10 Things to Do Before Going on Kickstarter

Key Concepts

• Kickstarter campaign preparation and validation
• Reward system design for backers
• Compelling pitch video creation
• Effective crowdfunding campaign page elements
• Project management and organization
• Logistics of reward fulfillment
• Digital marketing strategy
• Pre-marketing campaign importance
• PR and influencer outreach
• Knowledge acquisition and coaching

1. Preparation and Validation

• Main Point: Preparation is crucial for a successful Kickstarter campaign.
• Details: Many campaigns fail due to lack of preparation. Successful campaigns, including those featured on the "Crowdfunding Demystified" podcast, emphasize thorough preparation.
• Validation: Validate your project idea through market research and user feedback. Avoid keeping the prototype secret.
• Example: Sharing prototypes and getting feedback allows for iterative improvement and refinement of the product and marketing strategy.
• Actionable Insight: Conduct market research to validate your project idea before launching the campaign.

2. Reward System Design

• Main Point: Brainstorm compelling rewards to excite backers.
• Details: Rewards should appeal to backers' desire to support the creator, be part of a community, and gain exclusive perks.
• Structure: Avoid too many or too few rewards. Use marketing mechanisms to create urgency, FOMO (fear of missing out), and social proof.
• Actionable Insight: Structure rewards to maximize average cart value and create a sense of exclusivity and urgency.

3. Compelling Pitch Video

• Main Point: A compelling pitch video is essential for campaign success.
• Details: The video should be concise and include elements that resonate with strangers. Study successful Kickstarter campaign videos.
• Format: Follow a proven format to tell a brand story and assign premium value to the product.
• Actionable Insight: Plan the video shots, product demonstrations, and overall presentation to create a compelling narrative.

4. Effective Crowdfunding Campaign Page

• Main Point: An effective campaign page is crucial for converting visitors into backers.
• Details: Include compelling product photos, visuals, and graphics.
• Actionable Insight: Start early in gathering the necessary visuals and graphics for the campaign page.

5. Project Management and Organization

• Main Point: Structure and planning are essential for managing the campaign.
• Details: Use tools like Google Drive, Excel, Word Docs, Basecamp, or Monday.com to organize assets and communication.
• Benefits: Simplifies communication, collaboration, and future campaign refinement.
• Actionable Insight: Implement a project management system to organize assets, track progress, and facilitate collaboration.

6. Logistics of Reward Fulfillment

• Main Point: Plan the logistics of fulfilling rewards.
• Details: Consider the implications of being overfunded. Determine shipping options (local, national, worldwide).
• Benefits: Clarity around price points, shipping amounts, and FAQs.
• Actionable Insight: Plan for potential overfunding scenarios and streamline the order and fulfillment process.

7. Digital Marketing Strategy

• Main Point: A digital marketing strategy is crucial for driving traffic and backers to the campaign.
• Details: The "Kickstarter Launch Formula" book outlines channels that drive ROI.
• Actionable Insight: Develop a written digital marketing strategy to prime the pump and rank in the Kickstarter charts.

8. Pre-Marketing Campaign

• Main Point: Pre-marketing is essential for building anticipation and a brand before the launch.
• Details: Neglecting pre-marketing is a common mistake.
• Actionable Insight: Focus on pre-launch activities to build anticipation and engage potential backers.

9. PR and Influencer Outreach

• Main Point: Utilize PR and influencers to promote the campaign.
• Details: Warm up potential influencers and media publications before the launch.
• Actionable Insight: Reach out to influencers and media outlets to promote the campaign and consider using affiliate programs.

10. Knowledge Acquisition and Coaching

• Main Point: Continuously learn and seek guidance.
• Details: Listen to podcasts, read books, and study other campaigns.
• Actionable Insight: Accumulate knowledge and consider one-on-one coaching for personalized guidance.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The key to a successful Kickstarter campaign lies in thorough preparation, strategic planning, and continuous learning. This includes validating the project idea, designing compelling rewards, creating a captivating pitch video, building an effective campaign page, managing project logistics, implementing a digital marketing strategy, engaging in pre-marketing activities, leveraging PR and influencers, and seeking expert guidance when needed. By addressing these critical areas, creators can increase their chances of achieving campaign success and building a sustainable business.