This is a guest post by Kim Baxter. You can connect with her on facebook here.
I worked VERY hard at getting the word out for my Kickstarter project, but it failed to fund. I made the video, bought royalty free music, took pictures of my food and of me working at events.
Every single day, I spent hours building and adding to my Twitter account. I reached out through Facebook with regular posts. I also posted it as an event and sent private messages to hundreds of friends asking them to pledge. I tweeted. I posted through the Google communities, Pinterest, etc.
I followed all of the suggestions that you find when it comes to doing your part to make your project a success. Not only did it NOT fund, it’d didn’t even come close. I’ve included some lessons learned throughout the funding process that can hopefully help you avoid the mistakes I’ve made.
1. Don’t go with Kickstarter just because it’s popular
My advice to you would be, if you have any doubt whatsoever that you can reach your goal, launch your campaign with Indiegogo. Their “flexible funding” program allows you to keep the funds that you raise unlike Kickstarter, which is all or nothing. It hurts to wave good-bye to several hundred dollars when your project really needs capitol.
That being said, if you decide to launch with Kickstarter, try to get a press release out to all who will give you exposure BEFORE you launch. Also, plan a release party. Make a big deal about it. Include an invitation to the party in your press release.
2. Plan a launch party
Invite everyone you know either to your home or to a local eatery and ply them with food and beverage. You should have a video playing so that they can see what you are trying to accomplish. Also, have a computer there so that they can sign on and pledge, on the spot. Remember to sell your story and let the pledging happen.
Folks get turned off if you simply “beg” for money. Offer reasonable but tasty rewards. Ask yourself, is this something I would want? If that answer is no, don’t bother. Don’t be proud or shy. Work it with friends and family. Just don’t beg. Instead of asking them to donate, ask them to help you. The wording matters. Generally, people like to feel that they’ve helped out a friend.
I dropped the ball with the planning of the campaign before I launched. Unfortunately, I discovered my mistake after I was launched. You only get one chance at your first day. Make the most of it. If my mistake helps you, good for both of us. Even in the shadow of a fail, it’s important to kick it forward. Best of luck.
For more lessons learned, check out How to Successfully Relaunch Your Failed Kickstarter Campaign or The Kickstarter Handbook: Real-Life Success Stories of Artists, Inventors, and Entrepreneurs
