TL;DR
Start simple: smartphone camera, natural lighting, one format you can sustain. Essential equipment investment: £200-500 (microphone, tripod, basic lighting). Content frequency matters more than production quality initially. Find your angle: rules tutorials, hot takes, unboxings, or personality-driven reviews. Expect 50-100 videos before meaningful audience growth. Monetisation is years away—do it for love first.
When I started watching board game content in 2018, three channels dominated. Today, hundreds compete for attention. The barrier to entry is lower than ever—but standing out requires intentionality.
I've spoken with a dozen successful board game creators. Here's what actually works.
The Landscape in 2025
Before starting, understand what exists.
Established Players
The Dice Tower: Volume model. Thousands of videos. Team approach. Shut Up & Sit Down: Production quality. Editorial perspective. Selective coverage. Rahdo Runs Through: Niche focus (two-player). Personality-driven. Solo operation. Watch It Played: Rules teaching. Consistent format. Essential service.
Content Formats That Work
| Format | Time Investment | Audience Size | Differentiation Potential | |--------|-----------------|---------------|---------------------------| | Written reviews | Low | Small | High (voice) | | Video reviews | High | Large | Medium | | Playthroughs | Very High | Medium | Low | | Rules tutorials | Medium | Medium | Medium | | Unboxings | Low | Small | Low | | News/commentary | Medium | Medium | High | | Podcasts | Medium | Medium | High (personality) |
Finding Your Gap
Before creating anything, ask:
- What do existing channels do poorly?
- What topics get ignored?
- What perspective is underrepresented?
- What can only I bring?
The creators who succeed aren't the ones with the best cameras. They're the ones who have something to say and a distinctive way of saying it. Find your voice before you find your tripod.
Starting Equipment
You need less than you think.
Minimum Viable Setup (£0-100)
Camera: Your smartphone. Modern phones shoot excellent video. Adequate to start.
Audio: Smartphone microphone. Acceptable initially. Priority upgrade later.
Lighting: Natural daylight from a window. Free and flattering.
Editing: DaVinci Resolve (free). Full-featured, professional-grade.
Tripod: Any smartphone mount. £15 for adequate stability.
Upgraded Setup (£200-500)
Camera: Webcam (Logitech C920, £80) or used mirrorless (£200+)
Audio: USB microphone (Audio-Technica AT2020USB+, £130). Single biggest quality upgrade.
Lighting: Ring light or softbox (£40-80). Eliminates harsh shadows.
Tripod: Proper camera tripod (£50+). Stability matters for component shots.
Professional Setup (£1000+)
Camera: Mirrorless with good autofocus (Sony ZV-E10, Canon M50)
Audio: XLR microphone with interface (Rode, Shure)
Lighting: Three-point LED setup
Overhead rig: For bird's-eye component shots
💡 Audio Over Video
Viewers tolerate bad video. They won't tolerate bad audio. If you invest in one thing, invest in a microphone. A £50 USB mic dramatically improves perceived quality.
Content Strategy
What will you actually make?
Choosing Your Format
Reviews: Most saturated category. Requires strong perspective to differentiate.
Rules tutorials: Service journalism. Less personality, more utility. Underserved for complex games.
Playthroughs: Highest time investment. Demonstrates rather than describes. Works for visual learners.
First impressions: Lower commitment than full reviews. Trending format.
Top 10 lists: Algorithm-friendly. Clickable. Overused but effective.
Themed content: Focus on specific genres, player counts, or styles. Niche but loyal audience.
Consistency Over Quality
Publishing regularly matters more than perfecting each video.
Evidence: Channels that post weekly for years outperform channels that post monthly masterpieces. Algorithm rewards consistency. Audience builds habit.
Sustainable cadence: Choose a frequency you can maintain indefinitely. Weekly is ideal. Fortnightly is acceptable. Monthly is borderline.
The 50-100 Video Rule
Expect your first 50-100 videos to build almost no audience. This is normal. You're learning craft, developing voice, building back catalogue.
Creators who quit before 50 videos rarely succeed. Creators who persist past 100 usually find some audience.
Realistic Growth Timeline
| Videos Published | Typical Subscribers | Expectations | |------------------|---------------------|--------------| | 10 | 10-50 | Friends and family | | 50 | 100-500 | Finding strangers | | 100 | 500-2000 | Establishing presence | | 200 | 2000-10000 | Recognised niche player | | 500+ | 10000+ | Meaningful audience |
Production Basics
Video Structure
Hook (0-30 seconds)
Why should viewers watch? State the value proposition immediately.
Overview
What game are you covering? Brief context.
Main Content
Your review, tutorial, or analysis. The substance.
Conclusion
Summary verdict. Call to action (subscribe, comment, watch next).
