As project crowdfunding has become more and more popular, there have been a proliferation crowdfunding consultants that make it their mission to help you navigate the complex terrain of raising money for a product idea online.
Although Kickstarter provides some awesome crowdfunding 101 tips, really, once you launch your project, you are on your own. I receive emails everyday from people asking for help with marketing, project critiques, advice on how to structure their reward tiers, and feedback on their video. 90% of the time, I love answering these questions because I am passionate about helping people turn their dreams into a physical reality. However, sometimes I feel almost like a customer support representative of the major crowdfunding platforms.
Is it the platform’s responsibility to educate their users about how to raise money online? Should they go beyond crowdfunding 101 tips and instead answer answer user emails, calls, and provide advice and support?
David Sperling, the co-founder of YouveGotFunds.com believes they should. You’ve Got Funds has distinguished itself from other major platforms by employing crowdfunding consultants, which help you fundraise, execute your business plan, and optimize your campaign for success. These consultants can help you with: legal, manufacturing, accounting, web design, and sales/marketing.
In order to have access to these consultants, you join the “fund connection” for a membership fee (3 months – $50, 6 months – $80, 1 year $150). The website states: ” As a member of the fund connection, not only do you have access to experts in other fields at reduced costs but you can also barter your services for other help that you may need. Each member agrees to provide other connection members a discount of 20% in the typical cost of their services. Trading for services is also acceptable as long as both parties are in agreement.”
Unlike Kickstarter, you can raise money for personal causes (or charity) in addition to seeking backing for creative projects. You can also keep all funds raised on YouveGotFunds.com rather than Kickstarter’s all-or-nothing model (there is no extra fee if you do not meet your goal).
I think it could be a good opportunity if you are a service provider to check out their fund connect, as it could result in business. If you are new to crowdfunding, seeking out these discounted services on their network (or bartering) could help get your project off the ground and shave off some time finding a good crowdfunding consultant or service provider on the web or in your local community.
At the same time, although I am supportive of emerging crowdfunding platforms, I would do extra diligence to ensure that there is a strong community at the site you are planning to run your campaign, because many successful project owners that I have spoken with have mentioned that anywhere from 50-70% of pledges to their campaign came from backers that they do not know that found them through Kickstarter. Ironically, for other projects, 70-90% of pledges came from family and friends. As you can see, the results will vary based on campaign type.
The most important point to keep in mind is why you are crowdfunding in the first place. Is it to assess demand in the marketplace or rally your existing social network behind a project that is important to you?
For more information about You’ve Got Funds, check out their website.
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The Man Behind The Curtain
David Sperling has a degree in business from the California State University at Northridge, and has a strong background in sales and business development. He has been a retail franchise owner at a UPS Store and owned numerous other businesses. He has “hands-on” experience in marketing, HR, financial operations and construction build-out design. With his desire to succeed and his motivation to assist other new entrepreneurs, he developed YouveGotFunds to help others in their new endeavors. Not only can YouveGotFunds help promote a new business or a charitable cause, they can offer consulting in the different steps that arise after the initial idea is developed
What is the last project you have backed or supported?
You’ve Got Funds is raising money for the Richard Family Fund. On 4-15-13, Martin Richard, an 8 year old boy was tragically killed in the Boston Marathon Bombings. While his father was running in the race, his family was excitedly waiting for him at the finish line. Martin’s mother and sister were also seriously injured. The days-long drama that gripped Boston — and the world — began when two homemade bombs made from pressure cookers exploded 12 seconds apart near the finish line of Monday’s Boston Marathon. Three people were killed, and more than 170 injured as nails, ball bearings, BBs and shards of broken glass were blasted through the viewing area. Within a few days of the end of this fundraising campaign, we will be mailing a check directly to the Richard Family Fund. Copies of the check and mailing envelope will be posted once it has been sent. All donations collected via this campaign will be disbursed to the Richards. We expect the funds to be used for medical expenses, for memorial services, or other appropriate expenditures at the family’s discretion. Join us and others in supporting the Richards Family.
