Kickstarter is a global crowdfunding program that focuses on creativity and merchandising. The goal is simple; you appeal directly to your audience to fund your initiative. With several domains such as films, music, stage shows, comics, journalism, video games, technology, publishing, and food-related projects, Kickstarter can help realize your dream.
Here are a few tips and tricks you must know to transform your great, innovative idea into a real, marketable product.
1) Make Sure Your Idea Is Irresistible
This would seem like the most obvious thing, but it is also one amongst the most important. The belief that your audience has in you will directly be affected by the belief you have in yourself. The key is to believe in yourself and be passionate about your idea.
You should be extremely compelling with your reasons why someone should help you. Your supports should want to be a part of your project, and they should want to lend you their helping hand.
2) Remember Your Final Goal Even As You Begin
Make sure you have a well-thought-out plan. This will help you decide where exactly you want your product or service to reach in the long run. Answering the following questions might help you figure this out; What is the aim of your innovation? Are you intending to raise money, increase awareness or test demands? How do you plan to sell the idea to people who may be willing to support you?
While this may also seem like an obvious thing to do, it really does help in determining the future of your idea. You need to be firm in your planning if you wish to convince your audience.
3) Think Carefully About Your Funding Goal
The urge to power your project with a huge sum of money to fall back on is understandable. However, it would be ideal to choose a goal that is realistic. It’s important to consider shipping and packaging costs along with the total price for manufacturing. When you have a final number, make sure you don’t stretch it too much. It’s much better to have a campaign be overfunded rather than have one that barely meets its monetary goals.
4) Quality Is Key
It need not be said that people don’t like to part with their money. The way to work around this is to attach professionalism and integrity to your project. Make sure that your idea is displayed in the best possible light. The aim is to attract supporters and make them believe that your innovative idea is something worth investing in. Present your project with clarity and resolution, and highlight its quality.
5) Do Not Lose Contact With Your Backers
Always keep your backers in the loop. You should show your audience that you are as invested in the project as they are. Keep them updated at all times about the progress of your product or service. Moreover, be prompt and amicable when answering their questions, comments or concerns. The more you develop a cordial friendship or relationship with your audience, the more likely they are to support you. In addition, showing that you update your audience regularly can also open doors to new supporters for your Kickstarter.
6) Consider Rewarding Your Supporters
It would be a great gesture to show supporters that you’re thankful for their involvement. As mentioned in the previous point, the supporters are the ones that shoulder your project and thus, you need to establish a relationship with them. This could be done in many ways. An easy and efficient way could be sending back small gifts as a token of appreciation. Be careful when you do this, though. Your gift-giving shouldn’t tap into the money reserved for your project. Make your gratitude known in a kind, but affordable fashion.
7) Use E-Mail Marketing And Newsletters
A great way of increasing the revenue collected for your idea is through e-mail marketing. Sending a newsletter will help you establish your product and allow backers to understand more about its workings. Make sure your newsletter, or any other alternative marketing technique, is creative and compelling. Kevin Peeples of the graphic-novel campaign Fighter raised 91% of his funding through the magic of e-mail marketing. It’s an effective tool that can be put to use to make your idea bigger and better.
8) Be Careful When It Comes To Mass Messaging
A personalized e-mail or message to your backers to show that you truly care about their input into your idea. Do not send impersonal and detached mass messages to your supporters. While newsletters and other marketing techniques are definitely a method of widespread communication, take the time to express your personal notes to. Remember, your backers are spending their hard-earned money to fund your dream. Make sure that you take the time to get back to them and let them know you truly appreciate their help and support.
9) Organization Is Extremely Important
Document everything. Organize your emails, messages, folders, and files. Make sure you keep them ordered and easily accessible at all times. You cannot run a successful campaign without proper planning and organization. A well thought out system will save you a lot of time and effort. Moreover, it allows you to keep track of every piece of information regarding your project and the fundraising process.
10) Make Sure That You Are The Driving Force Behind Your Campaign
This point is mostly a reaffirmation of the first point. Backers see the founders as the face of a campaign. It is your responsibility to manage that role in the best possible way you can. Think of yourself as the engine behind the functioning of your project. You are expected to have a say in every stage of the manufacturing process. Backers look to support creators who are genuine and passionate about bringing their projects into the world. You need to step into those shoes and shine bright as an exemplary creator.