Component Shots
Board games are visual. Show components clearly:
- Bird's-eye for full board view
- Close-up for component quality
- Hands-on for scale reference
- Multiple angles for three-dimensional pieces
Audio Tips
- Record in quiet environments
- Test recording levels before full takes
- Edit out ums, long pauses, background noise
- Background music (low volume) adds production value
Editing Efficiency
For sustainable production:
- Develop a template you reuse
- Create intro/outro once, apply everywhere
- Batch film multiple videos when set up
- Accept "good enough"—perfectionism kills output
Platform Strategy
YouTube
Advantages: Largest audience, search discoverability, monetisation potential Disadvantages: Saturated, algorithm-dependent, high production expectations
Best for: Review content, long-form tutorials, evergreen content
TikTok/YouTube Shorts
Advantages: Explosive growth potential, lower production bar, younger audience Disadvantages: Less board game audience, format restrictions
Best for: Clips, hot takes, personality-driven content
Advantages: Visual focus, community building, photograph-friendly Disadvantages: Limited video length, algorithm shifts
Best for: Photography, collection showcase, community engagement
Podcasts
Advantages: Loyal audience, low production barrier, commute-friendly Disadvantages: Discovery challenges, no visuals for visual hobby
Best for: Discussion, interviews, news commentary
Multi-Platform Approach
Most successful creators publish across platforms, adapting content to each:
- Long-form on YouTube
- Clips on TikTok/Shorts
- Photos on Instagram
- Audio on podcast platforms
⚠️ Warning
Don't spread yourself too thin. Master one platform before expanding. Better to excel on one than be mediocre on five.
Building Audience
SEO and Discoverability
- Title includes game name (people search for specific games)
- Description contains keywords naturally
- Tags match search intent
- Thumbnail clear and eye-catching
Community Engagement
- Respond to every comment (especially early on)
- Ask questions prompting discussion
- Join relevant subreddits and discords
- Collaborate with other creators
Consistent Branding
- Recognisable channel aesthetic
- Consistent thumbnail style
- Intro/outro that builds familiarity
- Clear value proposition in channel description
The Algorithm Reality
YouTube and other platforms reward:
- Watch time (longer engaged viewing)
- Click-through rate (compelling thumbnails/titles)
- Posting consistency
- Audience retention (people watch most of video)
You can't hack the algorithm. Make good content consistently. The algorithm follows.
Monetisation Reality
Timeline to Revenue
Most creators earn nothing for 1-3 years. Monetisation requires:
- YouTube Partner Program: 1000 subscribers + 4000 watch hours
- Meaningful ad revenue: 10,000+ subscribers
- Sponsorships: 5000+ subscribers minimum (often much more)
- Affiliate income: Any size, but pennies until significant traffic
Revenue Streams
Ad revenue: Largest potential, smallest control. Rates vary wildly.
Sponsorships: Publishers pay for coverage. Ethical considerations apply.
Affiliate links: Commission on purchases. Works for product recommendations.
Patreon/Ko-fi: Direct supporter funding. Requires loyal audience.
Merchandise: Only viable at scale.
The Passion Test
If you wouldn't create content for free, don't start. Monetisation is uncertain and distant. Love of the hobby must drive the work.
I made videos for years before earning anything. The revenue came eventually, but it wasn't why I started. If your primary motivation is money, board game content is a poor investment of time.
Common Mistakes
Starting Too Ambitiously
Complex production you can't sustain. Start simple, scale up.
Copying Existing Creators
You can't out-Dice Tower The Dice Tower. Find your distinctive voice.
Ignoring Audio
Bad sound is unwatchable. Good audio on phone video beats great video with bad audio.
Irregular Posting
Months of silence kill audience building. Slow and steady beats burst and silence.
Negative Focus
Constant criticism without enthusiasm. Audiences want passion, not endless complaint.
Expecting Rapid Growth
Disappointment kills more channels than anything else. Calibrate expectations.
Staying Sustainable
Preventing Burnout
- Buffer content (film ahead)
- Schedule breaks
- Vary content types
- Maintain non-content gaming (play for fun)
- Connect with creator community
Managing Expectations
Set process goals (videos per month) not outcome goals (subscribers by date). You control process; outcomes are uncertain.
Knowing When to Quit
Not everyone should create content. If it stops being enjoyable, stopping is valid. The hobby shouldn't become obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to review new releases?
No. Evergreen content (game reviews, tutorials) has long shelf life. New releases get traffic spikes but require chasing.
Should I accept review copies?
Eventually, yes. Builds library without cost. Disclose always. Maintain editorial independence.
How do I handle negative reviews?
Honestly but constructively. Explain what doesn't work and for whom. Personal attacks: never. Thoughtful criticism: appropriate.
What if publishers don't send games?
Buy what interests you. Review what you own. Publishers notice consistent creators over time.
Can I monetise from the start?
Technically yes (affiliate links). Practically, focus on content quality. Monetisation distracts early creators.
How do I find my voice?
Create. Your voice emerges through practice. Don't wait to find it first; it develops through doing.
Final Thoughts
The creators who succeed share one characteristic: they kept going. Past the initial excitement. Through the invisible growth phase. Into the gradual audience building.
Starting a board game channel requires no special talent. It requires persistence, consistency, and genuine enthusiasm for the hobby.
Your first videos will be rough. That's okay. Video 100 will be dramatically better. Video 200 will be better still.
Start. Keep going. See what happens.
The Smoothie Wars Content Team creates educational gaming content. The team considered starting a YouTube channel, calculated the time investment, and decided to write blog posts instead. No regrets.
