.  Please submit to [email protected], and you will be handsomely rewarded if I use your submission.  

As with the first campaign, this next one will also go the full 60 days.  Kickstarter suggests less than 30 days to create "urgency."  I am not looking to manufacture urgency to drive pledges; I want us to have a rewarding experience, thus stretching it out as long as possible. 

I am getting excited to do this again, and hope some of you join me to see what new options we can create together.

If you are so graciously inclined, please provide all ideas, feedback, questions, and concerns either in the comments below, or via the preview link.  

To check out the preview, click HERE and then scroll down. Thank you so very much. 

Readying the die to be cast,

Matt

PS.  Below shows how engagement stayed consistent throughout the 60 days of the last campaign.

Preparing for Generation Two Kickstarter
about 6 years ago – Fri, Oct 05, 2018 at 01:53:13 AM

SUMMARY 

1) Next Kickstarter: the plan is to launch in the next month or two.  Like with Generation One, I hope backers will help me decide new colors, effects, sizes, and even more styles (d3? numerals?).  I have also figured out how to improve the quality (more frequent mold swaps to prevent warped dice). 

Double-Up: The goal is for us to see twice as many Doublesixes than regular D6s out in the wild.

The Campaign as a Game: I also want to turn the actual Kickstarter campaign into a game, and will need help with designing and planning.

2) Store Update: In the year since the last update, the online store has generated $11,557 in sales, from 586 orders (ave. 1.6 orders/day) with zero marketing.  This is likely due to folks like you spreading the word. Thanks! 

3) Temporary Restocking: Most of Gen One has sold out.  Until Gen Two kickstarts into production, I have been airmailing dice in from Longbright (China) to restock the store. 

4) The Council:  I am looking for advisors, teammates, and co-creators to help me plan for the upcoming campaign.  It should be fun, and you will be rewarded.

5) How to Unsubscribe: Jump to the end. 

DETAILS

1) The Next Kickstarter: You helped me launch this brand with the first Kickstarter.  I now need help to hit escape velocity. 

Ideally, the next KS will be launched in the next month or two, with the maximum length (60ish days).  As with the last campaign, it will be a team effort, as we brainstorm and vote on the dice ideas we generate. 

The goal - Double-Up: I see very little reason we are still trying to roll cubes.  It is an old, out-dated paradigm, like trying to fund a start-up with a bank loan.  People keep needing to be shown that there is a better way.  And this is not just so I can get rich.  This is to help finance something else to come, something bigger.

Campaign Gamified: I want to make the Kickstarter campaign an actual game backers can play.  The world will be our gameboard, and territories will include FLGS and play-worthy bars, coffee shops, and living rooms.  Backers will have 45ish days to participate in campaign-relevant challenges, including discovering and conquering/developing territories (probably by playing games, especially dice ones), all towards points, possibly stretch goals, and ultimate victory.

3) Restocking: Longbright, our manufacturer in China, is currently producing dice to airmail to me to restock the depleted online store until we get a larger order and shipment in via the next KS.  So far, I have received 1,000 Classics, 1,000 Glossy Red with Black, and 5,000 Flat Blacks with Red. Currently being produced: 5,000 Marble Green with Gold. 

Check out their production video below (the first stage is of regular d6s, but the rest shows Doublesixes).  Amazingly, airmailing 5,000 dice only cost around $150 (thanks to the help of our contact in China, Emma). 

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4) The Council: I need a team to help launch the next Kickstarter, as it is way better, and more fun, with others.  I want to hear your ideas and thoughts around planning the next Kickstarter campaign (especially the game part).

And I want to reward you for your help. I am considering using Habitica (video below) for project management, communication, and progress tracking.  Team members will be able to earn points (gold/silver), which can eventually be used for various rewards in real life (eg. Doublesix Dice discounts, perks, access to rare dice, etc). Please sign up HERE (you can also sign up to just lurk and stay up to date in real-time).

Habitica 

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To those who have gotten this far, let me be clear: you are being summoned.  This is a calling, to participate in helping create something fun and new.  

Ready?

Matt

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6) How to unsubscribe: 

1) Log into your Kickstarter account 
2) Click on your avatar (upper right-hand corner)
3) Under "Settings," got to "Notifications"
4) Under "Projects you've backed," uncheck the box for Doublesix Dice

Thank You, and What's Next
over 7 years ago – Wed, Jun 07, 2017 at 11:48:00 PM

Dear Team Doublesix:

SUMMARY:

1. I am trying to officially wrap this campaign up.  Thanks so much for everything.  You guys rock (and roll).  I posted a thank you video below.

2. I am now planning on ordering Generation Two, and will be curious what color combos folks might want.

3. I have started a podcast to document the current process and plan, posting them online close to real-time. Tell me what you think. (Episode 1: with Erin, my wife; and Episode 2: with Imran, my friend).

4. I still plan to tie up loose ends, like posting the bulk backer map, sharing final finances, maybe sending out a survey, etc.

5. Some rewards may still not have gotten to backers, and some requests continue to trickle in. Some packages didn't make it, and some got sent back to me.  Please email me at [email protected] if you haven't received your dice. 

6. Check out some cool dice for you dice lovers: Snapdice and PlaySmart Dice.  See more below.

7. There will be more email updates via this Kickstarter channel. So this will be your final Doublesix Dice Kickstarter update/email only if you unsubscribe (I give details on how below).

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DETAILS:

1. Thank you video:

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2. Generation Two: Most of the colors of Generation One Doublesix Dice have sold out, and the rest will soon.  So it is time to figure out Gen Two and order them.  I will be curious what styles (marble, flat, other) and color combos folks might want.  I don't plan on including any more Triplefours with Gen Two since I still have a lot of T4 Gen Ones in stock. 

