Kickstarter design and technology projects are among the top 5 highest earning categories. More than 15,000 design and technology projects have been launched on Kickstarter, with over $500M in pledges raised between the two categories.
The Design category features a wide range of projects such as Pebble Time, which has currently raised over $18 million with over a week to go, and AvoSeedo, a product that lets you grow your own avocado tree with ease. Likewise, the Technology category on Kickstarter hosts a range of campaigns including Ringo (a palm size robot) and Beam, a smart projector that fits into any light socket.
Due to their huge success, many design and technology projects are covered in the media. Larger blogs and websites with technology and design sections have increasingly been known to write about Kickstarter campaigns.
If you have an innovative new product and approach writers strategically, getting coverage on these sites can be a great way to expose your campaign to a larger audience.
Below, we’ve included several of the major publications that cover design or technology projects. There are many others! If you’d like to learn how to pitch these organizations or how to promote your campaign more in-depth, check out our accompanying online course.
1. GIZMODO
GIZMODO is a blog that covers all things related to technology, and they have written about several Kickstarter campaigns in the past. Don’t let the plain layout fool you – the site may not be the prettiest but they do get a lot of views and have engaged readers who comment on posts (like this one about the Splash Drone on Kickstarter!).
2. WIRED
WIRED is a popular tech blog that, “illuminates how technology is changing every aspect of our lives—from culture to business, science to design,” according to their website. This blog has a design specific section also, and reaches over 30 million people per month. WIRED has also covered many Kickstarter campaigns in the past.
3. NPR
NPR, or National Public Radio, is a full news source that has sections for technology and art & design. NPR has covered crowdfunding news and Kickstarter campaigns.
4. CNET
According to their website, “CNET tracks all the latest consumer technology breakthroughs and shows you what’s new, what matters, and how technology can enrich your life.” Searching Kickstarter on their site brings over 1,000 hits.
5. The Verge
The about section of The Verge says that the site, “covers the intersection of technology, science, art, and culture.” This site has technology and design sections, as well as a forum where readers can start discussions and interact with each other.
6. TechCrunch
TechCrunch is a popular technology blog that has posted about Kickstarter campaigns before. They cover different news, videos, and events (plus they have many readers who share and comment on stories).
Conclusion
These are some of the main blogs and news sites that I’ve noticed report about a lot Kickstarter technology and design campaigns, and crowdfunding in general. They are also media sources that a lot of people are familiar with. Posting that you’ve been covered by one of the above can encourage people who come across your project but who aren’t familiar with crowdfunding to support or share your campaign.
When approaching larger news websites or blogs it is important to find the right writers and make good pitches. Seek out writers who have done pieces about Kickstarter projects in the past, or cover products similar to yours. Get a little familiar with their work so you can comment on it and make a more personal connection. Send them an email highlighting the important parts of your campaign, along with any relevant pictures or quotes they can use. Making their job easier will help encourage bloggers to pick up your story.
Keep in mind that these sites are great for technology and design projects that solve a general problem and interest a wide variety of people. If you project caters to a specific audience that would get more attention on a niche blog, find something that suits you better!
Promoting your Kickstarter design or technology project is all about finding the right influencers to support your campaign. If you do get covered by a blog or other news media, make sure to help promote it. Posting the media coverage you have received on your Kickstarter page is a common way that creators show potential backers that others have vouched for their project.
If you want to learn about more ways to market your Kicsktarter project, don’t forget to check out our online Kickstarter course, or our free introductory course on crowdfunding.
