PLANNING AND PREPARATION
Pre-planning, preparation and more planning are key ingredients to any successful crowdfunding campaign. Every campaign should have the following:
- A complete project page with a clear and concise description of your project.
- A single project video for your campaign.
- Images/artwork/pictures that help support your project.
- Links and information about your project that will help gain the trust and confidence of contributors.
- Information about past projects and/or successful crowdfunding campaigns you have previously engineered.
SET REALISTIC GOALS
- Don’t set an unrealistic budget. A general rule of thumb for crowdfunding is that you already know where 20-30% of the funds are coming from.
- Consider your network. While some campaigns may take off and go viral on their own, it is important that you are aware of your network and how many of your contacts through email or social media will be participating.
- Rewards should be realistic. Don’t over promise. Make sure your rewards make sense with your project and with the reward level. Your reward fulfillment should cost you $23 if your reward level is $25.
PITCH & MARKET BUT DON’T OVERREACH
- Pitch your project and keep a consistent social media presence.
- Don’t inundate your prospective contributors with non-stop updates – be thoughtful (you don’t want to spam your friends).
- Make content available to get people excited – share pictures and images!
- Link to social media and websites where people can follow the project in different ways.
- Pitch the press and tell a story! Local media will often pickup local stories!
GET HELP
- Have friends or other people involved with the project help promote and monitor your campaign.
- Host an event, party or performance to get people involved!
- Get creative!
UPDATE YOUR CONTRIBUTORS
Keep your contributors in the loop. If there are changes or updates to you project, keep them informed. Let them know when they can expect rewards or if there are any delays.