I will not be doing a Kickstarter for Gen Two.  However, updates will still be posted here, and I imagine most of the conversation might happen on this Kickstarter page for the time being. 

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3. Podcast: In the spirit of accountability, engagement, team-building, and transparency, just last week I started a podcast documenting the Doublesix Dice ongoing story. The podcast will be unedited and almost-live (ie. I hope to upload within 24 hrs of recording them).  My hope is that listeners will engage us with comments, leading to more discussion and community. 

• Episode One: recorded with Erin, my wife, on our commute home last Thursday. She brings an insider's view of me and the process and the company.
• Episode Two: recorded with Imran, my friend, in my office this past Monday. This includes discussion of, and replying to, the Facebook page comments regarding Episode One (where I previewed the podcast). Imran provides a more fresh and curious view regarding Doublesix.

The plan is to continue this rough format (1-2 podcasts weekly), until one/all of us gets too bored, busy, or stressed to continue, or no one listens anymore.  I hope to start posting show notes for those not inclined or able to listen, but for Episodes 1 and 2, the most important points have been included in this update. 

At the moment, the episodes can only be found via the links above (and you can follow us on Clyp.it).  Eventually, I will figure out how to get them on Itunes and such.

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4. Loose Ends:

• Bulk Backer Map: since I promised this one with the reward tier, I feel obligated to deliver it.  The plan is to eventually email Bulk Backers a link to a google map, as well as a video on how to edit it and add their pin and info.
• Survey: I want to poll you backers to figure out what you liked and didn't about this campaign. Your answers will be helpful to other potential Kickstarter campaigners, as well as for myself for my next Kickstarter (Codename: Seeker, not dice-related, arriving 2018).
• Finances: I need to clarify how much I actually made in profit with this Kickstarter. Partly because it is interesting, but mostly because I said I would kickitforward to other Kickstarter Campaigns, so in order to do so, I need to figure out what 5% of my profit actually was.  I also want to start playing the Great Game of Business, so knowing my numbers and sharing them is key.  Here is a teaser video of my Great Game aspirations:

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5.  Dice Love:

PlaySmart Dice: A while back, I consulted with my friend Jim Moran around his Kickstarter, Playsmart Dice. He is making good progress with production, and the dice will be available soon. Click on his Follow Along link on the KS page to stay tuned. 

 

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Snapdice: World's First Magnetic Dice Rolling Tray

The campaigners are offering a special FREE upgrade to Doublesix Backers. If you signup on their pre-launch email list they'll notify you the minute they go live (this week!) and give you a free upgrade on the wood choice ($30 value!). Learn more and sign up HERE. 

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6. Unfulfilled rewards: If you recently filled out your survey in the last several months, I have emailed you regarding next steps.  If you filled out your survey a long time ago and have yet to receive your reward, please email me at [email protected] with details.  Some packages got lost in the mail, and some have been mailed back to me. 

7. Update plan, and How to Unsubscribe:

Since you are all here, and I can reach you easily and freely via Kickstarter, I plan to continue to send out updates regarding next steps and moving towards Generation Two via this channel.  I had considered using Mailchimp or something, but it turns out that it can get quite expensive.

For those of you who no longer want updates from me and Doublesix Dice, this is how you unsubscribe (Thanks for all you did, and goodbye):

• Click on your profile avatar in the top right corner.
• Click on "Notifications"
• Scroll down to "Account Notifications" and uncheck DoublesixDice

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This particular Kickstarter campaign has officially come to a close.  Thanks so much for everything.  I hope most of you stay tuned in and join me for the next chapter.

Much love, and rolling on,

Matt

URGENT: Precision Doublesix and Triplefour Prism-brand Bulletproof-glass dice currently available
over 8 years ago – Wed, Apr 13, 2016 at 10:35:21 PM

Dear Team Doublesix:

SUMMARY:

1. Prism Dice: For the next 48 hours, you can back the Prism Handmade Bulletproof glass Dice Kickstarter, which just made Doublesix (pipped) and Triplefour (numerals only) dice available.  Check it out here: 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1874304670/prism-dice-handmade-from-bulletproof-glass?ref=nav_search

2. Update update: The true final Doublesix Dice Kickstarter update will be coming out this month.

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DETAILS: 

1. Prism Dice:

• Act now, as this Kickstarter ends Fri, Apr 15 2016 11:47 AM EDT.
• Holly Benton, of Prism Dice, contacted me after some of her backers requested that she also make Doublesix dice available to her backers. 
• I agreed, with the following term: she call them Doublesixes and Triplefours. There will be no royalties paid to me, but I may sell her product in my store eventually.  
• If you simply want a DD6 or T4, you can just pick the $1 add-on tier, then increase the pledge to $12 per die ($5 per order will be added for US shipping, $12 for international).
• Or you can exchange a D6/D4 from a dice set tier for $2 each.

2. Update update:

In a week or two, I plan to send out the final Kickstarter update, which will include

• A proper thanks
• Final Kickstarter numbers (full accounting of income and expenses)
• Doublesix store numbers, and plans for Generation Two
• Map of Bulk Backer update
• Extra KS exclusive dice up for grabs (I found a box of 300 stretch goal bags, which include 2 dice each of green with black and black with green).  I need to figure out how to make sure only you backers get them (I can't sell them publicly, so I am considering a referral program, where only backers can get them for free for referring folks to the online store.  Or something like that.  I am open to ideas).  
• Recent Press and videos
• A teaser of my next Kickstarter (not dice).
• And anything else you would like me to mention or answer (ask now).

Talk to you soon!

Matt